Early-bird registration discounts, demand and integrity
At the risk of emulating Andrew Marr's stereotype of a blogger ("socially inadequate, pimpled, single, slightly seedy, bald, cauliflower-nosed young men sitting in their mother's basements and ranting"), a view with which I have some sympathy, I am motivated to vent a frustration today.
I received an email message (unsolicited, and without my permission that I am aware of) informing me that an early-bird discounted registration deadline for an upcoming event has been extended, because it has been so popular; because of "overwhelming demand", in fact.
I am all for early-bird discounts. However, if a discount offer period is extended, I cannot think why "overwhelming demand" could be the cause.
I can think of only three reasons to extend an early bird discount:
1. Underwhelming demand;
2. Price adjustment - the full price offering turned out to be too expensive, but the discounted price is about right, and;
3. Timing - just got it wrong for your target market.
Flanneling us with something that we can't believe, cheapens the offering and breaks down trust in the event and its organisers.
The offer? A one-day "effective email marketing" course, using the vendor's platform. I shan't attend. I hope that those that do seek my permission to use my details before sending me information that is, at best, inaccurate. Somehow, I doubt they will.
