How To Handle Groupon Customers….

[Art Silverman]

Sky Soaring has a promotion on Groupon.  The groupon ride (either aero tow or winch) ALSO includes one hour of ground instruction

A person with a groupon coupon pays slightly more than someone who just shows up because groupon customers get a ride AND one hour of ground instruction.  They are supposed to call me for an appointment.

However, some people just show up.  You can give them a ride and ground instruction, if we have time, or tell them to call me to set up an appointment.  Not: some people will show up and waive the one hour of ground instruction- then just give them a ride.

Most importantly, we only get paid when we redeem their coupon.  This is done two ways.  You can do in on their phone, or I can manually do it on the Groupon merchant’s web site.  To be sure we get paid, please send me an e-mail with the person’s name and coupon number so I can double check that we are paid for the ride.

My cell is 773 203 5712.

Art Silverman

 

[Anonymous]

Hello:
Sorry I could not make it to the meeting today.
I have a few Groupon and other questions:
How much money do we make on each Groupon customer?
Is it about $60?  Groupon keeps about 50%?
If so, for each SkySoaring member that goes inactive we need 16 Groupon flights to BREAK EVEN for that member’s loss.  If 2 members go inactive we need 32 flights…  At times it appears that Day members and Groupon flights displace Skysoaring members from flying.  
Is it worth it to do Groupon under that cash flow scenario?  Is the the extra potential liability worth it?  
Also, during the past 4 years I have seen many members and junior members leave.  Do we have an exit survey to see why they are leaving?  What are we doing wrong?
Have any of the junior members obtained a certificate of any type this year or last year?  Have any even received a student certificate which is free and has no requirements other than asking for it?  Have any completed ground school?  (Groupon comes with ground instruction – how many have logged that?)  Is there a printed syllabus for the Groupon ground school or for the junior members?  Do we have a syllabus for brand new students and for glider add on?  I have never seen any…
How many student members call for a flight briefing before flying? How many regular members do that?  Or, use an FAA accepted and logged flight briefing app?
I know these questions may seem hard hitting – they are not intended to criticize anyone – but we need to watch our cash flow and exposure to liability.  The club needs to put the interests of its members first.  
I look forward to some written replies regarding these questions.
Thanks.
Regards,
Rich 

[Art Silverman]

I have handled the Groupon customers (on and off) for many years.  I have always arranged to fly them early in the morning so they do NOT interfere with member flights!

I have never heard or a member going inactive because of a groupon flight.
I think it would be a good idea to ask our new members why the did not renew their membership.

—–Original Message—–
From: Sky Soaring <webmaster@skysoaring.com>
To: Arthurttu

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