Louisville Originals gift certs on sale 10 a.m. Thursday

[Robin Garr]

Just got this in Email ...

The Louisville Originals discounted Web Certificates will go on sale Thursday, October 7th at 10:00 AM EDT.

Look for the link on our website at
www.louisvilleoriginals.com

Robin,
No offense intended at all, just wondering if you can explain something to me. First of all, isn't the "Originals" concept a chain that is in many, many, cities, making it not "Original" at all. And second, where does the money go...? I just don't see the results in terms of advertising, etc, that justifies the loss that restaurants incur. I know all the board members are respected restaurant persons, and maybe someone on the board can explain, or give us an idea of what the whole concept is. I don't get it. As a member, I paid a fee to join and then took a steep loss of revenue on Louisville Original certificates. I am truly interested how it works, where the money goes, a break down of sorts, and why we should feel special, when many other cities have the same program, format, etc.I know you normally don't support chain type concepts and wondering why you give free publicity to them. I hope you can help.

Most Sincerely,
William Smith
Shady Lane Cafe

Just got this in Email ...

The Louisville Originals discounted Web Certificates will go on sale Thursday, October 7th at 10:00 AM EDT.

Look for the link on our website at
http://www.louisvilleoriginals.com

I'll bet ya a cup of Heine Brothers coffee that by noon on Thursday we will be reading (once again) how -something- got dicked up with their website, etc, etc. Great concept...extremely poor execution (IMHO).

[Robin Garr]

Bill, I have no problem with this, but I would suggest Andrew Hutto of the Originals would be the man to talk with.

My sense of it is that the Originals groups around the nation are like denominations within the Anglican Communion, to put a liturgical spin on it: Sharing a common theology at the base, but individually autonomous.

More seriously, I support LO on its basis, as I understand it, of uniting the local, independent restaurants that make Louisville Special under a joint umbrella with the purpose of saving by joint operations where it's reasonable to do that.

But I know not how the numbers work, and I'd encourage Andrew - who is a forum member - to step up and address that if he cares to.

Robin,
No offense intended at all, just wondering if you can explain something to me. First of all, isn't the "Originals" concept a chain that is in many, many, cities, making it not "Original" at all. And second, where does the money go...? I just don't see the results in terms of advertising, etc, that justifies the loss that restaurants incur. I know all the board members are respected restaurant persons, and maybe someone on the board can explain, or give us an idea of what the whole concept is. I don't get it. As a member, I paid a fee to join and then took a steep loss of revenue on Louisville Original certificates. I am truly interested how it works, where the money goes, a break down of sorts, and why we should feel special, when many other cities have the same program, format, etc.I know you normally don't support chain type concepts and wondering why you give free publicity to them. I hope you can help.

Most Sincerely,
William Smith
Shady Lane Cafe

Thank you for the reply, Good analogy. I look forward to some reply from the powers to be.

[Robin Garr]

I don't know if this was delayed in transmission, but I got an email notice time-stamped 12:12 p.m. (two minutes ago) indicating the LO certs are now on sale.

Robin,
No offense intended at all, just wondering if you can explain something to me. First of all, isn't the "Originals" concept a chain that is in many, many, cities, making it not "Original" at all. And second, where does the money go...? I just don't see the results in terms of advertising, etc, that justifies the loss that restaurants incur. I know all the board members are respected restaurant persons, and maybe someone on the board can explain, or give us an idea of what the whole concept is. I don't get it. As a member, I paid a fee to join and then took a steep loss of revenue on Louisville Original certificates. I am truly interested how it works, where the money goes, a break down of sorts, and why we should feel special, when many other cities have the same program, format, etc.I know you normally don't support chain type concepts and wondering why you give free publicity to them. I hope you can help.

Most Sincerely,
William Smith
Shady Lane Cafe

Personally I eat out a fair amount, and about 80% of the time I eat at Louisville Originals. The restaurants may incur a loss on certain things (I don't know because I am not a restaurant), but how can you account for people like me who base their dining selections the majority of the time based on program participants? This type of loyalty program is similar to what businesses in the travel industry have done for years, except this only works for restaurants if you can offer a wide variety of options...which the program does. For me it is a huge benefit to receive 10.00 off every few times I dine, especially given the quality of the places that participate and most importantly, the fact they are locally owned. I fail to see how you have made a correlation between this, and perhaps a chain restaurant. This is a group of local businesses in multiple cities across the US that have joined together to create a customer loyalty program. I can personally say that I have tried places that I may have never tried just because they are on the list, and if they are good I went back and gave them good word of mouth.....that is the value.

I'll bet ya a cup of Heine Brothers coffee that by noon on Thursday we will be reading (once again) how -something- got dicked up with their website, etc, etc. Great concept...extremely poor execution (IMHO).

Steve, I don't drink coffee, but I do like tea and beer...maybe you could pay up via one of those libations. I was on the LouOrig site at exactly 10:00 and had no issues. Certs to places like Baxter Station, Seviche, Asiatique and others sold out very quickly.

I know the technical problems that you are refering to in the past, but my most recent 2 -3 experiences have shown that those issues are resolved.

BTW, I am a huge fan of Louisville Originals. DD

As to the previous post concerning my correlation between chains and Louisville Originals, please let me explain. I was a member. There is a fairly large fee to join. The participating restaurants get nothing back from the coupon or discount, it is a loss leader and possibly a good one if you serve alcohol. We do not and ended up losing money. Louisville Originals is run by a board, with a president, treasurer, etc... Not by the group of members. My real question was where the money went. I know the fees for maintaining a web site since I have one. I see very limited advertising, besides a few bumper stickers, and an ad here and there. It doesn't seem to account for where all the money goes. Don't get me wrong, its a great deal for the customer, and I guess somewhat of a honor to be a member... I'm just interested in seeing how it works. There are many such programs that are duplicated in other cities, they are run from a central location. I was truly interested in how it all works. I'm happy that it makes sense to some folks, and they feel like they are in on something special. Great. It seems a little like smoke and mirrors to me... but hey, Velocity just named us there favorite comfort food spot, and they are certainly a chain. Some would say the evil empire, but not me. I just put it up on my wall along with all my other accolades , minus the Louisville Originals Sign and thank my lucky stars.

Carry on, I've been schooled.

Personally I eat out a fair amount, and about 80% of the time I eat at Louisville Originals. The restaurants may incur a loss on certain things (I don't know because I am not a restaurant), but how can you account for people like me who base their dining selections the majority of the time based on program participants? This type of loyalty program is similar to what businesses in the travel industry have done for years, except this only works for restaurants if you can offer a wide variety of options...which the program does. For me it is a huge benefit to receive 10.00 off every few times I dine, especially given the quality of the places that participate and most importantly, the fact they are locally owned. I fail to see how you have made a correlation between this, and perhaps a chain restaurant. This is a group of local businesses in multiple cities across the US that have joined together to create a customer loyalty program. I can personally say that I have tried places that I may have never tried just because they are on the list, and if they are good I went back and gave them good word of mouth.....that is the value.

What Will said . . . Because of the Web Certificates we have been to, for the first time - 60 West Bistro, Bistro 301 & Yaching's; returned to places we haven't been in a long, long time - Bristol, Corner Cafe, L&N, Meridian, Uptown; and continue to use the certificates each month for those and other long-time favorites - The Irish Rover, North End, Cumberland Brews, Comeback Inn, Cafe Lou Lou, Baxter Station & August Moon (cannot afford them all each month). And we still can squeeze in our other Louisville-based favorites like Clifton's Pizza, El Mundo, Sari Sari, El Napol, etc. and new restaurants, i.e., La Columbiana, over the course of the 4-6 month period between certificate sales. Not trying to impress with the list, and we are not rolling in the dough (just the two of us), but the certificates, for the consumer point of view, and I assume form the restaurant point of view, are great. Would we have eventually visited those new sites, or re-visited the older ones? Don't know, but the certificates enticed us to go, or go again. And yes, a couple of months ago we had problems with the website, but not recently.

Last but not least, when visiting both Baxter Station & The Rover, I've have a couple of casual conversations about the Louisville Originals program with either Andrew Hutto and Micheal Reidy. Talk or PM either, and I am sure either of them will be glad to discuss you comments or concerns.

....Oooooo-Ooooooo...I think I get it now. Help me out here...do I have this right ? Spank me if I don't.

So what I do is line up in a cyber-que. When the little bell rings I (quick like a bunny) put these certificates in my cart and proceed to check out. Oh lucky me, I've scored six $25 certificates for a mere $17.50 each ($105)...of which <eh-hemm> NONE of this money actually goes to any of the restaurants. So now I proceed to the first restaurant where I spend exactly $26 (come on, you know you've done it). When my check arrives I give them my $25 certificate, a crusty dollar bill from my pocket and tip the server the requisite 20%. Lucky me. I just enjoyed a $25 dollar meal, only spent $18.50 (plus tip) and guess what ? The restaurant made a grand total of one crumpled up dollar bill. Of course we have to subtract the cost of the food from that dollar...sooooo lets see <sound of adding machine> Hmmmmm...it would appear the restaurant actually LOST money on my visit. Ahhhh what the heck, it's a "loyalty" program. Right ? But wait there's more. I get to do this FIVE more times AND (wait for it)...............on top of all this I get to pat myself on the back because of all the "support" I've given these local establishments. Why now that I think of it what if (lucky me) I got extremely lucky and scored 6 certificates to the SAME restaurant...why I could go there again and again and again. Just THINK of all the support I would be giving that establishment then.

Hmmmmmmmmmmmm.........OR

I could just forego the cyber-cue...visit the SAME restaurants, enjoy the same food, suck it up and pay the extra $7.50 and walk away a little lighter in the wallet but comforted by the fact that I really DID support a local establishment.

dilemmas, dilemmas...What IS a feller to do.

:idea: ....Oooooo-Ooooooo...I think I get it now. Help me out here...do I have this right ? Spank me if I don't.

So what I do is line up in a cyber-que. When the little bell rings I (quick like a bunny) put these certificates in my cart and proceed to check out. Oh lucky me, I've scored six $25 certificates for a mere $17.50 each ($105)...of which <eh-hemm> NONE of this money actually goes to any of the restaurants. So now I proceed to the first restaurant where I spend exactly $26 (come on, you know you've done it). When my check arrives I give them my $25 certificate, a crusty dollar bill from my pocket and tip the server the requisite 20%. Lucky me. I just enjoyed a $25 dollar meal, only spent $18.50 (plus tip) and guess what ? The restaurant made a grand total of one crumpled up dollar bill. Of course we have to subtract the cost of the food from that dollar...sooooo lets see <sound of adding machine> Hmmmmm...it would appear the restaurant actually LOST money on my visit. Ahhhh what the heck, it's a "loyalty" program. Right ? But wait there's more. I get to do this FIVE more times AND (wait for it)...............on top of all this I get to pat myself on the back because of all the "support" I've given these local establishments. Why now that I think of it what if (lucky me) I got extremely lucky and scored 6 certificates to the SAME restaurant...why I could go there again and again and again. Just THINK of all the support I would be giving that establishment then.

In that situation, it really blows, but is that the norm? What about the people that find/try a place because of the cert, eat and drink $100 worth of food and become regular customers. In that situations it is a win/win. Shady Lane never had a chance, it's nearly impossible for a couple to spend $25 there.

I just enjoyed a $25 dollar meal, only spent $18.50 (plus tip) and guess what ? The restaurant made a grand total of one crumpled up dollar bill. Of course we have to subtract the cost of the food from that dollar...sooooo lets see <sound of adding machine> Hmmmmm...it would appear the restaurant actually LOST money on my visit.

What about the people that find/try a place because of the cert, eat and drink $100 worth of food and become regular customers. In that situations it is a win/win.

I wouldn't even begin to speculate as to which scenario is the "norm"...if it's like most things in this world the "truth" probably lies somewhere in the middle. For places where the alcohol flows freely I would imagine that "norm" is along the lines of what Bill said...that the certificates are something of a "loss leader". How many restaurants in this economy can afford a "loss leader" and for how long. Who knows.

That's exactly why we're changing our format - we've listened to the restaurants about what "they" want and now it's here. We give them television advertising for a fraction of the the cost to do it on their own, then with the certs offered to viewers online (the restaurants design their own, i.e. $10 with $25 purchase or 2 entrees, etc) they pay for the advertsing plus some (quite a bit actually - enough from one week's show to pay for 4 weeks)! That makes the other 3 weeks (we do have a 4 show minumum) gravy. I say "weeks" because we air each show 4 times/week - and NOT in the middle of the night! Plus we are now INCLUDING the video pruduction - free. That's about $750 on us! And we give it back to them to post on their website, facebook, etc. We have a television AND internet presence - the videos are always on our site, and yes, people view them regularly.

I'm not tooting my own horn or using this post just to promote "Win & Dine", I'm just amazed at what restarants think is a good deal when it comes to promoting themselves. I'm not naming names, but when it costs you $38,000 worth of food & drink for ONE day of internet advertising (800 $60 certs sold for $30 - the restaurant get 50% of the sales) that's crazy! I just think they're wowed by the $12,000 check they were cut and get giddy, I don't know .... And even if that $38,000 worth of food only cost them $13,000, that's still a chunk of change for one day of internet advertising. And some of these sites show you how to "live off" their deals! Oh, well enough ranting....

We're trying to give restaurants a good deal, entertain people with a trivia show, and introduce folks to restaurants in our area - pretty simple, but most of the LO's turn their noses up at us...