A Note on Referrals and Affiliates

You may have noticed that there is a section on the sidebar labeled “Referrals.” I was hesitant to consider referral links when the opportunity was presented, but these represent the best of the online retailers, sites at which I spend a majority of my money. So I decided in favor of referral links but also transparency and clear delineation so you can decide whether to use them or not. Here is some info about them:

- Amazon: Everyone is aware of Amazon.com I’m sure. They offer free shipping on orders over $25 and are the standard for comparing book prices. They have “gold box” deals every day and offer special discounts, as well as sales on every Friday. Most unused however must be their marketplace where products can be purchased from 3rd parties (new or used) for less than from Amazon, often at great deals. Even sweeter, they have a post-order price policy, so if it drops within 30 days of purchase you can email them for a refund. Simple. And now there are programs and services that will track prices and alert you if they drop. I use Amazon for almost everything, and with the referral program, anything at all purchased after starting a shopping session through the link will earn me credit for future purchases.

- Christianbook Distributors: CBD is my second source for books and all-things-Christian. They have some extremely discounted prices, and if you get on their mailing list or look at the online mailers you can see the special deals that they have. I enjoy spending time in their closeout sections, stocking up for ministry. Generally prices are a little more expensive than Amazon, but if on closeout they are dirt cheap. Also like Amazon they have special Friday discounts. There is reasonable shipping charge but no tax, and occasionally they offer special coupon codes for free shipping and such. Same as with Amazon, credit is given for orders fulfilled after clicking through the links.

- WTS Books: I’ve only recently begun to check out WTS, primarily as a result of the sale that they’ve been having. I respect the seminary greatly, and many of the authors are assigned reading in my classes. Even if the books aren’t purchased from them, the recommendations of their professors are worth browsing. I also respect the store for only stocking those books which they believe are of high quality and edifying for believers. Their referral program works differently than the previous two, and credit is given for unique click-throughs. They seem very generous, and perhaps it is a way for them to minister and spread the Word.

- Buy.com: I’ve been a long-time customer of Buy.com, and some of their technology deals are simply the best around. They are competitive with Amazon and in fact show both prices for their books in order for you to compare, but in California they charge tax. So if you’re not in California, they may be cheaper for books. They also have a “deal of the week” and I’ve never had problems with them. I got hooked when Google Checkout offered a discount on every order, but I still stay around. Their affiliate program, like Amazon and CBD, is based on orders.

- Challies Book Giveaway: This is the unique addition to the referral list, and really is a referral rather than an affiliate. Currently, Tim Challies is getting sponsors to donate books so that he can give some away each month. For October he is giving away 40 copies of The Truth of the Cross and one copy of Jesus the Evangelist. Enter monthly for a chance to win, and by using the link it also adds a second entry for this site.

I know that referrals are not intended to be used just to capitalize on sales that would have already been made, but to generate new sales, so it is up to you. Whether or not you choose to use them, thank you for visiting this site, and I hope that it will be useful and encouraging to you.

edit: Why post this?  There is a discussion going on at Challies right now asking the same question, and it should be interesting to see what consensus they reach.