Comments on: Changes Made To CafePress Volume Bonus Program

By: goyitomke

goyitomke — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 14:24:27 +0000

On analyzing our YTD sales, it’s apparent that we’re going to lose probably $5,000 in income this year under our current business model, due to the changes in the volume bonus program. Guess that I’m going to have to get my butt in gear and make some MAJOR changes in the way we do business.

By: Freebird

Freebird — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 05:57:29 +0000

I just calculated that my profits will go down by 22.5% if next year’s sales are identical to this year’s. If my shop continues to grow (which it will) the profits will be down even more than 22.5%. I currently get less than 5% of my sales from my shop (used to be more) – over 95% are from the Marketplace (thanks to CafePress promoting their Marketplace so heavily). Thanks for stealing almost a quarter of my profits, CafePress. I will now be diversifying my items to Zazzle and Printfection so I don’t rely so heavily on profits from one POD source. Screw you, CafePress – you’ve definitely screwed me.

By: T-Zone

T-Zone — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 14:21:48 +0000

Along with you all, I will be keeping a tight eye on my stats- and honestly I think not only the late notice was a kick in the gut to Sk’s, but the recent addition to those HUGE Add to cart Buttons in the MP- Almost makes it a sure bet customers will buy from the MP and not follow the tiny link to the shop that is offering the design.

By: billly

billly — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 20:39:18 +0000

I’ve never yet even made a volume bonus, so this is all academic to me. Actually, this month may be the first that i actually reach it; remains to be seen. I can see that it will affect a lot of SK’s but to what extent, i think, remains to be seen.

Announcements like this always trigger immediate outrage, but i suspect that the worst part of the whole thing is the time frame itself.

By: PamelaC

PamelaC — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 12:57:39 +0000

Ditto Kayecee!

By: Kayecee

Kayecee — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 19:16:22 +0000

I am like many others though…. I’ll be keeping a MUCH closer eye on my stats…. everyone needs to make SURE that you report any errors that you spot immediately…

By: Daniel

Daniel — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 18:16:13 +0000

Gotcha, gotcha. Thanks, Adam. If reporting is 100% rock solid, then I see no problem with this kind of model.

By: Adam

Adam — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 17:48:40 +0000

That is old info though Daniel. They have previously fixed and announced the fix that sources are now reported correctly – and differently. It’s all done via the add to cart button – so much simpler. No room for error.

By: Daniel

Daniel — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 17:20:40 +0000

This is going to cost a lot of people a lot of money… especially considering that their source reporting is not 100% accurate (shop sales being listed as marketplace, etc). If they can prove that the source reporting is 100% accurate, then I suppose it makes a certain amount of sense to reward shopkeepers who work to drive traffic to their shops instead of those who randomly pick up sales from the marketplace. It’s true performance-based rewarding, and I’m in favor of that.

But without proof that the source reporting is 100% accurate with ZERO mistakes… this is a foolish move for them as far as CP/SK relations. The shopkeepers are going to get the shaft if it’s not 100%.