Affiliate Payments: My Top Red Flags to Avoid

Been in this game a while now, and one thing I've learned is that driving traffic is only half the battle. Getting paid on time, and fairly, is the other. It's crazy how many programs out there make it harder than it needs to be, almost like they don't want to pay you. Over the years, I've seen enough dodgy setups to know what to watch out for. If you're looking at a new program, especially in the gambling niche, these are some payment-related red flags that should make you think twice:

1. Sky-high minimum payout thresholds. Seriously, if you need to earn 500 or 1000 bucks just to get your first payment, what are they doing with your money in the meantime? Are they just trying to hold onto it as long as possible? It's like trying to fill a bucket with a leaky tap - takes forever.
2. Super limited or obscure payment methods. If they only offer one type of crypto you've never heard of, or force you into a wire transfer with crazy fees, that's a warning sign. Legitimate operations usually offer a range of options, making it easy for you.
3. Vague or inconsistent payment terms. "We pay sometime in the first two weeks of the next month, maybe." Uh, no thanks. You need clear Net 30, Net 45, or Net 60 terms. If they can't commit to a schedule, how can you plan anything?
4. No clear reporting on withdrawals. You should be able to see your payment history, when it was processed, and how much. If it's all opaque, how do you even know what's going on?

Why would a solid business make it so hard for their affiliates to get paid? Usually, they wouldn't. These are things I learned the hard way, trust me. Always do your due diligence on the payment side before you send them a single click. What other red flags do you guys look out for regarding payments and withdrawals?