What would you rather have... a sweatshirt or a cooler that you
could buy at a dollar store... or a comped dinner and cashback
while you're playing?
Why does it has to be one or the other? Who says it can't be both?
Certainly not Showboat/Harrahs, cuz they DO give out both.
Erm. It IS one or the other, because the corporation has to make a decision
as to whether or not to allocate dollars to a particular promotion.
Harrah's has drastically cut its rewards program as of June of last year.
By the questions asked in the survey, Harrah's was trying to attract
high-rollers with a higher-than-diamond tier... entitling people to things
like free car washes and special logo'd clothing.
A dollar-store tote bag may make the low rollers happy, but I think that
anyone feeding $100 bills into a $10 slot machine, probably couldn't care
less about getting a $5 handout. They'd rather have their comps. I know I
would, and I know that's why I don't play Harrah's anymore.
Jeff, no offense, but you've said it yourself -- you continue to patronize
Harrah's and Showboat because they give you $10 and a buffet when you take
the bus down, despite the fact that you know you're playing bad video poker.
And apparently things like coolers and sweatshirts bring you to the
property.
That's fine, for a certain level of play. But I don't think that marketing
philosophy is going to get back the $10K-20K a day players, the people who
used to be RFB but who are now pariah at Harrah's... who've gone elsewhere
in droves.
It sure as hell won't get ME back, and offering me a tote bag or a logo robe
or a free car wash or some other stupid trinket isn't going to make up for
losing the gourmet dinners.