MOTM

If there are pages/sections you thing should go in the catalog, please use the DOC file,
cut/paste/add/delete, and send me Word 97 file.

Paul S.

Will the "points system" be staying the same? With the price increases, there 
seem to be fewer modules that qualify as "freebies". I was hoping to 
eventually get 440 and 410 kits with my points, but they are now out of the 
$200 range. Could the limit go up to $220? :-)

Barry

--- In motm@yahoogroups.com, "Paul Schreiber" <synth1@a...> wrote:
> If there are pages/sections you thing should go in the catalog, please use 
the DOC file,

> cut/paste/add/delete, and send me Word 97 file.
> 
> Paul S.

On 6/16/03, coyoteous put forth:
>Will the "points system" be staying the same? With the price increases, there
>seem to be fewer modules that qualify as "freebies". I was hoping to
>eventually get 440 and 410 kits with my points, but they are now out of the
>$200 range. Could the limit go up to $220? :-)

I know what you mean.  I also planned on taking advantage of the 
points system to double up on modules I wouldn't have bought 
otherwise.  What annoys me, is that Paul bases it on modules shipped, 
rather than modules purchased.  Not only does that slow everything 
down, it's especially unfair when a price increase excludes modules 
after you've already earned enough points.  The old catalog said, 
"For every module you buy, you get one point."  If I place an order 
and send in the money, then there is nothing left for me to do on my 
end to "buy" a module.  If it hasn't shipped, that's not my fault. 
It's bad enough I'm still waiting for production modules from 
November, but there is no physical reason why points should be held 
up on backorder.

Folks, please remember, only by the grace of Paul do we even have 
points in the first place. Consider ourselves lucky to get anything 
for free, no matter how long we may have to wait. Don't look a gift 
module in the mouth.

>  >Will the "points system" be staying the same? With the price 
>increases, there
>>seem to be fewer modules that qualify as "freebies". I was hoping to
>>eventually get 440 and 410 kits with my points, but they are now out of the
>>$200 range. Could the limit go up to $220? :-)
>
>I know what you mean.  I also planned on taking advantage of the
>points system to double up on modules I wouldn't have bought
>otherwise.  What annoys me, is that Paul bases it on modules shipped,
>rather than modules purchased.  Not only does that slow everything
>down, it's especially unfair when a price increase excludes modules
>after you've already earned enough points.  The old catalog said,
>"For every module you buy, you get one point."  If I place an order
>and send in the money, then there is nothing left for me to do on my
>end to "buy" a module.  If it hasn't shipped, that's not my fault.
>It's bad enough I'm still waiting for production modules from
>November, but there is no physical reason why points should be held
>up on backorder.

Well, I don't know if you're responding to my original message (which, BTW, 
should have gone directly to PS) or to my responder(s), but I guess I see it a 
little differently. We earn points by buying modules, these points are a form of 
currency that can be used to buy (or get a discount) on certain modules. The 
previous "best deal" kit-wise, was to buy 20 modules and exchange your 
points for two $199 kits - sort of a 10-ish % discount. My plan was to get 440 
and 410 kits when I hit 20 points, so unless the point limit goes up to $220, I'll 
have to change my plans - no big deal. So, I guess my point <g> is that I really 
don't see the "freebies" as being "free" as they are earned by volume buying. 
Now if Paul sent you a free module out-of-the-blue,  for no particular reason - 
that would be "free" and I sure wouldn't complain about which one it was or 
when I got it. Anyway, I wasn't trying to stir things up - just pleaing for 
accomodation (as my lawyer friend says) for those who have points riding 
across the price increase. :-)

Barry

--- In motm@yahoogroups.com, Scott Juskiw <scott@t...> wrote:
> Folks, please remember, only by the grace of Paul do we even have 
> points in the first place. Consider ourselves lucky to get anything 
> for free, no matter how long we may have to wait. Don't look a gift 
> module in the mouth.
> 
> >  >Will the "points system" be staying the same? With the price 
> >increases, there
> >>seem to be fewer modules that qualify as "freebies". I was hoping to
> >>eventually get 440 and 410 kits with my points, but they are now out of 
the

> >>$200 range. Could the limit go up to $220? :-)
> >
> >I know what you mean.  I also planned on taking advantage of the
> >points system to double up on modules I wouldn't have bought
> >otherwise.  What annoys me, is that Paul bases it on modules shipped,
> >rather than modules purchased.  Not only does that slow everything
> >down, it's especially unfair when a price increase excludes modules
> >after you've already earned enough points.  The old catalog said,
> >"For every module you buy, you get one point."  If I place an order
> >and send in the money, then there is nothing left for me to do on my
> >end to "buy" a module.  If it hasn't shipped, that's not my fault.
> >It's bad enough I'm still waiting for production modules from
> >November, but there is no physical reason why points should be held
> >up on backorder.

On 6/16/03, Scott Juskiw put forth:
>Folks, please remember, only by the grace of Paul do we even have
>points in the first place. Consider ourselves lucky to get anything
>for free, no matter how long we may have to wait. Don't look a gift
>module in the mouth.

TINSTAAFL.  By any sane accounting, if there were not a point system, 
the modules would have lower prices.  Sure, Paul could get rid of the 
points system, but that would be the same as raising prices.  If the 
prices were higher, Synthesis Technology would sell fewer modules. 
The money has to come from somewhere.

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'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.

Even though I still wouldn't agree with it on principle, this would 
be much less of problem if modules didn't take so long to ship. 
Sure, no other synth manufacturer has a points program, but no other 
synth manufacturer takes over seven months to ship VCO's :/  While I 
completely understand there are reasons for that, there is no reason 
why points should be held on backorder.  If Paul wants to be truly 
gracious, he should allow us to use the points we have bought 
(regardless of whether those modules have shipped or not) in 
consideration of the ridiculously long shipping delays.  It would 
help loyal customers accomplish things sooner without costing 
Synthesis Technology any more money.  That's a win-win.

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

On 6/17/03, Jeffrey Pontius put forth:
>On Tue, 17 Jun 2003, Mark wrote:
>>
>>  TINSTAAFL.
>
>In English?

There Is No Such Thing As A Free Lunch.

Or in this case, a free module.

>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.

Then he should have a sensible explanation.

--- In motm@yahoogroups.com, Mark <yahoogroups@p...> wrote:

> While I think the points program is a fine incentive, it's 
> implementation is arbitrary and nonsensical.  

The system is imperfect...but Paul's asked us to discuss any beefs 
with the system directly with him. 

>no other 
> synth manufacturer takes over seven months to ship VCO's :/ 

Nobody sells anything comparable, though. Everybody else makes 
compromises so that they can build modules faster and cheaper.

Paul's chosen to be extremely hands-on and to avoid any compromises. 
That's slow, expensive & can be a pain for us. I think you're 
right that it drives people to explore alternatives.

If he did things differently, though, MOTM probably wouldn't enjoy
the reputation of selling the best modules ever made. 

I hate waiting, too, but I love getting that wonderful package in the 
mail...

--- In motm@yahoogroups.com, jwbarlow@a... wrote:
> I've only recently "cashed in" some of my bonus points. I could 
have done it 
> a while ago, but I wasn't in a hurry.
> 
> I have to say, I do consider it a bonus.
> 
> I'd still be buying MOTM even if there were no bonus points.
> 
> JB

Amen, brother.  This is just another reason why MOTM is a GREAT 
value.  Paul should require cash on the barrelhead and in-person pick 
up for what he's producing.  Any complaints about freebies are moot 
points, really!

Chub-patiently awaiting modules 35-46 (47 with the '510) while 
enjoying the first 34!