Wealthy199,
Since many tell a friend scripts use a MySQL Database (db) back end to store the leads/contact details of all users, you might be able to simply call for the data of the referrer using a db query. I'd suggest getting a script that has as many of the features as you need, then have it tweaked via outsourcing (unless you are the king-coder).
If the script is already parsing data for an e-mail send out from a user form, it most likely already has the needed information stored within the program's db. This is also assuming that you are using a php script, as they tend to be the easiest to extract data with, and the most reliable (as their functionality does not rely upon the browser settings of the visitor like javascript does).
While most of these scripts store the referrers data (name, email, etc.), they do not generally associate them with their referrals. This could be an easy fix, by simply having the program assign each person an automatic id (based upon their email address). If they are a returning visitor, their original code would already be within the system. If not, assign them the next available number.
Once you have this number in place, you'd need to code a script piece to process the queries upon page load. The email message could include the automatically assigned id, and when this hits the server, it is translated into the details and stored within a cookie. The page fills the coded vacancies using the cookie data, and the visitor sees who recommended them to the site.
For example, the person receives an email with the link example.com/web_page.php?123456 inside.
The id '123456' identifies their email address within the database ( as provided by their referrer). This also provides the name, email, even ip address, of their referrer. By requesting the proper data block from the db, the id '123456' (the automatically assigned user id) provides all of the details desired, without multiple "?", "=", or "&" within the URL.
Using php, you could also easily make it so that any person arriving at the desired landing page without the string could be automatically shown a certain persons name (such as yours), or required to provide a valid code. This makes the system degrade well.
While I'm not sure what exactly you'd need to use for your case to call up the referrers detail(s), I'd be willing to bet you 20 credits that somebody on here would be able to help you out. Once you decide which approach you are going to take, and what script or solution you have decided on as your "base file", post up a request for assistance in tweaking it (within the proper forum and thread, of course
).
NOTE: If the version of script you are using doesn't track the originator or referrer, you could most likely get this whole system added for between $30 and $50 at elance, rentacoder, guru, or some similar site (all dot com's), so long as the source code of your chosen script is not encrypted or obscured from editing and review.
I'll look into this a bit more, and reply to you if I find better info.
T
