Payment problems with Rome

[Magic79]

LOL... Sorry, I had to laugh. Maybe I'm wrong, but I don't think there is 'seal' out there that is not for sale... one way or another.

Just to clarify my Seal For Sale definition:

Of course a Sponsor would pay a fee, and in turn get to put up a seal of whatever, but if the fee is paid one time or residual or incentiveised......Then they get to ignore the TOS and conditions of displaying the seal....

Bluntly...pay enough and we won't hold you to the terms....

[kwblue]

Just to clarify my Seal For Sale definition:

Of course a Sponsor would pay a fee, and in turn get to put up a seal of whatever, but if the fee is paid one time or residual or incentiveised......Then they get to ignore the TOS and conditions of displaying the seal....

Bluntly...pay enough and we won't hold you to the terms....

I am pretty confident that GPWA has a sponsorship code of conduct that programs must follow.

I know that at AGD we accept sponsors, but they are VERY limited due to our Code of Conduct. We will remove any sponsor not adhering to that code with immediate affect and with complete forfeiture of the sponsorship fees.

My guess is that GPWA has similar provisions in their sponsorship program.

[Magic79]

Just a quick update....Rome continues to display the GPWA Seal

Rome still has not contacted me

Rome still has not paid.

[Chips]

Isn't it great how they choose to ignore this forum, this thread, the affiliates?

[MichaelCorfman]

I would like to point out that the issues related to this thread were raised in the thread www.gpwa.org/forum/rome-not-responding-183330.html.

While I do not always monitor all of the threads in the forum, I do try to make a point of monitoring posts in the thread regarding unresolved issues which have not received responses made in the forum www.gpwa.org/forum/help-when-affiliate-program-fails-address-request-forums-below.html.

Following is the post I made in the subject forum yesterday evening:

Based on the fact that payments from Rome have continued to be late for many webmasters, and that communications with webmasters regarding payments have not been at the level we expect from sponsor programs, we have temporarily suspended the listing of Rome Partners in the sponsorship directory of the GPWA website as permitted under the terms of the GPWA contract with Rome and the terms of our sponsor code of conduct.

Our plan is to work with GPWA members and with Rome in order to help ensure payments move back on track. Toward that end we expect to soon provide the service of acting as a liaison for unresolved GPWA member payment issues with Rome to help ensure that as webmasters we are comfortable any current payment issues are resolved in an appropriate fashion.

While at the Budapest Affiliate Conference we were able to meet with the CEO of Topgame who has agreed to accept joint responsibility for ensuring that all payments due by Rome as their licensee will be properly addressed. This is good news because I have been told by more than one operator that Topgame's payment delays have created a customer service challenge.

Michael

Michael

[Shaun O'neill]

Has anybody tried to speak to Josh direct?

If they have you didnt get a reply that would be a huge suprise as Josh has always made himself very public and never one to hide away.

Good luck getting paid.

Shaun

[MichaelCorfman]

Has anybody tried to speak to Josh direct?

If they have you didnt get a reply that would be a huge suprise as Josh has always made himself very public and never one to hide away.

Good luck getting paid.

Shaun

Personally I like Josh, and found that he is always responsive in terms of getting back to me. I also believe that Josh is an honorable person who is trying very hard to handle a difficult situation with delayed cash flow due to complications in the form of delays on the payment processing front.

I know Josh is working very hard to resolve the issues that are getting in the way of prompt payments. And from my perspective we want very much to be able to show that things are back on track as soon as that is the case, and I anticipate that will be the case soon.

However, with a history of delayed payments, what is really important is that communications about exactly when payments will take place be accurate and that any overdue payments be made promptly. And I think it is also important that more general information be provided to webmasters in these forums and I also think more attention being given to forum posts is also critical.

Michael

[offyourface]

I think most affiliates are pretty reasonable and understand when money gets tied up with processors. A simple heads up would go a long way instead of keeping affiliates in the dark since we will start thinking the worst like they are going bust or something. I don't like hearing from a third party that there are processor problems and why I am not getting paid from this program. If there were some snafus with payment processing then it's not asking a lot from Rome to have the courtesy to keep us posted.

[Magic79]

I know Josh is working very hard to resolve the issues that are getting in the way of prompt payments. And from my perspective we want very much to be able to show that things are back on track as soon as that is the case, and I anticipate that will be the case soon.


Michael

Thank you Michael.

I was told "soon" a long time ago also...

As an affiliate of Rome, I think I have an obligation to continue to post in the forums to keep the threads active, so others may be made aware of how Rome conducts business, and what they can expect if they continue to promote Rome.

At least until Rome will come here and comment, or communicate.

As of today, no contact with Rome, no payment. Sent Skype msg also.

[bb1web]

the world is watching Rome, and this isn't an arena where I'd want to be seen dropping the ball.

[noahromecasino]

Hello to you all,

My name is Noah and I represent Rome Casino and will continue to in this forum.


First, I’d like to say I’m here to explain, as much as possible, our side of this. I know you will be disinclined to trust in what I say, I cannot blame you. But I would like to at least explain.


First, we have not been avoiding this forum, we’ve been monitoring it and to be quite frank we are not by any means relaxed about this subject, quite the opposite, we are fuming. But not at you.


We are fuming because for the last few months we’ve been getting the run around by some of our biggest processors, some of them are late in payments while at least one still owes us and hasn’t paid up. For the last few months, the owners of the Casino have been using some of their own funds for payments, simply because we have not received money owed.
I know, we could and probably should have come forth with this information before, but we didn’t want to present a problem without a solution. The reason I’m here now (and will continue to respond) is that we have had enough of this situation.


That is why we have contracted a new set of processors, these processors are faster, pay on time, and most importantly – pay all that is owed. And our first priority – Use this money to pay affiliates due.



We are in no way trying to dodge our responsibilities and debts, no sensible business would. Our most important task is paying our affiliates. I do apologize for the lack of information coming from our direction, we did not want to make it publicly known that our processors were delaying us, I’m sure that would not have sat well with any of you either. The truth is that we have been searching like crazy for a better deal, and now we’ve found it. We are collecting the money coming through these processors and will use almost every cent to pay affiliates. And so I say – In a couple of weeks we will pay the amounts owed. I'd just like to add that the vast majority of our affiliates have been paid, and it is a small percentage that has been delayed, that is not an excuse of course, and this situation is the most important issue for us.




I know this response will be taken as a delay tactic, and I suppose that if I were in your shoes I’d have a hard time accepting this as well. But it is true – we did not mean to forget anyone or to deny payment, we have all the lists and everything accounted, we have not forgotten any debt, any affiliate, any delay, and will do our utmost to use the money coming in from the new processors to pay what is owed.



Kind Regards,


Noah
Rome Casino

[Chips]

Nearly 30 days ago this thread was started. I think if you had not just "watched and waited" it would have looked better for you. Only after Michael suspends your sponsorship do you come here and offer an excuse as to why some (?) affiliates have not been paid.

Ignorance is not bliss. Affiliates need paid so that their bills are paid. Had you at least made a note that there were some issues and you where working hard at fixing the problem, it would have been a lot better than just sticking your head in the sand hoping no one would notice.

Totally unacceptable in my book. I have removed your brand from my sites, and seeing I never made a big splash with it, I am sure you really don't care. And the Rome banners will not be coming back.

In this age of everyone speaking of transparency, you have been totally opaque. Ignoring those that are responsible for your earning is not the way to run a business. I really believe that had you been more proactive, the community as a whole would be more sympathetic to your alleged issues.

[noahromecasino]

Nearly 30 days ago this thread was started. I think if you had not just "watched and waited" it would have looked better for you. Only after Michael suspends your sponsorship do you come here and offer an excuse as to why some (?) affiliates have not been paid.

Ignorance is not bliss. Affiliates need paid so that their bills are paid. Had you at least made a note that there were some issues and you where working hard at fixing the problem, it would have been a lot better than just sticking your head in the sand hoping no one would notice.

Totally unacceptable in my book. I have removed your brand from my sites, and seeing I never made a big splash with it, I am sure you really don't care. And the Rome banners will not be coming back.

In this age of everyone speaking of transparency, you have been totally opaque. Ignoring those that are responsible for your earning is not the way to run a business. I really believe that had you been more proactive, the community as a whole would be more sympathetic to your alleged issues.

Hello Chips,

You're right, of course. And I don't blame you for the harsh words. Yes we should have responded sooner, we realize now how it seemed, and are deeply sorry that the situation unfolded as such. We didn't know it would be so long, we kept waiting on the processors, confident that we will pay up, week after week, and every time were disappointed.

Again, not an excuse nor even a good reason. We were mistaken. And I understand your decision, I do. We hope to start a new page with our new processors and get into a routine payment procedure now that we can rely on payment dates.

Rome Casino has had its share of problems, I'll grant you, but I think you can and will see how we are improving on all fronts, if slowly at times.

All we can do at this point is answer as best we can and of course show you that we are committed to our affiliates, no one knows better than us their import to our business. I will be answering on this issue regularly (if I take a few hours may mean I'm asleep) and will try to get you any details I know. but I'm not here to convince you to stay, I hope that you will decide that yourself when we make good on our promises. We want nothing more than to return your trust in us, as difficult a task as that may be.

Kind Regards,

Noah
Rome Casino

[Magic79]

Noah, your failure to communicate, and failure to pay, has cost me dearly in many ways that are too personal to share in this forum.
Now you decide to come forward and tell us to wait 2 more weeks.
No business could possibly expect to stay in business acting that way.
Here is a post I wrote when Rome was 5 days late with the payment. http://www.gpwa.org/forum/affiliate-...tml#post555032

So, 2 more weeks. I'll see what my landlord says when I tell him that.

[noahromecasino]

Noah, your failure to communicate, and failure to pay, has cost me dearly in many ways that are too personal to share in this forum.
Now you decide to come forward and tell us to wait 2 more weeks.
No business could possibly expect to stay in business acting that way.
Here is a post I wrote when Rome was 5 days late with the payment. http://www.gpwa.org/forum/affiliate-...tml#post555032

So, 2 more weeks. I'll see what my landlord says when I tell him that.

Ahh.. seems like I don't have the privileges to see that post, don't know what that's about.

I can guess though that the post was saying that 5 days in unacceptable, not to mention this kind of delay. I understand, and I can only repeat that we did not ignore this issue, but without money from our processors there was little we could do, we had to keep paying our overheads and running our business, we are trying to do something about this. I'm sorry about your problems and will try to put you on highest priority if your situation is so dire.

Noah

[Magic79]

Noah, here is the post copied.

I appreciate the priority.

==========================================
I own a brick and mortar business and just today I had to make up 10% to a customer who did not receive a product in a timely manner. The reason the customer did not receive the product was not the fault of MY business but the fault of one of my vendors. My vendor created a problem for me that affected my customer but I took care of my customer. (Note: I have had this Brick and Mortar business for 26 years. guess why)

I voted B
I voted B, because, as has been mentioned before, any change made now does not insure another change would not be made in the future.
I voted B because I think stability is a good thing, it establishes trust.
I voted B Mostly because any business that has made a bad judgement call on the % to pay affiliates and feels they have to adjust it downwards cannot be trusted. They cannot be trusted because no matter what they tell you, you will never be sure if they made an error in judgement, an error based on bad data or projections, an error made by an inexperienced management member, or that they just want or need to improve the bottom line at the affiliates expense.
Why should an Affiliate pay the price when a business cannot do it's due diligence.
==================================

[noahromecasino]

Noah, here is the post copied.

I appreciate the priority.

==========================================
I own a brick and mortar business and just today I had to make up 10% to a customer who did not receive a product in a timely manner. The reason the customer did not receive the product was not the fault of MY business but the fault of one of my vendors. My vendor created a problem for me that affected my customer but I took care of my customer. (Note: I have had this Brick and Mortar business for 26 years. guess why)

I voted B
I voted B, because, as has been mentioned before, any change made now does not insure another change would not be made in the future.
I voted B because I think stability is a good thing, it establishes trust.
I voted B Mostly because any business that has made a bad judgement call on the % to pay affiliates and feels they have to adjust it downwards cannot be trusted. They cannot be trusted because no matter what they tell you, you will never be sure if they made an error in judgement, an error based on bad data or projections, an error made by an inexperienced management member, or that they just want or need to improve the bottom line at the affiliates expense.
Why should an Affiliate pay the price when a business cannot do it's due diligence.
==================================

Very good post.

If I may borrow the analogy - What if a rule came out where you can only get the customers' money through a vendor? Also, there only a few vendors available, all contracted to various companies already So the vendor is the one passing you the money from your customers and you really rely on him, they are paying him and he's paying you minus his fee. Only he's not actually doing it, he's delaying you more and more, and then one day, without warning, he doesn't pay you. But the customers aren't going to him for that 10%, they are coming to YOU. You don't have the money because that vendor hasn't been giving it to you. You want to change to a different vendor but they are timely to find, and meanwhile you need to pay those customers who are waiting.

Do you think you would still be able to take care of all your customers?

How?

But yes, here we are guilty. I do know you would at least have notified them and have made preparations in advance, and yes I again admit we should have been more forward, and sometimes that's not easy in a competitive and unforgiving industry like ours. We're trying to do more of it. We are.

And yes we as a business crave stability, its good for everyone, we know the importance of commitments, and we don't mean to change that, even in a dynamic and ever-changing industry like ours.

Noah

[MichaelCorfman]

Nearly 30 days ago this thread was started. I think if you had not just "watched and waited" it would have looked better for you. Only after Michael suspends your sponsorship do you come here and offer an excuse as to why some (?) affiliates have not been paid.

I'd just like to explain that from my perspective I think that Rome was dealing with a tough situation where they were expecting to be able to report positive news soon and made a decision on that basis to delay for a few days. And that process repeated itself to the point that a few days a number of time turned into a very large number of days.

The message I delivered to them was one of explaining that approach was broken. I really think they do understand that now, and I think the responses here by Noah do provide a window into seeing that they have a better grasp of how seriously they misjudged the situation.

All of the behind-the-scenes discussions they have had with me have been focused on that. In fact, they have not even questioned or raised even the mildest objection to the fact that they are currently not listed in the sponsor directory on the GPWA website.

Now I am not going to go so far as to say that the fact that their listing was suspended does not matter to them - I'm sure it does. But based on my interactions with them I really do believe they consider that to be a minor point compared with doing everything they can to fix their relationship with affiliates.

I'd also like to say that I think it is good there have been a couple posts by affiliates saying what they think about the situation. It can be tempting to postpone the relations around an issue until the problem is resolved, and I think the direct feedback helps to clarify the extent to which such an approach is not in the best interests of anyone.

Michael

[giggles7p]

BS, All of it.

Excuse after Excuse since day one as far as i am concerned. Tell me, HOW did you pay an affiliates the 16K, that you took for another affiliate last month if you had no money to pay anyone else????

ABSOLUTE BULLSHIT.

Offyourface, i hope you are reading this crap?

Pat

[sparky1]

Hey Noah, why havent you replied to this thread regarding offyourfaces player suddendly being removed from his affiliate acct. He was owed $16K and bamn, rules seemed to have changed and some apparent other affiliate got this player.

If you ask me it seem rather convient that this would happen at the same time that you claim to have no funds to pay affiliates let alone what you guys are doing to players.

I demand you reply and do so with the intent to a settlement with this affiliate. Trust me Noah, affiliates are watching that thread and what Rome does to make ammends so hopefully you'll realize the importance of this and will act accordingly.

http://www.gpwa.org/forum/rome-partn...d=1#post557756