I'll tell you what. I've done it before and I'll do it again in a heartbeat. Why? Because it works.
If you can't pay your affiliates. Shut your program down and don't come back until you have paid off all outstanding affiliate payments.
Funny how it's always the same programs giving the same or similar excuses.
There are those who think they've mastered the art the affiliate run-around. You're really not so clever after all.