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To our friends at Paizo...
Has anyone considered a rewards program for customers who purchase product? Something like each purchase would earn you Paizo Bucks (or gold coins, whatever) that could be used as credit towards a pdf. Keeping it only redeemable for pdf should still protect the value of the hardcopy and you won't have to deal with shipping. Earning 5-10 cents for every dollar spent might encourage more "real" product purchases to earn the rewards. You could also run periodic "specials" that would earn double Bucks. Some might even buy more knowing that they're earning bonuses along the way.
To our friends at Paizo...
Has anyone considered a rewards program for customers who purchase product? Something like each purchase would earn you Paizo Bucks (or gold coins, whatever) that could be used as credit towards a pdf. Keeping it only redeemable for pdf should still protect the value of the hardcopy and you won't have to deal with shipping. Earning 5-10 cents for every dollar spent might encourage more "real" product purchases to earn the rewards. You could also run periodic "specials" that would earn double Bucks. Some might even buy more knowing that they're earning bonuses along the way.
Isn't this already probvided in effect by the % discount Pathfinder subscribers get on other products?
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Isn't this already probvided in effect by the % discount Pathfinder subscribers get on other products?
To some extend it is, but I have spoken to a number of gamers who all have the same reponse. The discounts are typically very close to the shipping costs, at least for those in the US. For those internation, it seems that shipping costs is one of the primary reasons that cause them to restrict their purchases. If your FLGS has the product in stock, you pay roughly the same price as you would buying it from Paizo with the shipping. By adding in the additional incentive of the PaizoBucks, I would think that it would further influence purchases. Also, keep in mind that the % discount is only open to subscription products. The casual buyer who does not subscribe might be more inclined to purchase products if they also received some small reward. Am I way off base here? Would this incentive idea have more than a neglible impact on Paizo?
Director of Brand Strategy
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I'm sure Paizo is aware of these types of loyalty programs and they would implement one if it fit their business model. The fact that they haven't leads me to believe they have reasons not to or feel that they're doing ok without one. I think one of the largest reasons for them not to extend the level of benefits they provide for online customers beyond their already generous levels is that they don't want to alienate their brick and mortar retailers. While Paizo is one of the internet's largest storefronts for gaming material, they are also a publisher who has to keep their relationship with book and game stores amiable.
Paizo's frequent buyer program is #1 Pathfinder Advantage (15% off if you are subscribed to an AP) and #2 free PDFs. For many people access to the PDFs is the biggest advantage and the reason they subscribe. If you are just interested in the best possible price and don't care about the PDFs (or helping the Paizoans out) then Amazon is your best bet (in particular if you can get free shipping).
Paizo is somewhat constrained in how good a deal they can give. If they give too good a deal then the local game shops and book stores won't carry their products. They are basically competing with their customers and that's a tough balancing act.
They sort of have this already. Last year, before I was a subscriber, I purchased a couple Kill Doctor Lucky accessories. (I'd already bought the game at a con.) I then got the Christmas card with a discount (which I never did end up using) and a free PDF of the Legacy of Fire Players Guide (which I did use).
