Amazon Issue

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   EricDockettposted 6 years ago

   I have noticed an issue with Amazon earnings over the past several days that I hope HP will address. An earnings value is posted but in a day or two it drops, sometimes by a significant amount. It seems something is wonky with the initial calculation and it is later fixed.
   
   I understand the earnings aren't finalized until the * goes away, but it is extremely disheartening to see these numbers fluctuate. As writers here we have no idea what is actually happening, or if there is a mistake in the system. We have to go by HP's word for it, and when the numbers are bouncing all around it is hard to have the confidence that you guys are getting it right.
   
   I hope someone at HP can take a look and verify that all the gears are turning correctly with the Amazon program, and that Hubbers are being treated fairly. Again, we have no way of knowing if there are unintentional errors here.
   
   I believe in you HubPages! Please fix this!

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      TIMETRAVELER2posted 6 years agoin reply to this

      Yes, I've noticed this also.  Seems to be some kind of a computer glitch.  Will email team about it.

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2. 82

   theraggededgeposted 6 years ago

   Yep, it happening to me. The individual amounts in the Amazon earnings report are not adding up to the total in the overall Earnings report. Yesterday it was under. Today that same figure is over. I'm seeing more money than I have sales. As it is still asterisked I'm just waiting to see if it sorts itself out.
   
   Edit: Oops... just checked and the totals have dropped again. I think they are correct now.

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      robhamptonposted 6 years agoin reply to this

      What do you mean by correct? Is there a way I can tell what they are supposed to be? that might be helpful so I don't need to worry or stress myself over it lol. Meaning, should I look at the sales report?

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      1. 78

         EricDockettposted 6 years agoin reply to this

         That's really the problem. We have to way of knowing what "correct" is or which accounting is accurate when there are different sets of numbers.
         
         The final number seems to align with the number on the sales report, but is that "correct"? Who knows.

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         theraggededgeposted 6 years agoin reply to this

         I mean, they tally.

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            robhamptonposted 6 years agoin reply to this

            Makes sense

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3. 83

   Butterfly67posted 6 years ago

   I just came here to report that too. One day a certain number of earnings, clicks etc are showing and then the next day and even days later they keep changing. I even took a screenshot yesterday so that I could compare to today and all of the figures are different on Friday and Saturday compared to what they show as today.

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      robhamptonposted 6 years agoin reply to this

      I waited a few days to see if a forum about this would pop up, and sure enough... So I'm seeing this as well. Example, it will say my earnings are $29.00. Then the next day that value has dropped to like $18.00. It's been happening daily for like a week. Is there any explanation for this?

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         DrMark1961posted 6 years agoin reply to this

         I noticed that when I check the detailed report on that first day it will say that a certain shampoo sold three times, one type of dewormer sold three times, etc. When I check a few days later it is down to one sale, which I assume is correct.

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4. 82

   theraggededgeposted 6 years ago

   I've looked this morning and the figures have changed again. What on earth is going on?

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   1. 83

      Butterfly67posted 6 years agoin reply to this

      I agree, it is becoming annoying. My earnings seem to be going down every time I look and are changing from hour to hour for the same day. I would prefer it if they didn't actually post them until they knew what they were!

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5. 78

   EricDockettposted 6 years ago

   My earnings seem lower than I'd expect ever since the program changed, particularly on my big account. There could be coincidental reasons for it, but combined with the fluctuating numbers it makes me concerned.
   
   No response yet, but I really hope HP has noticed this thread and will take a look at what is happening.

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6. 82

   theraggededgeposted 6 years ago

   I've just compared this (half) month with last month. The number of sales are similar (pro-rata) with 149 last month, 72 this month so far.
   
   However, last month the average commission rate was 7.77% while this month is only 4.32%.
   
   Amazon earnings for last month were almost $200. This (half) month they are only $33. $33 for 72 sales - that's terrible.
   
   So there's something odd going on. This change in rates and reporting is not benefiting me, that's for sure.
   
   It would be helpful if a staff member would comment.

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   1. 99

      DrMark1961posted 6 years agoin reply to this

      When you visit your own hubs to answer questions or comments, do you notice Amazon ads being posted? These are usually on the topic of my article, and have a big flashing photo of the product that Amazon is suggesting.
      If these are problems all over the site, and not just on my hubs, I think these would cause some decreased sales too. How could a reader not fail to notice them? Obviously we are not getting 60% from those sales.

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      1. 78

         EricDockettposted 6 years agoin reply to this

         This is something I noticed several years ago and brought up in these forums. We do earn on those ads, but through the ad program,  not based on sales. HP doesn't get credit for the sales either, or at least back then they didn't.
         
         But, as you said, those ads distract readers from the products we've placed in the article. Since sales are generally worth more than clicks (sometimes much more) it seems both HP and writers are potentially losing out on a lot of revenue.
         
         Of course this depends on clicks vs conversions. Maybe HP has decided the clicks are worth more when added up. Only they have the data to make that decision.
         
         I've long thought it would be a good idea to have a dedicated ad space in every Hub for Amazon. HP and writers would split sales 60/40 just like any other Amazon product. It would be less obtrusive than in-article ads, and could bring a lot of extra revenue.

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   2. 73

      greenmindposted 6 years agoin reply to this

      Yes raggededge we need someone from HP central to address this! Is anybody home?...

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