what happened and who’s the offender?
i demand to know.
i’m kidding. i don’t demand but I was interested in the dialogue.
I don’t know…last I saw it was “spriited”, but nothing to bad. I forgot who said there was some crying and I called him a jerk…I guess he got his panties in a wad and called the poof fairy.
Personally, I have never figured out why a guides prices are any one else’s business…but everyone seems to get bent out of shape about discounts…although some of the oldest and best usually offer them form time to time. I have seen 25% discounts offered from several guides with no complaints from anyone, but then the next guys offers it and WHAMO…
reelly…
I’m with you Mitch. I sell my services at the price point I pick. If I’m charging enough to make me happy, then everyone else can kiss off. Likewise, if someone chooses to run charters for less, that’s up to him.
I just couldn’t see doing the Groupon thing. It wasn’t a sound business decision for me.
Who’s Ready for a Sleigh Ride? www.KayakFishSC.com
Plus the Groupon is designed as a temporary boost. The discount is only for the duration, not permanent. Personally, I think its a genius move. For someone needing to get a client list going, there is no better way in this day and age. Its a free market.
2000 SeaPro 180CC w/ Yammy 115 2 stroke
1966 13’ Boston Whaler w/ Merc 25 4 stroke “Flatty”
www.sswaonline.com
quote:
Originally posted by OptikerPlus the Groupon is designed as a temporary boost. The discount is only for the duration, not permanent. Personally, I think its a genius move. For someone needing to get a client list going, there is no better way in this day and age. Its a free market.
Well said. Capitalism at its finest…
2000 SeaPro 180CC w/ Yammy 115 2 stroke
1966 13’ Boston Whaler w/ Merc 25 4 stroke “Flatty”
www.sswaonline.com
“I’m not a hundred percent in love with your tone right now…”
quote:
Originally posted by OptikerPlus the Groupon is designed as a temporary boost. The discount is only for the duration, not permanent. Personally, I think its a genius move. For someone needing to get a client list going, there is no better way in this day and age. Its a free market.
2000 SeaPro 180CC w/ Yammy 115 2 stroke
1966 13’ Boston Whaler w/ Merc 25 4 stroke “Flatty”
www.sswaonline.com
You’re right Dave. I gave it a lot of thought before I declined to sign on with Groupon. Since I’m one of the evil “part time guides”, I have a limited number of days that I book and I was already over 50% filled with good numbers of inquiries each week.
What GROUPON offers is a professional marketing campaign for a certain number of coupon sales. It’s a bargain for restaurants and bars; not so much for my business model.
Who’s Ready for a Sleigh Ride? www.KayakFishSC.com
Old groupon gets 40-50% of the take from what I’m told. They must be running out of places to put all that money! I need to start a Vinpon for 30%!
I wish him well, as I do others that take a risk to do what they want and reap the rewards. I’m self employed, having made millions of $$ for others as an employee, manager, etc for companies. Its working without a net, but if you put forth the effort and work smart, what you gain is yours.
At 50-60% of a discounted price and a years worth of bookings, my guess is it wont be a standard practice for him. But definitely a smart way to get 150 clients and countless future references. Thats his investment, and his business.
Vinman
19.5 Triumph, 115 HP Honda
“Every saint has a past, every sinner a future”
www.summervillesaltwateranglers.com
Is this the culprit or did some one else do this as well?http://www.groupon.com/deals/ambush-inshore-charters
Its kinda funny that people get upset over this type of advertising. It’s the guides choice and he will be giving up prime dates in his calendar if he truly offers his trips with out stipulation. Also, the guide only pockets 50% of he groupon rate. $125 for a 4 hour charter barely pays for variable costs much less for fixed costs. Most of the time this isn’t the type of customer you need to promote. Lastly, they are hoping for only a 50% redemption rate to even turn a profit. If the risk is worth the reward then more power to the charter company.
I’m not running charters any more, but I can see pros and the huge cons with this type of advertising, The way a free market works is that some people will run them self out of business as well as people who cannot evolve their marketing. Those who make good decisions and supply a good product at a profitable rate will survive. (most of the time) Hope you guys can find a good balance.
Tight lines,
Michael Mattson
843-224-3542
captmattson@aol.com
www.lowcountrysportfishing.com
Why do people get mad at guides for giving discounts? Do the same people get made when Best buy puts a tv on sale? Did black friday just ruin these peoples month? Doe they not buy the buy one get one free deals at BiLo?
- I’d rather be a free man in my grave than living as a puppet or a slave.
quote:
Originally posted by OptikerPlus the Groupon is designed as a temporary boost. The discount is only for the duration, not permanent. Personally, I think its a genius move. For someone needing to get a client list going, there is no better way in this day and age. Its a free market.
2000 SeaPro 180CC w/ Yammy 115 2 stroke
1966 13’ Boston Whaler w/ Merc 25 4 stroke “Flatty”
www.sswaonline.com
This statement defeats itself.
Coupons are for the cheap.
Do you ant your business to be considered cheap?
Do you want cheap clients?
If so, go groupon.
what if 1/2 the buyers never book?
i’ve got a friend who sells some discounted stuff over Christmas and over 1/2 the buyers never use the service.
quote:
Originally posted by SLACK_LINE This statement defeats itself.Coupons are for the cheap.
Do you ant your business to be considered cheap?
Do you want cheap clients?
If so, go groupon.
This may be true to an extent. But, consider this: I don’t consider myself to be cheap. I have hired a guide before at full price. Probably won’t again unless its in unfamiliar waters, but at a discount price I might very well be convinced. And I would tip as if it were a full rate. If the service provided is quality the business will not be considered cheap. Word of mouth is what builds businesses over the long term. This gentleman needs to worry about providing a service that makes his clients want to come back next year. The rest will take care of itself.
I run my own business, and I made plenty of sacrifices to get the business established early on. I worked hard to provide a quality service that people would want more of, and now I no longer solicit work, my clients seek me out. I can see this working the exact same way.
2000 SeaPro 180CC w/ Yammy 115 2 stroke
1966 13’ Boston Whaler w/ Merc 25 4 stroke “Flatty”
www.sswaonline.com
quote:
Originally posted by PeaPodwhat if 1/2 the buyers never book?
i’ve got a friend who sells some discounted stuff over Christmas and over 1/2 the buyers never use the service.
Ding Ding Ding - We have a winner. I’ve had quite a few people buy trip gift certificates for friends and family. So far they have a <50% redemption rate.
The groupon thing has to be a well thought out decision. It makes great sense for food & drink places because of the lower cost of production and the ability to upsell. For a charter business it has to be about building a client list (IMHO)
BTW - the seller typically poskets 25% of the full service rate. A $100 valuse sells for $50 and groupon takes 1/2, so the sell gets $25 cash for $100 service. Didn’t fit in my business model.
Who’s Ready for a Sleigh Ride? www.KayakFishSC.com
TB were you up my way saturday?
i thought i saw a yak near the popular dock, but i dropped my bourbon in the boat and lost my focus and never got over there to say hi.
I was way north on the Wando Saturday. Spent about an hour exploring by myself before Lost@Sea got there.
Who’s Ready for a Sleigh Ride? www.KayakFishSC.com
quote:
Originally posted by SLACK_LINEquote:
This statement defeats itself.
Coupons are for the cheap.
Do you ant your business to be considered cheap?
Do you want cheap clients?
If so, go groupon.
So, you are saying only cheap businesses use coupons to help promote their business??? If that is what you are saying, then almost every business I have used is cheap, because at one time or another most businesses in today’s market use some sort of coupon.
I say this not refering to printed coupons only, but buy one get one free offers, etc. Why in the world would anyone pay full price for two dinners if a two’fer offer was available??? Why would you pay $200 for a hotel room when the exact same room is $100 with a coupon printed out from the internet or cut from a magazine???
Why did the Thanksgiving P&C weigh 15 pounds??? Because the businesses are cheap or because the consumer wants a deal??? Or could it just be the way our economy is today.
If a person does not take advantage of special offers on the open market then they are a complete idiot…Exceptions would be those with limited transportation or those with limited needs…like my mother who lives in a retirement home and uses/spends very little. But even she takes advantage of special offers when she needs something that is not a normal monthly purchase. On the other hand my mother in law buys things on sale/with coupons that she will never ever use…that is what the marketing people are looking for.
Coupons aren’t cheap, they are smart…
reelly…