Notice it also says the 10% is on full priced items only. So if you get something on special then no points (& lets face it how often do any of us but stuff at full price)
Do you reckon that we are getting the ruff end of the pineapple ,,,,again . After all it most of us that payed the way for them to think up this rort anyway . >:D Or am getting syndical in my old age >:D :cheers:Just vote with your wallet mate >:D
We should all use the Contact Us section on the email & tell them (nicely) what we think of their new discount scheme & ask how it is supposed to be "more rewarding"
We only have a couple of stores to choose from and had a lyal eales here close down last month, they had an ok range but the store was small and hard to get around and see what they really had there to offer. So it's Ray's or BCF and Aussie disposals which is better than no stores, they are half hour away from home anyway so looks like more trips half hour different town to a locally owned store that has a reasonably good range.
Remember but, Ray's and BCF are owned by the same company, also Supercheap.... SRG Leisure Retail Pty Ltd
But it is interesting that you will get different prices in each store? Don't figure hey, but I suppose they cannot loose. >:D Kevin
I hope you reconsider this new loyalty program.hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahhahhha
hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahhahhhaWhats's that, You dont think they will listen. >:D
Just posted this in their Contact Us section:
Thank you for you email regarding the new "more rewarding" loyalty program. I'm quite confused how it can be more rewarding compared to the current 6.5% discount (on all items) when points will only available on full priced items. Furthermore, points then expire after only 90 days.
From reading some camping & 4wd forums today, there are quite a few disappointed Rays shoppers due to your new policy. I hope you reconsider this new loyalty program.
I just quoted you ... word for word ... Let's see if they do reply to the contact and what they have to say.
The specials are OK, but the standard pricing is more often at the higher end of the spectrum.
Rays Outdoors, just like its stablemate BCF is far from cheap at the best of times.Post of the year.
The specials are OK, but the standard pricing is more often at the higher end of the spectrum.
I would hazard a guess that a fair bit of thought went into making the decision to restructure discount policy. With the primary motive orbiting closely in the vicinity of profit and dividend.
The discount structure being dismantled is probably a hangover from the previous owner, and the powers that be at SRG no doubt want to bring Rays into line with the rest of the group.
I very rarely purchase goods from Rays, but do enjoy mooching about in these types of shops. Since their takeover I've noticed a shift in the product mix that is slowly but surely creeping closer to BCF's.
Its all about the bottom line.
Rays outdoors here in WA is useless. A few years ago we walked into one in Adelaide and was blown away by the range. Here they sell Patio furniture and the Joondalup store had 4 tents on display, at a camping store.Agreed... :cup: :cup: :cup:
On leaving i told them about the above email i received, handed them my rewards card and said farewell.
I haven't been to a Rays/BCF/Anaconda for yonks. Award RV is 5 mins up the road, have a massive range of stock with brands the other lot dont have, and the blokes there know what they're on about.
Plus, 10% loyalty discount, on whatever, whenever.
Cheapest gas bottle refills in the area too.
Award rv are huge and have great service but there prices ,holly crap, there pricey, better of buying from there fleabay store then going in to collectHuge yes - large range yes - cheap they aint that flash...
and then you have BIG4 going in the opposite direction...The only downer is its yearly fee..
Here is a quick snap shot of the improvements to the new BIG4 Loyalty Club:
1. BIG4 Members continue to save 10% up to $40 per stay.
2. There are now two tiers of membership - Blue & Gold. Current and new members are given automatic Blue Member status.
3. Earn status credits each time you stay at a BIG4 Holiday Park. When you reach 100 status credits, you will be upgraded to Gold Member status.
4. Gold Members receive an uncapped 10% discount.
5. Access to national brand offers, giving you great savings and rewards all year round.
6. Receive monthly Member Only promotions, discounts and offers.
7. New card - we have a shiny new plastic card that will arrive in the post within 2 - 3 weeks of your membership being renewed.
8. Temporary pass - If you have renewed and are waiting for your new card to arrive, we will send you a temporary pass to your nominated email address and it can be used to take advantage of BIG4 discounts and Member offers.
9. A member page - we have created a dedicated area on our website where you can securely login in and check your status credits, view and access our national partner offers, update your contact details, renew your membership, print your temporary pass and view your stay history.
The only downer is its yearly fee..
Here is the reply I received from Ray's exactly what I thought I would get
Hi Craig,
We thank you for taking the time to send through your feedback regarding the change to the Ray’s VIP to Ray’s Rewards.
We acknowledge that this change may be unsettling for some of our customers however we have worked hard to improve the current VIP offer and find ways that we can provide greater value for our loyal customers. The change in the club will enable our customers to earn 10%*credit on full priced items instead of 6.5% discount, the 10% credit can be used within three months and with the additional benefit of receipt-free warranty for purchases made using the membership.
Again we thank you for taking the time to send in your feedback and we have passed it onto senior management for review regarding the changes to the club.
Kind regards
Christina
Be interesting to see if senior management take it further I am not sure how taking points away after 90 days is beneficial to members as you would never build up many points and most people look to purchase sale items anyway. Looks like more trips to some smaller stores in different towns for us.It's not beneficial. It's just marketing spin. As a public company, their only duty is to their shareholders, therefore the one and only reason for the change is they reckon they'll make more money this way.
Hi My name here,
As a valued Ray’s Outdoors customer we thank you for taking the time to send through your feedback regarding the change to the Ray’s VIP to Ray’s Rewards.
We understand that this change may be unsettling for some of our customers however we have worked hard to improve the current VIP offer and find ways that we can provide greater value for our loyal customers. The change in the club will enable our customers to earn 10%*credit on full priced items that can be used within three months rather than receiving a 6.5%* discount with additional benefit of receipt-free warranty for purchases made using the membership.
Again we thank you for taking the time to send in your feedback and we have passed it onto senior management for review.
Kind regards
Christina
Hi Christina,
Thanks for the reply?
I am not an “unsettled customer” as you seem to think, and how rude of you to say so. I AM THE REASON YOUR BUSINESS EXISTS! I can see that this “change” is merely a way of losing a “valued customer”. Please remove this “unsettled customer” from your mailing list and delete this “unsettled customers” information from your system, as I no longer wish to trade with you in any capacity.
Being part of a CAMPING forum, there are many “unsettled (or should that be valued?) customers” that now are rethinking their purchases with your “chain”, due to the discount “restructure”. Effectively, you are doing away with any discount to your “Loyal Customers” which is disappointing. Many of the forum members share my thoughts ... it’s currently being discussed at length.
I do agree, it is your right as a business to do as you see fit with your share holders dividends. This change may be good for you, but what about those “unsettled customers” who don’t purchase at your store every other week? After all, how many tents, camp ovens, chairs, eskies, tent pegs, ropes, or sleeping bags can one “unsettled customer” actually buy in a year? Well I suggest, the answer to that question is “not very many” ... which is precisely the “Rays Credits” your “unsettled customers” are now going to receive.
Luckily for me (although not for you), I also have a smaller local camping store with which I will now be visiting more often. Their range may not be as large, but they are often cheaper by far, and will order in anything I require.
Unsettled Indeed!
My name here
My "automated reply":
And this is my reply:
The Cheek of them! I'm voting with my feet. *RudeWord* them.
Kit_e
It's not beneficial. It's just marketing spin. As a public company, their only duty is to their shareholders, therefore the one and only reason for the change is they reckon they'll make more money this way.Bingo.. and losing few 100 odd once a month/year customers spending $50ea wont mean jack Shit to their bottom line.... they would have already factored it into the equation.
Yeah I have up on the big stores. Don't use BCF, rays, anaconda any more. I go to the little camping shop in Labrador for all my gear now. Pay a bit more but friendly service and will normally just stand around and have a chin wag. I like it.
Thanks Pete,
I just quoted you ... word for word ... Let's see if they do reply to the contact and what they have to say.
Kit_e
Think they changed the wording now, this was the response I got
We thank you for taking the time to send through your feedback regarding the change to the Ray’s VIP to Ray’s Rewards.
We acknowledge that this change may has not been met some of our customers expectations, however we have worked hard to improve the current VIP offer and find ways that we can provide greater value for our loyal customers. The change in the club will enable our customers to earn 10%*credit on full priced items instead of 6.5% discount, the 10% credit can be used within three months and with the additional benefit of receipt-free warranty for purchases made using the membership.
Again we thank you for taking the time to send in your feedback and we have passed it onto senior management for review regarding the changes to the club.
Greater value to who >:D
An interesting observation on this thread is that the majority of people state that they never buy anything unless its on sale; well there must still be a bucket load of people out there that don't as sales aren't on most of the time & sure as the sun comes up in the east they must still sell stock at these "non sale" full price times.Frankston store was crawling room only on the weekend when I went there....
Frankston store was crawling room only on the weekend when I went there....Certainly if 50c is all you can save there would be zero advantage in waiting. If Ray's are offering 10% off the full price of your next purchase then what's their total margin? Nobody sells you anything at a loss.
If I need something, I buy it.. why wait 3 months to save 50cents?
If Ray's are offering 10% off the full price of your next purchase then what's their total margin? Nobody sells you anything at a loss.yep, they are there to make money, or they close the doors. 20% off sales, show you that their margin must be 40+% at worst.
yep, they are there to make money, or they close the doors. 20% off sales, show you that their margin must be 40+% at worst.The sad part for stores like rays is that you can usually find prices about 15-20% cheaper at other places, and not always just on line only. For eg, foxtel getting disconnected tonite so had to buy one of those new fangled hard drive recorders to replace the iQ2. Panasonic model RRP $799 on their website, no deal, Harvey Norman catalogue sale price $660; found a budget retailer operating out of a dodgy old building at underwood for $622 pick up, or +$12 courier delivered. Full warranty from manufacturer so no concern if shop disappears next week.
Forget the cards and discount offers, I might just try the bog standard haggling next time I am at Rays.....might end up with more than 6.5% discount!!
yep, they are there to make money, or they close the doors. 20% off sales, show you that their margin must be 40+% at worst.
Camping Plus isn't all that little. They've got two outlets on the coast, the other one is in West Burleigh.
I've been dealing with them for years.
Go Camping in Nerang is also worth a look.
Hi My name here,
Again thank you for taking the time to send more feedback through.
As per your request we have removed you from our mailing list.
Kind regards
Christina
If that isn't Big Business saying "oh ... whatever ... *rudeword* customers ::)" I don't know what is. Eat My Shorts Rayyou asked to be removed, they removed you ??? ???
I really hate that for one company group I need a different card for each business. My wallet can not handle much more. Give me the option to not have a card and let me store it on my phone.
Jason Wolffeveryone on every forum needs to flood this bloke with 90 days is bull****, it should be endless.
Marketing Manager - Ray's Outdoors
/// Ray's Outdoors
751 Gympie Rd| Lawnton QLD 4501
PO Box 344 | Strathpine QLD 4500
P: 07 3482 7445 | E: jasonw@superretailgroup.com.au
Looking at the Coleman HWOD
rays $399
Tentworld $340 deliveried for value pack, which included Shower, bag, gas hose etc
$60 more at Rays & that doesn't included value pack at Rays, so they're far from cheap
Off topic, but addressing the different cards for all the loyalty programs, I have just found out about the 'stocard' app, might be for android as well. You can scan all your loyalty cards onto your phone and then when purchasing from the store, just hold up your phone. A friend recommended this to me, she has been using it successfully.
I just downloaded it and have stored 8 cards on it - wallet a lot lighter now!!
Ha Ha Ha ...
If that isn't Big Business saying "oh ... whatever ... *rudeword* customers ::)" I don't know what is. Eat My Shorts Ray!
I've recycled the card and asked my partner to do the same for reasons previously mentioned. I'd suggest that perhaps my "tone" as well as many others have sparked the "rethink" of the mass emails "tone".
I am NEVER going back there. I haven't stepped foot in BCF or Anaconda for ages (except for comparison reasons). Ray's was one place I enjoyed going even if it was out of my way to do so ... at least their staff acknowledged you were there ... but not any longer.
I'm off to my most favourite camping store of all ... DUC (which are located to the RHS of Trackabout in Slacks Creek if anyone needs a good store)! I have also found Uptons @ Brown Stains to be extremely helpful as well. I like both, even if the stores aren't flashy and stocked with 2 gazillion products ... they are locally owned, open and online, and willing to assist my every camping desire where possible. :cup:
Bring back the Little Bloke ...
Kit_e
P.S. Thanks Socks ;D
I don't shop there but he now has a link to this thread.??
X2
Yep Android app works fine.
??
I haven't been into rays since this changed :)). I voted with my feetI went in week ago for 1x 2.75mtr adujstable tent pole - they had some cheap goldy coloured rubbish I bent looking at it...
Just to add on this.
The website still says you get flat 6.5% discount for members.
When was the new plan happening?
http://m.raysoutdoors.com.au/Club
With online shopping and everyday sales, I don't get out of the car for 6.5%. Last time I went there it was for one of their VIP sales and found the range to be pretty generic with brands I've never heard of before, struggled to find anything new or interesting to buy. (That could be because my garage is it's own RaysAnnacondaBCF store all rolled into one).
These days I seek out the independant camping fishing shops with good old fashioned owners and service. My favorite one is Northern Camping Fishing in Epping, followed by Cobram Outdoors in north Vic, as I can still find something to buy that I need(haven't got, or forgotten that I do already have one:-))
I also dropped into the big camping store in Coff's Harbour yesterday (next to Australia's biggest tackle shop), and bought 2 new camp chairs (can't remember where in the garage I put the old ones:-).
I don't know what all the whinging's about. It's not as though those stores ever had anything of quality worth buying anyway. Vote with your feet! They will get the message.The problem is an old story in that the big corporate and franchise retailers have driven the smaller independants out of business and now we're stuck with the big boring guys with predominantly their own brand import range and staff that just turn up for their shift. After they've been open for a while noone seems to keep them up to standard. Products on display with no prices, only range what their HO tells them, dirty floors, and empty shelves.
As your alternative to Ray's etc, for Brisbane northside and westside, I recommend Enoggera Camping, 100 Pickering St. (near intersection of Samford and South Pine roads). Old style narrow corridors, stacked to the rafters with excellent prices and service. They sell on-line too, although I haven't tried it (I like wandering through the store!). Family business since 1997, but I have no association other than as a customer. http://enoggeracamping.com.au.
Cheers
Oddy
isn't that just another place selling rebadged cheap **** for expensive prices? Like Rays, Anna, etc.
No Lost, this gear is a bit better quality than your usual suspects, have a heap of their gear and clothes and works wellTheres a Kat store up from work, never been in there as it has that expensive look about it. I'll reserve judgement until I go in and inspect :P
GG
They cater mainly for the bushwalker and hiker...
That counts Lost out ;Dthat's why you have things with engines in em...
that's why you have things with engines in em...Yeah but after a long day in the saddle (or car seat), it's still good to sit by the camp fire in warm dry clothes and comfy sleeping bags.
ya don't spend 100k on a car then walk.. wheres the ****in logic in that ??? ??? ???
Last time I went there it was for one of their VIP sales and found the range to be pretty generic with brands I've never heard of before, struggled to find anything new or interesting to buy.
X2
I dropped into our local Rays for a looksee about 6 months ago and walked out after 10 minutes. It was either cheap rubbish or too expensive half decent quality.