Lakewood NJ Master Thread

[aygart]

But all that exists in Lakewood are those magazines and the little billboards

You need to get out more

[aygart]

I don't own a business and I'm not sobbing. That being said, I guess people just aren't as smart as you because everytime there's a dinner event sale etc I see the same ad in 6-8 different places.

Also, I have nothing against the voice and wish them luck in conquering the world. I was just saying that my opinion is that this helps them more than it helps anyone. Smart move on their part.

Of course it helps them most. Isn't that why they did it?

[yuneeq]

I don't own a business and I'm not sobbing. That being said, I guess people just aren't as smart as you because everytime there's a dinner event sale etc I see the same ad in 6-8 different places.

Also, I have nothing against the voice and wish them luck in conquering the world. I was just saying that my opinion is that this helps them more than it helps anyone. Smart move on their part.

IMHO If it didn't make sense to businesses then the program would fail before takeoff.
Ever notice how well the BMG discount program is going?

The voice obviously has convinced plenty of intelligent businesses owners of the programs value and will rightfully reap the rewards of they execute properly.

[MarkS]

Of course it helps them most. Isn't that why they did it?

Correct. And as great marketers, they trumpeted it as great news for local stores and shoppers. And tons of people bought into it even asking "Whats in it for the voice? Wow - such gomlei chessed".

So just bringing those people back down to earth. Yes after shopping for 3 years and spending $55,000 you may get a $200 flight. Yes a store may get a drop more business. But the REAL prize here is the voice inserting themselves into each sale.

[MarkS]

IMHO If it didn't make sense to businesses then the program would fail before takeoff.
Ever notice how well the BMG discount program is going?

The voice obviously has convinced plenty of intelligent businesses owners of the programs value and will rightfully reap the rewards of they execute properly.

And obviously a big part of the pitch was: Imagine if the other pizza store joins and you don't (scare tactic)

[aygart]

Correct. And as great marketers, they trumpeted it as great news for local stores and shoppers. And tons of people bought into it even asking "Whats in it for the voice? Wow - such gomlei chessed".

So just bringing those people back down to earth. Yes after shopping for 3 years and spending $55,000 you may get a $200 flight. Yes a store may get a drop more business. But the REAL prize here is the voice inserting themselves into each sale.

So you are trying to prove that there are naive suckers out there? Don't worry they think the stores are joining to be nice to their customers and only sell as a chesed.

[churnbabychurn]

Does the Aldrich road park and ride still have spots at 930 am?


(Is this the right thread?!)

[yuneeq]

And obviously a big part of the pitch was: Imagine if the other pizza store joins and you don't (scare tactic)

Not really. Why would the other store join if it doesn't make sense?
If I'm a business owner I wouldn't be scared unless I saw real value in the business the rewards will bring. So why not sign up myself?

OTOH, most Lakewood businesses are not just competing with other Lakewood businesses.
The hardware store is competing with Lowes. The clothing store is competing with Zara.
The supermarket is competing with Shoprite. And etc.

So yeah, this whole debate is overblown.

[MarkS]

So you are trying to prove that there are naive suckers out there? Don't worry they think the stores are joining to be nice to their customers and only sell as a chesed.

Well Dan runs this site as a chessed so.....

[yuneeq]

Another angle.

How many businesses would create loyalty programs if it didn't cost so much to create and maintain?
Pretty much all of them, if you look at most national retail stores (who could afford it).

So the voice is providing a service for businesses that can't do it on their own,
and business owners are willing to pay a small fee for that service.

[aygart]

Another angle.

How many businesses would create loyalty programs if it didn't cost so much to create and maintain?
Pretty much all of them, if you look at most national retail stores (who could afford it).

So the voice is providing a service for businesses that can't do it on their own,
and business owners are willing to pay a small fee for that service.

The problem though is that it isn't a real loyalty program if they can get the same points from the competition.

[yuneeq]

The problem though is that it isn't a real loyalty program if they can get the same points from the competition.

True, unless they enable custom rewards for stores.

[YitzyS]

As a matter of fact, in Lakewood/frum community it has gotten out of hand with the number of advertisers. If someone wants to put out an ad for everyone to see they need to put it in:
1)The Voice
2)Lakewood Shopper
3)Lakewood Weekly
4)Yated
5)Haamodia
6)FJJ
7)Mishpacha
8)Bina
9)Ami
10)YWN
11)The Lakewood Scoop
12)Matzav

etc etc.

Many only read 1 or two of them so people end up needing to advertise all over to get a message out. It ends up taking a huge advertising campaign each week. Who gains from the multiple ads?? The advertising agency! Not the stores. If there was one medium like in out of town places you would put in 1 ad and everyone sees it. Obviously I'm not against capitalism and if 100 people want to open competing magazines go right ahead. And if the voice makes a rewards program they're entitled as well. The fact is that it's questionable if it'll bring in more business (and the more successful the program is in attracting stores the less extra business it brings each store). The only sure thing here is that the Voice makes money by inserting themselves into each sale.

+100

You need to learn a little about marketing. A business does  not need to reach everyone directly.
A business has to decide what their demographic and advertise where it makes sense.
All these media outlets would not exist if they were all a replica of the same news and targeting the same audience. A smart business owner does research and figures out the best way to reach his audience, whether through newspapers, magazines, Instagram, shul billboards, email blasts, website ads, etc. They can also do viral word of mouth marketing.

I don't feel bad for any business that signed up for voice rewards and gets extra business because of it. If they were ahead of the trend and will make more money, good for them. You can't sob over every poor business decision made by businesses out there.

-100. Many publications overlap too much.

[MarkS]

+100-100. Many publications overlap too much.

Are you by any chance a business owner that needs to pay thousands to advertise?

Believe me, the 'diversity' hurts more than it helps but everyone needs to do it since everyone else is.

[yuneeq]

+100-100. Many publications overlap too much.

The competition drastically lowers ad prices in a publication.
If there were only 2 publications each one would charge thousands for an ad.

A savvy business owner in this environment can squeeze out a lot of bang for the buck with 1 or 2 well targeted ads costing just a few hundred dollars each.

[churnbabychurn]

The bp is drowning in cash.

Fascinating because while the rest of the economy is going digital, they are still able to make bank

[Iz]

The bp is drowning in cash.

What is your source for that?

[churnbabychurn]

What is your source for that?

Lol

Do you know how much they charge a page?

[TimT]

Lol

Do you know how much they charge a page?

Do they demand full payment beforehand ?

[Iz]

Lol

Do you know how much they charge a page?

Do you know their expenses?
Just wondering if this is based on knowledge or assumption. I think I have my answer.