Starbuck’s Gold Latest Technique to Win Loyal Customers
I was in Las Vegas years ago when I had my first Starbucks (or so I think). I remember the first Michigan store opening and was so excited. Soon there were more and soon I was an addict. I remember driving up to Muskegon cursing that there wasn’t a single Starbucks in Lansing, Grand Rapids or Muskegon (now they are in all 3 cities-for now).
I am a loyalist. Now Starbucks’s is coming out with a new program for it’s loyalists called Starbuck’s Gold. For $25 a year, you get 10% off your purchases plus other stuff. So if you spend $250 a year, you break even. At $4.00 a visit, that works out to 63 visits or more than once a week.
Years ago we had a loyalty program called first called Miles then Beauty Points. Customers received one point for every dollar purchased. In return, they received gifts or credits for redeeming the points earned. The challenge was keeping track of the points as they accumulated over long periods of time. Eventually the program went away.
So I’m thinking what about Nailco Gold? For $100 a year (our average customer spends over $1000 a year), what would our customers receive in return? As a customer, what would entice you? Discounts are tricky because some of our suppliers frown on them so there would be exclusions. I look forward to your opinions.
Happy Thursday!
October 23rd, 2008 at 9:29 am
At the end Of each year I cash in all my pts with Amex for gift cards (Every 5000 pts = $50 dollars). Gift cards I can use where I want. Because of that I will use that card over others. Just a thought.
Have a Great Day!
October 23rd, 2008 at 9:49 am
How about for $100/year we gave them a flat shipping rate of $2.99 on orders under $100, $6.99 on orders over $100. Maybe a monthly sale for Gold Members only. Our customers hate the shipping charges on smaller orders. I think many of them would love the opportunity to have $2.99 shipping again. Heck, we still get calls asking if we have FREE shipping, which we have not offered in years.
October 23rd, 2008 at 11:14 am
I definatly agree with Tina! I think offering cheaper shipping to those clients that spend a good amount per year with us would make our business grow, and would make our customers happy. Because I know that I’ve been on the phone with customers who have pretty much (in a nice way) called me crazy for charging them 11.99 for shipping….and it’s like, there is nothing that I can do. I’m sorry! So I think they should be offered cheaper shipping as long as they keep a certain minimum a year with us. That would be awesome!
October 23rd, 2008 at 11:21 am
I Remember well the miles and the beauty points. I liked them and used them. It , among other things kept me loyal to industry source for well over 16 years. I remember I got a lot of very nice things, telephones, tv’s,
and other electronics. If I remember correctly, I also got discounts on education.. I enjoy the points I receive from tigi and have redeemed some for tools, and product, and merchandising. I have a pretty large inventory of retail products, I feel that we never get enough merchandising materials.
Iwould enjoy earning points to redeem for merchandising materials and or products.
October 23rd, 2008 at 4:02 pm
All of the clients should be treated like gold, without the additional fees.