MetaChat - Why don't we start an Amazon associates thing for dodgy?

MetaChat is an informal place for MeFites to touch base and post, discuss and chatter about topics that may not belong on MetaFilter. Questions? Check the FAQ. Please note: This is important.

27 January 2006

Why don't we start an Amazon associates thing for dodgy? we all read and talk about books, and with the book club need to buy them, and could make money for hosting with it. What do you think?

post by: amberglow at: 13:21 | 22 comments

that's a great idea.

posted by jonmc 27 January | 13:23

I'm down. I just hope I would remember to use it.

posted by ThePinkSuperhero 27 January | 13:28

Bunny-approved products. It's a concept.

posted by warbaby 27 January | 13:32

but can he do it from the uk or does someone here have to do it? how would it work? someone help.

posted by amberglow 27 January | 13:36

Let's go a step further. If we upload a song, maybe link to the CD it's off of. Every little bit helps, right?

posted by jonmc 27 January | 13:44

It's a nice idea, but would the more technologically challenged members of the audience (I say that in a value-neutral way) understand how to add the associates key to their links? Probably not. And hasn't mathowie already said that it's difficult to code the post code to automatically append the associates key to amazon links submitted by posters/commenters?

posted by matildaben 27 January | 13:45

what if we put it on the sidebar, with the exact code to use?

posted by amberglow 27 January | 13:46

or one of us could try to remember to add it into any post that has a related Amazon item?

posted by amberglow 27 January | 13:47

Are they going to create a profile and track my buying habits?

Will links to Amazon attached to potentially unlawfully distributed music raise authoriteyebrows?

Don't those bastards already have enough secret power?

Now that they have my soul, will they eat my firstborn too?

posted by Hugh Janus 27 January | 13:49

I recall reading that 100% of the money Amazon donated to political candidates during the last US election cycle went to republicans/conservatives. Once I have another cup of tea, I'll see if I can find something to back that up.

posted by bmarkey 27 January | 14:09

Well, I fucked up the numbers, but the majority of thier donations did go to republican PACs. So there's that.

posted by bmarkey 27 January | 14:13

well, Barnes and Noble is Blue, and other companies too--do they have associates things?

posted by amberglow 27 January | 14:33

Powells is good too.

posted by amberglow 27 January | 14:34

Powells isn't perfect, though. Michael Powell, the owner of Powells, fought the ILWU Local 5 unionization efforts tooth and nail, and hires anti-union lawyers to handle contract negotiations (at least, according the ILWU guys I used to hang out with).

Still, Powells beats Amazon hands down.

posted by cmonkey 27 January | 15:13

Wow guys, thanks for looking out for me.

Well I don't think these kind of schemes make much money and so it's up to you guys - if people like the idea I could put in a link to AbeBooks somewhere I suppose. They do an affiliate program, they sell second hand and everyone should be able to get a book at a price they like.

So, is that what people would like?

posted by dodgygeezer 27 January | 15:28

I'd like for people to get books at the library.

Affiliate links sound like a good idea, though. Abebooks, Powell's, B&N, Amazon, why not all of 'em?

posted by box 27 January | 16:29

AbeBooks would be great....even a few bucks a month would help in defraying costs, no?

posted by amberglow 27 January | 16:41

Absolutely. I'm certainly not going to turn my nose up at any help for server costs.

I'll find out more and add a link when we move to our new server.

Thanks amber and everyone else.

posted by dodgygeezer 27 January | 16:44

Barnes and Noble may donate blue but they are gangsters and constantly fuck over small publishers and less popular writers. I am always trying to wean myself off them. Can we not donate via paypal?

(I will happily do amazon refferer links, I even buy big ole expensive books for work and would happily buy them through the referal all the time).

I would like to kick something in, however. Somehow.

posted by Divine_Wino 27 January | 16:50

I promise not to delete affiliate references in URLs from this site.

posted by safetyfork 27 January | 17:26

Powell's generates links easily, and the company isn't run by Satan. That's always a plus.

Personally, I'd be much more likely to purchase from them, because it's something I don't have to feel guilty about.

posted by mudpuppie 27 January | 17:58

whichever company dodgy wants, ok everyone? : >

posted by amberglow 27 January | 23:36

← Yes ... || I declare that Ihave invented a new word. →

HOME || REGISTER || LOGIN