To NATS or Not To NATS

[Bec]

I would start with CCBill and a good set of promo tools. To test your program and sites first to see if they work, then expand to NATS.

Jimmy

Now see, that's the rub, promo tools for CCBill is that http://CCBtools.com ... and their pricing is the same as a month's lease for NATS. So there's no savings really on the first year of startup costs.

[HunkyLuke]

Chip, this is why I prefer to respond to these posts saying "nats / mpa / etc" to show that there are options

oh, by the way, I have noticed that TooMuchMedia has been trying a lot harder helping out in the last 9 or 10 months, their support is quick and friendly and they even ask for feedback on tickets now so that they can learn and improve.

[Bec]

There are reasons to get NATS, and there are reasons you should absolutely not get NATS.

Unfortunately, you will never hear of the reasons not to get NATS in a public posting on a board, because NATS threatens to sue into oblivion anyone who publicly mentions the problems. There are, however, a number of programs that had NATS and switched to something else. Given the effort involved in making the switch, one would assume there's a good reason.

Anyone who has worked extensively with NATS is probably aware of the issues, and some of them might even tell you privately

Well it's about time you showed up!! What's goin' on in the world of Chip these days?

[gaybucks_chip]

Now see, that's the rub, promo tools for CCBill is that http://CCBtools.com ... and their pricing is the same as a month's lease for NATS. So there's no savings really on the first year of startup costs.

Hi, Bec! Thanks for the thoughts... just super busy on a couple of rather large projects so not a lot of time to post until we have the new things ready to go.

CCBTools is not a ccbill product, though I've heard a lot of good things about it. However, the CCBill WMS-5 which seems to be in permanent beta, does have a lot of similar features to NATS as far as marketing for affiliates. And it's free I bet if you ask, you can probably get added to the beta.

There's also a CCBill marketing add-on product called ccbuddie which I haven't used, but is dirt cheap (under $100 i think) and claims to offer a lot of features. I don't know anyone who has used it, but have toyed with getting it since it's so cheap, just to play with. It may have been supplanted by WMS-5.

And yes, I agree that NATS support has improved about a hundredfold in the past 6 or 9 months. However, this does not alleviate the issues I was referring to.

[basschick]

damn, i've never seen one that was that high at all. they're usually $50 to $100.

Correct Jimmy, that is program specific. Most of the programs I've looked at using NATS have payouts in the $500 range but have seen a few with as low as $50. Sorry about jumping topic in the middle of a topic specific discussion.

[PUMPaul]

damn, i've never seen one that was that high at all. they're usually $50 to $100.

I'd have to go back and look to find the specific programs as I didn't join them. A number of programs don't show the minimum payout on the webmaster FAQ or even in the TOS. I had to send e-mails to find out the payouts or ask other affiliates who promoted those sites. I did join a few NATS programs that have smaller payouts and multiple sites. Like Jimmy said, those numbers are set by the program owners so I don't think it is a reflection on NATS itself.

This was a good thread Bec. Reading throught this I'm wondering if there is a site or other resource that shows a side by side comparison of the different types of programs CCBill, NATS, Verotel, EPOC, etc. Someone earlier mentioned that NATS has some issues but I'm sure every program has its ups and downs in different areas.

[Lee]

CashKaboom has a $500 payout limit for check payments.

Regards,

Lee

[PUMPaul]

CashKaboom has a $500 payout limit for check payments.

Regards,

Lee

Thanks Lee.
I would have spent all day tinking about it. There were a few others as well although those programs were the minority of the mix.

On a personal side note - it was actually the sponsors that took the time to answer e-mails and explain the payout systems that I ended up joining. A few sponsors, (Ben at hunkmoney and Jimmy at Nice Dreams for example) have even sent follow up e-mails to be sure everything was clear.

[banderas]

Some affiliates want to get paid faster and to Epassporte or other online system, that CCBill and Epoch not do...

more detailed stats affiliates get with NATS, for example they can create campaign for each site of even banner.

How I know the main reason why affiliates choose to work via CCBill directly is secure feeling that they get their payment, but if sponsor are also trustable, then with NATS is more comfortable.

[Bec]

This was a good thread Bec. Reading throught this I'm wondering if there is a site or other resource that shows a side by side comparison of the different types of programs CCBill, NATS, Verotel, EPOC, etc. Someone earlier mentioned that NATS has some issues but I'm sure every program has its ups and downs in different areas.

Glad you're finding it educational Paul, and thanks for participating!