I want to clarify something here, if I may. What upset me the most in this thread was the attitude, especially from Lee, treating affiliates like some lowlife (I already provided the quote that infuriated me), who are there to scam the program owners from their hard earned money.

I don't think being selective in choosing your affiliates is a bad thing. Not at all. What's more, I don't think sponsors should babysit affiliates and provide their every whim. I see programs that offer affiliates everything, from domain names to hosting, from learning tools to FHG's, movies, free content, everything! It's my opinion that this is too much and is a bad thing for all of us that are serious about making it in this biz for the long term. If there are people that need to be spoonfed in order to bring you sales, then by all means, weed them out. They are a waste not only of your time, but of mine as well, because all they do is oversaturate the market.

That said, I think that drawing the line arbitrarily and in retrospect is a bit unfair. I think cutting out affiliates that signed up and never send traffic makes sense (just email them to let them know, of course). But those that send traffic but not enough, I think you should contact them and discuss things and see where they are, what their plans are. See if they are going for long term traffic and what their goals are in regards to your program. And screen carefully starting from now, letting people know you are looking towards a certain type of affiliate.

And on a more general note, not directed specifically at you Brian, I think that if a program owner chooses to work with affiliates, then show those affiliates some minimal respect and don't go on making such insulting generalizations in boards that your affiliates frequent... If you think they are such a pain, don't start an affiliation program. Market your own sites and let us do business with other programs instead.