Frequently asked questions
Everything we get asked, in one place.
How do I get paid?+
Monthly via PayPal, on the 1st of each month. We hold each commission for 30 days (in case the vendor gets a refund), then pay it out as long as your unpaid total has reached your minimum payout (default $50).
How do you decide which partner gets credit?+
If someone clicks your link and signs up within 60 days, you get the credit. If they click another partner's link after yours, the most recent click wins. Tracking happens on our own site only — we don't use any third-party trackers.
When does a referral start earning?+
Two stages. First, you get a signup the moment someone creates a vendor account through your link. Second, your first commission kicks in when that vendor makes their first paid payment — usually after their 14-day trial.
What if a referred vendor cancels?+
If they cancel and get a refund within 30 days of paying, that month's commission is taken back. After 30 days, it's locked in. If a vendor disputes a charge with their bank later on, that specific commission is reversed and may come out of your next payout.
How long do I earn on a referral?+
By default, 12 months from their first paid payment. Some partners have custom terms (lifetime, 24 months, or first-payment-only) — check your dashboard. Once your earning period ends, future renewals don't pay out.
Can I run paid ads?+
Yes, with limits: don't bid on "VendBuddy" or close variants in search ads, no "click my link, win a card"-style offers, no spam, no misleading ads. The full list of what's not allowed is in the partner agreement.
Can I use multiple links or domains?+
You get one tracking link per account. You can add UTM tags to it for your own analytics. Want a custom-looking link? Email partners@vendbuddy.app.
Do I need a W-9?+
Only if you're a US partner who has earned $600+ in a calendar year. Below that, no tax form is required to apply or get paid. We'll prompt you for a W-9 before crossing the threshold.
What's the difference between an application and an invite?+
Applications are open to anyone — you sign up and we manually review. Invites are pre-approval codes we send to specific creators we want to work with; activating one auto-approves your account so you can start sharing immediately.
Where can I get help?+
Email partners@vendbuddy.app. We aim to reply within one business day.