On Tue, 17 Jun 2003, Mark wrote:
>
> TINSTAAFL.
In English?
>
> While I think the points program is a fine incentive, it's
> implementation is arbitrary and nonsensical. That only confuses and
> annoys the very same loyal customers the system is supposed to
> "award".
>
I find the system neither confusing nor annoying (and I consider myself to
be a 'loyal' customer). My guess is that it makes economic sense to
Paul, so is it not arbitrary and nonsensical from his viewpoint.
> I'll give you an example. Let's say someone is planning a cabinet
> that only fits 15 modules. With every 14 modules you buy you should
> get one free module. So he should be able to place an order for all
> 15 modules. Instead, he has to wait until those 14 modules ship,
> then cash in their points, place another order, and wait again for
> the remaining module to ship. It's a lose-lose. It wastes time on
> both sides. If you include shipping, it even costs Synthesis
> Technology more money.
Here is one of those trivial examples that are supposed to indicate a
general condition, but is probably only a 'rare' event in a large
sample space of events. What is needed is a general (set of) condition(s)
using actual ordering data over time on which to evaluate the points
system, as well as the objectives of the points system. One aspect you
have not factored in is that the points system may be partly based on lag
time between orders meeting the module quota and shipping the "freebies".
[Or maybe Paul just drew some numbers out of a hat and came up with
14 and 22 :-)].
I've taken up enough bandwidth already on this, Jeff