How Would You Celebrate?

[tamar]

It would be cool to have new software updates to support Pleo being set to factory defaults.

I don't know, just a thought. :)

[PleoWorldHostCami]

Since some people were not satisfied with the recent celebration of PleoWorld's first anniversary we want to give you, our loyal members, a chance to let us know what you would prefer.

What would YOU like to see in future clebrations?

If UGOBE runs a contest what kind of contest would you like to see and what type of prizes should be awarded?

Would you rather UGOBE had lowered the price of Pleo without the contest?

Remember, we want you to give us constructive and realistic suggestions.

[Siren]

I think lowered prices without the contest as well. And I think every referral should get something small. Otherwise, why bother adding "Who referred you?". Not saying something expensive or even something free...how about a coupon for your Cafepress store with every reference?

For contests, I bet you'd get a lot of entries if a prize was offered. Depending on the contest itself, the prize could be a coupon, a t-shirt, even a battery. For instance, let's say Ugobe offers a new video contest, make a Pleo movie. In which case people would have to use their imagination and creativity to create sets, a script, get some friends involved, etc. If the video contest is a big production for one person, then I think a battery or t-shirt would be a nice prize. If the contest is small, like say the commercial ones we did, a coupon or Pleo shirt for that person's Pleo to wear would suffice.

Never ran a business, but I think those are realistic suggestions. Not looking for a trip to four to Cancun. Just something small, but to a Pleo owner, is likely a big deal :)

[degers]

I would have preferred the contest not to happen by referrals as as soon as the contest started I received some mass mailed e-mails from people trying to get lots of referrals, I just don't like junk e-mail thats all.

[pleoWhisperer]

Bummer. Do they have to be realistic? Unrealistic expectations are soooo much more fun! ;)

The video contest was fun. You could also do a photo contest. Ugobe did an essay contest way back when. To key on the contests being fun, they should be: short (1 week or less), simple (easy for a novice or a kid to do, so all can participate), and allow for individual creativity.

Prizes don't need to be big or expensive, but should be tangible, like the pleo shirts from the survey, or the T-shirts & coffee mugs from CafePress. To me, there is nothing wrong with the signed artwork from Caleb as a prize, but that may not appeal to all. I would rather see 10 people win small prizes than one person win an expensive prize.

Contest winners should not always be selected as "the best" based on some one or some group's opinion. A random drawing from all entries means everybody has a chance to win, not just the most talented.

For example, you could do a contest where people submit a photo of their pleo at their favorite restaurant. This encourages people to show off their pleos, and Ugobe could put together a montage of the photos. You then offer one prize, say an extra battery, for the best, funniest, or most creative use of a pasta product, AND do two random drawings for a T-shirt and a coffee mug. This way people are challenged to try to do good and win the contest, but hopefully you'll get more entries because everybody can take a picture and get a chance to win something.

[Starfire]

I don't think there needs to be a contest every day. I think it just could have been presented differently, Like say there will be new offerings every day to celebrate the anniversary. Then people may have looked at it differently. I personally didn't mind it. I loved being able to order the Bob shirt (which arrived today) As always I love the downloads, Those are so fun to get. Keep those up Please.

I also appreciate the discount. It would have been nice to have a discount offered on extra batteries or tshirts to fit the pleos. Not everyone can afford to buy another pPeo. Also, if there would have been a discount on Tshirts then it could go to people outside the US,. They are a big part of the forums. The discount on the batteries and tshirts could have been available only to forum members and the new pleos to everyone to generate more sales.

BTW Sephy has a brother on the way. I couldn't resist that discount.:D

[wgb]

I liked the celebrations. I loved the Pictures of the Ronald McDonald House. I thought it was great that Ugobe did that for those kids. Pleo makes people happy and 'Im sure Pleo made all those kids happy.

I was very happy with the download too. Was happy with the tshirt. Mine came yesterday. Went back and bought a mug too. Should of done it together. But Sometimes I just don't think.

But I do think the Video contest should of had a small prize awarded like one of the coffee mugs. But I do not think one needs to be awarded everyday. Just one contest and that's it.

Very happy with the sale too! Now I get my own Pleo. Hubby just wants me to leave his alone LOL. :p

I'm sorry that the International people were left out but its understandable. I'm sure Ugobe will make it up to them when they can.

[tamar]

Well, some moderator moved this thread, but nobody responded. Nobody wants to do this?

[mweed]

I still like the idea of a real referral program. For every pleo purchase someone refers to Ugobe, you get $15 or $20 in "Ugobe credit" that can be used towards the purchase of an extra battery or another pleo.

[June03]

Ugobe credit / coupons sound realistic to me. And why not small things like battery, pleo shirt, key chain, pens etc. (basically advertising stuff that would still be used & appreciated by pleo owners)

But - don't limit the competitions/prizes to US only - small stuff that qualifies as 'commercial sample' or has a low monetary value is very easy to mail overseas!

[junkroxy]

The Super Offer about Pleo was a great gift for us citizens! a FREE pleo shirt/protect (maybe with shipping cost only payed by members) would be a great gift for old members like me, eh eh! :)

[degers]

I liked the survey Ugobe conducted where the first 300 to do the survey were given a free pleo shirt (pleo sized, not for humans to wear!)

[fancyfont]

Perhaps a contest of naming a special Pleo would be fun. That way everyone including those that don't have cameras and video recorderes can enter too. I'm sure UGOBE has names for their original prototype Pleos but it would be fun to have the members have a chance at naming a very special Pleo, too. :)

[NJPride]

I've had my Pleo for a long time and actually just stumbled upon the price reduction while I was planning to buy a Pleo for my niece. So, I actually benefited from the price reduction, but at the same time, I'm glad that UGOBE made this a temporary sale. I know it sounds weird to say it, but I'm an IT guy so I'm used to the "opposite" of the norm where prices go down while the value goes up. Personally, I hate when I buy a techy toy and then 2 weeks later the price drops because a new and better "toy" is coming out. In that regard, I commend UGOBE because they are sticking with the same product and have given us updates and freebies all along. As someone else noted, this is a new company, and the price reduction is a great "prize". Wouldn't it really tick people off if the surprise was an improved Pleo that would force you to shell out cash to get the benefit?? I hate seeing people complain about not getting something for free - look at the price of a gallon of gas for something to really complain about. But, as far as a celebration idea, because I'm back on track with the forum topic, I would think that cutting prices on Pleo accessories (ie batteries, etc) for those that already are Pleo owners would be more of a reward for the people that have stood by the company. Again, as long as Ugobe doesn't make our existing Pleo's obsolete, the only other big prize I could think of would be some type of ROM Upgrade (or something similar) that would enhance the existing Pleos we have

Sorry for rambling. Ugobe, you are an excellent company from what I've seen, and your product is awesome. Just the fact that you are enlisting feedback from customers shows what a class act you are. Keep it up http://forums.pleoworld.com/images/icons/icon14.gif

[parazythum]

Hi, I was disappointed by how the anniversary went by, I was the first to complain, and I told my feelings twice in two "Day x" subjects - I'm glad to see I was not the only one as I could read after. I'm also glad Ugobe heard us, so this thread started. It is constructive, I like it. So here are my suggestions.

* the download : it was GOOD to have my Pleo turn Rex, thank you. The only problem is that my Pleo doesn't walk nor run in this mode, I would have liked to see him go chasing, grabing objects, etc
* there is life outside the US ! Please next time don't forget us, foreign citizens
* random wins would have been nice
* I'd like a contest about the best way to improve Pleo. I myself have several good ideas - it would profit to both Ugobe and their customers
* the videos / photos ideas of contest are nice, everyone able to buy a Pleo can do that :)
* a future contest for a new personality officially downloadable on the official site would also bring people to the technical aspects of our preferred dinosaur

That's all for now !

[NJPride]

parazythum,

I wasn't around for the "hoopla" that was the actual leadin to the contest so I don't know exactly what people expected. I came in at the end, and I still stand by much of what I said, while I also agree with you that there was a lot of good feedback from the people in the forum. One thing though is that no matter what the company does for the contest, someone will be pissed-off. The problem with the Pleo is that it is such a oddity in the marketplace that it attracts just about any age, sex, religion, nationality, work background, etc. I mean, how many times can the geekiest of nerds (I'm in IT so I can say that) want to own the same "toy??" as a housewife, a child, etc. Not knowing how the contest was presented makes it difficult for me to feel some of the pain, but was this the 1st contest? If so, let's cut them a break, as they did enlist our feedback now. Anything related to price changes is very difficult to present, because someone will always feel slighted, (eg. they already own one, they paid too much, I should have waited, etc). Not being a marketing genius, I don't know the rationale behind the temporary price cut, but I'm sure it will be scrutinized in the future (or, my fear, be permanent as a new product is announced.....). But that's also business (and progress), so if that's the case, maybe UGOBE can come clean that a new product is coming out in X months, drop the price on the current model, and let people decide. BIG IF HERE, I'M NOT AN INSIDER.

As you mentioned, although many people brought up suggestions, I did key in a couple of yours because I remember you were most agitated initially and even though I may not agree with all of your points 100%, several are worth repeating.

1. I'm from the US, but have done a great deal of international work. I believe that the part that pissed off people outside the US was that the price break did not initially apply to anyone outside of the US (am I correct?). Has that been resolved? If not, that is a problem and UGOBE should have definitely done some homework there. It wouldn't surprise me that export laws of technologically gifted creatures would be on many do not export lists, etc. (Yeah, they could have done NAFTA, but then the Europeans would have been annoyed, etc, etc).
2. The videos/photos idea is nice, but many people already put their Pleo's out like that and it may detract from it being a way of life in the forum (but I'm sure it wouldn't hurt to have like a Halloween theme, etc), but do we really need prizes, and if so, how do we vote. UGOBE, you need some type of voting/survey mechanism in your Infrastructure or outsourced (I'd be glad to offer help).
3. Random wins are few and far between - again what is it based on - someone sending in 10,000,000 IMs (i.e. American Idol), or on registered users?
4.My favorite 2 are these though. Coming up with the best ideas to improve Pleo. Again, it may require UGOBE invest a bit, but hey, we're the people that know the product. This could be an ongoing win-win "contest" where UGOBE get free ideas and if they use them in a product, maybe they could give some prize to the provider.
5. My favorite one though is the "new personality" idea. Again, it's a voting thing, but maybe it can be chosen from videos of current Pleos and 10 winners get a trip to whereever and the most impressively raised Pleo could be a winner.

With that last line, I shall shut up. Parazythum, I want to assure you that I wasn't nitpicking your answers, and at the same time, I don't want anyone else to think that I left one of their excellent answers out, it's just that your post was right above mine, had interesting points, ..;

Thanks for those who stayed awake,

One final note though, I really think that UGOBE has to do something about the battery life. There are techniologies out there that could be retrofitted to existing UGOBEs.
Ron

[wgb]

* the download : it was GOOD to have my Pleo turn Rex, thank you. The only problem is that my Pleo doesn't walk nor run in this mode, I would have liked to see him go chasing, grabing objects, etc !

touch his front leg sensors and he will walk in this mode
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