Glorified Demo, or a Hat

Sir Red of the Manti

Elite status rewards for Club Nintendo came out today/yesterday/sometime fairly recently. Gold members get a calendar that's good for one year. Platinum members get their choice of a single downloadable Punchout fight against Doc Louis (an exclusive downloadable minigame with no real collectors value and is essentially a demo for Punchout), or a Mario hat.
In Japan, they hand out stuff like SNES pad Wiimote accessories and Mario Galaxy soundtracks. Over here, a ten minute Punchout demonstration or a hat.
(I went with the hat.)

Opium

Becoming a Nintendo Gold or Platinum member is like winning the Special Olympics anyway.

Bok Choi

Wait, is it a Mario Hat, as in the hat Mario wears, or is it a hat with Mario on it?

Renzo

Bok Choi wrote: »

Wait, is it a Mario Hat, as in the hat Mario wears, or is it a hat with Mario on it?

The hat Mario wears. Red, white circle, red M inside it.

Sir Red of the Manti

Bok Choi wrote: »

Wait, is it a Mario Hat, as in the hat Mario wears, or is it a hat with Mario on it?

It's one of these:

THEPAIN73

We have a topic here

Bok Choi

That is so worth it. Why would you complain about a free awesome mario hat?

UncleSporky

Bok Choi wrote: »

That is so worth it. Why would you complain about a free awesome mario hat?

Because it is theoretically possible for them to have offered something better, supposedly. To receive free stuff is an insult!

Sir Red of the Manti

UncleSporky wrote: »

Bok Choi wrote: »

That is so worth it. Why would you complain about a free awesome mario hat?

Because it is theoretically possible for them to have offered something better, supposedly. To receive free stuff is an insult!

Handing out more expensive free stuff to a tiny island than the northern section of a giant continent, that's what irks me.

Burtletoy

Sir Red of the Manti wrote: »

UncleSporky wrote: »

Bok Choi wrote: »

That is so worth it. Why would you complain about a free awesome mario hat?

Because it is theoretically possible for them to have offered something better, supposedly. To receive free stuff is an insult!

Handing out more expensive free stuff to a tiny island than the northern section of a giant continent, that's what irks me.

Yeah, why don't they give the "more expensive free stuff" to our "giant continent" rather than the "tiny island"

It just doesn't make sense.

Unless you, like, enjoy making money and keeping it. Or something.

Opium

Sir Red of the Manti wrote: »

UncleSporky wrote: »

Bok Choi wrote: »

That is so worth it. Why would you complain about a free awesome mario hat?

Because it is theoretically possible for them to have offered something better, supposedly. To receive free stuff is an insult!

Handing out more expensive free stuff to a tiny island than the northern section of a giant continent, that's what irks me.

Then why don't you move there?

Opium

Burtletoy wrote: »

Sir Red of the Manti wrote: »

UncleSporky wrote: »

Bok Choi wrote: »

That is so worth it. Why would you complain about a free awesome mario hat?

Because it is theoretically possible for them to have offered something better, supposedly. To receive free stuff is an insult!

Handing out more expensive free stuff to a tiny island than the northern section of a giant continent, that's what irks me.

Yeah, why don't they give the "more expensive free stuff" to our "giant continent" rather than the "tiny island"

It just doesn't make sense.

Unless you, like, enjoy making money and keeping it. Or something.

To be fair, good customer loyalty programs are important because it is much cheaper (i.e. more money to keep for yourself) to retain a repeat customer than gain a new one in terms of advertising etc.

(Thank you, Marketing 101 in college!)

DarkPrimus

Sir Red of the Manti wrote: »

UncleSporky wrote: »

Bok Choi wrote: »

That is so worth it. Why would you complain about a free awesome mario hat?

Because it is theoretically possible for them to have offered something better, supposedly. To receive free stuff is an insult!

Handing out more expensive free stuff to a tiny island than the northern section of a giant continent, that's what irks me.

Well, their games do cost more.

Burtletoy

Opium wrote: »

Burtletoy wrote: »

Sir Red of the Manti wrote: »

UncleSporky wrote: »

Bok Choi wrote: »

That is so worth it. Why would you complain about a free awesome mario hat?

Because it is theoretically possible for them to have offered something better, supposedly. To receive free stuff is an insult!

Handing out more expensive free stuff to a tiny island than the northern section of a giant continent, that's what irks me.

Yeah, why don't they give the "more expensive free stuff" to our "giant continent" rather than the "tiny island"

It just doesn't make sense.

Unless you, like, enjoy making money and keeping it. Or something.

To be fair, good customer loyalty programs are important because it is much cheaper (i.e. more money to keep for yourself) to retain a repeat customer than gain a new one in terms of advertising etc.

(Thank you, Marketing 101 in college!)

Yes, but it doesn't follow that they should then spend more money on us because, I don't know what his justification for think this is, but I'm willing to take a stab at it, "We're American!"

Opium

Burtletoy wrote: »

Opium wrote: »

Burtletoy wrote: »

Sir Red of the Manti wrote: »

UncleSporky wrote: »

Bok Choi wrote: »

That is so worth it. Why would you complain about a free awesome mario hat?

Because it is theoretically possible for them to have offered something better, supposedly. To receive free stuff is an insult!

Handing out more expensive free stuff to a tiny island than the northern section of a giant continent, that's what irks me.

Yeah, why don't they give the "more expensive free stuff" to our "giant continent" rather than the "tiny island"

It just doesn't make sense.

Unless you, like, enjoy making money and keeping it. Or something.

To be fair, good customer loyalty programs are important because it is much cheaper (i.e. more money to keep for yourself) to retain a repeat customer than gain a new one in terms of advertising etc.

(Thank you, Marketing 101 in college!)

Yes, but it doesn't follow that they should then spend more money on us because, I don't know what his justification for think this is, but I'm willing to take a stab at it, "We're American!"

Maybe not more, but surely at least the same, lest we get jealous and resentful and create bad word of mouth.

Sir Red of the Manti

Opium wrote: »

Burtletoy wrote: »

Opium wrote: »

Burtletoy wrote: »

Sir Red of the Manti wrote: »

UncleSporky wrote: »

Bok Choi wrote: »

That is so worth it. Why would you complain about a free awesome mario hat?

Because it is theoretically possible for them to have offered something better, supposedly. To receive free stuff is an insult!

Handing out more expensive free stuff to a tiny island than the northern section of a giant continent, that's what irks me.

Yeah, why don't they give the "more expensive free stuff" to our "giant continent" rather than the "tiny island"

It just doesn't make sense.

Unless you, like, enjoy making money and keeping it. Or something.

To be fair, good customer loyalty programs are important because it is much cheaper (i.e. more money to keep for yourself) to retain a repeat customer than gain a new one in terms of advertising etc.

(Thank you, Marketing 101 in college!)

Yes, but it doesn't follow that they should then spend more money on us because, I don't know what his justification for think this is, but I'm willing to take a stab at it, "We're American!"

Maybe not more, but surely at least the same, lest we get jealous and resentful and create bad word of mouth.

Canadian, and I figure there's a cultural bias if one place gets better toys than another for the same effort. Also I really want one of those SNES pads, preferably without having to spend like $80+ for it.

Opium

Sir Red of the Manti wrote: »

Opium wrote: »

Burtletoy wrote: »

Opium wrote: »

Burtletoy wrote: »

Sir Red of the Manti wrote: »

UncleSporky wrote: »

Bok Choi wrote: »

That is so worth it. Why would you complain about a free awesome mario hat?

Because it is theoretically possible for them to have offered something better, supposedly. To receive free stuff is an insult!

Handing out more expensive free stuff to a tiny island than the northern section of a giant continent, that's what irks me.

Yeah, why don't they give the "more expensive free stuff" to our "giant continent" rather than the "tiny island"

It just doesn't make sense.

Unless you, like, enjoy making money and keeping it. Or something.

To be fair, good customer loyalty programs are important because it is much cheaper (i.e. more money to keep for yourself) to retain a repeat customer than gain a new one in terms of advertising etc.

(Thank you, Marketing 101 in college!)

Yes, but it doesn't follow that they should then spend more money on us because, I don't know what his justification for think this is, but I'm willing to take a stab at it, "We're American!"

Maybe not more, but surely at least the same, lest we get jealous and resentful and create bad word of mouth.

Canadian

Are all Canadians atomatically immune to jealousy and resentment? Last time I heard very different.

Sir Red of the Manti

Opium wrote: »

Sir Red of the Manti wrote: »

Opium wrote: »

Burtletoy wrote: »

Opium wrote: »

Burtletoy wrote: »

Sir Red of the Manti wrote: »

UncleSporky wrote: »

Bok Choi wrote: »

That is so worth it. Why would you complain about a free awesome mario hat?

Because it is theoretically possible for them to have offered something better, supposedly. To receive free stuff is an insult!

Handing out more expensive free stuff to a tiny island than the northern section of a giant continent, that's what irks me.

Yeah, why don't they give the "more expensive free stuff" to our "giant continent" rather than the "tiny island"

It just doesn't make sense.

Unless you, like, enjoy making money and keeping it. Or something.

To be fair, good customer loyalty programs are important because it is much cheaper (i.e. more money to keep for yourself) to retain a repeat customer than gain a new one in terms of advertising etc.

(Thank you, Marketing 101 in college!)

Yes, but it doesn't follow that they should then spend more money on us because, I don't know what his justification for think this is, but I'm willing to take a stab at it, "We're American!"

Maybe not more, but surely at least the same, lest we get jealous and resentful and create bad word of mouth.

Canadian

Are all Canadians atomatically immune to jealousy and resentment? Last time I heard very different.

Nothing like that, I just didn't want anyone mistaking my call for a rewards program to show some international equality for zealous patriotism.

JerikTelorian

Burtletoy wrote: »

Opium wrote: »

Burtletoy wrote: »

Sir Red of the Manti wrote: »

UncleSporky wrote: »

Bok Choi wrote: »

That is so worth it. Why would you complain about a free awesome mario hat?

Because it is theoretically possible for them to have offered something better, supposedly. To receive free stuff is an insult!

Handing out more expensive free stuff to a tiny island than the northern section of a giant continent, that's what irks me.

Yeah, why don't they give the "more expensive free stuff" to our "giant continent" rather than the "tiny island"

It just doesn't make sense.

Unless you, like, enjoy making money and keeping it. Or something.

To be fair, good customer loyalty programs are important because it is much cheaper (i.e. more money to keep for yourself) to retain a repeat customer than gain a new one in terms of advertising etc.

(Thank you, Marketing 101 in college!)

Yes, but it doesn't follow that they should then spend more money on us because, I don't know what his justification for think this is, but I'm willing to take a stab at it, "We're American!"

Or -- and this is just a real out of the park guess -- you might just treat all of your customers the same? Just give all the fans in the club the same prize?

Burtletoy

Yes, because all people from any demographic are the exact same and no one would/should/could have a different idea of what product they want regardless or cultural/geological differences.

UncleSporky

JerikTelorian wrote: »

Or -- and this is just a real out of the park guess -- you might just treat all of your customers the same? Just give all the fans in the club the same prize?

And what did Japan get on year one of Club Nintendo?

I do know that back in 2004, the Zelda bonus disc America and Europe were able to get quite easily cost Japan 500 Club Nintendo points. Sounds like the short end of the stick to me.

Why are we assuming that we will never have the same sort of options? Patience.

Trevor

This looks to be a simple budgetary issue. The amount of people eligible for prizes in Japan is a lot less than those in America. The same amount of money for the Japanese and American programs would not likely go the same distance as far as actual prizes. If "treating all your customers the same" means burning a ton of extra money in one place to provide the same level of service as in another when giving away hats will do then it's not really reasonable to expect that from a company, even if you love them as dearly as people love Nintendo.