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Tonya
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Tonya
Post Number: 5460
Registered: 07-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, May 09, 2007 - 07:06 pm: | 
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"The UNITY Card is changing the way African Americans do business in America. One card to shop at Black-owned businesses on a worldwide level will help maintain wealth in the Black community and grow our existing businesses to the next level." http://www.blacknews.com/pr/unitycard101.html
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Abm
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Abm
Post Number: 9352
Registered: 04-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, May 11, 2007 - 12:38 am: |
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Tonya,
I'm not saying this is a scam. But I live in Chicago, which has one of the nation's largest Black populations and Business community. And I've yet to see any Black business actively solicit the use of a UNITY Card at their establishment.
And I'd REALLY like to see Black business owners offer FIFTY PERCENT discounts just because somebody flashes them a UNITY Card. |
Renata
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Renata
Post Number: 2154
Registered: 08-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, May 11, 2007 - 06:40 am: |
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It needs a LOT of work. Business owners have to pay 99.00 a year so that they can give someone 50% off? How does that work for a business owner?
A better idea would be to charge the customer maybe 50.00 per year and they're guaranteed a 25% discount. No extra fees for the business owner (so they're more likely to accept the card), a discount the business owner can afford, and a low enough fee for the consumer that they know they'll receive 50.00+ back in discounts during the year.
Something ain't right about this plan. Does sound like a scam. And if they're serious, I know not to ever hire their accountant. |
Renata
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Renata
Post Number: 2155
Registered: 08-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, May 11, 2007 - 06:46 am: |
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Think about how Barnes and Noble sells discount cards...you don't get them free, and the discount is not 50%......
and you only get to use the card in ONE store....
and people still buy them.
The same with GNC.
Where do you think they'd be if they had to pay to give you a free discount....money lost on your discount and money lost on accepting the card.
NEEDS A LOT OF WORK OR A NEW BUSINESS MANAGER. |
Yvettep
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Yvettep
Post Number: 2036
Registered: 01-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, May 11, 2007 - 07:46 am: |
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Good points, Renata. I know the B&N model works on me! LOL |
Mzuri
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Mzuri
Post Number: 4730
Registered: 01-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, May 11, 2007 - 08:40 am: |
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Why are y'all hung up on 50% when the article says "up to 50 percent?" That generally means that the discount would be less than 50%. You know the deal.
As a business owner whose prices are negotiable, I extend discounts to whomever I choose. And FYI - I give better prices to 1) women 2) Black people if I have a clue that they are Black and 3) military and govt personnel. I also have given very generous discounts to Katrina victims - especially my previous customers whose homes were wiped out and who replaced the furniture they purchased from me before. But giving discounts to Blacks is nearly impossible for me since I sell online.
Giving discounts enhances sales. My thinking is that it's better to have a sale and extend a discount than to have no sale at all. As long as the discount isn't less than what the item cost me it's workable. And anything that builds customer loyalty and referrals is a plus.
As to the Unity card, I'd consider paying $99 to participate. That is a reasonable administrative fee to cover the cost of processing my application and promotional materials like signs, logos, etc. and I'd also get some additional advertising so it would be worth it. Bear in mind that to a business owner, these sorts of expenses are tax deductible. But the customers should pay a membership fee too. Sam's and Costco charge around $30 a year so that would be my recommendation.
If this thing is legitimate and catches on, it would work.
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