... Another question for you:
Last week an ST'er asked a good question: "Do you have a discount code for Slowtwitchers on your new e-commerce website?"
I told him I would have an answer in a half hour- but it took a week to re-address this question.
In reply to this question I have a question for you guys:
Would you, as Slowtwitchers, prefer we reflected prices comparable to other e-commerce retailers (i.e., slightly higher than what they are in some cases now on our website) and then get a discount from those prices exclusive to having a coupon code, or, would you prefer the prices were simply lower to begin with and had no coupon code.
Example:
Option one- Slowtwitch Coupon Code Discount Format:
You do a Google search on SuperKona 60 Race Wheels. You see several retailers selling them at prices that range from $1599.99 on the high side to $1349.99 on the low side. Now, If they are $1529.99 (a median price by our and Google's price research) but we could sell them at $1349.99 on our website and maintain our margin and get you a good price- BUT you would need to use your Slowtwitch coupon code to get the so-called "discounted" price of $1349.99 from the so-called "regular" price of $1529.99.
-OR-
Option two- Every one saves a few bucks here and there regardles of how they found us Format:
You do a Google search on SuperKona 60 Race Wheels. You see several retailers selling them at prices that range from $1599.99 on the high side to $1349.99 on the low side. Now, If they are $1529.99 (a median price by our and Google's price research) but we could sell them at $1349.99 on our website and maintain our margin and get you a good price- everyone gets that price that shops on our site regardless of coupon codes.
Which option is more attractive?
Here's the factors we wrestle with:
I'm all in favor of Slowtwitch exclusive sales and the like. I am confused about how to limit it to Slowtwitch people only. Another issue we deal with is that some vendors are very restrictive about what prices are advertised in compliance with their dealer agreements. We need to respect those rules to maintain our relationships with them.
So, what do you guys think is fair that can also actually be implemented? I would really be interested in your input and ideas.
Tom Demerly
The Tri Shop.com
Last week an ST'er asked a good question: "Do you have a discount code for Slowtwitchers on your new e-commerce website?"
I told him I would have an answer in a half hour- but it took a week to re-address this question.
In reply to this question I have a question for you guys:
Would you, as Slowtwitchers, prefer we reflected prices comparable to other e-commerce retailers (i.e., slightly higher than what they are in some cases now on our website) and then get a discount from those prices exclusive to having a coupon code, or, would you prefer the prices were simply lower to begin with and had no coupon code.
Example:
Option one- Slowtwitch Coupon Code Discount Format:
You do a Google search on SuperKona 60 Race Wheels. You see several retailers selling them at prices that range from $1599.99 on the high side to $1349.99 on the low side. Now, If they are $1529.99 (a median price by our and Google's price research) but we could sell them at $1349.99 on our website and maintain our margin and get you a good price- BUT you would need to use your Slowtwitch coupon code to get the so-called "discounted" price of $1349.99 from the so-called "regular" price of $1529.99.
-OR-
Option two- Every one saves a few bucks here and there regardles of how they found us Format:
You do a Google search on SuperKona 60 Race Wheels. You see several retailers selling them at prices that range from $1599.99 on the high side to $1349.99 on the low side. Now, If they are $1529.99 (a median price by our and Google's price research) but we could sell them at $1349.99 on our website and maintain our margin and get you a good price- everyone gets that price that shops on our site regardless of coupon codes.
Which option is more attractive?
Here's the factors we wrestle with:
- We're here to make money: There is a certain margin we need to maintain to turn a viable, fair profit. I'm not driving a Ferrari and my house is modest so I am not getting rich off you guys. We need to make a fair profit off our efforts.
- Sometimes things are cheaper largely because we may have what we feel is too much of it so we figure we need to take a hit on the margin, or some manufacturer already did take a hit on it for us and passed on some discounted wholesale price to us- which is reflected in the sale price we pass on.
- It strikes me that advertising what amounts to a phoney "discount" is misleading. I mean, what good is a discount if is off some higher price than what things would normally be sold at?
I'm all in favor of Slowtwitch exclusive sales and the like. I am confused about how to limit it to Slowtwitch people only. Another issue we deal with is that some vendors are very restrictive about what prices are advertised in compliance with their dealer agreements. We need to respect those rules to maintain our relationships with them.
So, what do you guys think is fair that can also actually be implemented? I would really be interested in your input and ideas.
Tom Demerly
The Tri Shop.com