Faery says May 03, 2009 06:13AM I propose a BAN on freebies... not sure for how long, but if EVERY single designer here on plurk got on board & told all their designer...
Faery says May 03, 2009 06:14AM mates about it, we could STOP freebies in SL till people get the idea that WE the designers DO NOT have to give people ANYTHING!
Faery says May 03, 2009 06:15AM PLease replurk at will...also, lets get some ideas rolling because we NEED to make this a statement, I think we've all had a gut full of the
Faery says May 03, 2009 06:19AM if EVERYONE got on board with this AND advertised WHY we're doing it, it might actually go some way toward actually getting people to take
Stephanie says May 03, 2009 06:21AM I've always felt that events like sales were a better way to reward your customers.
Spring Candy says May 03, 2009 06:21AM there's been so much discussion on it - I think continued behavior like this will drive more and more designers to stop giving gifts.
Faery says May 03, 2009 06:22AM what it's going to do is drive more and more designers to stop designing, I don't know ONE that isn't absolutely fed up with this attitude
Spring Candy says May 03, 2009 06:22AM People, they are GIFTS - you aren't owed anything. When someone gives you a gift, you say THANK YOU. Where are people's manners? Srsly.
Spring Candy says May 03, 2009 06:23AM it isn't everyone - some people are kind and gracious - but its the squeaky wheels who ruin things for everyone.
Faery says May 03, 2009 06:24AM *nods* I reckon though we need to put it out there why designers are stopping with the gifts
Stephanie says May 03, 2009 06:25AM my decision though wasn't just about the culture of entitlement, it it's about market saturation and the devaluation of people's work.
Evie Miles says May 03, 2009 06:26AM I haven't given a gift in 8 weeks. Because I discovered that between group gifts, hunts and charity gowns, I had no time left to make profit
Evie Miles says May 03, 2009 06:27AM So I made a gown. And now I'm being abused 'cuz I charged too much for it? I think I trained people too well.
Spring Candy says May 03, 2009 06:27AM I'm going ahead with the Oz celebration - but honestly I can count on one hand the complaints I've ever gotten about them.
Spring Candy says May 03, 2009 06:27AM I don't know if they go to the designers directly.... I think I would hear about it if they did.
Spring Candy says May 03, 2009 06:29AM So I dunno what I do - I do know I spend a LOT of time trying to make them fun, but it goes back to having to make a profit.
Faery says May 03, 2009 06:29AM I guess the point is really, that for this to work, it would have to be a blanket thing, if most designers are giving up the advertising or
Spring Candy says May 03, 2009 06:30AM you'll never get everyone to give them up, Faery... We just need to come up with a new method of promotion is all.
Faery says May 03, 2009 06:30AM so it would take a certain amount of commitment, and would need to have a time frame... any suggestions?
Spring Candy says May 03, 2009 06:31AM Trying a ban will just stir up the entitlement folks and there will be dramahz
Faery says May 03, 2009 06:31AM make people pay for their hunt prizes? lol omg, can here the screeching now... well if someone has got an idea that they think would work...
Faery says May 03, 2009 06:33AM lol I love that people bitch when they have to pay a nominal amount for a hunt prize that if they where buying in a store would be 10 times
Spring Candy says May 03, 2009 06:33AM It eliminates the people who aren't going to spend a linden they don't have to - and gives you an audience that is willing to spend money.
Faery says May 03, 2009 06:34AM as much... I guess that's the other thing, freebies are actually quality salable items now... freebies used to be...freebies
Spring Candy says May 03, 2009 06:35AM well the thing there is - if you put out something that isn't your best work, people will assume that is the best you can do.
Spring Candy says May 03, 2009 06:35AM I know I do that. I consider the gift to represent the quality of the designer's work. If it is subpar, I never go back.
Spring Candy says May 03, 2009 06:36AM I really think its a matter of too much generosity - then it becomes expected.
Faery says May 03, 2009 06:36AM *nods* true, but there is the rub, people don't have to actually buy anything anymore... and people actually SAY that, they they don't have
Spring Candy says May 03, 2009 06:38AM and don't make them at regular intervals, let it be sporadic and a happy surprise.
ɐuᴉ|ina May 03, 2009 06:38AM i find that if you make the interval too long people leave and you wind up with unresponsive people in a group..
Spring Candy says May 03, 2009 06:39AM In fact, the groups I am in where the designers do it irregularly don't really get any complaints.
Spring Candy says May 03, 2009 06:39AM well yes, so do one this week, one next week and then go about 5 or 6 weeks.
Spring Candy says May 03, 2009 06:40AM Tuli is a good example of that, I think. She's generous but not on a time schedule.
Tigs says May 03, 2009 02:19PM I'm a learner designer; I am now convinced freebies are not that effective. ty for educational comments.
Spring Candy says May 03, 2009 02:49PM there's just no excuse for the comments Evie is getting. When I went to buy my GORGEOUS dress,
Spring Candy says May 03, 2009 02:50PM someone said they hate when they can't buy new dresses. Come on, you can't get a starbucks for the RL cost of this gown. SL costs money.
Morgaine Price says May 03, 2009 10:48PM faery, i had the exact same idea a few months back.. to cut down on freebies is a good thing but to be realistic, i dont think
Morgaine Price says May 03, 2009 10:49PM all the new just starting ( this week to month ) will excpect to use freebies to get traffic and spend awareness
Faery says May 03, 2009 10:50PM s'all good Morgaine, am currently working on an alternative to freebies... I think that's what the glitch is...people still want the promoti
Faery says May 03, 2009 10:50PM on... so am working with a mad genius person as we speak, to try and work something that is appealing to customers, and designers alike!
Morgaine Price says May 03, 2009 10:51PM but there are many who take the freebies and still manage to buy items
Faery says May 03, 2009 10:52PM true that, and it's sad that a growing number of self centered people will ruin that for people who do get freebies and still shop
Morgaine Price says May 03, 2009 10:52PM maybe if its a temporary halt it might help to get the message out
Faery says May 03, 2009 10:53PM but the bottom line is, this attitude in sl is growing, designers are considering packing up their shops & moving out...
Faery says May 03, 2009 10:53PM yeah we thought about that, but sadly many people just wont go for total ban, hence the trying to find marketing alternatives
Faery says May 03, 2009 11:13PM I have a mad genius scripter here *points at Hez* we're just bopping around some ideas, so if you have any, let us know!
Talyn says May 03, 2009 11:18PM I would be forever grateful for an alternative to handouts that still encourage new visitors and reward the loyal
Theo x Zanzo says May 04, 2009 09:41PM after the bunny hop fiasco, we're only doing occasional group gifts now and have a system where you have to be in the group to get it.
Theo x Zanzo says May 04, 2009 09:42PM the Hop finally showed me the ugly side of SL freebie culture, such as being told to "bite" someone in my own store for getting in their way
˚That Guy˚ May 06, 2009 04:13AM I understand you frustration. I don't think your suggestion is a solution. tr.im/slDesignerTantrums
AnaTrefusis is May 06, 2009 08:08PM thinking if every single customer boycotted every designer on the freebie boycott then SL business
AnaTrefusis says May 06, 2009 08:09PM which is based on nothing beyond internet access and the whim of LL would dry up and no one would make any money at all
AnaTrefusis says May 06, 2009 08:10PM I <3 designers who give good freebies and many of us spend a lot of money in stores because of them
Faery says May 07, 2009 10:38AM Hi Anastasia & Gauge, thanks for visiting my plurk, would love for you to read MORE than just the opening comment, infact I highly recommend
Faery says May 07, 2009 10:38AM you read the "backstory" link IN this plurk AND read the plurks surrounding this one... that way you might get a little bit more of an
Faery says May 07, 2009 10:40AM insight and can qualify your opinion of this plurk, and apparently of me thanks