Skybet changes terms to steal from affiliates

[RacingJim]

One of the problems is, Matt has not really made much of a "statement" - aside from things like (paraphrased) "I'll get back to you" and "I've changed the terms so that they are also on the new terms page".

One would think that the head of affiliates would be willing to enter into public discussion in this matter - but so far, that has not been the case.

Agree totally, Matt isn't really being particularly useful as it stands, ignoring the key issue and just answering little bits and bobs as he picks and chooses. Fiddling while Rome burns.

[MattPrice]

Agree totally, Matt isn't really being particularly useful as it stands, ignoring the key issue and just answering little bits and bobs as he picks and chooses. Fiddling while Rome burns.

If anyone would like to discuss the key issue then I am available via all the normal communication methods, including face to face at the conference. However, I decided after my first post that I'm not prepared to discuss things on a forum where people are throwing a variety of personal insults my way.

[colin3005]

If anyone would like to discuss the key issue then I am available via all the normal communication methods, including face to face at the conference. However, I decided after my first post that I'm not prepared to discuss things on a forum where people are throwing a variety of personal insults my way.

Well I replied to your email with some comments, and you have read it hours ago but haven't replied.
I haven't been insulting nor was it in public.

With all due respect, as much as I disagree with any insults, when you (and by you I mean the company you are the spokesperson for, not you personally) change your business terms to change contracts and to be detrimental to existing relationships, and ultimately cost people money, then feelings are going to run high, and I would suggest that ignoring a very public criticism of skybet, that ranks very high on google already, is not the best option. There are plenty of people commenting on this thread who have been nothing but civil, by ignoring them then you are actually being quite disrespectful.

[Triple7]

The "insults" came after Matt entered this discussion. Before he entered this discussion we didn't even know about the existence of Matt Price, head affiliate of a brand that decided to steal from affiliates. So these so called personal insults are quite a weak argument to avoid the discussion.

Why not tell us a little more, Matt, about your point of view or why SkyBet thinks it's ok to breach some terms and steal from affiliates? How would you react, Matt, if those clowns decide to cut your salary 50% beginning 1st november? Somehow it's sad that I blacklisted SkyCrap long time ago... I would love to unite powers with other affiliates and take them to court to see if it's fair what they're doing.

[RacingJim]

I would suggest that ignoring a very public criticism of skybet, that ranks very high on google already, is not the best option.

Ah yeh good spot, I get this as 10th in Google for the term 'Skybet affiliates' and about 15th for 'Sky Bet affiliates'

I'm sure a bit of link building and some more postings can get this topic to top 3-4 in Google so anyone new signing up for Skybet affiliates will read it.

[Triple7]

Here it ranks 3rd! 3rd and 4th in ranking (just under their own websites) are about SkyBet scamming affiliates. And I will give this thread just another backlink.

[colin3005]

8th and 9th for me, suggesting anyone looking for them to sign up to are likely to see the thread. Anyone thinking of starting with them must be mad to do so.

[Triple7]

Also if I google Matt Price Skybet, this thread is ranking well. So, as it seems Skybet is cutting costs and Matt perhaps has do to some job interviews, he'd better make some statements here that will impress the companies where he's sending his job apply letters to.

[-Shay-]

If anyone would like to discuss the key issue then I am available via all the normal communication methods, including face to face at the conference. However, I decided after my first post that I'm not prepared to discuss things on a forum where people are throwing a variety of personal insults my way.

This forum is a "normal communication method" to discuss this bit of thievery being committed by Sky Bet's affiliate program.

While I do not agree with personal insults towards you or anyone else, I call bullshit on that being your true reason for your silence.

[theGman]

Really don't know what there is to discuss - they are out to screw Affiliates in a very unsubtle way.You either choose to continue promoting them hoping that the axe won't fall for a while on you, eventually it will given their now well documented business methods, or you remove them and move on to a venue that deserves your traffic.

[DanHorvat]

I won't talk to Matt Price at the conference. I have no reason to waste time on a discussion in which he will be defending the T&C of his employer.

What I am interested in, however, is a stand up guy who would do the right thing and talk outside the conference floor.

[Buddy M]

Wow, this is getting almost as heated as when BetUS dropped the entire affiliate program. I dont care how good or how much you love your aff manager, and there are some very good managers, they dont make the decisions and you never know which brand is next. I just got another email from the Sportsbook affiliate program; their dropping the affiliate program AGAIN! Too make matters worse I joined the second time around after they brought it back and guess what? I was assured before signing on that this would never happen again. My fault, I shouldda learned the first time.

[damage83]

We all know the real reason why you wont have an open discussion here. Anyone can hide behind an email with a generic statement and avoid all the questions asked. I bet not one person has had anything different from the standard 'a business decision has been made' or 'it has been made to incentivise partners who continually contribute' You do not appreciate the insults but trust me the way you are insulting us with all of this is far worse. Insults are not always just words you know. Now I would appreciate a reply to my previous emails that have not had any response.

[Aidan90]

It's been eye opening reading through this thread, I'm a new affiliate so I'm very glad I've not invested much time or money into promoting Sky Bet so far - I definitely won't be in the future.

[wonderpunter]

I'm surprised that there are still many 9 star reviews out there...

[nwalker]

I'm surprised that there are still many 9 star reviews out there...

I'm not surprised as the Sky Product is actually very good, it's just the affiliate program that sucks.

[-Shay-]

GPWA & Sky should take note... THIS is how things should be done with programs who try to walk on their affiliate partners or players.

[DanHorvat]

Once again...removal of Skybet and the termination of your affiliate account is NOT the answer in this particular case.

That's what they want, to steal your players. That's why both T&C and Matt Price are saying "you can close your account if you don't like the new terms". That's what they want, 0% commission for the players you have referred so far. That's the plan that steals millions.

So no one do anything drastic like demanding your account to be closed, you're doing them a favor. Keep a banner somewhere so they can't close your account because you're not promoting them.

I'm hoping some of the contributors to this thread (people who said they'd chip in) will meet me in Berlin. I will likely also be in London briefly prior to the conference.

[Triple7]

GPWA & Sky should take note... THIS is how things should be done with programs who try to walk on their affiliate partners or players.

I agree, but I didn't expect anything from GPWA. AffActive was their partner even ntil almost the monent they picked up their first soap in jaiil's shower room and BuffaloHackers, NetHive / WinnerAffiliates (LoserAffiliates) and jokers like BrightShare are still their partners, sponsors, buddies or whatever. They recently took Bet-at-home as a new sponsor. And so on...

Nowadays I better take a look at the GPWA sponsors to see who a better not promote.

[-Shay-]

I agree, but I didn't expect anything from GPWA. AffActive was their partner even ntil almost the money they picked up their first soap in jaiil's shower room and BuffaloHackers, NetHive / WinnerAffiliates (LoserAffiliates) and jokers like BrightShare are still their partners, sponsors, buddies or whatever. They recently took Bet-at-home as a new sponsor. And so on...

Nowadays I better take a look at the GPWA sponsors to see who a better not promote.

My feelings exactly. I was pointing at a business model who is not afraid to take action on behalf of their members and comparing it to what I observe here.

That being said, I 100% agree with Dan's post

I will not be in Berlin, nor am I close to London - but count me in for a "chip in" in the event we come up with a collective game plan to bring this to court.