The Obituary!
ARSStore closed February 20, 2023
1998 - 2023
Amazon announced on January 18, 2023, the it would shut down the AmazonSmile program on February 20, 2023.
Thank you to everyone who has used the ARSStore. With Amazon shutting down AmazonSmile on February 20, 2023, the ARSStore is closing then also. Thank you very much for your past support!
This all started 25 year ago. In July of 1998 when I created Henning's Rhododendron and Azalea Bookstore, an online Amazon affiliate store. From 5% to 15% of each sale was sent to me as a commission. I donated all of the commissions equally to the ARS Research Foundation and the Rhododendron Species Foundation. Between July of 1998 and February of 2013 this totaled $1,920 or about $137 per year.
At the October 4, 2013, American Rhododendron Society Board of Directors meeting, the Board authorized the creation of an online ARS website that would not be selling items but would link to other providers through affiliate relationships. This online store, ARSStore, was authorized to develop relationships with Amazon and other stores as an affiliate store.
ARSStore opened for business on November 21, 2013. There never were any expenses. All proceeds went directly to the ARS. The main affiliate stores were Amazon and Walmart. Earnings were again between 5% and 15% on each sale. The same year, 2013, AmazonSmile was created so an ARS AmazonSmile account was created, but its use was discouraged since it only paid 0.5% on each sale, while the affiliate Amazon store paid 5%. Between 2013 and 2018, ARSStore produced $3,326.29 for the ARS or about $665 per year.
Then, in mid-2019, Amazon and Walmart both closed the affiliate accounts of charitable organizations. The Amazon affiliate store was by far the most beneficial for the ARS. That left AmazonSmile which only paid about 0.5% on each sale. We promoted the use of AmazonSmile. 2019 was a transition year, but produced $397 for the ARS.
In subsequent years income was from AmazonSmile only. From 2021 to 2023, AmazonSmile produced $702 for the ARS or about $234 per year.
In summary, the predecessor to the ARSStore was an Amazon Affiliate Book Store that was part of Henning’s Rhododendron Pages started in 1998. Amazon paid from 5% to 15% on every purchase. I split the proceeds between the Species Foundation and the ARS Research Fund. Throughout their history Henning’s Rhododendron & Azalea Bookstore and ARSStore have produced $6,239.57, all for the ARS. In summary, the totals and yearly averages are:
Henning’s Rhododendron & Azalea Bookstore $1,920 $137 per year
ARSStore Affiliate Stores & AmazonSmile $3,326 $665 per year
ARSStore Transition year (2019) $ 397 $397 that year
ARSStore AmazonSmile only $ 702 $234 per year
Thank you to everyone for patronizing ARSStore.
ARSStore closed February 20, 2023
Your ARSStore manager, Steve Henning
manager@arsstore.org
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