Since the first of the month just went past again, I'd like to say thanks to all of you who ordered something from Amazon or B&H Photo (our major affiliates) through our links.
It's a painless way to support the site because those companies then share a little bit of their profits with us. You don't have to pay anything more, but a small portion of your purchase price goes to us.
Here's our links page. It includes links to Amazon in Canada, Germany, and the U.K.
I get this question a lot, so I'll answer it in advance—anything you order from B&H or through Amazon (doesn't matter what it is, and third-party vendors count) gets credited to TOP as long as you go directly there from here when you actually make the purchase. You can save the Amazon link URLs but not the B&H one.
If you've ordered anything through our links, it's just really kind of you. Merci beaucoup!
Now back to work on Part II of the GF1 / E-P1 post....
—Mike, TOP CFO, Balayeur de plancher, and Generalissimo of Dunning
Illustration by Cheryl Jacobs Nicolai from this post
TOP World Headquarters needs to send a delegation to Amazon.ca and get them to improve their camera offerings. They do not provide the same depth of product as the main Amazon site and many products cannot be shipped internationally from Amazon US due to distribution agreements.
Cheers!
Posted by: fjf | Thursday, 05 November 2009 at 11:57 AM
Mike, it may be worth noting that Adorama (large NY City photography dealer) and J&R (large NY City electronics/camera dealer) sell through Amazon. As far I can tell, the prices and shipping costs are the same, or same enough, as on their own sites; the difference is that TOP gets a commission if the items are purchased via TOP's Amazon link. (Please correct me if I'm wrong.)
Posted by: robert e | Thursday, 05 November 2009 at 01:11 PM
Good timing on this. Was just about to buy a series of training books.
Posted by: Tom | Thursday, 05 November 2009 at 01:40 PM
Mike,
Does it say anywhere on the page if you are supporting the site when shopping from Amazon?
I bought a few books a while ago after clicking on your Amazon link (Two ecology books and a nude photo book), but I have no idea if it worked or not, as I didn't notice any indication whatsoever.
Posted by: Thiago Silva | Thursday, 05 November 2009 at 01:55 PM
Buy through us or we'll drench these poor girls again! ;-)
Posted by: Ralf R. Radermacher | Thursday, 05 November 2009 at 02:00 PM
It's painless & helps us by helping Mike ! I forwarded the link to my wife; she's ordered inkjet cartridges for her company using TOPs Amazon link ... take the couple seconds to save the link somewhere where you'll use it ! (Now all Mike has to do is hire someone to come up with the TOP "toolbar" for IE).
Posted by: Dennis | Thursday, 05 November 2009 at 02:02 PM
will do Mike, I have some pretty big orders for Christmas that I'll be ordering through B&H and Amazon. I'll make sure to send some love your way.
Posted by: Michael | Thursday, 05 November 2009 at 02:06 PM
"(Please correct me if I'm wrong.)"
robert e,
No, you're right. We get credited with things you buy THROUGH Amazon as well as FROM Amazon.
Mike
Posted by: Mike Johnston | Thursday, 05 November 2009 at 03:46 PM
Thiago,
No, there's no confirmation given, unless you note the URL in your address bar at the start of the session. It should match the URL given on our links page.
I get "reports" later, limited to the item purchased, the date, the cost, and our percentage. I don't see how purchases are grouped, nor do I see who made the purchase or any personal information about the purchaser. It's just a list of items.
Sometimes it's entertaining nonetheless, to go down the list and see all the things people bought! Sometimes I'm curious to see what photo books and camera equipment people are interested in.
Mike
Posted by: Mike Johnston | Thursday, 05 November 2009 at 03:50 PM
"will do Mike, I have some pretty big orders for Christmas that I'll be ordering through B&H and Amazon. I'll make sure to send some love your way."
Seriously, thanks. Helps put bread on my butter!
Mike
Posted by: Mike Johnston | Thursday, 05 November 2009 at 03:52 PM
Mike:
In helping you maximize your B&H and Amazon commissions, can you answer the following:
1. If we buy lots of items, is it better to buy from Amazon or B&H?
2. When buying a big ticket item (e.g. that full frame digital), will you get more from B&H or Amazon.
I am a great fan of TOP; it has become my primary photo-oriented web site and I look for updates, comments, etc. several times a day.
(from your neighbor in Glendale, WI)
Woody
Posted by: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000197710936 | Thursday, 05 November 2009 at 04:47 PM
Well I have over the last month ordered a series of bits and pieces. I'm pretty sure I used your link on TOP. But now I'm wondering (and hoping) that you received your cut -- this is a beaut site.
Posted by: Thingo | Thursday, 05 November 2009 at 04:52 PM
Seriously, thanks. Helps put bread on my butter!
Y'er doing it wrong, Mike! The bread goes under the butter.
This probably goes a long way towards explaining your broken keyboard...
Posted by: Miserere | Thursday, 05 November 2009 at 04:56 PM
This is really good, Mike. I can buy something I, er, *need*, and can support art at the same time. What's to complain?
Posted by: Michael | Thursday, 05 November 2009 at 05:20 PM
Hi Woody,
For electronics such as cameras, I get 3% from B&H and 4% from Amazon (with the exception of computers, which return a flat fee of $25--there's not a lot of margin on computers. That's from Amazon. I'm not sure what B&H pays on computers--I'd have to pore over the records to see if anyone's ever bought a computer from B&H through us).
Either way is fine. It's really a matter of which vendor is most convenient to you. Lots of people prefer B&H (I got lots of requests to add them as an affiliate before I did), and of course B&H has a great deal of photo expertise and a deeper stock of photo-related equipment. It's up to you.
To answer your private question, the address you have is correct. Thanks for your interest and your support!
Mike
Posted by: Mike Johnston | Thursday, 05 November 2009 at 06:54 PM
Nice picture.
Girls make life worth living. Sigh...
Posted by: Eolake Stobblehouse | Friday, 06 November 2009 at 09:23 AM
Mike, I hope my purchase of some Nikkor glass through your B&H link helped. I'll keep turning to your link with B&H whenever I buy something through them.
Posted by: Sam | Friday, 06 November 2009 at 09:37 PM
Thanks Sam, and everyone.
Mike
Posted by: Mike Johnston | Saturday, 07 November 2009 at 12:06 AM