Best idea ever by a human. There, I said it.
5Ok, so Woot's Bag of Crap and Meh's Fukuburuku bag are pretty much universally beloved, at least in concept. People love surprise packages. However, Woot's BOCs have over the years become mired in busywork and require social media signups and so on. Meh's lone Fukuburuku bag so far was available only to Kickstarter backers, and part of the philosophy of Meh seems to be not to go the way of Woot and make customers jump through hoops. So where does the awesome idea come in? Here we go:
Offer another Very Mediocre Person subscription level where members get a Fukuburuku each month!
It could be done as another premium tier to the current VMP program, or as a seperate concept (though I think linking them would be wise). And of course it wouldn't remove the possibility of offering further Fukuburukus through other means, as contest prizes, etc.
Advantages:
1). Helps keep Meh fresh in the minds of members given the avowed avoidance of social-media advertising.
2). Adds a major benefit to VMP membership for those on the fence or waiting-and-seeing.
3). Monthly surprise package business model seems to be viable with right balance of reasonable price & cool stuff (see Loot Crate).
4). Gives Meh a handy way to get rid of overstock, returns, etc.
5). Spurs community discussion both on and off Meh as people unbox their stuff and either brag or whine about it.
6). Yay a package!
Potential disadvantages:
1). Will make normal Fukuburuku seem less special when offered outside the program.
2). Inevitable grouching that stuff isn't as good as last month/year.
3). Labor intensive to do a new Fukuburuku each month and keep the mix fresh.
So, tell me: best idea ever? Or only in the top 20 ideas ever?
- 14 comments, 24 replies
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Lootcrate=Inevitable grouching that stuff isn't as good as last month/year.
I am always angry at Lootcrate because of this. I know they sell other stuff all the time and I don't even look because I am always irritated with the crate. I need to stop subscribing.
Well, I think it would be central to the idea that the stuff would be better than Loot Crate, or at least weirder/quirkier, as Loot is kind of laser-focused at a pop-culture/gamer demographic. I only brought them up to counterpoint the assumption that sending out a box of stuff every month is a one-way ticket to Unprofitabilitysville.
That is true. You kinda know you are gonna get crap here, with Lootcrate they build it up like you are getting a PS4 or XboxOne
Exactly. If you open it up and go 'Meh', then the concept has succeeded.
What if Meh called it "Breakfast Octopus of The Month Club" (BOTM) and sent out 1 random item that hasn't yet come up for sale? Once received, BOTM feeders would inevitably go to the forum to discuss the new item, which could have an interesting impact on the Mehxperiment.
@DaveInSoCal - Huge +1 for "BOTM feeders".
Potential slogan: "At Meh, we'll stuff your BOTM every single month."
I'd like to see a list of things that you would like put in your BOTM.
Though Breakfast Octopus Of The Year is far more marketable.
@marklog So maybe for the Meh-niversary, those of us with VMP status for the whole year get a BOOTY box?
I like the idea of getting crap I don't need every month but I don't like the idea of paying for it. The predictability of being disappointed monthly without any work on my part does not appeal to me. No, it is only when I am disappointed after the hunt of scoring the crap I don't need before other losers had a chance to do so that gives me the titillation I desire. In other words, my satisfaction comes from beating others to the disappointment. A monthly subscription takes that away--and we are only left with consistent, predictable disappointment.
I feel like they're going to take that concept on in a different mediocre venture.
Well that would be awesome too. Did you hear that anywhere or is it just a feeling?
Just a feeling based upon the non-information provided by the mediocre labs and general rumor.
It wouldn't be exactly the same, but would involve surprise and money.
The beauty of the BOTM acronym is it still works even with the inevitable creeping disappointment: "Over time I haven't been getting as much out of my BOTM as I used to."
I find I enjoy the thrill of the hunt much more than the actual crap I get. Subscribing would just be like a setup to consistent disappointment.
just send out one or two per month to random VMP's
Getting one on a regular predictable basis would be beyond meh. It would be ho-hum
PS Contests are particularly invigorating.
Surprises for me every month? I'm always in. That's why I subscribe to a monthly (random) box of snacks thing as well. It gives me something to look forward to in my dull, sad life.
I agree, I really like surprises as well.
@jenny Random monthly snacks? From where? Food that comes to your house is the best.
@bluedyn I guess there is a limit on words for replying. See my post further down.
@bluedyn It's called Love with Food. It's $10 a month (plus $2 shipping). You can get a bigger box for more. It isn't a ton of food but it's a nice surprise each month and they donate a meal with every box you buy. Win, win. My husband and I take turns opening the box every month, pulling each item out with great ceremony (like we do with BOCs or our Fuku). We're nerds, but it's something nice to share together. If you want to check it out, here is a link (with a referral code for me in case you do sign up). http://lovewithfood.com/invite?m=r&ref=yNr
signing up for this right now, @jenny, make sure the referral hit. this looks like fun :)
Awesome! Thanks @marklog :) Hope you enjoy it as much as we do.
I signed up too, as I also enjoy food.
@jenny thank you! I'm going to sign up, too. snacks for me and food for someone else is amazing.
Whoa. Didn't expect that many referrals. Thanks everyone!!
That means more meals for others and possibly a free snack for me with the referral points. Hope you all enjoy your boxes!
If we don't like them, we'll be sure to let you know. :)
But they look potentially great.
Do you feel like it's $12 worth? I signed up for a box like this for the dog and pricing the individual items came to only 50% of the cost.
@moondrake It's debatable. The surprise factor is worth it to me. Plus the fact that they donate a meal for every box. Is there $12 worth of food in it? Maybe not. You might be able to find the first box free thing floating around (just pay shipping). Here is an unboxing video. It's kind of long but there are others on youtube as well. It gives you an idea of what you can expect.
P.S - My apologies to Starblind. I feel like a pirate taking over a thread. For the record,I still do think your idea is the best idea ever.
@jenny It's totally cool, topic drift is healthy in any discussion, and I learned about something awesome I probably otherwise wouldn't have found on my own, so that's good too. Besides, if I was annoyed I wouldn't have used your referral link! ʕ´•ᴥ•`ʔ
I'm glad there's some support for the idea, although by the sound of PWiddy's comment the Meh folks are already working on something along these lines. Great minds think alike and all that: me, snapster, Oliver Sacks, Mozart... uh, that one guy who figured out the pattern on Press Your Luck in the 80s.
Great bear!
No whammies! No whammies! I wish they'd bring back that show so I could go on it.
What happened to Press your Luck. Hour and half but good watching