Ebay Affiliate Links, no I don't hate them but...
I feel I need to edit this here... I'm not sure how these links below have the rover.ebay stuff attached to them. I am now colored confused about it. Is the forum software adding the rover stuff? quote this post to see that I just put in the links as they should be.
To start with here is some light reading that is very informative:
https://partnernetwork.ebay.com/affiliate-tracking
Some heavier reading:
https://partnernetwork.ebay.com/epn-blog/2017/6/what-every-affiliate-marketer-must-know-about-the-new-ftc-disclosure-guidelines
and
https://partnernetwork.ebay.com/legal/#network-agreement
Particularly this part:
"Disclosure about Relationship with EPN. Note that the Federal Trade Commission requires disclosure of any material connection or relationship when you endorse or promote a product or service to your readers. Affiliate links are considered such a material connection. Please insert a statement such as the below on your website. “When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.” Additionally, any posts on your social media channels (including, but not limited to Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram) must include #ad, #advertisement, #sponsored, or something similar at the beginning of the post to clearly and conspicuously disclose the posts are an advertisement."
I've noticed more than one poster hiding ebay affiliate links behind the forum software's ability to relabel hyperlinks. No, I will not "call them out" because they know who they are.
Now, am I saying that the ebay affiliate program has no place here? No, not at all, but at least have the courtesy to tell us all when you are linking using an affiliate account.
Collector, occasional seller
Comments
affiliates only get paid when a purchase is made, no?
Honestly I'm not sure, but an affiliate can link to more than just an item. From above link: "You can point traffic to any page on the site – the homepage, search results, etc. " so if an affiliate points you to, say, the ebay homepage or a list of gold and then you buy something from there I believe they will get the commission. Someone here who is in the program can explain better than I can.
If someone wants to make a commission and it doesn't affect the price I pay for an item I'm all for it. I just want to know about it, as the program and FTC regulations require.
Collector, occasional seller
Since I have to pay to use ebay as a seller, I should be able to opt out 100% from all the BS advertising or charge a fee per ad.
Am I wrong?
and no I am not crazy.
my time is worth money, even if it is a few seconds to get around one of their ads.
People these days take stuff like this for granted and as a part of everyday life. I choose to control my life and not let others dictate what I am doing, reading, seeing, etcetera.
Let me try to link a random ebay item and see what it does here...
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1936-P-Washington-Silver-Quarter-Dollar-25C-PCGS-Proof-PR-65-Type-1-Silver-RARE/293144051532?_trkparms=aid=111001&algo=REC.SEED&ao=1&asc=20180816085401&meid=6e804b04d91b4f138b6eedf563776aa1&pid=100970&rk=4&rkt=8&sd=303257532014&itm=293144051532&pmt=0&noa=1&pg=2481888&_trksid=p2481888.c100970.m5481&_trkparms=pageci:9f3c9589-dbd7-11e9-b409-74dbd18045cb|parentrq:5003937f16d0aa468dca5b37ffa40036|iid:1
Huh,,, this does also... WTH. Does anyone else see rover.ebay when they hover over these? campid 5338203720, please confirm I am not crazy
Collector, occasional seller
I’ve seen some forum software that seem to automatically add eBay affiliate links. Hopefully this means PCGS is getting some money for letting us use these forums.
Are you seeing campid=5338203720 on these links?
Either that or whoever made these forums is.
Collector, occasional seller
Yes.
Several users appear to "participate" on the PCGS boards simply to hide affiliate links and earn themselves money.
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
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