Giving Miniranks to Donators.

Bumping for community/staff input.

 

I support the lottery thing however I don't think that it would it would make more people donate because everybody would just post a lot and not that many people would donate. I also think that the people who do donate were planning on donating anyway which is great but I can't see people actually donating $25+ for a 1/250 chance of winning a minirank.

 

I love this idea, you have my support.

 

Sounds a bit unfair that it would only be available to new donors. At the same time, depending on the odds, a huge influx if miniranks could flood the forum. If the odds are too low, it wouldnt even be worth suggesting if your odds of getting a minirank is so low.

If a solution can be worked around that where it is fair to the old donors and at the same time a good enough incentive for new donors or more donations, Ill support.

 

I support the main idea but not the tickets for posts bit. There's that spastic newcomer who's averaging like 60 posts a day... but anyway, I feel like it would drastically improve donations. It might encourage some new donors to donate straight out, and it might be enough of a tipping point for those thinking about donating to actually donate .

 

Bump for exposure.

 

I feel like it takes away a little bit of the fun of obtaining them. If you are able to buy miniranks they would feel less like a reward and more like a product. I like how they are passed out now because to obtain them you either have to work at it manually or pay someone who did.

No support either way.

 

Do you believe that this aspect of the community is more important than promoting donations/site support? Are there any reasons "making miniranks into a product" be detrimental to the system other than "I like how it is now"?

On this note, how are miniranks not currently considered a product, given that there is active market for them? Keep in mind I'm not suggesting any of the current methods for obtaining miniranks be canceled.

How would you suggest expanding the availability of miniranks to all Sythe users?

 

Miniranks are already available to obtain by anyone.

I agree with ilovegold, encouraging users to donate primarily for miniranks isn't the best idea. With the other donation perks, it is guaranteed that you receive them upon donating, so there is no point in charging back payments.

There is no denying the market commodity that miniranks are with the introduction with the minirank trading system. I however, do not want to see them being treated more than what they are now. What do I mean? As of current, new miniranks are obtain in a straightforward way, 'competitions'. I dislike the lottery system you're suggesting. The outcome is too risky to ensure satisfaction of those who actually donate for these "tickets". It's gambling in a sense, but instead with the sites money.

Let's not make this more convoluted than it has to be. Like you said, "How would you suggest expanding the availability of miniranks to all Sythe users?", well first, we should make these new ways to obtain the miniranks available for everyone and not donors.

 

Of course it's similar to gambling. It's a bonus incentive similar to Squeal of Fortune and games of the sort that incentivize donations on top of what you already receive. Have you ever been to a grocery store that gives away bonus scratch tickets for every $25 you spend? Ever played Tim Horton's roll up the rim? It's the same thing. Anyone donating under this program will be aware that he/she will not always get what they want. I do not understand exactly what you mean by "no way to ensure satisfaction," when they would be receiving a guaranteed prize instead of nothing. The way I see it it is a guaranteed increase in satisfaction.

Furthermore, I do not agree that miniranks should be exclusively obtained using free methods. Matthew is currently looking for new perks for donators and miniranks are a commodity. We should continue to reward those who support the site.

Other than this, I have yet to see a valid argument against my suggestion other than "I like it how it is."

 

Miniranks are not exclusive because anyone can obtain them with their current method of distribution.

My point is: We should not gamble with the sites money. With the real lottery, you cannot ask for a refund when you are not satisfied with your numbers. With the method you're proposing, you would be able to charge back your payments as you please. The reason why Sythe does not receive too many donation related charge backs is because the donation perks are guaranteed. The miniranks are costly products, it would not be uncommon to see users donating for a chance to get one, just to sell the minirank and later chargeback their donation payment.

 

exclusively and exclusive are not the same word.

You make a valid point regarding the 'sell and chargeback' issue. If you aren't aware, chargebacks on Sythe donations are still an issue. People will donate $200, scam, and charge the payment. It's a fact of life that the owners have to deal with. The threat that minirank distribution adds to this problem is minuscule.

If it becomes an issue, surely there is a way to work around it.

 

Yes they are not the same word. You however used the word incorrectly.

Exclusively means without any others being included. You then proceeded to say afterwards "obtained using free methods". There are no restrictions/limitations to something that is freely obtained.

Moving on...

How would one be able to work around something a 3rd party has no control over? We should not wait until this occurs to take action. This suggestion is nice in thought, but has too many flaws for it to be made reality.

 

Like I said, the threat of chargebacks due to miniranks is minuscule compared to the risk of high donation scams. They're going to happen anyway. You can't halt site development due to a small risk.

While it is apparent we won't agree of this issue, I would like to hear your other concerns. Please write a list and cut it out with the red text.

 

There would be no point in me listing the reasons why this would not work out. It's going to turn into a back and forth argument over opinions, no matter how much support is given.

Here is some food for thought.

Why turn a free item that everyone has the same chance of getting into a donator perk with higher chances of obtaining over everyone else? If you're going to donate for a 'chance' to get a minirank, you might as well just buy the minirank directly. It is cheaper, and you might not even receive the minirank you want or was looking forward to getting, making it more worthwhile not to donate.

You claim it will drive more users to donate, but with the points I've just stated, is that true?

 

I think you're being ignorant of some basic human psychology here.

Bonus incentive. You're not always donating for the chance to win a minirank. You still get the ranks and perks and such. This could directly influence one's decision to donate though. If someone wants to directly buy a minirank but not get donation ranks they probably will choose that option instead. I don't buy a coffee from Tim Horton's during promotion season just for a chance at winning a bagel or a car, but it's fun to do anyhow and I will probably purchase more coffee during that time period.

Yes. It is true.

 

You are blinded by your own ambition.



So for each $25 donation, the user receives ONE ticket. That seems fair enough, but there must be a catch to donating $25 besides the ticket. Let's look over at the perks now.



There is no difference between donating $5 and $25 besides the amount, and a ticket that you may not even have a chance of winning anything with.

Users will still donate though, right? Get a grip.

 

First of all, everything I wrote was an example. This can be tweaked any time, etc.
Second of all, quit narrowing in on small things. This thread is not called "Encouraging $5 donators to make the jump to $25." "You may not even have a chance of winning things with." is an example of you making up information to support your point, as I have addressed this previously in the thread. It's weak arguing.

Assuming this is your first account, I have been here a lot longer than you and have had a lot of time to observe the behavior of donators.

People will pay for the next rank, SVU perks ($25 perk), User Images, or just a shiny rank. If you don't believe me click here http://www.sythe.org/donor-lounge/1606338-sythe-donor-list.html.

The goal of my suggestion is to encourage these donations, reward those who are actively supporting the site, and give those who are on the edge of making a donation a fresh/fun benefit to going through.

 

As much as I love post count, I cannot continue to argue with someone who is unable to see the fault in their ideas. I am certain that I have more knowledge than you when it comes to donations.

If users are going to donate for a SVU, they will donate that amount. A ticket of chance isn't an incentive that will drive users to donate $25.

"First of all, everything I wrote was an example. This can be tweaked any time, etc."

You were following your idea when you said users would donate because of this, and then proceeded to call me ignorant.

"Second of all, quit narrowing in on small things. This thread is not called "Encouraging $5 donators to make the jump to $25." "You may not even have a chance of winning things with." is an example of you making up information to support your point, as I have addressed this previously in the thread. It's weak arguing."


This thread revolves around users donating more because they will receive a ticket of chance.



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If users are going to donate more than $5, it's surely not for a ticket.

There is no reward tier for $25, which is the set amount you're going for.

Before coming at me referring to my "weak arguing", make sure your thread correlates with what you're saying.

 

i like it