Guidelines for Vetting Small Businesses

Guidelines for Vetting Small Businesses to Join the Dealsby Community

Reporting Suspicious Referral Activities Preventive Measures Investigation and Response Timeline Total Estimated Time: 7-16 business days Tracking the Progress of Reported Cases Discretionary Approval:

Guidelines for Vetting Small Businesses to Join the Dealsby Community

To ensure that the Dealsby community maintains high standards and delivers value to both our businesses and consumer subscribers, business applicants must undergo a required and brief vetting process before becoming approved Dealsby member business. Here are the guidelines for this process:

1. Eligibility Criteria:
- Local Presence:
  The business must have a physical or online presence and actually serve the local community around their provided physical address.
- Business Registration:
  The business must be legally registered and compliant with all state and local regulations.
- Operational History:
  The business should have a minimum of six months of operational history.
2. Application Process:
- Online Application:
  Businesses must complete an online account registration/application form on the Dealsby website providing details about their business operations, contact information, products/services, and other relevant business information. https://dealsby.io/register. The applicant member business must also provide an active credit card to initiate their membership through the Stripe subscription payment platform.
3. Review and Evaluation:
- Initial Screening:
  The Dealsby team conducts an initial screening to verify the completeness and accuracy of the application and submitted online documents (registration form completed using the https://dealsby.io/register web address.)
- Background Check:
  A State Secretary of State background check, within 48 business hours of registration form submission, is performed by Dealsby to ensure the business has a good reputation/good standing and no history of legal or financial issues.
- Customer Feedback:
  The team reviews customer feedback and online reviews from publicly available sources to assess the business’s reputation and customer satisfaction levels. A history of bad reviews will disqualify business applicants from joining the Dealsby platform.
4. Quality Standards:
- Product/Service Quality:
  The business must offer high-quality products or services that meet customer expectations.
- Customer Service:
  The business should demonstrate a commitment to excellent customer service and responsiveness.
- Ethical Practices:
  The business must adhere to ethical business practices, including fair pricing, honest advertising, and responsible sourcing.
5. Approval and Onboarding:
- Approval Notification:
  Businesses that pass the manual vetting process are approved once they have submitted their plan subscription credit card information through the Stripe subscription payment system.
- Onboarding Session:
  Approved businesses will receive a “Welcome” email and are then permitted to learn about Dealsby’s platform, tools, and best practices for digital referral marketing
- Profile Setup:
  Businesses will set up their Dealsby profile, including adding business information, images, and referral campaign details.
6. Ongoing Monitoring:
- Performance Review:
  The Dealsby team will regularly review the performance of member businesses to ensure they continue to meet quality standards.
- Customer Feedback:
  Continuous monitoring of customer feedback and reviews to maintain high levels of customer satisfaction.
- Compliance Checks:
  Periodic compliance checks to ensure businesses adhere to Dealsby’s guidelines and ethical standards.

By following these guidelines, Dealsby ensures that only reputable and high-quality small businesses become part of its community, providing value to both businesses and consumers

If a business fails to meet quality standards after joining Dealsby, the platform has a structured process to address the issue and ensure the community maintains high standards. Here’s what typically happens:

1. Notification and Review:
- Step:
  The business is notified about the specific quality standards they are failing to meet.
- Action:
  Dealsby conducts a thorough review to understand the nature and extent of the issues.
2. Corrective Action Plan:
- Step:
  The business is required to develop and implement a corrective action plan to address the identified issues.
- Action:
  Dealsby provides guidance and support to help the business improve its practices and meet the required standards.
3. Monitoring and Follow-Up:
- Step:
  The business’s performance is closely monitored over a specified period to ensure compliance with the corrective action plan
- Action:
  Regular follow-up assessments are conducted to track progress and provide additional support if needed.
4. Temporary Suspension:
- Step:
  If the business fails to show improvement or comply with the corrective action plan, Dealsby may temporarily or permanently suspend their business membership.
- Action:
  During the suspension, the business is given a final opportunity to rectify the identified issues and meet the quality standards.
5. Termination of Membership:
- Step:
  If the business continues to fail in meeting the quality standards despite multiple interventions, Dealsby may or will terminate their membership.
- Action:
  The business is removed from the Dealsby platform, and their profile is deactivated to maintain the integrity of the community.
6. Appeal Process:
- Step:
  The business has the right to appeal the termination decision.
- Action:
  An independent review is conducted to ensure fairness and transparency in the decision-making process.

By following these steps, Dealsby ensures that all member businesses maintain high standards, providing value and trust to both businesses and consumers within the community.

If a business is terminated from the Dealsby platform by authorized Dealsby management personnel, the handling of existing referrals typically follows these guidelines:

1. Notification to Referrers and Referees:
- Step:
  Dealsby notifies both the referrers and referees about the termination of the business.
- Action:
  Clear communication ensures that all parties are aware of the change and any potential impacts on their rewards or referrals.
2. Honoring Existing Referrals:
- Step:
  Virely LLC dba Dealsby will not be responsible for existing referrals or referral rewards that were made before or after the business’s termination
- Action:
  This means that any rewards or incentives promised to referrers and referees will not be granted due to the discontinued participation of the business on the Dealsby platform.
3. Suspension of New Referrals:
- Step:
  The ability to make new referrals to the terminated business on the Dealsby platforms (website and mobile application) is suspended immediately. The business will have the Status and Features Small Business Status manually deactivated and their Stripe subscription will be paused or ended.
- Action:
  This prevents any further referrals from being made to a business that is no longer part of the Dealsby community.
4. Review of Outstanding Rewards:
- Step:
  Dealsby reviews any outstanding rewards or incentives related to the terminated business.
- Action:
  Efforts are made to ensure that all valid and pending rewards are processed and delivered to the eligible participants.
5. Customer Support:
- Step:
  Dealsby provides customer support to address any concerns or questions from referrers and referees.
- Action:
  This helps maintain trust and transparency within the community, ensuring that participants feel supported during the transition.
6. Reallocation of Referrals:
- Step:
  : In some cases, Dealsby may offer to reallocate referrals to other similar businesses within the platform.
- Action:
  This provides an alternative for referrers and referees to still benefit from their referrals, even if the original business is no longer available.

Preventing Abuse of Referrals in Dealsby

Dealsby implements several measures to prevent abuse and ensure the integrity of its referral marketing platform. Here are the key strategies:

1. Verification Processes:
- User Verification:
  Dealsby requires users to verify their accounts through email or phone number confirmation.
- Benefit:
  Ensures that only legitimate users can participate in referral programs, reducing the risk of fake accounts.
2. Referral Tracking:
- Unique Referral Link:
  Each user is provided with a unique referral link that tracks referrals accurately.
- Benefit:
  Helps identify and prevent duplicate or fraudulent referrals
3. Anti-Fraud Algorithms:
- Algorithmic Monitoring:
  Dealsby uses advanced algorithms to monitor referral activities for suspicious patterns.
- Benefit:
  Detects and flags unusual referral behaviors, such as multiple referrals from the same IP address or rapid, high-volume referrals.
4. Manual Review:
- Human Oversight:
  A dedicated team reviews flagged referrals to determine if they are legitimate.
- Benefit:
  Adds an additional layer of scrutiny to ensure that only genuine referrals are rewarded.
5. Clear Terms and Conditions:
- Transparent Policies:
  Dealsby provides clear terms and conditions for its referral programs, outlining acceptable behaviors and consequences for abuse.
- Benefit:
  Educates users about the rules and deters potential abusers.
6. Reward Validation:
- Conditional Rewards:
  Rewards are only granted after the referred customer completes a qualifying action, such as making a purchase or signing up.
- Benefit:
  Ensures that rewards are given for genuine referrals that lead to meaningful engagement.
7. User Reporting:
- Report Mechanism:
  : Users can report suspicious referral activities through the platform.
- Benefit:
  Empowers the community to help maintain the integrity of the referral system.
8. Regular Audits:
- Periodic Reviews:
  Dealsby conducts regular audits of referral activities and reward distributions.
- Benefit:
  Helps identify and address any potential issues proactively.

By implementing these measures, Dealsby ensures that its referral marketing platform remains fair, transparent, and effective for all users.

A business can report suspicious referral activities on Dealsby. Here’s how the process typically works:

Reporting Suspicious Referral Activities

1. Access the Reporting Tool:
- Step:
  Log in to your Dealsby business account and navigate to the Service Ticket hyperlink.
- Action:
  : Look for the option to report suspicious activities (Submit a Service Ticket - Other (Category), which is usually available in the dashboard or settings menu.
2. Provide Detailed Information:
- Step:
  Fill out the reporting form with detailed information about the suspicious activity.
- Action:
  Include specifics such as the referral ID, user details, and a description of the suspicious behavior.
3. Submit Evidence:
- Step:
  Attach any relevant evidence that supports your report, such as screenshots, emails, or transaction records.
- Action:
  This helps the Dealsby team investigate the issue more effectively.
4. Review and Investigation:
- Step:
  Once submitted, the Dealsby team reviews the report and conducts a thorough investigation.
- Action:
  They may contact you for additional information or clarification if needed.
5. Resolution and Feedback:
- Step:
  After the investigation, Dealsby will take appropriate action based on their findings.
- Action:
  You will be notified of the outcome and any measures taken to address the issue.

Preventive Measures

Regular Monitoring:
: Businesses are encouraged to regularly monitor their referral activities and report any anomalies promptly
Clear Communication:
Maintain clear communication with your customers about the terms and conditions of your referral program to prevent misunderstandings and misuse.

By allowing businesses to report suspicious activities, Dealsby ensures the integrity of its referral marketing platform and protects the interests of all participants.

The time it takes for Dealsby to investigate and respond to a report can vary depending on the complexity of the issue. However, here is a general outline of the process:

Investigation and Response Timeline

1. Acknowledgment:
- Timeframe:
  Within 24 hours of receiving the report.
- Action:
  Dealsby acknowledges receipt of the report and provides an initial response to the reporting party
2. Initial Review:
- Timeframe:
  1-3 business days.
- Action:
  The Dealsby team conducts an initial review to assess the validity and urgency of the report.
3. Detailed Investigation:
- Timeframe:
  5-10 business days.
- Benefit:
  A thorough investigation is carried out, which may include reviewing referral data, contacting involved parties, and gathering additional evidence.
4. Resolution and Communication:
- Timeframe:
  1-3 business days after the investigation is complete.
- Benefit:
  Dealsby communicates the findings and any actions taken to the reporting party and other relevant stakeholders.

Total Estimated Time: 7-16 business days

This timeline ensures that reports are handled promptly and thoroughly, maintaining the integrity of the Dealsby platform and addressing any issues effectively.

Businesses can track the progress of their reported cases during the investigation on Dealsby. Here’s how the process typically works:

Tracking the Progress of Reported Cases

1. Case Acknowledgment:
- Notification:
  Once a report is submitted, the business receives an acknowledgment email confirming that the case has been received.
- Benefit:
  Provides immediate confirmation and a reference number for the case.
2. Access to Case Dashboard (Service Ticket Section):
- Dashboard:
  Businesses can log in to their Dealsby account and access a dedicated case management dashboard.
- Benefit:
  The dashboard provides an overview of all reported cases, including their status and any updates.
3. Status Updates:
- Real-Time Tracking:
  : The dashboard displays real-time status updates for each case, such as “Under Review,” “In Progress,”, “Resolved” or “Closed”.
- Benefit:
  Keeps businesses informed about the current stage of the investigation.
4. Communication with Support Team:
- Messaging System:
  Businesses can communicate directly with the Dealsby support team through the dashboard.
- Benefit:
  Allows for quick clarification of any questions or additional information needed for the investigation.
5. Regular Notifications:
- Email Alerts:
  Businesses receive email notifications at key stages of the investigation, such as when the case moves to a new status or when additional information is required.
- Benefit:
  Ensures that businesses are kept up-to-date without needing to constantly check the dashboard.
5. Final Resolution:
- Detailed Report:
  Once the investigation is complete, businesses receive a detailed report outlining the findings and any actions taken.
- Benefit:
  Provides transparency and a clear understanding of the outcome.

By providing these tracking and communication tools, Dealsby ensures that businesses can stay informed and engaged throughout the investigation process.

Discretionary Approval:

Dealsby’s Discretion:
It is up to the discretion of Virely LLC dba Dealsby to approve or deny membership applications based on its findings during the vetting process.
Final Decision:
Dealsby reserves the right to make the final decision on membership applications to ensure the integrity and quality of the community.

Questions: Please call 1.888.487.1873 (Mon - Fri | 9:00a.m. - 5:00p.m. EST) or email us at help@dealsby.io

By following these guidelines, Dealsby ensures that only reputable and high-quality small businesses become part of its community, providing value to both businesses and consumers.