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Is WGT Ball Pricing fair? An objective viewpoint please

• duffer19 3,670 Posts

  Mon, Aug 26 2013 2:19 PM

  I'll say this much about the 'cost' of balls - real money or otherwise -

  when some of the best players in the game won't bother playing a free club tournament or in non-challenge (credit risk/reward) mp matches because of golf ball usage for no return - then cost is a problem imho

• DDRoss1 1,809 Posts

  Mon, Aug 26 2013 2:33 PM

  I cant get the damn surveys to work half the time and the other they love to give you 5, so if your playing a more expensive ball like the nikes, which i do, you cant make enough in a week to pay for a sleeve IMO. But some of us have so many physical issues cant play the real game, so its this for us and puttng $ in every once in awhile LOL

• alosso 21,072 Posts

  Mon, Aug 26 2013 2:51 PM

  Quite a few wise words Alan, please excuse me for taking out only the last paragraph:

  alanti:

  But as most also said, we do have a choice as we can play for free, but if you cannot afford to buy credits, cannot earn "free credits" due to geographical locations, then you will lose some of your potential market. Again going to a "market economy" you can reduce price if turnover increases. I agree the margin will be lower but based on volume the profit will be higher - food for thought?

  While it's fine to "play for free", giving indirect revenue through the "earn credits" scheme, this sure has it's limits:

  What kind of a market are the "cannots", the "cannot afford"s and "cannot earn free credits"? They are not a real market, it's but an excuse, maybe an alibi. That part of "the market" won't have any impact on the company's progress, they are irrelevant.

  Reducing adaptions can only follow the priviledged users and possible competition, that is relevant!

• alanti 10,564 Posts

  Mon, Aug 26 2013 3:17 PM

  alosso:

  What kind of a market are the "cannots", the "cannot afford"s and "cannot earn free credits"? They are not a real market,

  I agree that under normal market conditions, these "players" could be likened to beggars holding their hand out, but part of the great marketing of this game, players can legitimately earn credits via sponsers. Without these opportunities I think WGT would instantly lose a huge chunk of it's market.

  There is a cost if you live in a place where credits can be "earned", that is time (which will often make slave labour rates look good) or in economic terms, your opportunity cost.

  The fact is WGT do get paid by the provider of the offer (whether it is on a one to one ratio I don't know)  these "free earners" do contribute to the coffers of WGT so need to be included in any statistical analysis. Again without the sponsors contributions would equal less revenue and therefore higher pricing. Therefore by expanding offers geographically should result in more players "earning and spending" free credits - the downside is it is a US Company with their resources there - many who do not have the spare cash to play with top equipment simply quit playing.

  The aspect I did not mention is the increased advertising (and this is an assumption based on the industry with exponential growth in online advertising and if it hasn;t heads should fall)- this in turn could result in lower pricing (or as it would appear, a higher margin/profit).

• alosso 21,072 Posts

  Mon, Aug 26 2013 3:34 PM

  I agree concerning those who can earn free credits - they are in some target market where advertizing is deemed profitable.

  I draw the line just before the "cannot earn free credits" ppl - they should be off limits for the company and have to pay their way with good money if they can afford it.

  Please don't mistake me as if I'd propose or prefer this - it's strict business thinking.

• alanti 10,564 Posts

  Mon, Aug 26 2013 3:55 PM

  Sorry Alosso,I am a little confused (pretty easily done lol) but from a business perspective I think it is quite shrude, taking a market who would otherwise not be able to afford to play the game (with decent equipment). Where I would personally draw the line is luring players in then not being able to support them by reducing credits earned (like the carousel fiasco) or dropping offers in that region (or not being capable of sustaining the offers). So lure em in and then hope they will gets some funds from somewhere, beg borrow or steal.

  This would be akin to a casino sponsoring a gamblers addiction meeting - we will cover the cost of venue/food etc if we can have a poker machine available, or a AA meeting sponsored refreshments by a brewery but is an online golf game socially responsible for the actions of its players?

  As Duffer said, when a player will not play a game unless they can earn credits as they deem ball usage not worthy otherwise, perhaps ball pricing is too high?

  And I agree with Andy, using the rock can be challenging and fun as long as you do not expect a lot from it - perhaps thats where many players lost the plot - it is all about score, or how many credits you can win - luckily I have do not play for credits but naturally would rather shoot a 60 than an 80.

• gedi83 277 Posts

  Mon, Aug 26 2013 5:17 PM

  duffer19:

  I'll say this much about the 'cost' of balls - real money or otherwise -

  when some of the best players in the game won't bother playing a free club tournament or in non-challenge (credit risk/reward) mp matches because of golf ball usage for no return - then cost is a problem imho

  very well said.

  Generally, from my understanding of business, when you are relatively small (as I believe WGT still is), you want to expand to have as many players as possible, so you direct your efforts not only towards a small group of "profitable" customers, but towards all in order to make them happy, tell their friends what a nice game it is, perhaps worth playing, etc.

  With such a lucrative game as golf there should be zillion of ways to earn money when you have lots of customers happy about you, even if they pay nothing directly to the game. Heck, agree with my golf shop next door that I could use my WGT credits to get a discount when buying gear... (which of course many shops would do, they often make discounts anyway).

  Surely if you read forums you'd find many other good ideas how to improve the situation and customer satisfaction... But what it rather seems is that WGT thinks, as in that infamous quote, "I hear the voices and I know the speculations, but I am the decider, and I decide what's best..." :)

• srellim234 2,077 Posts

  Mon, Aug 26 2013 6:22 PM

  duffer19:

  I'll say this much about the 'cost' of balls - real money or otherwise -

  when some of the best players in the game won't bother playing a free club tournament or in non-challenge (credit risk/reward) mp matches because of golf ball usage for no return - then cost is a problem imho

  Not particularly. That speaks more to the issue that the competition is not in line with the person's motivation or goals for playing that particular game. IRL I will practice for and play serious tournaments with the best equipment I can afford but I can't afford those top notch golf balls all the time. So, when I'm out for a leisurely day on the links with a few buddies I  use older or a lower quality balls to save money. Not a big deal since there's no money on the line but I'm looking to enjoy some time with friends on the links.

  Those "best players in the game" are not entering free games simply because they don't want to. They are not looking for a social game without credits or any pressure on the line. If price were truly an issue they'd be playing using cheaper or free equipment.

• DynamiteTommy 172 Posts

  Mon, Aug 26 2013 7:18 PM

  I bought a sleeve of tour-s nike balls in real life the other day for $8-12 and they have already lasted longer than 2 sleeves of virtual nike balls. :D
  
  And it's fair, good business it is