The win-back email that triggered $2,300 in clawbacks

The win-back email that triggered $2,300 in clawbacks

Hot reminder: the SaaS optimizes its books, not your commission.

An affiliate sent a "come back, here's 50% off 3 months" campaign to churned referrals. 60 reactivated. Dashboard lit up green: $2,300 in fresh commissions. They felt clever.

What the fine print did:

— Reactivations at a promo price triggered the program's "discounted signups earn 50% commission" clause. Half the rate, instantly.
— The 3-month promo ended; 70% churned again the moment full price hit.
— Anything inside the 90-day re-clawback window got reversed.
— Net retained: ~$640 of the $2,300.

They'd reactivated their worst customers at their worst margin and proudly reported the gross.

Win-backs feel like found money. The terms make sure it's mostly borrowed.