Masters Club Rewards

I hear Ya...Good luck

I was told - verbally - that the offer is 1.5% of your total sales at the mint, including rep assisted, and web orders. As I didn't make any, Mint Store purchases weren't discussed.

To date, I have received no confirmation via email.

I got a "spend $750" and get "$100 off" promo code.

I guess it is based on how much you spend last year. In other words, those who spend more get bigger discount codes.

Also, no surprise those who spend very little in recent history lose their rep. The Mint wants to concentrate their resources on people who spend a lot of money each year.

I suspect they have a misaligned incentive structure where customer service is concerned. So probably also in less visible offices. Some of the emails I've received (or not) are just boggling. I'd be offended if I thought they comprehended the offense. They really do like to ask for feedback, so my guess is they figure they have covered that base as fully as needs be. "You bet we're accountable!" Tough to prove them wrong: "My customers like x..." That's how it keeps working and poor work is still paid work. Apologists for bad service, which include diminished customer expectations, should make good execs there.

Getting a rep is highly overrated. Sometimes I wonder what I need him for since there is not a single coin I could not get elsewhere. In fact if I wanted the single 5 oz Voyageur, my rep would be of no use.

I probably lose my rep in a few years due to buying less and less coins each year but I won't missed him at all.

As for the tiered MC program, I have no trouble in the concept of "the more year you spend, the more benefits you get". Why should someone who spend very little in the program get the same benefit as someone who spend $2000, $5000, $10,000 or more.

The Canadian Coin and Currency company has a similar VIP program. You have to spend a certain amount each year to qualify for the same level next year.

Or the Hudson Bay Company, you need to spend $1200 a year to stay in the VIP program. Otherwise you drop down to a lower tier.

Sorry New1954 but you're a little off. I did not make MC because of the Delta, though it did push me to a higher level (which in the end, gave me little added benefit).

I also didn't ask for any 'double dipping' on redemption codes. 1% or 1.5%? really who cares about 1% when you can save 40% buying two months later on most coins. As I said, I didn't receive any redemption code for last cycle.

Unless they changed the program, if you spend a certain amount (might be 10k) you receive a lifetime MC status. That's all I asked my rep to consider asking of the program managers. I never really expected him to successfully follow through but honestly, a simple e-mail to say he dropped me, and maybe a thanks for patronizing him for a few years would have been the civil thing to do.

No matter. I agree, with MP that rep program has virtually useless since it is infinitely easier and faster to order directly on-line. The only thing MC status has ever been good for IMO is slightly earlier access and free shipping.

Sorry but I simply corrected you when you wrote something that was false or that you misunderstood. If you feel that is a 'debate' or 'putting you in your place', so be it.

I think I can always expect that when I state policy or 'facts' that are incorrect, those errors will be corrected by others. No malice, just simply striving to ensure anyone reading anything here is getting it right. That helps all of us and I appreciate it when someone corrects me when I'm wrong. I'd hate for someone to act on my error to their detriment.

The box/$130 code was a separate benefit and I was referencing the rebate program.

As to the rest. I could not care less but since you asked; yes my insurer gives me discounts based on various educational and professional associations as well as loyalty discounts that reduce rates and deductibles based on years I have held the policy, accident forgiveness etc. My car dealers give loyalty/brand discounts, service discount etc. etc. My preferred coin dealer gives discounts based on years of loyalty.

As I have said repeatedly, rewarding loyalty is good CS. So is timely communication. These are certainly not revelations in the sales and marketing world yet the Mint, IMO do neither very well.

The point about coins being cheaper later was simply that 1-2% discounts for spending thousands of dollars are not motivators for anyone with basic math skills and any market awareness.

Again the 10k was an example. Yes the Mint's criteria is 10k in a year, and again my opinion is that is not the best way to reward and develop long term customer loyalty. I personally would value and focus on customers that spends 500-1500 every year for 20 years than I would a few customers who spends 10K one year. Which is more likely to provide repeat business and sustainable growth? But such is the climate at the RCM. It's a short term operation where decision and policy are implemented to maximize short term gains as a direct result of the obvious political environment.

This conversation started because the Mint, in it's wisdom, decided to refer to me as 'a great customer' while rewarding me with a measly 8% discount, and revoke other benefits I've had for more than a decade. I found that a little humorous. My apology if others didn't catch the irony.

Both of you, guys, speak about same.
For our level, I think, for RCM everything clear:
spent X - got some perks and micro discounts
spent XX - got the rep (useless sometime)
but neither for X nor for XX will not be flowers for the Mother / Father Day and "Good Buy" mail from the Rep.

All proper, but wrong Customer Relationship, like mentioned CC-Ottawa.

...But if you spend XXXXXX annually, than your Rep will be you Guide in the Mint, whenever you'll come to visit. And don't forget:
"Night at the Mint party",
"Mint your NCLT coin event",
"Bath tube full of bullion"
"Mix and match COAs "
"Make the customer fool - Pranks at the Call Center event" - (this one really recommended, the customer angry and cut the conversation, by closing the call. Since the rep put conversation on speaker, everybody laughing loudly, after 5 minutes guaranteed the same customer calls back and by you request he/she forwarded back to your Rep and here the second circle begins. You can ask for recording on CD or audio-file)

which available only for the chosen ones.