Redemption Review

As I’ve visited our Redemption Plus customer’s loc...

2009-06-29T16:00:17.783-05:00

As I’ve visited our Redemption Plus customer’s locations over the last two years I’ve often been struck by how underutilized cranes (and their close cousin merchandisers like Stacker) are.

Cranes are an afterthought to most FEC’s. In a game room of 50 games we might see one crane; in 100 piece rooms maybe 2 or 3. At the same time when we look at a sales report those few cranes are usually doing great with above average ranking. That’s a good barometer right there. If a game category’s (video, redemption, cranes and merchandisers, children’s games, for example)
Sales as a percent of total exceed its number of games as a % of total, a good operator will add games in that category reducing games in categories where the opposite is true.

Cranes are a great buy right now, the used market is favorable to the buyer (due to a decision by Wal-Mart that its stores had become too crowded, placing a lot of cranes on the market). My experience over the years is that cranes are a “different spend” in an FEC, meaning that game players who have a budget for, say, redemption games, will dig a little deeper to give the crane machines a play or two. That’s the definition of incremental play! Incremental play is the additional sales added to your game room total

I would argue that a 50 piece FEC should have at least three cranes (two plush and a Jewelry-Gift), 100 piece FEC game room should be at 6-10 cranes and merchandisers. Space a problem? Be creative, cranes dispense their own prizes and can be placed throughout the facility, often doing better outside the game room.

Variety and Quality of prizes is important. Today’s consumer has high standards. You need to compete by regularly changing your mix, offering popular themes, including seasonal, ensuring an attractive presentation, and keeping your crane play consistent. We can help- Redemption Plus has a full line of great mixes in all sizes. If you need help with your crane program, anything from machine manufacturer recommendations to setting up or expanding your center’s program, give me a call at 913-563-4370, or email me a gmcauliffe@redemption-plus.com. At Redemption Plus we’re here to help you succeed.

I've had operational experience with both rede...

2009-06-15T12:45:43.319-05:00

I've had operational experience with both redemption counters and redemption stores-in most cases I strongly favor the store concept. Allowing guests to shop, rather than having an attendant hand them prizes, let's the guests get better acquainted with the prizes. It also reduces the labor cost associated with the redemption experience.

No, it was called 'Shiver Me Timbers'. I will wor...

2009-05-13T10:08:00.000-05:00

No, it was called 'Shiver Me Timbers'. I will work on getting video.

Was that episode rated Arrrrrrrrrgh???

2009-05-13T09:34:00.000-05:00

Was that episode rated Arrrrrrrrrgh???

Currently we operate a redemption store that allow...

2009-05-07T18:04:00.000-05:00

Currently we operate a redemption store that allows the guests to interact with the prizes. Overall, I still believe that the store approach allows the guest to select their prizes quicker than a counter which totally outweighs the lines for a counter attendant. Only negative is controlling breakage and theft because the guests will try out every item before buying.

At the Wow!Zone we have a redemption counter, but ...

2009-05-07T16:16:00.000-05:00

At the Wow!Zone we have a redemption counter, but I have seen some nicely done rooms, I think the perception to the customer might be that a separate store might give the merchandise a higher perceived value.

At the Wow!Zone we have a redemption counter, but ...

2009-05-07T16:09:00.000-05:00

At the Wow!Zone we have a redemption counter, but I have seen some nicely done rooms. I think the perception to the customer might be that a separate store might give the merchandise a higher perceived value.

Doug DeMarce
Wow!Zone