Oh, and Happy New Years!
There are several topics I wanted to cover the past month, but did not get at doing that. I hope I will catch up! Most of it is related to my samurai anime craze, and just how in-depth I got into the characters--it is worth a read if you enjoyed Hakuouki, actually...I'll have to rewatch an episode to get me into the mood---the depressed mood of emotional relating and empathy.
Anyways!
So there is this thing called "marketing". I tend to find that, while I'm a nobody and have no experience in the matter, I do enjoy some of the marketing theory or whatever it may be called...
My concern within this area of anime merchandising is in DVD reprice sales!
For example: company decides "hey, let's mark down this title-it's a great idea, and people will buy it more, I mean, it's older now anyway"
Yeah, that IS a good idea.....
However, they still keep the products created before the mark down price at the full price, often being nearly 50% more than the new price.
So basically, they have these shiny new dvds with shiny attractive prices now showing up.....but, since the older stock that is not repriced to match the needs of this idea are still on shelves (and not selling!), some stores will probably not re-order, OR, the newer dvds will sell, but the older stock will absolutely go nowhere.
This is self-defeating, a waste of resources, energy, and most of all--it just is not efficient. Seriously? NO ONE is going to buy the old price!
My other related concern is when we get anime in part 1 and part 2. They both sell individually for the same price that they now sell together as a complete set.
Yet, even after this new release, the old dvds are still their old, unselling price. Instead of just marking them down to a seller point, like 50% off to get rid of the old lingering product that refuses to be sold, they keep them?
What's the point in this? You guys are just losing money, and misusing what resources you already have for fast income and faster customers.
When something shinier comes out that sells well to the whole audience (rich and poor alike) the old product is no longer of service....that is, unless it's marked down so well that people WILL choose it, thinking they are saving even MORE this way, even if it's just $10.
I think they need to visit a market and read those "buy for $3, or buy 2 for $5". It sound as if these vendors and crafters rip themselves off, doesn't it?
Well, because this deal they offer to buy more sounds more appealing, and as if they were to rip themselves off---people WILL buy....rather, MORE people will buy---and it proves that these sellers are willing to lean to a slightly risky appearance to sell well--like confidence that their product works.
So in comes to me that these anime companies are wasting a lot, and causing everyone more stress by being stubborn about letting their dusty old expensive versions of their new loved items go to waste when they could very well make themselves more money, as well as gaining more reputation "This company will sell this item you are now staring at for half this price once they release a better deal to buy them together--unlike so and so company".
So, why wouldn't you?
I'm not going to buy that now-overpriced version of what I just bought for half! why would I?
My personal account on this is when I picked up Le Chevalier 'D Eon in it's new S.A.V.E edition for $31. The original dusty packaging was sitting in quantities of 3 for $50 or so......and no, there is no way I'd buy that.
Note to self: update products to more efficiently sell, attract more buyers, and get the "This company really knows how to grab me now, it's like I can actually afford them when they say "Sale price" instead of using it as a gimmik--they are real".
And this is my look on marketing. Hope you enjoyed my rant, for what it's worth. It's bizarre how much this bothers me....except that, I want to spend what I should be spending if that sale price is what it says it is---I want to pay what they say I should be paying.
-Little Shadow Fox
Have a good January!
And happy Chinese New Year in advance
