They weren't bluffing.... Fwd: Notice of Termination due to New California Law

Last night Amazon terminated all its Affiliates in California. This as a result of the budget bill requiring them to collect sales tax.

As I understand it there was an exemption for businesses with less than $500000 in revenues. Amazon seems to have ignored this and terminated everyone.

It also appears that the legislation will require Amazon to collect sales tax with or without the affiliates.

If anyone has information refuting my comments please let me know but barring that it appears to me that this is just plain mean spirited and hopefully there will be a backlash by the people of California against Amazon.

For those of you that are affiliates please note that many other retailers like Wal-Mart and Barnes and Noble are welcoming your business.

Scott Hauge
President
Small Business California
2311 Taraval Street
San Francisco, CA 94116
shauge@smallbusinesscalifornia.org
415-690-2188


---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Amazon.com Associates Program
Date: Wed, Jun 29, 2011 at 9:40 PM
Subject: Notice of Termination due to New California


Hello,

Unfortunately, Governor Brown has signed into law the bill that we emailed you about earlier today. As a result of this, contracts with all California residents participating in the Amazon Associates Program are terminated effective today, June 29, 2011. Those California residents will no longer receive advertising fees for sales referred to Amazon.com, Endless.com, MYHABIT.COM or SmallParts.com.

Please be assured that all qualifying advertising fees earned before today will be processed and paid in full in accordance with the regular payment schedule.

You are receiving this email because our records indicate that you are a resident of California. If you are not currently a resident of California, or if you are relocating to another state in the near future, you can manage the details of your Associates account here. And if you relocate to another state in the near future please contact us for reinstatement into the Amazon Associates Program.

To avoid confusion, we would like to clarify that this development will only impact our ability to offer the Associates Program to California residents and will not affect your ability to purchase from Amazon.com, Endless.com, MYHABIT.COM or SmallParts.com.

We have enjoyed working with you and other California-based participants in the Amazon Associates Program and, if this situation is rectified, would very much welcome the opportunity to re-open our Associates Program to California residents.

As mentioned before, we are continuing to work on alternative ways to help California residents monetize their websites and we will be sure to contact you when these become available.

Regards,
The Amazon Associates Team

Message Category: Notice of Termination due to New California Law
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