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So the TL:DW version seems to be that honey changes or adds an affiliate link to get a commission on the sale. Similar programs like Capital One Shopping probably do the same thing.
Honestly, I don’t give a shit. I hate affiliate links no matter who gets them. They are the real scam.
Sounds link the real solution is to use it to identify potential coupon codes. Then clear cookies, resign in, and enter the code yourself. But it’s not like that yields a cheaper price, so I’m not even sure I care.
That's just one issue, there's also the fact that they partner with stores to give worse coupons than are actually available, by letting them get affiliate money when doing so. And then advertising that they ALWAYS give you the best codes, while getting paid by stores not to do so....
Theres also another video coming up with stores that have been screwed over by Honey getting hold of codes that are supposed to be hidden/limited. (though that's honestly on the store, make your limited coupons actually limited to avoid this..) But he only teased this, there might be something wkse/more.
Slightly scummy on the first front, but then again, if I knew the better codes, I’d just use them rather than use a browser extension.
On the second front, that’s more the fault of companies not validating exclusive codes.
Sure but when you advertise we well find you the best price available and you don't cause the company paid you to give this lower coupon it is fraud.
He mentions in the video that they stopped advertising that when the BBB brought it up with them.
I think for this story, the timeline is paramount. What Honey used to be compared to what it became are worlds apart. Claims they made when they were just a coupon aggregator should be considered in a different light than claims once they started partnering with vendors
not a tldw
Reductive take that doesn't really summarize
I'm torn on affiliate links. I've worked with people in sales before and it's usually scammy unless the contract is done right (flat rate commission, no bonuses for selling "certain" items). I've seen really hard working and informative workers that are actually impossible to replace because of the knowledge of products and handling the customers needs without flair or extra cost. Will inform them of cheaper methods like how easy it is to purchase and install a cable versus paying someone $100 just to plug something in and flip a switch basically.
In those instances, I think the affiliate/commission is warranted. Same with some awesome youtube channels I've ran across where they test the shit out of several products in a category (Torque Test Channel is a good one). If I need the product and I'm buying it off their recommendation I will gladly use their affiliate link if I think about it beforehand.
Now, there are some channels that I've just taken the affiliate link to be basically a form of sponsorship and promotion. Sadly a lot of construction/trade channels end up falling into this eventually. Matt Risinger is probably one of the worse ones, but even lower end guys like The Stud Pack just become a "new product showcase" channel instead of DIY or instructional videos.
Matt Risinger's channel was pretty good when he first started but the last few I've watched seem like nothing but commercials. I haven't watched his stuff in a while so I gave it a shot on a recent video and remembered why I stopped watching.
I'm starting to think they put something toxic in the Zip System, or at least it's like a gateway for corporate sponsorship cocaine. Once they start jerking themselves off talking about how great Zip is, it usually goes downhill from there (not bashing zip, just is always funny). I just recently gave up on him so it was interesting to see the decline. There would be a really great informative video, then several just commercialized crap.
The sad part is if any of these products are scammy, we probably won't find out about it publicly. The company product will just slowly fade from existence, maybe a report done by a safety or efficiency board that will call it out and be dropped from code. There's been plenty of building products that don't hold up to their specs when scrutinized.
I work in telecom. Currently I'm working with the group that pre-wires large apartment complexes. When we first started doing this everyone was all about the Zip systems. I've noticed in the last 18 months they're all back to normal OSB and house wrap. And it's like "Zip- meh". It was so hyped 6 years aggo. Risinger was one of the firat I swe hyping Zip and like you said its only gotten worse.