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A few weeks ago, I received the following email:

“Dear Affiliate,

It is my unfortunate duty to inform that we have terminated our affiliate relationship. Please note that you will be paid in full for your affiliate earnings to date. I would like to thank you for your participation.

Best Regards,

*edited*
Best Buy Affiliate Program”

Wow, no explanation. Could you spare 2 minutes and tell me what the problem is? I wrote back trying to find out some details, but I received vague responses such as; CheapAssGamer "no longer meets our long term business goals" and it doesn't "align with BestBuy corporate branding goals". I decided that only a phone call to the Affiliate Program Manager would get me a straight answer.

Upon speaking to the Manager, I learned it was the “ass” in CheapAssGamer.com that led Best Buy to terminate CAG’s affiliate status. I'll admit that I was not completely surprised to hear this. In fact, I figured the "ass" must have been the problem as retailers generally enjoy free advertising and the business that CAG drives to their websites.

So, before I made the call to the Program Manager, I prepared myself and did a little homework. Guess what happens when you search for the word “ass” on Best Buy's product search box?

Here is a small sample:
Buckit Naked: Ass Unlimited
Ass Illustrated
Face Down, Ass Up
Up Your Ass
Dynamite Up Your Ass
Blow It Out Your Ass

There are many more, some that I am too embarassed to post.

When I spoke to the Manager, I pointed out Best Buy's huge double standard and explained how they were forcing me to write this story as my users must be informed of something this significant. I also promised that our forums are moderated for content and that we even have a Baptist Pastor as an active user (it's true!). The Manager agreed that I made some very good points. She also promised to talk to the Best Buy corporate office about this situation and to get back to me in a few days. It has been weeks and my emails and phone calls are now ignored.

As I said to the Program Manager, this site can survive without a monthly check from Best Buy, but it cannot survive if I allow this to compromise the impartiality of CheapAssGamer. I encourage you all to continue to post Best Buy deals, as a deal is a deal, regardless of whether this website is supported by it's purchase. At this point, I am not sure what can be done, or even if its worth doing, but I had no choice but to fill you in on this CAG newsworthy event. I'm not really sure what Best Buy's thinking is with regards to this situation, but I assure you it's No Skin Off My Ass.

UPDATE: Just got this email today (3/10/04) from the Program Manager:

"Sorry for the delay in my response.
BestBuy has decided not to re-activate your account.
Wish I had better news.

Thanks,
*edit* "

I don't know why it took so long to get back to me, but I do believe that she feels bad about the whole thing. She seemed like a nice person when we previously spoke, but, since Best Buy is her client, she's got to abide by their decision.

By the way, have you tried search for other "4-letter words" into Bestbuy.com?
Good stuff.



Link to article: http://www.cheapassgamer.com/archives/000696.html

I say screw them.

For those who don't know, Best Buy sells playboy movies and other softcore porn videos so there hypocrisy is ridiculous.

Of course a deal is a deal and if we can get a cheap game at BB good for us, but otherwise screw em their stuff is way overpriced anyway - ever tried to buy a small pc cable from there?. I say we boycott them unless it is for a REALLY good deal.

We should order a bunch of big tv's...then return them to the store. They'd lose about $40 or so just on the free shipping!

Sounds like all the more reason to exploit them whenever and wherever possible. Some say an educated consumer is capitalisms worst enemy. I'd argue that a scorned CheapASSGamer is your worst nightmare. BestBuy beware. Make sure you close all your discount loopholes because if you don't, someone here will find it.

I find it ironic that this site was the one thing that got me going back to Best Buy after a long time absence and now it's got me questioning whether to go back any more. Is there someone we can email? Even a few might be noticed.[/img]

Insanity. Maybe someone higher up will realize how stupid this is. You'd think they would LIKE money...

I say just give in and change the name so that BB and Target will allow you into their programs. It's just a name. The deals are what's most important.

Hate to say it, but this is more of an internal affairs type of thing, I'm sorry you're having a problem with your affiliate program, but it doesn't belong on the front page taking up the ENTIRE PAGE, defeated the WHOLE PURPOSE of this website.

Make it ONE small paragraph with a "link to the full story" and let the rest of us enjoy this site, like any other professional webmaster would do when having issues with a company.

I wouldn't have known at all had it not been for the front page story. I mean, you said you were notified that you were out weeks ago and I never noticed. If you didn't want to risk our impartiality, it might not have been good to say this as loud.

That being said, what good would it be to post Best Buy deals when they NEVER EVER actually ship said product anyway?

Don't let The Man get you down.

Cheapy made a conscious decision when he chose the name "Cheap Ass Gamer". To change it now would be lame. People will find this site regardless.

I know it's none of our business, but I doubt you (Cheapy) make much from an affiliate. Sure, every little bit helps, but I work in conputers and I know the affiliate/banner revenue is nothing like it used to be.

I know the site is relativly new (a year or so?) Stick it out. You're building a branding, don't toss away all your work because of a few dollars from Best Buy.

And the fact that Best Buy sells tons of stuff with "Ass" in the title is just too funny. That's some straight up "Office Space" type stuff.

Originally Posted by sylentwulf Hate to say it, but this is more of an internal affairs type of thing, I'm sorry you're having a problem with your affiliate program, but it doesn't belong on the front page taking up the ENTIRE PAGE, defeated the WHOLE PURPOSE of this website. Make it ONE small paragraph with a "link to the full story" and let the rest of us enjoy this site, like any other professional webmaster would do when having issues with a company.

What web browser are you using?

Yeah, it's NOT taking up the whole page. It is as you say, just a paragraph already with a link to the full story. You must be using an antiquated web browser.

If you don't like what Cheapy puts on his site then don't come. I hate bestbuy anyway, their deals never work out anyway.

Looks fine now, I'm using internet explorer 6.0.

Must have just been a one time fluke, sorry if I sounded a little harsh, it just looked REALLY BAD

I hate how sensitive our society has become. Oh no, the site has the word ASS in its name . <sarcasm>I am now scarred for life and will sue Best Buy for affiliating itself with this website</sarcasm>

America just needs to take the stick out its ass and move on.

Originally Posted by Scrubking I say we boycott them unless it is for a REALLY good deal.

i already only shop there for video games, and as you can guess i dont go there to pay $50 for a game ^^

im sure 90% of the time the games that we buy from them make them lose money (in the case that we actully get the games) so i say keep going, and if you need anything else that they sell, try circuit city, in me experiance ive noticed cc has more informed employees and lower prices

I'm sure this decision was made by some big-wig who sits in his/her office all day making pointless decisions. Doubt they even visited the site before deciding. Sad really, especially when their excuse is so weak.

Cheapy - Just out of curiousity, what were some of the other benefits to being a BB affiliate other than them giving you a check every month?

Maybe Best Buy is owned by Clear Channel Radio.

Well yesterday because of the poor customer service that I have been recieving I wrote them a polite but nasty letter basically telling them that they are greedy, their customer service policy on service plans suck.

I also bought something from the internet for 27 dollars from them. Found the same item a few days later for 22. And will be returning the item, not for the 5 dollars, but to get my money out of their pockets!!!!!!!