Affiliate Marketing Blog: So What Actually Is Wrong With Some Voucher Code Sites? Case In Point

Thursday, 16 October 2008

So What Actually Is Wrong With Some Voucher Code Sites? Case In Point

So many voucher code sites aren't cookie cutters? They add massive value?

Just using MDS Batteries as an example.

There are about 50 voucher code sites that have MDS listed. The funny thing is that I've never been aware in the past 7/8 years of them running an affiliate programme to offer a discount code - prove me wrong.

Site's like MyVoucherCodes say "Reveal All Discount Deals and Visit site". But there are no voucher codes.

Here's an example below:

With A1 it says "Reval All Promotions and Visit the website" - but there's no promotions to show:

VoucherCodes.com says "Show Current Discount Codes + Site" - but there isn't any? Aren't you tricking the user?

VoucherCodeReards.co.uk says "Show Current Discount Code & Visit Site" - guess what?! No code!!

At least MyFreeDiscountCodes does it right and tells people that they don't have any codes!!!

So the issue with most of these sites is promise something they can't deliver just for a sale - regardless of how that affects the merchants and their brand. Regardless of the fact that they're advertising a code they don't have.

What makes me laugh even more is the affiliates that are told to remove codes then add them back to their site later and when are pulled up about it - blame their "automated CMS system" that adds codes (cough)!

And Joe is starting to put down his thoughts about code sites - I'll read with interest. Let's hope that this blog and other ethical affiliates will help educate those intent to employ short-termist policies.

17 Comments:

At 16 October 2008 at 10:13 , Martin said...: Great article to defend the discount coders ( not that they are shy in defending themselves) they not all bad

You example merchant is not listed by discount code couk and discount code .tv have the merchant listed but clearly say they are not any codes

My test icodes site Discount Code Site has the merchant listed but clearly states no codes are available and does not ask people to click to the site to find this out.
At 16 October 2008 at 14:52 , Anonymous said...: certain sites are giving proper and genuine sites a bad name to the general pubic who shop online. i hope you dont mind me posting my site http://www.directdiscount.co.uk/ but im trying a different approach. all codes expire when they should and never go back on unless i add them manually again. i know my content will be up and down but at least the user can see there is no code available.
At 16 October 2008 at 15:27 , Anonymous said...: I totally agree it's basically brand name hijacking and Google should ban these sites.
At 16 October 2008 at 17:22 , Anonymous said...: Lee, why do you spend so much time having a good at discount sites?

If you dont like fair enough, write a post, and make your opinion clear to the networks. But why keep going over the same stuff, it gets boring after a while and starts to sound like sour grapes.

You claim to be good at SEO, so why start your own "ethical" code site, and blow the dodgy ones out the water? And make a lot of money at the same time.
At 16 October 2008 at 17:31 , getvisible said...: a) because there's many strands to the debate

b) so much time? I think I've written about 4 posts which have taken me about 1/2 hour

c) who says I'm not creating one

d) if you don't like what I write - don't read it
At 16 October 2008 at 17:31 , getvisible said...: e) because we're actually getting somewhere!
At 16 October 2008 at 17:38 , getvisible said...: f) do you have a vested interest in not having a debate?
At 16 October 2008 at 18:03 , Anonymous said...: Totally agree with you Lee. I'm not keen on forced clicks even when there is a code or promotion available.

I do wonder why more merchants / networks make a stance on this? I think with alot of the smaller sites doing it, its a case of looking at a couple of the more established sites and just copying the methods...
At 16 October 2008 at 19:26 , Anonymous said...: "and make your opinion clear to the networks."

It's aimed at merchants. Networks want the cookie dropping to continue.
At 17 October 2008 at 00:03 , Anonymous said...: IMO vouchercodes dot com is the worst offender.

This guy claims exclusivity for vouchers that are not. He claims to have codes which offer higher discounts than they actually do. I think he just pulls most of his codes out of thin air, all the while dropping cookies.

He has been reported but as you can probably guess, the complaints just get ignored.
At 17 October 2008 at 14:11 , Joe Connor said...: Hi Lee,
DCTV now shows all codes in the clear, we've disabled click/drag cut and paste for now and we're going to see how that goes SOOOO no more click and reveal for me and another monkey off my back hopefully.
I've still got a load of old stuff to clear out but I'm getting there.
CantBarsed has always been in the clear and cut and paste-able.
I hope all the other code sites take the plunge and ditch click to reveal.
At 17 October 2008 at 20:47 , Anonymous said...: Joe NOOOO! If you and the rest are going to follow my lead of displaying codes openly then I am going to be hit in the pocket. Then we all will for being the same. Then Lee will get bored.
At 18 October 2008 at 04:58 , Anonymous said...: we've also added deeplinking for each code/offer (before we could only link to home page) so we can drill down to the relevant pages on the merchant sites which has got to help conversions and makes the site more useful to visitors - which is what it's all about.
At 19 October 2008 at 19:15 , Anonymous said...: We show the store on our website but make it visible to customers that no voucher is available at the moment however they can click and visit the website. The aim is not to force the customer to click and reveal the code if no code is available. view MDS Battery at http://www.voucher-mania.co.uk/vouchers/204/MDS_Battery
Regards,
Adeel
At 20 October 2008 at 09:54 , Anonymous said...: showing codes and making sure they are removed on the day they expire is NOT new. My site has been doing that for 3 years!! I have NEVER hidden a code, forced a click, said a merchant has codes when they don't, nicked an exclusive code, etc.etc.

I am in totally agreement that networks and merchants should do something about the unethical sites.
At 21 October 2008 at 17:48 , Anonymous said...: Thanks very much Lee :) I have tried to make MyFreeDiscountCodes as fair as possible just like discount-voucher.co.uk.

Though its a constant job to keep everyone happy.

I applaud Joe and Ray for having no click to reveal system on their site, though I am cautious in making my sites the same while there is such competition out there who still have it in place.
At 31 January 2010 at 09:29 , Voucher Codes said...: I agree with you , vouchers can help a consumer save money while shopping online.