has anyone ever ... the affiliate feature to work

I mean seriously... this affiliate feature is horrible... you always lose the affiliate ID, once you switch from the entry page, regardless if the visitor goes to another .asp file from the productcart default .asp pages... or if they go to a custom .asp page, or a static html page - it doesn't matter. 

I would really like to use this feature... but it's simply worthless... I know, there is an improvement to the affiliate feature in the new release... but, does it address this issue?


Edited by JWL - 27-November-2008 at 4:22pm

Hi JWL,
    I just checked and there is definitely a problem with your store. From the Help on the affiliate settings page :-

[QUOTE]When this option is active, a harmless cookie with the affiliate's unique ID is saved on the customer's computer the first time that customer visits your store after clicking on link to the store that included the affiliate ID.

If the same customer later returns to place an order (or place another order), the system will recognize the original referring affiliate and store the corresponding affiliate ID with the new order.

This allows you to let affiliates earn a commission on a sale even if the referred customer does not purchase during the first visit to your store.

You can select the number of days the cookie will remain active on the customer's computer before it expires. For example, enter 365 if you want the cookie to remain valid for 1 year.[QUOTE]
 
Can you check it is set to "Yes" and a number of days and if it isn't then please raise a support ticket and we will investigate it on your store.

Thanks for the replies - ok, so as it is with v3.12 - if someone comes to the site through an affiliate link, but doesn't purchase during that visit, than even if they come back to the site the next day or week etc. and purchase - the affiliate won't get credit for that sale?

Hamish - I can't find an affiliates settings page... is that only in v3.5?

Thanks.

JWL: correct, in version 3.12 the affiliate was credited only if the purchase was during the initial visit to the store. In version 3.5, the store manager has more control on this (e.g. setting the number of days until the cookie holding the affiliate ID expires). This is done via the Affiliate Settings page, which is a new feature in version 3.5.

See the Affiliate Settings page at work on one of our demo stores >>

For more information on affiliate program management features built into ProductCart, see the ProductCart WIKI (e.g. http://wiki.earlyimpact.com/productcart/affiliates-overview )


Edited by earlyimp - 28-November-2008 at 4:23am

Hi JWL,
   The first affiliate would take precedence. Of course, once the first reference to the affiliate in the cookie has expired then it's first come first served. (e.g. once their 30 days, or whatever period you designate has passed).

Regards,
         Hamish





Edited by Hamish - 28-November-2008 at 9:09am