mikeytags Posted April 24, 2012 Share Posted April 24, 2012 posted this in another forum, wanted to get another set of opinions here... Some of the biggest complaints I always hear about RSD: -long lines, slow moving lines, lots of waiting -high prices (some argue they're purposely high to discourage flippers) -local / loyal customers being unable to get the items they seek I wonder if some of those concerns could be mitigated if RSD and the participating stores started some type of loyalty / rewards program, where for every dollar spent, you get a point, and X amount of points gets you incentives on RSD. The new "year" would start the day after the last RSD, and you'd have a full 365 days to earn points for the next year. Hell, even your current purchases could count to your next year's points. This could be implemented on a per-store basis (loyalty to only that particular store), or on a widespread basis where you could earn and redeem at any participating store in the country. I could see pros and cons with both approaches. Per-store encourages loyalty to your local shop and helps keep it in business so you have somewhere to go, but a global program encourages supporting all stores (for example if I want to visit a store in a different city I travel to, I can still get points and feel good about supporting another store) Anyone who isn't a flipper likely spends a decent amount of time and money throughout the rest of the year at shops to make this fair and feasible, and hopefully give them advantage over the flippers who only come out once a year. For those who say there isn't a store close to them and they have to shop online or drive hours to their closest shop, I'm sure there could be a way to gain points through online purchases as well, through some of the larger retailers. Some ideas that I could see being good rewards: -early store entry to RSD (1 or 2 hours earlier than the general public) -ability to reserve a certain number of items -discount pricing compared to the regular retail price (10%-20% off?) -super-exclusive items available only to program members -entry into drawings for special prizes Obviously, the rewards should be tiered so the highest earners reap the biggest benefits, but the lower earners still get included and get recognized for their buck as well. I haven't thought this all out, so I'm sure there are plenty of flaws in this logic, but I'd like to hear your thoughts, if you think this is a good idea and if you'd participate in something like this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emo Revival Posted April 24, 2012 Share Posted April 24, 2012 So instead of everyone having an equal shot to get some cool exclusives, the people with the most money get the best chance. I understand your idea, and where you're coming from, but rewarding people because they have more disposable income seems, well, stupid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikeytags Posted April 24, 2012 Author Share Posted April 24, 2012 i'm not talking ridiculously high thresholds, maybe a few hundred bucks? maybe simply the act of signing up and making a single purchase some other time of the year entitled you to something, would discourage even a small percentage of the flipping? Maybe if they had a handle on how many members signed up, they'd have a better idea of what quantities to press. Maybe they could even drive this by a web/phone/social app that allowed you to vote on items you wanted, and it would help them geographically and demographically satisfy more people. either way, nothing will ever please everyone... it's just an idea... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emo Revival Posted April 24, 2012 Share Posted April 24, 2012 I like the idea of having a way to vote on how many should be pressed, because that to me is the worst part of RSD. I don't mind the waits and the slightly higher prices I hate that they never press enough and flippers go crazy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjb2k1 Posted April 24, 2012 Share Posted April 24, 2012 i was first in line at my usual store this year. got there a half hour before anyone else at least. then i look at the sign on the door and there was a list of 5 people who won some kind of store lottery who would get to be 1-5 in line. i was pretty pissed at first, but luckily only one of them was there when the doors opened, and he was #4, so it worked out. tl;dr no. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikeytags Posted April 24, 2012 Author Share Posted April 24, 2012 my usual store ... list of 5 people who won some kind of store lottery just to play devil's advocate, if it was your usual store, wouldn't you have known about the lottery and had a chance to enter into it, or at the very least not be surprised by it? and if it was done fairly, you would have had as equal a shot as anyone else. maybe those 5 people should each have gotten to pick 1 and ONLY 1 item to reserve, not get a blanket entry into the store. maybe the point system isn't based on dollars spent. maybe it's number of visits (any qualifying purchase counts as a visit). maybe it's some crazy algorithm that takes into account dollars spent, number of visits, number of stores visited, etc. the point being, there's gotta be people out there that can put their heads together to make a fair and balanced, yet rewarding and fun, system like this. maybe in the long run it would even benefit the stores moreso throughout the year, as opposed to just a single day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
One Hundred Fifty-Two Posted April 24, 2012 Share Posted April 24, 2012 So instead of everyone having an equal shot to get some cool exclusives, the people with the most money get the best chance. I understand your idea, and where you're coming from, but rewarding people because they have more disposable income seems, well, stupid. People with more money already get more records. Sorry the USA isn't communist. I think the plan could also work if you get points for visiting the store, attending in-store performances, in-store signings, spreading the word in the community and online (like a street team). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattisr1984 Posted April 24, 2012 Share Posted April 24, 2012 the intention is well placed but the logistics of anything like this would be a nightmare. Besides, the records sell themselves so there's little incentive for the stores to do this. I'd just like to see stores rethink the way they put product on the floor more than anything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
One Hundred Fifty-Two Posted April 24, 2012 Share Posted April 24, 2012 the intention is well placed but the logistics of anything like this would be a nightmare. Besides, the records sell themselves so there's little incentive for the stores to do this. I'd just like to see stores rethink the way they put product on the floor more than anything. The incentive for store to do this is to get people in the store year round rather than just once a year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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