TFL subscription: Community or pure greed?
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Maybe it's me being a naggy European. I dont get it. So lot of us spend pretty ridiculous amounts on their (great) products, bite the bullet and pay on top the shipping+ taxes. This aside from waiting longtime for products returning back in-stock, if it happens at all. Mostly miss it too cause of the timezone.
Now people can get some subscription to have early access to product drops, so non-members will miss out since stock is always limited.
Is this what people mean by "community"? Funny enough the reactions on this are surprisingly positive. Imho this is pure greed and showing how community should not be.
To me it's like spitting someone in the face and expect them to say "thanks"...End of rant.
Aka "Vommbat"
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@maciak Hadn't considered that angle honestly but you make a good point.
That said TFL has an EU store now. Not sure if their drops are spread between the 2 but I'd hope so if the membership thing was to work out somewhat fairly.
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@maciak amazon does it. ppl don't have to subscribe but it comes with decent perks. for a small company like tfl, its a creative strategy to increase margins without changing prices. if the stuff is good n the service is useful, i think it could work.
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I was a little disappointed they did this. I work pretty hard to make it difficult for Google to track me, so I'd probably miss whatever announcements came my way anyway. Also, that they threw in front-of-the-line for $60/year. As @MacIak said, it is already hard enough to get some of their stuff. To be waiting behind Level 2 subscription people might just suck.
When I need a tire or bumper now, I have a program that monitors their site and texts me when they become available. And, I still often miss out b/c they sell out before I can get on it.
Because of all this, I might just have to hope they don't get a lot of people to subscribe. If they get 200 Level 2 subscribers, I ain't never getting a TFL GT tire or GT BANG bumper.
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@lia No, basically it takes forever for new stuff to arrive at the EU store if they receive anything at all. Like the controller tilt kit will never come to the EU store and WTF rails took forever. C&R hase way more consistent TFL stock than the EU branch.
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@biell Imho it's just a dickmove, nothing more than greed. They have really good profit margins and never have to worry about loyal customers. Their sticky hands just crave more coin that's all which does nothing for the community but creating an elite base.
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@notsure Amazon? You mean Prime? If so, that comes with streaming and free shipping and it's a bit bigger shop/different concept. TFL throws in free shipping i might consider just for that. But putting people in front of line coz they pay is just corrupt and wrong. Has nothing to do with community, zero.
Aka "Vommbat"
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@maciak said in TFL subscription: Community or pure greed?:
Amazon? You mean Prime? If so, that comes with streaming and free shipping and it's a bit bigger shop/different concept.
yup thats it. subscription service in a nutshell. its too early to tell if its a net positive or not.
a retail price hike would probably hurt sales cuz the market is relatively small, with a growing number of competitors. C&R is a proven retailer. they just get it done!
TFL has always seemed like more of brand leader to me tho. they offer bodhi-flavored underwear n stuff n ppl just dig it. a TFL sub might be worth it for those that like the branded items. that retro pager and bodhi sandals r pretty sweet. papers too lol... a tie dyed limited edition of each would be the kinds of items u might not be able to get without a sub.
its a smart play imo. i like how they think.
