What do you think about this incentive?

[beemergal]

I live in Houston and have a swimming pool construction business here. I am toying with the idea of offering a free 4 day cruise on Carnival from Galveston for pool builds or referrals during the winter months. Do you think that would entice someone? I would not add the cost of the trip in the price of the pool, but I would not discount my normal prices either.

[Howard-Moore]

So would everyone that buys a pool get the cruise or would they all be entered into a drawing to win a cruise?

[beemergal]

Everyone would get one...maybe to a maximum of 5 - 10.

[karenh1127]

I would rather have the discounted pool. Those looking to get a pool in the winter are probably expecting deep discounts. JMHO

[jetskier]

I would look at buying the incentive certificates from Carnival this way they could sail from any port or wanting to upgrade to a 5/7 nighter or cabin category, they would pay the difference. You are still looking at around $700 to $800 per booking. If you are thinking of doing the bookings yourself, you are looking at whole bunch of aggrevation.

 

Dave

[oceanseagle12]

I would look at buying the incentive certificates from Carnival this way they could sail from any port or wanting to upgrade to a 5/7 nighter or cabin category, they would pay the difference. You are still looking at around $700 to $800 per booking. If you are thinking of doing the bookings yourself, you are looking at whole bunch of aggrevation.

 

Dave

 

Since I just disagreed with Dave twice on another thread, I will jump in here and say- I totally agree with Dave on this one. :p

 

If I were looking to buy a pool, this incentive would be appealing to me, and even more so if I had the flexibility to book whatever I want as Dave suggests. The only caveat is that I would look at the value of the total package- your price with cruise vs. a competitor's price with a cruise on my own- when deciding who to go with.

[beemergal]

I guess I could offer the cruise (for 2) or the equivalent in a price reduction

[jetskier]

I meant to post the link earlier.

http://www.carnival.com/cms/carnivalmeetings/static_templates/preferred_awards.aspx

Dave

[jetskier]

Since I just disagreed with Dave twice on another thread, I will jump in here and say- I totally agree with Dave on this one. :p

 

Oh no, is the sky falling? :p

Dave

[oceanseagle12]

Oh no, is the sky falling? :p

Dave

 

 

It may be, but hopefully not before my cruise ends on Dec 19 :)

[jam82]

I like the idea. Even if I didn't end up choosing your pool. It would cause me to seriously consider your company.

[Howard-Moore]

I had rather get a 500-700 discount on my pool than to have a cruise that I didnt plan myself.... (just my 2 cents)

Oh the other hand.... I would maybe say for every 5 ppl that gets a pool from your company is entered into a drawing for a Carnival Cruise.

???? IDK

[Kurbanfan]

A car dealership in our area is offering a 4 day cruise if you purchase from them...........

[Nunu]

Are you including pre-paying tips?

[Tbay-eh]

Okay - maybe I am missing something here. In your first post you say you won't add anything to the cost of the pool or a discount on the pool - my question is, how are you going to cover this cost?

 

Then you say in your second post - cruise for 2 or price reduction - what is it?

 

The person who posted about a car dealership giving a free cruise - we were on a cruise with two ladies who got a cruise from a dealership and they upgraded, they ended up paying more for their free cruise than we did with booking through Carnival. We had a balcony and they had an interior and we ended up pay less total than they did with the upgrade, still the interior. I am always leery about these free cruise options. I think offering this with getting a pool through your company make sure that you don't bump up your price to cover the cruise otherwise word will get around and you will not be further ahead.

[skylock]

I would not consider a company that offered a free cruise. Too many "free cruise' scams out there. (I am not saying you would be scamming anybody with your offer) Just offer the discount and they could take their own cruise if they want one.

 

On the other hand, maybe offering the cruise OR the discount would be good just to catch someones attention.

[beemergal]

Tbay-eh:Okay - maybe I am missing something here. In your first post you say you won't add anything to the cost of the pool or a discount on the pool - my question is, how are you going to cover this cost?

 

Then you say in your second post - cruise for 2 or price reduction - what is it?

My thought is that I would build for less of a profit than normal to pay for the cruise. If someone did not want the cruise, then I could lower my normal price.

 

This idea seems to be not well accepted, so I guess I'll forget it. I was just looking for another marketing idea.

[beemergal]

Thanks Jetskier...this is what I had in mind, but most people so far have not been positive about the idea

 

"Carnival Offers More Choices

 

Our Preferred Awards program offers you and your award recipients greater selection and flexibility including a wide choice of cruise destinations and convenient ports of departure.

Click here for more destinations.

Reward Those Who Deserve It!

 

We offer two individual award programs: Preferred Awards Certificates and “Fun Ship” Dollars…

Preferred Awards:

• Good for two guests
  
• Valid for 18 months
  
• No minimum required purchase
  
• Flexible and easy to purchase
  
• View Preferred Awards Sample
  
• Preferred Awards Price List
  

“Fun Ship” Dollars:

• Sold in various denominations
  
• Good toward the purchase of future cruises or onboard credit
  
• No expiration date
  
• View Fun Ship Dollar Sample
  

Contact us to reward your top employees and customers.

1-866-257-0816 / Corporatesales@carnival.com

The Possibilities Are Endless

 

Here are just some of the many possible uses for Carnival Preferred Awards.

• Staff incentives to inspire sales growth
  
• Car dealer rewards: a cruise for each car sold or the prize in a monthly sales contest
  
• A cruise instead of a rebate for the purchase of a major appliance or other high-ticket items
  
• Desirable prizes in a multi-level sweepstakes
  
• Point-of-sale promotions
  
• Incentives to encourage employee promptness or other company goals
  
• Expressions of appreciation for exceptional service, courtesy or other major contribution
  
• Prize or prizes in a charitable raffle to stimulate donations
  
• Casino promotion - generate increased traffic or play in your casino using a travel award "
  

[MamaParrotHead]

I think offering the discount or the cruise would make the cruise deal seem more legit, separating it from the "free cruise scams". If the cruise is going to cost less than the discount, I'd sweeten the deal a bit and add some Funship Dollars or something with it. That may appeal to people who haven't cruised before or who are too stingy to actually pay for a vacation for themselves.

[Tbay-eh]

Tbay-eh:Okay - maybe I am missing something here. In your first post you say you won't add anything to the cost of the pool or a discount on the pool - my question is, how are you going to cover this cost?

 

Then you say in your second post - cruise for 2 or price reduction - what is it?

My thought is that I would build for less of a profit than normal to pay for the cruise. If someone did not want the cruise, then I could lower my normal price.

 

This idea seems to be not well accepted, so I guess I'll forget it. I was just looking for another marketing idea.

 

I am really glad that you addressed this - why not use the marketing idea of a discount on the pool construction period, see how business goes (I always find when I am offered something for nothing there is always a catch) - if there is a marked increase in orders then look at the cruise option as a further incentive. I would definitely look at this incentive but being that I live in Northern Ontario I really don't think you would come here and install a pool. Seriously, don't give up this idea just because of me as I am always a pessimist - I think with enough input this is doable. Keep an open mind.

[cruiserbryce]

what is the cost of a pool?

[beemergal]

The cost of a pool from me is normally anywhere from the upper $20's without a spa on up. Hard to get one without a spa for less than about $33k. They go up from there. My average is in the $40's, but I have built ones in the six figure range too. Just depends on how many bells and whistles and size someone wants.

[jayesouthworth]

Hmmm, you might want to look into the IRS tax consequences of giving away a cruise. The IRS may consider that as income. I think I would go with the pool discount...that is if the homeowner can get financing for it. Kinda like the Cash for Clunkers deal, even though the people got $4,500 for their clunker, they now have to pay tax on that $4,500. May want to talk to your accountant. JMHO.

[Chacooe]

beemergal, you have gotten some good advice here, but if I was a customer looking to have a pool put in, I would look at your company first just to see about the cruise promotion, but I would be a person that would be asking many questions like what costs are there going to be (other then what I spend on the ship) like tips, port fee's etc. The last cruise I went on was one of the award program cruises, which was nice. I did upgrade to an oceanview room for $40.00, which I did not think was bad at all. Don't give up on the idea just yet, call Carnival Corporate sales or the dept that sells the award program and get their advice on what to do and I bet that you will be able to offer either a discount or a cruise,

 

Here is copies of the brochures that is part of that program. The first is the Mexican Riviera and the second page is the rules and legal stuff. Hope this helps. I got this cruise for $99.00 on E-Bay.

 

 

[grandmato4]

Cruise incentive wouldn't work for me in the winter if you're not also offering discount. Aren't other's offering discounts for winter month referrals/sales? The "price" is the first thing I'm going to be looking at. I didn't check your prices out just to get a cruise. Now, if your price and the price from Mr. X are about the same and you're giving a drawing for a free cruise for those that sign a contract with you during, say the months of Dec Jan and Feb on top of it then that might give you the edge if I liked your work.