darkoz
darkoz
  • Threads: 297
  • Posts: 11442
Joined: Dec 22, 2009
Thanked by
Mission146
January 17th, 2020 at 10:17:51 AM permalink
I never understood the long-term benefit of offering complimentary shopping dollars to customers only to find out when you arrive at the store that the apparently generous dollars are actually stingy offers because all or some of the outlets redeem them at 2:1!

If in the grand scheme of things I have only earned $250 shopping dollars then just be up front and tell me. The upset and disgust that occurs when you find out you have been deceived cant possibly be the ultimate goal of this practice

Does it work in getting people to to the casino? If I only have $50 to spend, would lying and saying I can make $100 in purchases goad me easier into making the trip? Yes, probably HOWEVER its a fool me once scenario. Once I see the 2:1 policy, next time I get shopping dollar offers I am immediately doing the math in my head. I immediately will say, nope that $100 is only worth $50.

Not all casinos do it so its a marketing choice of each casino. I say its stupid!.

In fact, some casinos actually advertise their comp dollars are 1:1 at all properties. LOL, as if offering $100 of items for $100 is a bonus. I mean, thats the way it should be.

Anyway, thats my rant . BTW, this is a Wizard Approved thread :)
For Whom the bus tolls; The bus tolls for thee
rdw4potus
rdw4potus
  • Threads: 80
  • Posts: 7237
Joined: Mar 11, 2010
January 17th, 2020 at 10:22:34 AM permalink
Doesn't it usually just come down to who owns the venues? If it's casino owned, you get 1:1; if it's 3rd party but at the casino, you get 2:1.
"So as the clock ticked and the day passed, opportunity met preparation, and luck happened." - Maurice Clarett
darkoz
darkoz
  • Threads: 297
  • Posts: 11442
Joined: Dec 22, 2009
January 17th, 2020 at 10:50:27 AM permalink
Quote: rdw4potus

Doesn't it usually just come down to who owns the venues? If it's casino owned, you get 1:1; if it's 3rd party but at the casino, you get 2:1.



Sometimes that is the case.

I have also been to casinos where that is simply the normal value of the shopping dollars
For Whom the bus tolls; The bus tolls for thee
Wizard
Administrator
Wizard
  • Threads: 1493
  • Posts: 26501
Joined: Oct 14, 2009
January 17th, 2020 at 11:00:19 AM permalink
I did indeed approve this thread.

I'm reminded of a story. I stayed at the Hard Rock in Punta Cana several years ago. As a guest, I was entitled to $x in "free" merchandise from the jewelry store. The value of x was about $100. I went in there and must admit that I liked some of their stuff, as I like larimar (why doesn't my spell checker like that?), which is a mineral (if that's the proper term) found only in the Dominican Republic.

However, there was a 20% "service fee" or something like that. The prices were ridiculously jacked up so that after the 80% discount, I would say the prices were competitive. I asked if I could use the voucher for my friend and they said yes. I then asked if I could just buy as much as I wanted and get the 80% discount and they still said "yes."

I would have more respect for the place if they just discounted everything 80% as opposed to the voucher trick, but it probably did work for them as the store was usually packed with people wanted to use their voucher.
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
darkoz
darkoz
  • Threads: 297
  • Posts: 11442
Joined: Dec 22, 2009
January 17th, 2020 at 11:18:19 AM permalink
I guess the average person is fooled so the casino likes that.

My GF had $70 shopping dollars so she wanted to shop at the casino gift shop.

The sales clerk warned her it was 2:1.

My GF reply was "Huh?"

Like 2:1 was the equivalent of Pi to her. I had to break it down. She wasnt happy once she understood she really only had $35 to spend
For Whom the bus tolls; The bus tolls for thee
Romes
Romes
  • Threads: 29
  • Posts: 5602
Joined: Jul 22, 2014
January 17th, 2020 at 1:10:29 PM permalink
We all know people pack the place in for free Tupperware... so of course they're going to "trick" the masses with some kind of voucher people will think "I don't want it to go to waste" when in reality it has very little or no value.
Playing it correctly means you've already won.
  • Jump to: