Effective Date: Upon account approval and activation by Kardinal Guitars
1. Overview
This Affiliate Program Agreement ("Agreement") governs your participation in the Kardinal Guitars Affiliate Program ("Program"). By applying to and participating in the Program, you ("Affiliate") agree to be bound by the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement. Kardinal Guitars reserves the right to accept or decline any affiliate application at its sole discretion.
Participation in the Program does not begin until your application has been reviewed, approved, and activated by a member of the Kardinal Guitars team. You will receive confirmation of your activation before any commissions can be earned.
2. Affiliate Responsibilities
As an Affiliate you agree to:
- Promote Kardinal Guitars products honestly and accurately using only approved affiliate links provided through the Program
- Comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations including the FTC's guidelines on endorsements and testimonials
- Clearly disclose your affiliate relationship with Kardinal Guitars in any content where affiliate links are used, in accordance with FTC disclosure requirements
- Maintain a website, social media presence, or other platform that is professional, lawful, and consistent with Kardinal Guitars' brand values
- Promptly notify Kardinal Guitars of any changes to your contact information or promotional channels
3. Commission Structure
Affiliates earn a commission of 5% of the net sale price on all qualifying purchases made through their unique affiliate link. Commissions apply across all Kardinal Guitars products including guitars, merchandise, cases, and accessories.
Commissions are considered qualifying when:
- The customer clicks your unique affiliate link
- The customer completes a purchase within 30 days of that click (cookie duration)
- The order is not subsequently cancelled or refunded
Commissions are not earned on shipping charges, taxes, or any fees. If an order is partially refunded commissions will be adjusted accordingly. If an order is fully refunded the commission on that order is forfeited.
4. Cookie Duration
Affiliate tracking cookies are valid for 30 days from the date of the initial click. If a customer clicks your affiliate link and completes a purchase within that 30 day window you will receive credit for the sale regardless of whether the customer returns directly to the site to complete the purchase.
If a customer clicks multiple affiliate links before completing a purchase, the most recent click will receive credit for the sale.
5. Payment
Commissions will be paid via PayPal. Affiliates must have a valid PayPal account on file to receive payment.
Commissions are paid on a monthly basis for all qualifying sales completed in the prior month. Payment will be issued within 30 days of the close of each calendar month.
A minimum payout threshold of $25 applies. If your earned commissions do not reach $25 in a given month your balance will roll over to the following month until the threshold is met.
Kardinal Guitars reserves the right to withhold payment pending investigation of any suspected fraudulent activity.
6. Prohibited Conduct
To protect the integrity of the Kardinal Guitars brand and Program, the following conduct is strictly prohibited:
- Bidding on Kardinal Guitars brand name keywords or variations thereof in paid search advertising
- Using the Kardinal Guitars name, logo, or trademark in your domain name, social media handle, or business name without prior written consent
- Making false, misleading, or exaggerated claims about Kardinal Guitars products
- Offering unauthorized discounts, promotions, or incentives not approved by Kardinal Guitars
- Generating traffic or sales through spam, unsolicited email, or any deceptive or unlawful means
- Self-referral, meaning purchasing through your own affiliate link to earn a commission on your own purchase
- Cookie stuffing or any other method of artificially generating affiliate clicks or commissions
- Operating coupon or deal sites that post unauthorized promotional codes
- Promoting Kardinal Guitars on platforms or through content that is illegal, offensive, discriminatory, or inconsistent with the Kardinal Guitars brand and values
Violation of any prohibited conduct may result in immediate termination of your affiliate account and forfeiture of any unpaid commissions.
7. Intellectual Property
Kardinal Guitars grants you a limited, non-exclusive, revocable license to use approved Kardinal Guitars logos, images, and marketing materials solely for the purpose of promoting the Program through your approved affiliate channels. This license does not transfer any ownership rights and may be revoked at any time.
You may not modify, alter, or create derivative works from any Kardinal Guitars intellectual property without prior written consent.
8. Tracking and Reporting
Affiliate tracking is managed through the Shopify affiliate application. You are responsible for ensuring your affiliate links are implemented correctly. Kardinal Guitars is not responsible for commissions lost due to incorrectly implemented links, browser settings that block cookies, or technical issues on the Affiliate's end.
Commission tracking and reporting will be available through your affiliate dashboard. If you believe there is a discrepancy in your tracked sales please contact us at affiliate@kardinalguitars.com within 30 days of the disputed transaction.
9. Relationship of the Parties
You are an independent contractor and not an employee, partner, agent, or joint venturer of Kardinal Guitars. You have no authority to bind Kardinal Guitars to any agreement or obligation. You are solely responsible for all taxes arising from commissions paid to you under this Agreement.
10. Termination
Kardinal Guitars reserves the right to suspend or terminate your participation in the Program at any time and for any reason including but not limited to:
- Violation of any term of this Agreement
- Fraudulent activity or suspected fraudulent activity
- Inactivity for a period of 12 consecutive months with no referred sales
- Conduct that Kardinal Guitars determines in its sole discretion is harmful to its brand, reputation, or customers
You may also terminate your participation at any time by notifying Kardinal Guitars in writing at affiliate@kardinalguitars.com.
Upon termination, any commissions earned on qualifying sales completed prior to termination and meeting the minimum payout threshold will be paid out in the normal payment cycle. Commissions on pending or unverified sales may be forfeited at Kardinal Guitars' discretion.
11. Modifications
Kardinal Guitars reserves the right to modify the terms of this Agreement, commission rates, cookie duration, or any other aspect of the Program at any time. You will be notified of material changes via email or through your affiliate dashboard. Continued participation in the Program following notice of changes constitutes your acceptance of the updated terms.
12. Disclaimer and Limitation of Liability
Kardinal Guitars makes no warranties regarding the amount of commissions you may earn through the Program. Results will vary based on your promotional efforts and audience. Kardinal Guitars shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, or consequential damages arising from your participation in the Program.
13. Governing Law
This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the state in which Kardinal Guitars is headquartered. Any disputes arising under this Agreement shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts in that jurisdiction.
14. Entire Agreement
This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between you and Kardinal Guitars with respect to the Affiliate Program and supersedes all prior agreements, representations, or understandings relating to the Program.
Acknowledgment
By applying to and participating in the Kardinal Guitars Affiliate Program you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by the terms of this Agreement.