Old Guy with Tekton Gripe!

[John in OH]

So, I do email and text messages. No Twitter, no Facebook, nothing else.

But, Tekton sets up these tool promotions such as the one currently occurring:

"RT and follow us in the next 24 hrs for a chance to win about $80 worth of TEKTON pliers. We'll randomly select one winner. #giveaway"

that require I sign up for a Twitter account or Facebook etc. I have no desire for a Twitter or a Facebook account and have no intention on getting one. And, I have no idea what, "RT and follow us ..." even means!!

My gripe and suggestion to Tekton is to make the promotions etc. more broadly available to those of us that don't want all the "social media" ****! I couldn't even find an email address on Tekton's website to make this suggestion so I'm resorting to posting this gripe on GJ!

If Tekton wants to get a better market share and promote their products, then make an effort to get to us old codgers that aren't interested in all this twitter/facebook stuff!!

Comments, Dave.R??

 

[6MocoA]

"Old codgers" arent part of Tekton target market.

I too shy away from Twitter, FB, and most social media, but I dont see any reason a company should change its marketing approach to satisfy a small sliver of the market.

Besides, I could care less about Tekton's giveaways. As long as they keep producing low cost tools with relatively high quality and keep it easily available for purchase online, they can do giveaways in fortune cookies for all I care.

 

[6MocoA]

And this isnt a 'Hot Deal'.

Maybe if you were more tech savvy, this post wouldve gone in the correct forum. But you did sucker me into posting, so you got that.

 

[jlh92]

If he's 'hot'-headed about a 'deal' then maybe he meant to post here.

 

[ChevyEFI]

Many promotions lack a home website option to sign up for the promotion and it's just via social media.

But as far as entering a contest for $80, I'm not going to bother. YMMV.

And FWIW, I don't love Facebook, but it keeps you in touch with family better than what you're doing now.

 

[Fordman7795]

I cant decipher twitter language so I dont do it. On another forum I am on its common to post twitter messages. "Fresh news from @AngrybirdfromGA concerning #WTHdoesthismean!! Stay tuned @Noonecares"

How does anyone read anything like that?

 

[Spn1025]

I take it this is something you got in an email? I don't see any promotions on their website www.tektontools.com

Although they do mention Amazon's $10 off $45 Tekton deal on their facebook page.

 

[LB-1911]

I couldn't even find an email address on Tekton's website to make this suggestion so I'm resorting to posting this gripe on GJ!

Contact Information

Customer service is an important part of our business, and we try our best to make sure every customer is satisfied. If you have any problems, questions, or concerns, you may contact us at [email protected] or at 888-648-3371.

http://www.tektontools.com/privacy.php

 

[CJM8515]

I sorta agree, I dont like twitter or FB (cant understand how to use them properly, specially twitter). But they arent gonna change it just for a small slice of the pie so to speak. Social media is here to stay..

Its actually abnormal I dont have a FB or twitter and Im 29..

 

[John in OH]

And this isnt a 'Hot Deal'.

Maybe if you were more tech savvy, this post would've gone in the correct forum. But you did sucker me into posting, so you got that.

That's just my point .... I'm NOT tech savvy!!

And, I did toy around with posting this on the General Tool Discussion forum, but that seemed like an even less appropriate location. I'm not sure what the "best" forum would be, but this is the one I selected ... right or wrong!

If he's 'hot'-headed about a 'deal' then maybe he meant to post here.

Nah. Not hot-headed, just a little peeved as this isn't the first time I've run into a promotion that was limited to Twitter or Facebook. Just happened to be Tekton's promotion today that pushed me enough to post a comment.

I take it this is something you got in an email? I don't see any promotions on their website www.tektontools.com

Although they do mention Amazon's $10 off $45 Tekton deal on their facebook page.

Yeah, received via email today:

http://us7.campaign-archive1.com/?u=102b4485760b09c4ebd62867b&id=de24a288ff&e=371a398a1d

That's another reason I was kind of annoyed. Tekton sends out the promotion announcement via email then there is no way to participate via email!!

Contact Information

Customer service is an important part of our business, and we try our best to make sure every customer is satisfied. If you have any problems, questions, or concerns, you may contact us at [email protected] or at 888-648-3371.

http://www.tektontools.com/privacy.php

So noted. But, come on, you want customer satisfaction, but then you bury your email contact info down in the fifth paragraph of your "Privacy Policy" text??? Who's gonna look there for an email address???

Compare that to the fact that you have Twitter, Facebook and several other hot-link icons at the bottom of your home page!

 

[Spn1025]

RT = retweet, I think.. lol

During our last major power-outage, I made a Twitter account (on my cell) so I could follow PSNH (our power-supply company) as they were giving updates.

The next day, I played around on Twitter and found it to be complete garbage.

The day after that, I got about 10 emails saying "unsuccessful login attempt", meaning someone was trying to hack into my account.

I cancelled the account after that.. useless.

 

[Dave.R]

John,

Our website has the email on our support page, you can reply to the promotional email, and mine is [email protected].

I have done a few giveaways here in the past that were Garage Journal exclusive. Though the reach is much smaller on here, I felt it was important to the community here.

There is nothing that excludes you from the giveaway, you just have to have a social media account. If that is something you don't want to do, there isn't much to be done.

I will be sure to let you know when we do the next Garage Journal giveaway.

Dave

 

[Strouty]

John,

They do not want you. If you can't repost or post it does them no good. They just want the advertising and exposure. That is why they "give away" something. All these people are just mindlessly advertising for them, for free.

 

[CobraChevelle]

This is how the word is going. Either go along with it or don't. There are peoploe out there still trying to figure out how to use a mouse!!

they don't care about the 1% you are in.

Remember the days of sending invites throught the mail. Most of the invites I get are on facebook now.

 

[ishiboo]

So, I do email and text messages. No Twitter, no Facebook, nothing else.

But, Tekton sets up these tool promotions such as the one currently occurring:

"RT and follow us in the next 24 hrs for a chance to win about $80 worth of TEKTON pliers. We'll randomly select one winner. #giveaway"

that require I sign up for a Twitter account or Facebook etc. I have no desire for a Twitter or a Facebook account and have no intention on getting one. And, I have no idea what, "RT and follow us ..." even means!!

My gripe and suggestion to Tekton is to make the promotions etc. more broadly available to those of us that don't want all the "social media" ****! I couldn't even find an email address on Tekton's website to make this suggestion so I'm resorting to posting this gripe on GJ!

If Tekton wants to get a better market share and promote their products, then make an effort to get to us old codgers that aren't interested in all this twitter/facebook stuff!!

Comments, Dave.R??

A social media giveaway is using their money to essentially buy advertising on social media. If you don't want to be on social media, the promotion does them no good. Just like stuff where you have to stop in to a store - places know some people shop only online, that doesn't get them into the store to shop and buy stuff.

If you're too lazy to "join social media" for the promotion, you don't really want/need it that bad. And you're not the target of the promotion.

 

[HomeDepotRob]

I was at Office Depot the other day at the checkout line. The person in front of me was a senior citizen. After the senior paid for her purchase, the cashier asked if she wanted her receipt emailed to her. The senior replied: "what's a email?"

True story.

 

[ishiboo]

John,

Our website has the email on our support page, you can reply to the promotional email, and mine is [email protected].

I have done a few giveaways here in the past that were Garage Journal exclusive. Though the reach is much smaller on here, I felt it was important to the community here.

There is nothing that excludes you from the giveaway, you just have to have a social media account. If that is something you don't want to do, there isn't much to be done.

I will be sure to let you know when we do the next Garage Journal giveaway.

Dave

Great response Dave

 

[ishiboo]

I was at Office Depot the other day at the checkout line. The person in front of me was a senior citizen. After the senior paid for her purchase, the cashier asked if she wanted her receipt emailed to her. The senior replied: "what's a email?"

True story.

Moral of the story is she used "a" instead of "an", right?

 

[danny_barkley]

So, I do email and text messages. No Twitter, no Facebook, nothing else.

But, Tekton sets up these tool promotions such as the one currently occurring:

"RT and follow us in the next 24 hrs for a chance to win about $80 worth of TEKTON pliers. We'll randomly select one winner. #giveaway"

that require I sign up for a Twitter account or Facebook etc. I have no desire for a Twitter or a Facebook account and have no intention on getting one. And, I have no idea what, "RT and follow us ..." even means!!

My gripe and suggestion to Tekton is to make the promotions etc. more broadly available to those of us that don't want all the "social media" ****! I couldn't even find an email address on Tekton's website to make this suggestion so I'm resorting to posting this gripe on GJ!

If Tekton wants to get a better market share and promote their products, then make an effort to get to us old codgers that aren't interested in all this twitter/facebook stuff!!

Comments, Dave.R??

Let me 'splain this to you.

Tekton is not trying to give away free tools here, maybe a little bit of their interest is word of mouth, but not much.

They are mainly saying, if you agree to participate in our viral marketing program and become a "Viral Marketing Associate" henceforh known as a VMA, we'll give you a slim chance to win some tools.

So if you're not willing or able to be a VMA you're not going to be able to participate. It's kinda like Amway, Tupperware, or Mary Kay where you bug the **** out of your friends to receive an award of some type.

 

[Strouty]

Do you guys need extra shelves to put all your face books?

 

[joeyd6]

Keep in mind its cost them much more to do this than many think. It is not free advertising for them at all. Facebook makes commercial businesses pay for their accounts, and then pay for their posts to show up in your feed. Twitter also charges them. It costs them money to do such.

If somebody can figure out how to post here, they can figure out how to Google a basic instructions site for Twitter and Facebook. The nursing homes are putting Wi-Fi in for residents. Every Sunday my church visits and I am watching 80+ year old folks use Ipads to e-mail, Facetime/Skype, watch old stuff on Hulu and use Twitter and Facebook.

Social media is here to stay and a billion dollar industry. Online is everything. The masses are on it. Paper book publishers are closing down, newspapers are closing down and even auto manufacturers dealers are not printing material like they used to, you get a CD/DVD when you buy an Acura, no paper manual any more! Walk into a dealer and ask for the color multi page brochure for a specific model- you will be surprised how long it takes for them to find them in back, if they even have them! Everything is online, and being online is everything!

When one resist change, they get left behind and lose opportunities!

 

[Tellingthem]

Dont like the rules dont enter the contest. Simple as that. They are giving stuff away for free. You would think people would appreciate that regardless. Do the kids on hipstergram whine when there are gj specific contests?

 

[volleyball]

I think he wants a giveaway promo that is just emailed to him. No one else. Heck I'd like that too but it doesn't do much for the company.
I am surprised that the OP didn't ask for the promo to be advertised in his local newspaper.

 

[organ]

John,

Our website has the email on our support page, you can reply to the promotional email, and mine is [email protected].

I have done a few giveaways here in the past that were Garage Journal exclusive. Though the reach is much smaller on here, I felt it was important to the community here.

There is nothing that excludes you from the giveaway, you just have to have a social media account. If that is something you don't want to do, there isn't much to be done.

I will be sure to let you know when we do the next Garage Journal giveaway.

Dave

No... you should totally cater to the thread starter's individual needs... are you an anti-Luddite or something?

 

[03protege]

The whole point of the giveaway is to get people to spread the tekton word via social media. If you can't provide advertising for them why would they give you anything?

Its like expecting a paycheck without ever going to work.

 

[reader2580]

I am a huge advocate of the Internet and spend way too much time online. However, I refuse to sign up for Facebook or Twitter for various reasons. I hate it when promotions require one to have a Twitter or Facebook account. If a company can put a coupon on Facebook why can't they put on their website too?

I'm probably a little older than the ideal customer companies want today, but I was in the ideal age range when companies first started using Facebook heavily.

 

[John in OH]

Boy, you guys are a tough crowd!!

........
If somebody can figure out how to post here, they can figure out how to Google a basic instructions site for Twitter and Facebook. The nursing homes are putting Wi-Fi in for residents. Every Sunday my church visits and I am watching 80+ year old folks use Ipads to e-mail, Facetime/Skype, watch old stuff on Hulu and use Twitter and Facebook.

Social media is here to stay and a billion dollar industry. Online is everything. The masses are on it. Paper book publishers are closing down, newspapers are closing down and even auto manufacturers dealers are not printing material like they used to, you get a CD/DVD when you buy an Acura, no paper manual any more! Walk into a dealer and ask for the color multi page brochure for a specific model- you will be surprised how long it takes for them to find them in back, if they even have them! Everything is online, and being online is everything!

When one resist change, they get left behind and lose opportunities!

Whoa!! Who said I was resistant to change?? I’m quite capable of setting up a Twitter or Facebook account …. if I should so wish. I do probably 80% of my shopping on-line, have no problem managing most of my life digitally ... taxes, insurance, banking, bill paying, investments, research, correspondence, movies, etc. I'm a total fan of the internet.

The point of this thread is NOT to discuss the pros and cons of Twitter and Facebook (Although, I personally choose not to have these accounts, in part, because they pander to a streak of human narcissism that I find unattractive and demeaning) or the value of the internet.

Dont like the rules dont enter the contest. Simple as that. They are giving stuff away for free. You would think people would appreciate that regardless. Do the kids on hipstergram whine when there are gj specific contests?

And, that is exactly what I did ... I chose not to participate by not creating a social media account. You think I should "appreciate" them for a give-away?? No way. They are doing this entirely for their own benefit.

I'm not whining about the promotion and it's no loss to me since I don’t really care that much for Tekton tools (except for their US made pliers) .... it's the "principle" of the whole affair that annoys me.

I think he wants a giveaway promo that is just emailed to him. No one else. Heck I'd like that too but it doesn't do much for the company.
I am surprised that the OP didn't ask for the promo to be advertised in his local newspaper.

Not sure where you are going with these comments. If you refer to my second post above you'll see where I note they did their solicitation to me via email and I included a link to the promotion site for anyone here on GJ that may be interested in participating.

Actually, this is my whole point and gripe with Tekton’s promotion …. they were willing to SOLICIT me via email. But, then won't let me PARTICIPATE via email. Instead, they insist that if I wish to participate, I must join a social media site. No thanks! If I can't participate via email, why solicit me via email?? Solicit only via Twitter or Facebook and leave me and my email account alone.

And what's wrong with good old fashioned newspaper advertising?????

I am a huge advocate of the Internet and spend way too much time online. However, I refuse to sign up for Facebook or Twitter for various reasons. I hate it when promotions require one to have a Twitter or Facebook account. If a company can put a coupon on Facebook why can't they put on their website too?

I'm probably a little older than the ideal customer companies want today, but I was in the ideal age range when companies first started using Facebook heavily.

Bingo!! I totally concur!!

Incidentally, I have “unsubscribed ” to the Tekton email notification program so this issue is solved.

 

[PFSard]

Boy, you guys are a tough crowd!!

Nice response to the the various comments.

I have been using PCs since 1984. I've programmed them for over ten years. But I haven't found any reason to use social media sites.

 

[danny_barkley]

You think I should "appreciate" them for a give-away?? No way. They are doing this entirely for their own benefit.

DOH!

That's what all promotions are for. Every single freaking one of them.

You mean you thought there was a bunch of Johhny Appleseeds out there who just wanted to supply the masses with free tools as part of a celestial altruism?

I certainly understand why you wouldn't do it, I don't do the Twitter, Facebook BS unless it's a really attractive offer.

I just don't get the kvetching and the non-comprehension of the mission of the Tekton(insert vendor name here) folks.

 

[Dave.R]

Just to be clear. Any promo that goes out someone had to opt into. This isn't a case where you have to remember to click "Do not send", you have to willingly click that you want promotional emails.

These promo emails are requested by the user.

Some giveaways are to build buzz, that is clear to see.

The few times that we've ran a GJ giveaway was because I like the community and understand that not everyone has social media. Also so that I know a genuine tool enthusiast will end up with some stuff to check out. And while I may share social media contests with you guys, we do not share GJ contests to the social media pages.

I'm not here to market or sell, that isn't my role. I'm here to enjoy the board and answer questions along the way.


Dave
[email protected]

 

[Spn1025]

It's nice to hear that a company's promotional email distribution list is opt-in only, rather than those companies who spam you **** from email lists bought from 3rd party marketing banks.

 

[Parrothead]

Times, they are a changin'

 

[Hootbro]

The ability to enter or not enter a giveaway should not hinge if you are going to be a TEKTON customer or not. You either are buying the product because you like what it brings to you or you were never going to be a customer to begin with regardless of the promotion.

It is no different when I hear about tool truck promotions I miss out on because I am not at a regular tool truck stop. I just do not get all bent because they do not bend their policy to accommodate me.

 

[ncfh]

I too don't use social media, and I too am annoyed when vendors email me "great new offer, look look!!!"

But rather than lead me to their online place of commerce, they link to Facebook or some other social media nonsense for pertinent details or redemption of the deal

No thanks. Marketing was half successful, I looked, but then balked.

So it seems like there is quite a subset of the market that refuses to engage in social media period. Not just "old guys."

I think the novelty of centralized social media is already wearing thin, and we will see a return to distributed systems wherethe individual has full control over their content and its distribution rather than rely on a corporate repository, one size fits all approach.

Soon enough it will be "uncool" to be a Facebook lemming, just wait and see...

 

[MagnumForce]

I too don't use social media, and I too am annoyed when vendors email me "great new offer, look look!!!"

But rather than lead me to their online place of commerce, they link to Facebook or some other social media nonsense for pertinent details or redemption of the deal

No thanks. Marketing was half successful, I looked, but then balked.

So it seems like there is quite a subset of the market that refuses to engage in social media period. Not just "old guys."

I think the novelty of centralized social media is already wearing thin, and we will see a return to distributed systems wherethe individual has full control over their content and its distribution rather than rely on a corporate repository, one size fits all approach.

Soon enough it will be "uncool" to be a Facebook lemming, just wait and see...

Did people complain about the telephone like this?

Social Media is going nowhere, in fact it will become more important. Just saying "It's already wearing thin and on the way out" is just silly.

 

[PeterT]

I too don't use social media, and I too am annoyed when vendors email me "great new offer, look look!!!"

But rather than lead me to their online place of commerce, they link to Facebook or some other social media nonsense for pertinent details or redemption of the deal

No thanks. Marketing was half successful, I looked, but then balked.

So it seems like there is quite a subset of the market that refuses to engage in social media period. Not just "old guys."

I think the novelty of centralized social media is already wearing thin, and we will see a return to distributed systems wherethe individual has full control over their content and its distribution rather than rely on a corporate repository, one size fits all approach.

Soon enough it will be "uncool" to be a Facebook lemming, just wait and see...

I agree, social media is a flying fad. People will be asking in 5 years, what was that?

 

[bobbycos]

#nofacebookforme

@notwittereither

#nomyspacetoo


just buy from the net in the places I want to and thats that

 

[cat06]

A social media giveaway is using their money to essentially buy advertising on social media. If you don't want to be on social media, the promotion does them no good. Just like stuff where you have to stop in to a store - places know some people shop only online, that doesn't get them into the store to shop and buy stuff.

If you're too lazy to "join social media" for the promotion, you don't really want/need it that bad. And you're not the target of the promotion.

most of the time it's not "lazy" it's privacy and not having your information stolen. Don't say it never happens and there's little chance......... because it is happening all the time

 

[Doohickey]

Isn't the GJ community basically social media?

I'll have to ask Beatrice about it.

 

[MagnumForce]

It is totally social media. My wife is the Web marketing coordinator for a small Midwestern University, 75% of their marketing is social media based. It is all the current generation of young adults know. It is going NOWHERE. Get used to it, ludites.