Shouldn't discounts be posted in a private forum or something?

[sunshinelady]

Should discount codes negotiated on our behalf be posted in a private forum? They will probably end up all over the net anyway, but I feel like they are a benefit of membership.

Tell me what you think.

 

[drasgrl]

I don't care but I can see the need for it to be private. It's kinda not fair if a vendor works our a special deal for only the members but lurkers can see and get on it too. When I was a lurker before I paid my $5 I admit I was looking at the discount codes and would have used them but I'm a reformed PJ so that's the only thing that stopped me.

 

[Qualitee]

Yea it should be private!. That's not fair

 

[Jhuidah]

I voted yes. I belong to another forum that once in a while has "Forum Only" items--you can only find out about them and order them through the forum and with your forum username. That way you get a benefit of actually being a member.

I say this as a person who hasn't participated in any of the deals, but who thinks it's only fair that there be perks to membership.

 

[CocoGlow]

You know I never thought about this but I think you are right..it should only be accessable to members who have payed....I think it should be a privilege just like posting questions in a thread is a privilege for paying members only......

 

[ajoyfuljoy]

um yeah...when I googled hair steamer today, our thread hair steamer deal was like the 3rd post or something like that.

Anybody can say they're LHCF and take advantage of our hair steamer deal!

 

[tottzu]

I don't feel the discounts should be private. The leverage in discounts comes from the voulume of purchases made by the members. So, if the lurkers whom are non paying members purchase the items using the discount that just gives us more negotiating power for the next discount(s). Also, seeing the discounts provided may give them an incentive to join because of their appreciation for the negotiations.

I joined after seeing the discounts on here and after I made my first purchase from FNWL using the discount code. My thought was yeah they saved me X amount of dollars and I will use the dollars saved to contribute to membership. I post very seldom so paying the 5 to post/chat was not my motivation nor was I aware of the other bulletins boards that became accessible upon paying for my membership. I paid as thanks and appreciation for the work done to provide discount to all members. Thank you ladies whom have made these discounts possible.

Also, the non paying boards have these discounts too. I don't know if the same ladies whom have provided them here are the ones that have made them possible on the other boards. I have noticed many of the ladies on this board frequent and post on the other boards, too and have seen many of discounts for the same stores on 2 other boards. I didn’t see the dryer deal on the other boards but it could have been there and I just missed it.

 

[ajoyfuljoy]

I don't feel the discounts should be private. The leverage in discounts comes from the voulume of purchases made by the members. So, if the lurkers whom are non paying members purchase the items using the discount that just gives us more negotiating power for the next discount(s). Also, seeing the discounts provided may give them an incentive to join because of their appreciation for the negotiations.

I joined after seeing the discounts on here and after I made my first purchase from FNWL using the discount code. My thought was yeah they saved me X amount of dollars and I will use the dollars saved to contribute to membership. I post very seldom so paying the 5 to post/chat was not my motivation nor was I aware of the other bulletins boards that became accessible upon paying for my membership. I paid as thanks and appreciation for the work done to provide discount to all members. Thank you ladies whom have made these discounts possible.

Also, the non paying boards have these discounts too. I don't know if the same ladies whom have provided them here are the ones that have made them possible on the other boards. I have noticed many of the ladies on this board frequent and post on the other boards, too and have seen many of discounts for the same stores on 2 other boards. I didn’t see the dryer deal on the other boards but it could have been there and I just missed it.

My problem isn't with the generic discounts. I have an issue though with the discounts that are limited in supply (Pibbs, hair steamer, ebay seller deals). If anybody can access them, then how do we even know if our people our getting the special deals?

 

[gymfreak336]

YES!!!

I do have a problem with the fact that members here work on getting discounts and people who can't pay the 5 buck, well now 6.50, but want to benefit from the discounts. Its just like Sams or Costco, you want the benefit but you don't want to pay to play. Put them in a private section.

 

[tottzu]

My problem isn't with the generic discounts. I have an issue though with the discounts that are limited in supply (Pibbs, hair steamer, ebay seller deals). If anybody can access them, then how do we even know if our people our getting the special deals?

I don't remember any of the deals/discounts having limits on how many could be ordered. I could be wrong, but I would think the vendors would be more than happy to accomodate additional orders as it is more sales and more profit. A win win for all. And the more orders the vendor get the more likely they are to give a discount again. I do remember someone trying to set up another Pibb deal and she needed a minimum of 300 people and she only had 100+. So, the non paying members may have assisted her in obtaining her numbers. But, I am not sure what happened with that discount.

 

[AfroKink]

There is a recent steamer deal with a limit of 40. A LCHFer negotiated a discount for people from this board. But since it is posted in an open forum that shows up on search engines, anyone can read the thread, say they're with LHCF and get the discount. The steamers are in limited supply so it is possible for non-members to have and members that want, not to have.

I think if the discount is negotiated specifically for members of LHCF or the item is in limited supply, it should be private. I don't think a vendor wants the deal open to the general public. It might hurt business.
Lys

 

[Mestiza]

No, I don't think that the discount codes should be private.

I understand from where you ladies are coming, but I see this issue in another way, too.

We have a lot of members and lurkers.The purchases made using LHCF discounts and coupon codes show the vendors from where that money is coming. This may encourage them to actually do some advertising w/ LHCF or even offer other specials to LHCF'ers. This makes them aware that they are receiving business from persons who are in some way connected to this site, may they be members, lurkers, or their family members, co-workers, friends, etc...

In addition, as much as I end up looking like this or wanting to do this sometimes when I, or another member, reads about a great deal that someone posted on the Hair Board and some of the lurkers beat us to it, I still wouldn't want the Hair Board to be private, either.

 

[Mestiza]

I don't feel the discounts should be private. The leverage in discounts comes from the voulume of purchases made by the members. So, if the lurkers whom are non paying members purchase the items using the discount that just gives us more negotiating power for the next discount(s). Also, seeing the discounts provided may give them an incentive to join because of their appreciation for the negotiations.

I joined after seeing the discounts on here and after I made my first purchase from FNWL using the discount code. My thought was yeah they saved me X amount of dollars and I will use the dollars saved to contribute to membership. I post very seldom so paying the 5 to post/chat was not my motivation nor was I aware of the other bulletins boards that became accessible upon paying for my membership. I paid as thanks and appreciation for the work done to provide discount to all members. Thank you ladies whom have made these discounts possible.

Also, the non paying boards have these discounts too. I don't know if the same ladies whom have provided them here are the ones that have made them possible on the other boards. I have noticed many of the ladies on this board frequent and post on the other boards, too and have seen many of discounts for the same stores on 2 other boards. I didn’t see the dryer deal on the other boards but it could have been there and I just missed it.

ITA w/ the bolded!

 

[Mestiza]

I don't remember any of the deals/discounts having limits on how many could be ordered. I could be wrong, but I would think the vendors would be more than happy to accomodate additional orders as it is more sales and more profit. A win win for all. And the more orders the vendor get the more likely they are to give a discount again. I do remember someone trying to set up another Pibb deal and she needed a minimum of 300 people and she only had 100+. So, the non paying members may have assisted her in obtaining her numbers. But, I am not sure what happened with that discount.

I'm in agreement w/ you, again.

I was just thinking about the scenario where a minimum amount of offers may be needed, but could not be met by LHCF members, alone.

 

[Ladia]

I agree with Tottzu, the reason that vendors give discounts is to boost sales. I have not used a LHCF discount yet and not sure if I will. So I am glad that a lurker has stepped up to take advantage of the discount because I would hate for all of that time and effort to be wasted.

 

[RubyWoo]

I think that knowing that becoming a member would provide one with access to discounts would be an incentive and motivate people to join. It would be one of the perks of being a member. On that note, I believe that discounts should be exclusive. It will boost membership (more $$$ to help keep the board running) and helps add value to the membership.

 

[Brownie518]

I say Yes.

 

[ajoyfuljoy]

There is a recent steamer deal with a limit of 40. A LCHFer negotiated a discount for people from this board. But since it is posted in an open forum that shows up on search engines, anyone can read the thread, say they're with LHCF and get the discount. The steamers are in limited supply so it is possible for non-members to have and members that want, not to have.

I think if the discount is negotiated specifically for members of LHCF or the item is in limited supply, it should be private. I don't think a vendor wants the deal open to the general public. It might hurt business.
Lys

ITA!

 

[kweenameena]

yes

 

[naturalmanenyc]

No, discounts should be public. The discounts prompt lurkers to join. I joined LHCF in September 2007 but did not pay for membership until after ordering & receiving my Pibbs dryer in January 2008.
http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=191729

Had I not been able to even view the discount without becoming a paid member, I probably would never have paid the subscription fee and just continued to lurk.

 

[Cheleigh]

I've never used a discount, but I don't see why they can't be both private and public? The discount itself can be advertised/promoted on the main forum (because some of us don't stay logged in so only see the main boards and are in essence a lurker anyway) but the details of the discount are accessed through a private forum. That way lurkers and everyone else can see that a discount is being offered, but the pricing, codes, and other details are for members-only.

Also, if a deal is offered that needs a minimum, and members aren't meeting it, why can it not be offered on the main boards after a time period (members have x weeks to order, and then the details are given on the main board after that).

I think it can be done so that it's both a benefit to the members and an incentive to lurkers.

 

[CocoGlow]

I don't feel the discounts should be private. The leverage in discounts comes from the voulume of purchases made by the members. So, if the lurkers whom are non paying members purchase the items using the discount that just gives us more negotiating power for the next discount(s). Also, seeing the discounts provided may give them an incentive to join because of their appreciation for the negotiations.

I joined after seeing the discounts on here and after I made my first purchase from FNWL using the discount code. My thought was yeah they saved me X amount of dollars and I will use the dollars saved to contribute to membership. I post very seldom so paying the 5 to post/chat was not my motivation nor was I aware of the other bulletins boards that became accessible upon paying for my membership. I paid as thanks and appreciation for the work done to provide discount to all members. Thank you ladies whom have made these discounts possible.

Also, the non paying boards have these discounts too. I don't know if the same ladies whom have provided them here are the ones that have made them possible on the other boards. I have noticed many of the ladies on this board frequent and post on the other boards, too and have seen many of discounts for the same stores on 2 other boards. I didn’t see the dryer deal on the other boards but it could have been there and I just missed it.

Although I voted, "yes"..I do have to agree w/ Tottzu here w/ the bolded part b/c there are other boards that offer discount codes to the public...I did not think of that

I lurked for a while too and I did notice the discount codes, but my main push to pay up and join was the fact that I wanted to post questions and use the search feature, etc ... no one knows for sure what causes some to pay and others to lurk, but I don't know if reserving the discounts for paying members only will help or hurt LHCF in the long run....

I am now undecided, but I already voted "yes"....

 

[RubyWoo]

I've never used a discount, but I don't see why they can't be both private and public? The discount itself can be advertised/promoted on the main forum (because some of us don't stay logged in so only see the main boards and are in essence a lurker anyway) but the details of the discount are accessed through a private forum. That way lurkers and everyone else can see that a discount is being offered, but the pricing, codes, and other details are for members-only.

Also, if a deal is offered that needs a minimum, and members aren't meeting it, why can it not be offered on the main boards after a time period (members have x weeks to order, and then the details are given on the main board after that).

I think it can be done so that it's both a benefit to the members and an incentive to lurkers.

I think this is a great idea!

 

[CocoGlow]

I've never used a discount, but I don't see why they can't be both private and public? The discount itself can be advertised/promoted on the main forum (because some of us don't stay logged in so only see the main boards and are in essence a lurker anyway) but the details of the discount are accessed through a private forum. That way lurkers and everyone else can see that a discount is being offered, but the pricing, codes, and other details are for members-only.

Also, if a deal is offered that needs a minimum, and members aren't meeting it, why can it not be offered on the main boards after a time period (members have x weeks to order, and then the details are given on the main board after that).

I think it can be done so that it's both a benefit to the members and an incentive to lurkers.

I like your idea too Cheleigh...it seems like a nice compromise!!!

 

[DivaD04]

ita with cheleigh 100%...i also don't use the discount but i do think it's a perk to have dicounts as a member. it shouldn't be an easy access for lurkers.

I've never used a discount, but I don't see why they can't be both private and public? The discount itself can be advertised/promoted on the main forum (because some of us don't stay logged in so only see the main boards and are in essence a lurker anyway) but the details of the discount are accessed through a private forum. That way lurkers and everyone else can see that a discount is being offered, but the pricing, codes, and other details are for members-only.

Also, if a deal is offered that needs a minimum, and members aren't meeting it, why can it not be offered on the main boards after a time period (members have x weeks to order, and then the details are given on the main board after that).

I think it can be done so that it's both a benefit to the members and an incentive to lurkers.

 

[JustKiya]

I've never used a discount, but I don't see why they can't be both private and public? The discount itself can be advertised/promoted on the main forum (because some of us don't stay logged in so only see the main boards and are in essence a lurker anyway) but the details of the discount are accessed through a private forum. That way lurkers and everyone else can see that a discount is being offered, but the pricing, codes, and other details are for members-only.

Also, if a deal is offered that needs a minimum, and members aren't meeting it, why can it not be offered on the main boards after a time period (members have x weeks to order, and then the details are given on the main board after that).

I think it can be done so that it's both a benefit to the members and an incentive to lurkers.

I think that's a brilliant way to handle it!!!

 

[cmw45]

Both sides have a point. I think that discounts with limited quantities should be private and discounts with unlimited quantities should be open to the public.