This week, Facebook dropped their (ill-conceived) “Deals” program—a relief to those of us who understand how financially crippling these hit-and-run-discounts are for the vast majority of brick and mortars. My post on The 3/50 Project’s Facebook page about the topic resurrected the debate between consumers who love getting things at cost (or below) and the business owners who have been financial crushed by these so-called “deals.”
Bottom line? Consumers don’t see the bottom line. They have no idea what these “deals” cost a merchant, how many big chains use them to crush local merchants, or how little return business actually comes from these “deals”…which is why I’m going to stick my neck out and share an analogy that will hopefully put this in perspective. [click here to continue…]
Typos. Oversights. Misinterpretations. Flat out mistakes. They happen.
When the line blurs between simple oversight and intentional judgement call, however, we’re talking about something entirely different: integrity, the foundation of successful business.
This past couple of weeks, I’ve witnessed not one, but two examples of how risky a judgement call can be—in one case, forever marring a reputation I’d previously thought bulletproof. [click here to continue…]
I’m no fan of Groupon (as stated here previously), partly because of their say-one-thing-but-do-another approach, but mostly because of the financial downside their deals deliver for small business.
Well, it seems the folks at Groupon may have let their bravado outpace their potential. Having turned down a $6 billion buyout offer from Google, they just created their worst nightmare–Google as a competitor, announced yesterday. Given the latter’s access to maps, apps, and about a bazillion local business listings through everything from Adword accounts to Local Search, well…it’s not like they’ll have to do the Upstart Scramble to get off the ground.
At the core, however, this still presents the same problem, different day: Small business owners reliant on physical inventory can’t make the numbers work on these below-wholesale discount offers. The math simply isn’t there, even if you factor in volume. [click here to continue…]
Attention all Mac users: If you haven’t tried it yet, here’s your chance (and a question: What the heck are you waiting for???). The world’s best password manager, 1Password, is being offered at half price through MacZot, today only. It’s no secret I’m a big fan; of all the utility programs in my world-—and there are many-—this is the one I absolutely, positively can’t live without.
To read my earlier post about the virtues of 1Password, click here. To grab this baby at terrific savings, click here.
Heads up, though…this deal expires at midnight tonight, so you’d better grab fast. After that, you’re on your own with the first graders and stale candy corn.
Got an email from PayPal offering $50 rebates on Northwest Airline tickets purchased with a PayPal account. Not sure if they’re doing the same with other airlines, but might be worth checking out.
According to the email:
Use PayPal to pay when you book your holiday travel with Northwest Airlines and get $50 cash back on each eligible ticket purchase over $250. Plus, you’ll be automatically entered for a chance to win a $10,000 shopping spree.
You can get cash back on up to five eligible tickets, so the more you fly, the more you save.
Hurry, offer ends October 13, 2008
The best part? Read on:
Limit: $50 rebate is valid on the first five eligible tickets purchased on nwa.com using PayPal as the payment method.
That’s right. Up to five tickets. Travel must occur between November 15, 2008 and January 31, 2009. That means Thanksgiving…Christmas…New Year’s Eve…and most of the winter gift shows.
Bingo.
You have to be a WorldPerks member; if you aren’t just enroll first, book second. As one would expect, there are a few fine print rules, but none seem unreasonable.
To see the full list, drop me an email and I’ll forward them.
This week, Facebook dropped their (ill-conceived) “Deals” program—a relief to those of us who understand how financially crippling these hit-and-run-discounts are for the vast majority of brick and mortars. My post on The 3/50 Project’s Facebook page about the topic resurrected the debate between consumers who love getting things at cost (or below) and the business owners who have been financial crushed by these so-called “deals.”
