Amateur Straight Guys/Digital Ventures Stopped Paying Affiliates?

Has anyone been paid recently from Amateur Straight Guys (ASG)? Our last payment was received over five months ago.

I've been trying to get a response from them for several weeks now but they seem to be ignoring all Emails and phone calls.

We had a similar problem back in February when they fell three months behind in payments. They finally responded and started paying again shortly thereafter.

We've been promoting them for many years and are a bit surprised and disappointed that we cannot get any response after weeks of trying.

Honestly dont know however, as this is the 2nd time something like this appears to have happened id be looking at dropping them as a program i promoted.

Regards,

Lee

I just e-mailed them last week because I haven't received a payment either. I'm not getting a reply to my e-mails.

Is that the sounds of the woodwork breaking open? Anyone else?

Michael

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lee

Honestly dont know however, as this is the 2nd time something like this appears to have happened id be looking at dropping them as a program i promoted.

Regards,

Lee

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Yeah I removed them a little while back from our directory. I still may have some banners on some of our link pages I need to remove.

If there are here at the Phoenix Forum I will ask them what is going on.

Mark

We actually sent an email to them back on 9/27. Here is what we wrote:

Hi there,

We recently noticed that we haven't received a check in a while and logged into your stats system to have a look. It appears that no checks have been issued for any period after April 30 as those amounts show as "unpaid" in the stats admin.

Unfortunately, we looked back further and realized that we have not received amounts that you actually show as paid. I've attached a summary of the amounts due to us and the payments we have received.

Since this is a rather large amount and there seems to be a problem with your payment system, I'm hoping to hear back from you as soon as possible.

Thanks

"Doug & Jay" have always been great top notch guys.

The number I have for them is disconnected but checking their members forum, Doug has posted up to today, so they are still alive. I hope everything will get worked out. I do know they've had affiliate manager changes so this could be what the problem is.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Squirt

"Doug & Jay" have always been great top notch guys.

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Most people working in the industry are, until they screw people over.

Regards,

Lee

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lee

Most people working in the industry are, until they screw people over.

Regards,

Lee

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Absolutely there Lee. Abso-frickin-lutely

No fewer than 5 Emails have been sent beginning on 9/12/06. The addresses I used were doug@ amateurstraightguys.com, customerservice@ amateurstraightguys.com, webmaster@ amateurstraightguys.com. That doesn't include the messages sent through their online form. Suddenly on 9/21 I started getting bounced Email as doug@ amateurstraightguys.com was no longer a valid address/user unknown.

On 9/19 I phoned and spoke to Josh. He stated he would pass my info along to their affiliate manager, Vern. After not hearing anything, I called again on 9/29. Again I spoke to Josh and he transferred me to Vern's voice mail. I left a detailed message. Again nothing.

Sounds like it times to start pulling down links to Amateur Straight Guys.

Michael

Quote:

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Originally Posted by IntenseCash.com

If there are here at the Phoenix Forum I will ask them what is going on.

Mark

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I certainly hope they're not there recruiting new affiliates.

We too have had the same trouble with Amateur Straight Guys (ASG) / Digital Ventures, LLC. They owe us 4-figures in unpaid commissions which have accrued over the past 5 months. The last check that we received from them was May 30, 2006.

They WILL NOT respond via email or phone. We’re to the point of going for broke and taking them to court no matter the cost. If it’s legally feasible, would anyone be interested in a class action lawsuit?

Amateur Straight Guys/Digital Ventures, LLC SHOULD NOT be allowed to continue to operate status-quo until their debts have been paid. I find it interesting that they seem to have no difficulties in paying models to appear on their site/s, but when it comes to affiliates, they apparently feel it’s justifiable to pay us if and when they so choose.

ASG needs to either fold and close up shop or pay what’s owed to their affiliates. I feel certain that there are more of us out there who are in the same predicament with ASG.

It’s time to cease allowing these debtors to continue on with their procrastination and blatant presumptuousness that they have displayed. They think that we affiliates cannot or will not do anything to collect from them what is owed. It’s time to let them know otherwise.

They are still paying for google adwords so I'm guessing that they have a postive cash-flow. ;)

This is exactly why I like to promote CCbill sponsors. You KNOW you're gonna get paid.

Oh look. Anyone at the Phx forum is in their area. Maybe someone should swing by and say hi. That is, if they actually have an office inside their PO Box. ;)

Information courtesy of gayjob.biz

Digital Ventures LLC
PO Box 40
Tempe, AZ 85280
United States
Phone: (602) 288-9010
800 Phone: 877 448 3357
Fax: 602 288 9010
Website (General):
http://www.dougandjayproductions.com
Website (Employment):
http://
E-mail: doug@dougandjayproductions.com

Gross Sales: Not Disclosed
Year Founded: 2000
Benefits:
- Paid Vacations
- Phone Allowance
- Relocation Reimbursement




SUMMARY:
Producer of online adult content.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lee

Most people working in the industry are, until they screw people over.

Regards,

Lee

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Yeah yeah I know lol

Just wanted to put my positive experience with them out there

I'm an affiliate as well so I know where everyone is coming from

I'm going through a big growing phase with my company and know how hard it is to find good reliable people, and to train new ones.

I hate to see the tide turning when I know their old affiliate manager is no longer with them, but I can also obviously understand having to get paid as well. They are good guys and I think they'll make it through this phase with a positive outcome. :drunk:

Squirt, while it sounds like you got along pretty well with these guys, the affiliate manager is not the person making - or not making - the payments. while he could very well be the guy not answering his emails and icq messages, the real problem is that checks aren't being sent :(

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Originally Posted by basschick

Squirt, while it sounds like you got along pretty well with these guys, the affiliate manager is not the person making - or not making - the payments. while he could very well be the guy not answering his emails and icq messages, the real problem is that checks aren't being sent :(

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Yes checks need to be sent

I'm confident they'll get this worked out and make it through the phase they're in now, but I can't predict the future, I can only go from past experience with Scott and Vern.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Squirt

Yeah yeah I know lol

Just wanted to put my positive experience with them out there

I'm an affiliate as well so I know where everyone is coming from

I'm going through a big growing phase with my company and know how hard it is to find good reliable people, and to train new ones.

I hate to see the tide turning when I know their old affiliate manager is no longer with them, but I can also obviously understand having to get paid as well. They are good guys and I think they'll make it through this phase with a positive outcome. :drunk:

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There's a right and a wrong way to conduct business if they are in fact experiencing legitimate managerial issues. So far, they've chosen the latter. If ASG would simply touch base with their affiliates, I'm sure that most of us would understand. I know that we would be more than willing to work with them through this rough period in an attempt to reach a solution that would appease all parties involved.

So far, they’ve chosen to leave us all in the dark for months, thinking nothing but the worst of them.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Squirt

Yes checks need to be sent

I'm confident they'll get this worked out and make it through the phase they're in now, but I can't predict the future, I can only go from past experience with Scott and Vern.

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I too hope they get it worked out. They really at least need to tell us what can be expected with the amounts due. As you've read, I and many others have been trying to communicate with ASG for quite a while with absolutely zero response. I even started getting bounced Emails (user unknown) from an address that was valid just a few days prior.

I've been promoting these guys for many years and obviously was very disappointed when this came about. I was pretty forgiving earlier this year when they fell behind. They slowly began to get caught up with payments. I was fine with this because they were at least communicating with me. Then communication and checks stopped entirely.

Hi, guys!

I've been keeping my eyes peeled for mention of this problem...

I started promoting them in March, and stopped in the last week of May when I hadn't received payment.

My first email was anwered with a BS excuse like, "Oh, yeah, you're right, we'll get that out to you right now."

Subsequent emails have gone unanswered.

Fortunately, they don't owe me a lot of $$ - I pulled them down before things got out of hand.

I've spoken to several folks who have attended various industry events with them, and the general impression is that they certainly "enjoy life."

That, of course, could be why there seems to be money to pay models but no money for affiliates...


Ray
owner@realamateursproject.net

Hello!
I work with a site amateurstraightguys a little bit years,
In the beginning of year to me have not sent some checks I has written letter Doug and Jasen I long did not receive the answer, checks have answered in 2 weeks have sent and have apologized...
Now I have not received the check from 05/15/2006 and more me of checks did not send...

Reagarding Amateur Straight Guys, there is probably not much anyone can do at this point.

Most of the affiliates they've had are not promoting them anymore, and the new ones who sign up [hopefully] wise-up quickly and pull banners when checks don't come.

Hence, cashflow issues.


Now, I'm no expert, but here is something I've learned to do, just because of situations like Amateur Straight Guys' non-payment.

I start every new program relationship "slow," meaning I place a banner in a location that gets traffic but doesn't get significant traffic.

When I get checks for those few sales, then I start sending more traffic.


This wouldn't have helped a lot of you who have been promoting Amateur Straight Guys for a long time.

But it saved me - they only owe me a few hundred bucks.


Ray

OK, so ASG have done the same thing to us. I've always tried to be understanding with their situation - but you guys are right, they are leaving us in the dark. I still regularly send them an e-mail every single week to remind them of this issue.

Since April of this year they have stopped paying regularly. But I have been paid small amounts to reduce the total amount that they owe us.

June this year, they paid me a small amount after a long discussion through e-mail. Their main reason was "We forgot to pay you...".

August this year, they paid me a larger amount again. The reason this time was that "Doug is on a vacation and he is the only one with access to the affiliate payments history". OK, so I forgave them this time again.

September this year, I was supposed to get paid and Vern was ready to pay me but "Scott does not let me pay the whole amount in one payment".

As you can see, I've been trying to get them to work with me and I think I (or we) have been patient and understanding enough. They were removed from Guyscout this month but I will still claim the money that they owe me.. it is way too much to just _forget_.

PS. e-mailing vern@amateurstraightguys.com and/or marc@amateurstraightguys.com will at least give you an answer (if you are lucky).

I thought you guys should know.

RE: September this year, I was supposed to get paid and Vern was ready to pay me but "Scott does not let me pay the whole amount in one payment".


That's utter horsepoo - it means they're spending YOUR commission on something other than paying you with it.

There is absolutely NO legitimate reason they should stop paying affiliates. In theory, the money is in their bank by the time your check is calculated.

Unless something "expensive" comes up between getting the check and allowing the affiliate software to write other checks against it.

Out of curiousity, I just paid a visit to the site and went through their forum.

(it's asgonline[dot]amateurstraightguys[dot]com[slash]eve - you'll have to register)

Seems Doug was "on hiatus" for exactly a month starting in July...

You know, there are lots of expensive things that occupy exactly a month, I wonder which inspired his "hiatus."

I'm sorely tempted to go back and leave him a nice welcome back message telling him to start paying affiliates before lawsuits crater Digital Venture's credit rating as bad as this whole thing has cratered their biz reputation.


Ciao 4 Now,
Ray

Here's an idea: Just tell them AVN Online has caught wind of this, and they better get their acts together if they don't want to be caught in a firestorm of bad publicity and press. ;)

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Originally Posted by XXXWriterDude

Here's an idea: Just tell them AVN Online has caught wind of this, and they better get their acts together if they don't want to be caught in a firestorm of bad publicity and press. ;)

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Haha! That's why people post stuff like this... so the bad boys of the industry will be shamed into behaving like responsible adults.



*sniff sniff

From: Doug
To: RevShare Accounts
Date: Oct 16, 2006 7:32 AM
Subject: Re: Fwd: PLEASE REPOND [Fwd: Past Due Payments]

Seth,

I apologize for the lack of response that you have received re: our affiliate program. The truth of the matter is that we have been forced to close the program due to cash constraints put on us by the IRS. We haven't known really how or what to do but have made the decision as of last week to close the program. We are working with our attorney to help us compile all final statistics and payout information and a letter will be issued to all affiliates this week. Our intention is to pay every affiliate every penny we owe them and we won't rest until that's accomplished. We certainly haven't handled the situation well and I acknowledge that but avoiding the situation is no longer an option and is certainly not fair to our affiliates. I apologize again for the lack of communication and I appreciate all the traffic you've sent our way. The Amateur Straight Guys brand remains strong and growing and the elimination of our affiliate program will certainly improve our margins !
and our ability to pay all outstanding monies. My best to you.

Doug

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Seth

due to cash constraints put on us by the IRS.

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Sounds like someone wasnt paying their taxes to me :)

Regards,

Lee

so basically they will be keeping all affiliate rebills from here on out. one can certainly see how that would improve their margins temporarily.

Well at least they finally came forward with an explanation. They could have continued bullshitting us.

I don't know how they expect to grow their program with no affiliates. I'm predicting that Amateur Straight Guys will be up for sale within the next six months.

Michael

It's been my experience that this business will push TONS of money in your direction if you manage things with even the barest of skills.

All you really have to do is PAY YOUR BILLS.

Of course, to do that you can't spend all your money on personal entertainment, putting up an image, or vices.

I'm absolutely fidgety with curiousity about what really went on behind the scenes this year...

As far as "closing the program," I wonder when they are planning on letting affiliates know officially - I still haven't received any email from them.



Gotta Run,
Ray

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Dzinerbear

Well at least they finally came forward with an explanation. They could have continued bullshitting us.

I don't know how they expect to grow their program with no affiliates. I'm predicting that Amateur Straight Guys will be up for sale within the next six months.

Michael

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Here's a good way to grow the program without affiliates... someone has been running Google Adwords for ASG.

If it's an affiliate, someone should tell him/her. If it's Doug & Jay, someone should slap an injunction on them. http://www.google.com/search?sourcei...+straight+guys

Untangled Web, Inc., better known as www.bananaguide.com, filed a civil suit against the sponsor program Amateur Straight Guys October 13 at Maricopa County Court in Phoenix Arizona. The suit claims that ASG has failed to pay Untangled Web its affiliate payments and that ASG manipulated its Affiliate Stats to show that unpaid amounts were shown as paid. Untangled Web claims that ASG owed $24,291.38 as of September 30, 2006 and payments were behind by several months. The suit asks for all affiliate payments and rebill amounts that are payable, costs of the suit and attorneys fees.
Untangled Web Inc is represented by Chad Belville.

Oh Good Lord! $24,000!!!!

That is crazy they had such a huge presence and were very well known. We know a couple of their models that did some shoots with them in Arizona. This is why taxes should always come first then your needs then your wants. You don't pay your taxes and you are screwed.

Mark

Guys -

I recently moved from AZ, after living there all of my adult life and most of my childhood.

One of the reasons I left is because a certain recreational substance, commonly cooked-up from over the counter cold medicines, is running rampant, and has been for half a decade.

Please note, this is not an accusation and I am not trying to start any rumors. I don't have any first-hand information. I don't know any of the parties personally.

But I've known other people who managed to completely "tank" their lives because of this substance, and those examples are - remarkably - similar to this particular story.

"Great presence" - lots of $$ flowing in - success and growth seem inevitable - "right on top of the world" is a good description, until the money starts vanishing like magic before the bills are paid.

Then everything folds like a tent minus its poles.


I'm not out $24k, but I'm not happy about the few hundred $$ I'll never see.

On the other hand, if what I suspect is the root cause of this problem actually is the cause, I feel extremely sorry for everyone involved. The mess is not going to be only financial, it will pervade all of their lives.


Now, why did I even bring this up?

Virtually everyone reading this needs to be careful, because we're all in the business of peddling fantasies.

It's very easy to become detached from reality.

Regardless of the exact mechanics of ASG's downfall, the simple fact is that they became disconnected from the real world enough to turn any minor problem into one that's going to cost the farm.

And it could happen to any of us, should we suffer that same detachment.

So, guys, be careful. Always keep one foot on the dock while climbing into the speedboat...


Sincerely,
Ray owner@realamateursproject.net

Check it out:

http://avnonline.com/index.php?Prima...tent_ID=277383

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"They started to pay back the old stuff, but in the meantime they weren’t paying [the] current [earnings], so I let them know that they had to get their act together by the middle of July, and they did not,” Digital Ventures President Trevor Hennig tells AVNOnline.com. “So, we stopped promoting them at that point, and we filed suit last Friday."

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Great article! One little thing... That should say "Untangled Web President." :)

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Originally Posted by JustJohn

Great article! One little thing... That should say "Untangled Web President." :)

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OMG! Thank you for that! Totally missed it!

The story has been edited to now include a quote from AmateurStraightGuys' lawyer.