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Subject: Re: Competitive Situations Are Almost Never Impossible

Author: Netflix competitor

[ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ] Date Posted: 14:31:17 07/04/07 Wed In reply to: Dennis S. Vogel 's message, "Competitive Situations Are Almost Never Impossible" on 21:57:44 07/02/07 Mon Thank you for adopting me. I have a sales floor of a few thousand feet. It’s set up somewhat like a loop. Customers can browse the 3 aisles in whatever order they want, but it’s set up for them to flow toward the desk. I have a rudimentary computer record for those who are open to me doing it. Some don’t want any record, so I just track the number of times something is rented or bought. It’s about a 45-55 split of who oppose any record. For those who are open to me having a record, I track basic demographics if I know them or they tell me—age or estimated age, family size, gender, times in the store, transaction value. I don’t push for the information, but I tell them I like to track things so I can have what particular people want. When they’re not sure what to rent, I can recommend something based on what they like or dislike. Because some tell me that, I record it too. I can recommend things based on producers, directors, actors & actresses besides genre. It’s funny, sometimes people like a game or movie but they don’t remember the title, they ask if I remember what it is. When it’s people who don’t want any records, they’re like, “Oh yeah. Well, if I see the case I might remember it.” A few change & admit they understand how records can help them, but usually they still don’t want them. So, those who don’t want records, they get the checkout slips if they bring the tapes, DVDs or games into the store. IF they put them in the drop box, I recycle the slip. I use picture ID if I don’t know who they are. But lately, there’s been so few, I know most of them. I don’t have many games left since those are either bought if people like them or they collect dust if nobody wants them. IF they rent a game more than once, they know if they want it & will buy it. Sometimes a game is rented for a treat for good behavior, good grades or a reward; but not often. My game systems aren’t rented much either, just to have them used, I have some setup to use in my store. They’re used well, but it doesn’t do much for rentals, except it keeps kids busy if parents are deliberating over what to rent. Some friends seem to rent from me because they know I’m having hard times. They don’t want any special recognition. I don’t think there’d be enough for a Kepler’s style drive. Plus, my store isn’t big enough or set up for people to talk for long. I may be able to promote like a use or lose it deal, but I don’t think there are enough who care if they lose it. Some I remember came after the little bit of radio spots & newspaper ads I did years ago Many seem to come here on impulse, they find they have time & feel like a movie or game. What I did with other businesses helps, but if my offer or memory of it isn’t in front of them when the muse strikes it doesn’t help. It seem like 60% of my sales are from those who pop in on impulse. Then they tend to know which area of my store to look in. Some plan for movie nights. IF they want, I reserve things for them. I have a little bit of microwaveable popcorn on my desk, but most just get movies. I’m not sure now what’s typical for rental businesses because I’ve adapted to the people here. People asked about board games & I thought about having some, but counting little pieces when they’re returned would cost more than they’re worth. I wouldn’t want customers to be disappointed by playing with incomplete sets. I have enough just being sure the tapes & disks are still good. [ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]

Replies:

Subject	Author	Date
Your Business Should Thrive No Matter Who Competes With You	Dennis S. Vogel	00:54:46 07/09/07 Mon