Web Position Gold is a great example. I will agree they have developed a pretty swift product, but their affiliate reporting is quite inadequate. On the other hand, had I tried the software and felt it was poor quality, that would have definitely been a factor that would prohibit me from joining. Fortunately, Web Position is an excellent software program, their reporting methods just need some enhancing. If you cannot provide a real name AND a valid email address with the testimonial then forget it.
People are skeptics, and on the Internet, they have every right to be.
Effective testimonials show proof that someone, other than you, actually wrote it. Tricks are for dogs. Banners may look jazzy, but they've proven to be very ineffective over and over again - especially since they are so widely used. People are simply learning to ignore them nowadays. It is perfectly fine to use this medium to supplement your advertising, but if you use banners as your main form of advertising, you will be extremely disappointed.