Ideas for Discounts, without Aggravating Earlier Full-Price Buyers?

7 replies
Any ideas for managing discounts in a way that won't disappoint earlier full-price buyers?

Example if say 130ish people buy one of my products at $297, then 6 months later I put it on time-limited sale for $197 or $247, the earlier buyers who paid full price may now be disappointed. I know I 'just deal with it' myself for example on amazon if I buy a bluray for $18 then a month later it's on sale for $11 I don't complain; that's life..

I can't put a big "(xyz) on sale" banner on my sites without running the risk of having a percentage of earlier full-price buyers ask for rebates or credits, which is a hassle, or be disappointed, which I don't want. Also I don't want to 'train everyone to wait for sales', so need to incentivize early often buying.

any ideas? thx...
#aggravating #buyers #discounts #earlier #fullprice #ideas
  • Profile picture of the author Frank Donovan
    Ken, how about sending a voucher to your existing customers for money off a future purchase? Tell them it's a special deal for privileged customers only, as a token of your appreciation.


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  • Profile picture of the author Vid Yo
    Ken, have you tried it yet?

    I think you'd be surprised by your past customers' reaction, or lack thereof. They probably won't even care...especially if you have a kick-butt product/service.
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    • Profile picture of the author The Niche Man
      A $50 discount isn't that much money over a 6 month period. Although you might want to give a token reason, that always helps.

      Walmart, Sears,Cosco, etc. Do it constantly. In fact, if you look at most industries, real estate, the auto industry, clothing industry, etc they all do it, it's expected. Most people buy anyway, even though they know the price will be cheaper in August, January or November,etc.

      We've all bought something at a certain price and when we came back next month, even sometimes the next day it's a cheaper price. You see that example every holiday that comes around, it's predictable. So, most people are used to it. People know it's all about the timing. At least you waited 6 months, that's more than most car dealers or real estate brokers
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      • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
        Here's two words to help you out: reason why.

        Come up with a good excuse, or even a not so good excuse, for having a time-limited sale. If anyone really gets bent out of shape, go with the voucher idea or something. I do agree, though, that the reaction is likely to be minimal.
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        • Profile picture of the author John D
          I agree also that the reactions probably will be little to non. When I went to the Millionaire Mind Intensive, the regular seating tickets were free...but you had the option to upgrade to VIP for $79 or $97...I can't remember the exact price.

          Well, when I got there...they told everyone to sit where they want...even if you weren't VIP. No one complained or cared...at least not out in the open.

          Eventually they did have VIPs in VIP seating, but the point is that no one reacted initially to the "sit wherever you want" situation.

          So you probably will have little to worry about, if you do...I like the voucher idea.
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  • Profile picture of the author kencalhn
    great points everyone, thanks!

    i like the idea about vouchers, and reason-why copy for discounting; makes sense.
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  • Profile picture of the author Barry Unruh
    Originally Posted by kencalhn View Post

    Example if say 130ish people buy one of my products at $297, then 6 months later I put it on time-limited sale for $197 or $247, the earlier buyers who paid full price may now be disappointed.
    Hmmmm....Having a hard time wrapping my head around this one.

    The early adopters have a six-month head start on using your information and system for a paltry $50 to $100?

    If your information provides value that has resulted in a great ROI during those 6 months, why would they be disappointed. They should be chuckling that they got the headstart and have been crushing it for the last six months.

    Is it perhaps that you are devaluing the time value of your materials?
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