Future promotions should take current ongoing customers sensibilities into consideration, as the whole point of a subscription service is to acquire and maintain paying customers.
The Galaxy X (which I personally have no desire for) is unavailable to people in the position of having played this game from launch and already having proselytized all receptive acquaintances. Those people at least should have been grandfathered in; perhaps by allowing their friends playing the game to register the earlier subscribing, pre-referral offer subscribing friend as having introduced them to the game. This would eliminate those who simply *cant* earn the ship without evangelizing strangers like a Hare Krishna at a pre-911 airport.
In general however, I personally think it poor treatment of ongoing customers to give them no way to get an other than cosmetic perk after the game goes live. Like watching a first date berate a waiter or cab driver without cause, it leaves a bad taste in my mouth about things going forward, even though it doesnt directly affect me.
Future promotions should take current ongoing customers sensibilities into consideration, as the whole point of a subscription service is to acquire and maintain paying customers.
The Galaxy X (which I personally have no desire for) is unavailable to people in the position of having played this game from launch and already having proselytized all receptive acquaintances. Those people at least should have been grandfathered in; perhaps by allowing their friends playing the game to register the earlier subscribing, pre-referral offer subscribing friend as having introduced them to the game. This would eliminate those who simply *cant* earn the ship without evangelizing strangers like a Hare Krishna at a pre-911 airport.
In general however, I personally think it poor treatment of ongoing customers to give them no way to get an other than cosmetic perk after the game goes live. Like watching a first date berate a waiter or cab driver without cause, it leaves a bad taste in my mouth about things going forward, even though it doesnt directly affect me.
Amusing comparisons there. The word from Cryptic is that they 'can't' give you credit for subscriptions retroactively because they set up this whole system after the fact and they can't go back and confirm previous invites and subscriptions. Personally, I'd -love- to get credit for all the people I, personally got into STO but that just doesn't look like it's going to happen.
Amusing comparisons there. The word from Cryptic is that they 'can't' give you credit for subscriptions retroactively because they set up this whole system after the fact and they can't go back and confirm previous invites and subscriptions. Personally, I'd -love- to get credit for all the people I, personally got into STO but that just doesn't look like it's going to happen.
I'm sure they could quite easily track any CE and 5-day buddy passes if they wanted to. Keys tie the sender to the recipient. Unless someone created an account to use a key, and then made a different account after buying the game, Cryptic should be able to track which keys were converted into paid accounts and for how long they were subscribed.
If you say that they say that they can't make this promotion retroactive for those keys, well then it was a really crappy marketing plan; wouldn't you say?
This would eliminate those who simply *cant* earn the ship without evangelizing strangers like a Hare Krishna at a pre-911 airport.
Sorry, but I disagree. Anyone can find 5 recruits if they want the ship bad enough. The RAF is not "impossible" by any stretch, with the exception of those living in countries where it may not be offered.
While I do agree that some consideration should be given to those who have brought in customers since launch, the bottom line is that they won't grandfather anyone in and that decision seems to be final.
I don't want the ship, as I stated. Asking customers to use "cold canvassing" sales tactics is too much to ask, in my opinion, as I stated. It's not about a sense of entitlement as some have put it. It's about treating ongoing customers as if you give a damn about them after the sale. Unless they're like us -- lifetime subscribers-- those slighted customers are dollars that could go elsewhere. Gaining new customers shouldn't cost you the good will of your current customers. It's Marketing 101.
Gaining new customers shouldn't cost you the good will of your current customers.
I don't mind finding 5 new recruits and I have 2 friends that started the game with me when it launched. I'm not getting credit for them. Do I feel "slighted" by the new RAF? Not in the least.
Marketing 101 also includes several chapters on "The Power of Word of Mouth Advertising in Business" and "Rewarding Customer Loyalty". Might want to read those chapters too.
...Marketing 101 also includes several chapters on "The Power of Word of Mouth Advertising in Business" and "Rewarding Customer Loyalty". Might want to read those chapters too.
And those who were loyal and touting the game to all and sundry *before* they were bidden to is a group you want to throw under the bus? Did you even read my original post?
And those who were loyal and touting the game to all and sundry *before* they were bidden to is a group you want to throw under the bus? Did you even read my original post?
Yes, I read it. Did you read mine?
I had a few friends (2 of which still play) sign up and try the game using keys from the DE I bought and from the refer a buddy program. I'm getting no credit for those toward the RAF. Do I feel thrown under the bus? Nope. Would it be nice if previous invites were allowed? Sure it would, but I'm not going to get angry and ragequit/whinepost about it on the forums.
Comments
Amusing comparisons there.
I'm sure they could quite easily track any CE and 5-day buddy passes if they wanted to. Keys tie the sender to the recipient. Unless someone created an account to use a key, and then made a different account after buying the game, Cryptic should be able to track which keys were converted into paid accounts and for how long they were subscribed.
If you say that they say that they can't make this promotion retroactive for those keys, well then it was a really crappy marketing plan; wouldn't you say?
Sorry, but I disagree. Anyone can find 5 recruits if they want the ship bad enough. The RAF is not "impossible" by any stretch, with the exception of those living in countries where it may not be offered.
While I do agree that some consideration should be given to those who have brought in customers since launch, the bottom line is that they won't grandfather anyone in and that decision seems to be final.
If you want the ship, earn it.
I don't want the ship, as I stated. Asking customers to use "cold canvassing" sales tactics is too much to ask, in my opinion, as I stated. It's not about a sense of entitlement as some have put it. It's about treating ongoing customers as if you give a damn about them after the sale. Unless they're like us -- lifetime subscribers-- those slighted customers are dollars that could go elsewhere. Gaining new customers shouldn't cost you the good will of your current customers. It's Marketing 101.
*Tough Luck" is a lousy customer retention motto.
I don't mind finding 5 new recruits and I have 2 friends that started the game with me when it launched. I'm not getting credit for them. Do I feel "slighted" by the new RAF? Not in the least.
Marketing 101 also includes several chapters on "The Power of Word of Mouth Advertising in Business" and "Rewarding Customer Loyalty". Might want to read those chapters too.
And those who were loyal and touting the game to all and sundry *before* they were bidden to is a group you want to throw under the bus? Did you even read my original post?
I'm out I've got actual work to do.
Yes, I read it. Did you read mine?
I had a few friends (2 of which still play) sign up and try the game using keys from the DE I bought and from the refer a buddy program. I'm getting no credit for those toward the RAF. Do I feel thrown under the bus? Nope. Would it be nice if previous invites were allowed? Sure it would, but I'm not going to get angry and ragequit/whinepost about it on the forums.
It's a new promotion with new incentives.