New Player Discount??

[Ken Delaney]

To the WA Staff:
Just heard a commercial for the WA on satellite radio encouraging new players to sign up for the 2021 WA. It’s a very nice incentive to offer a $50 off discount for newbies. Is there not a discount/incentive for returning players? Or players who have participated for, uh I don’t know.. 15 + years.. ?? I’m sure there is an explanation and perhaps I’m even missing a critical piece of info? Please tell me there’s something…

[stephen bastien]

Correct me if I’m wrong but I believe that if you refer a new player and they reference you as a prior participant you will receive a $50.00 credit

[Tommy Briggs]

I believe the $50.00 applies to the entry fee AFTER the reduced entry has passed.

You had the opportunity to register for a greater discount than the $50.00 offered off the full price.

The early registration discount was $120.00 so a new player registering today with a $50 discount is still paying $70.00 more than you did if you registered early.

I see it as an incentive for players who did not know about the World Am until after early registration was over.

[Tommy Briggs]

And yes as Stephen mentioned there is a $50 referral credit off your registration fee for any new golfer who registers and provides your name at the time of registration.

[Ken Delaney]

Tommy & Stephen,
Yes you are both correct about the referring a new player and then receiving a $50 credit for the NEXT World Am. That is something they’ve offered for a while now.

Back on 4/8, I registered for this year at the price of $559.00. As far as I know, this is the lowest price offered thus far. If you read the website, the price is still $559.00 until early June. I’m not sure what you’re referring to Tommy when you mentioned “you had the opportunity to register for a greater discount than the $50.00 off full price”.

If a new player signs up today with the promo code “XXXXX” (I believe that is it), they get $50 off. Bringing their total to $509.00?? Again, as I mentioned in my initial post, is there a piece of info I am missing which can make this sensible?? Because this doesn’t seem reasonable. Especially for those newbies who have already signed up.

There’s more to this on my end, but I am curious to hear what Scott and the staff will say.

[Ken Weatherford]

Ken, not sure if I am getting your point or not, but maybe I have. Your point, to me, is that the new player gets an instant discount and pays the same price we paid for early bird entry. Of course they don’t pay the same thing if they enter after June. However, we as the referring person have to wait another year to get that $50 discount for the new player referral. Is that what you had in mind?

[Ken Delaney]

Ken, Yes. That is exactly my point. We, as returning players are paying $559 (early bird, etc whatever you want to call it). AND, any NEW player signing up ALSO pays $559 (I know this from fact). Until Now, after registration has been open for several weeks, the WA staff has decided to offer $50 off the price of $559, making it a smooth $509… for NEW players…

How is that fair?? I can understand offering this deal AFTER June 3rd, but not when everyone who has already signed up, has already paid. I know the “first timers” that I have encouraged to come in 2021 are not happy at all…..

Yes, the $50 I am supposed to get for recruiting each new player, will have to wait until 2022. That has been this way for several years.

[Ken Weatherford]

Yes Ken. That sounds like total inequity for all returning players. Fortunately, two years ago, I introduced a new player and got the $50 this past August. What happens if I don’t play the subsequent year? Do I still get that $50 referral two or three years down the road? I doubt it!

[Ken Delaney]

As if the inequity for someone who has played this event 15 times wasn’t bad enough. How do you explain it to the “new folks” who have already paid $559 ?? That bothers me more than the first part. Especially since I recruited THREE new guys…

I believe you have (2) years to use the $50 credit. I would hope so anyway….

[Chuck Nesbit]

Why would they offer a discount to returning players when most everyone in the tournament is a returning player? That would be silly

It makes way more sense to offer a discount to a first timer to get them to come to the event for the first time….

[Ken Weatherford]

Check, I wouldn’t be opposed to a discount, like after five years tenure, or something. I don’t think it is silly at all to get a discount as a returning player. Let’s look at it this way. We all pay taxes, but most of us get a return to let the government use our money. Many retailers have customer loyalty programs. I think it is silly not to offer something as appreciation to returning players for playing for so many years. What about those of us that NEVER go to the 19th hole. I could care less and I don’t drink. I don’t care to be around a bunch of drunks and the food is horrible. So, I am paying for your enjoyment every year. Why shouldn’t I get something for never using a so-called benefit of the tournament. I didn’t really mean everyone at the 19th Hole was a drunk. I was just using it as an example as to why it doesn’t attract me. I don’t need clubs or accessories. I don’t care for the food. I don’t drink alcohol, and about the only thing I do like is the ice cream.

[Ken Weatherford]

Sorry for the misspelling, Chuck. Fat fingers. lol

[Chuck Nesbit]

Everyone wants a discount I guess, who doesn’t like saving money? Trying to justify it because you play each year just seems weird. Does your barber give you a discount because you keep coming back? Mine sure doesn’t after 25 years! But I still go!

If the only year you pay full price is your first year, that makes no business sense at all

[Ken Delaney]

Simply put:

If you are a returning player, you should have a window of signing up that is the best value. Which the WA staff does.

For example, everyone who signs up early (as soon as registration opens) at whatever cost the WA staff is deemed the lowest they can allow, is eligible for the “drawings”. That is worth a tiny amount (to have the chance to win). If the WA staff opens that same time frame to “new players”, then good for them too.

Whoever you are “new” or “returning” player, if you don’t sign up by an established date, the price will increase and you will now pay MORE. That is the cost of signing up “later”.

The point in this thread is being missed as it goes on. How can the WA staff allow a discount AFTER THE FACT?? This is bad business… people are feeling like they are being cheated. Every new player who finds out that the NEXT new player is paying LESS, will be and SHOULD be pissed.

[Ken Weatherford]

Yep, Chuck! My barber gives me an opportunity to get discount coupons every year. I do pay a little up front to get a larger percentage off when I use those coupons. My bank gives me bonuses for having a good balance, but I don’t have to go back to that bank.

My employer gives me bonuses, profit sharing, and a full 5% on my 401K. Again, it’s called loyalty rewards. My credit card company gives me bonus points every year for spending. Even restaurants offer discounts to EVERY customer.

I never said the WAM had to give me a discount every year, but after 14 years, you would think they could afford a little something to loyal players. I don’t expect it because it will never happen. I am just saying it would be kind gesture.

These are all associated with loyalty. Should I go on, Chuck? Sure, I can find businesses that don’t offer anything, but then I usually stop using them when I find better deals. That’s probably why I am in the top 20% of wage earners in America; without a degree, by the way. I learned wisely how to spend (and earn) my cash.

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