i've always despised partnership programs....mostly for philosophical reasons(and experience )

When designing free/avs sites for affiliate programs I've always thought it's my job to bring the customer to the door. Period. End of story.

After that it's the site owner's job to make the sale. His site, his risk.

It's like TV advertising. The TV program delivers the audience. It's then up to advertiser to make the sale. You don't see advertisers offering partnerships, do you?

Partnership programs mean that the affiliate is sharing that risk. Who knows if the owner is going to drop dead, take a flier or whatever.