|
Originally Posted by oliver2002
(Post 21337382)
The exact same bag retails for aprox 420$ in europe. By the LH Worldshop version and replace the LH logo with an icon of choice and you have the same bag with the option to donate the 200$ to your personal favourite charity.
And my absolute favorite charity is...my wallet! :D |
I had this to say on the subject. And yes it was weird to receive that email. It's just plain weird to have a luggage company involved in this period!
-------- Hey do you want some luggage for $590? It has the Star Mega Do logo on it! You can show off with it, you be the cool cat in the block. Oh, and you know what? $200 will be sent from Rimowa back to Milepoint Cares! How about this? You make me a deal on the luggage, the lower the price the more I myself donate to Milepoint Cares so I can reduce my taxes even further (in addition to the red I am running with my TBB LLC venture!). Call me..maybe. I must admit I had never heard of this company before! I have a Travel Pro carry on but the darn wheel keeps making a noise that drives me nuts! Still, I will never even think of spending close to $600 for a luggage! Can’t wait for the next exclusive product? Hot nuts for all :-) |
Originally Posted by gpapadop
(Post 21337748)
I had this to say on the subject. And yes it was weird to receive that email. It's just plain weird to have a luggage company involved in this period!
-------- Hey do you want some luggage for $590? It has the Star Mega Do logo on it! You can show off with it, you be the cool cat in the block. Oh, and you know what? $200 will be sent from Rimowa back to Milepoint Cares! How about this? You make me a deal on the luggage, the lower the price the more I myself donate to Milepoint Cares so I can reduce my taxes even further (in addition to the red I am running with my TBB LLC venture!). Call me..maybe. I must admit I had never heard of this company before! I have a Travel Pro carry on but the darn wheel keeps making a noise that drives me nuts! Still, I will never even think of spending close to $600 for a luggage! Can’t wait for the next exclusive product? Hot nuts for all :-) But that's just what I surmised from reading the MilePoint thread and clicking through the bag offer website. I could be wrong on some of those details. And I am sure someone will point out to me that the details behind this offer are none of my business so I should ether just buy a bag or shut up about it. :D |
Originally Posted by kokonutz
(Post 21338742)
I freely admit that I don't quite understand the arrangement. But apparently the order goes to one of the House of Miles (HoM) businesses, which apparently has a drop-shipping arrangement with Rimowa Canada and US to produce and deliver the bag. Apparently a $200 'discount' was achieved due to the potential bulk order, but Rimowa balked at HoM selling the bag for less than MSRP. So instead of applying a direct customer discount that $200 discount is being rebated back to the charity arm of the HoM. But all SMD5 participants will benefit because apparently this scheme to raise charity money will replace the repeated 'in your face' charity fundraising that has historically taken place during SMD flights and events.
But that's just what I surmised from reading the MilePoint thread and clicking through the bag offer website. I could be wrong on some of those details. And I am sure someone will point out to me that the details behind this offer are none of my business so I should ether just buy a bag or shut up about it. :D If you'd like to buy a bag, please do. I'm getting one as my wife claimed the Briggs & Riley bag I won from one of the bloggers so I'm still in the market for a nice carry-on. If you don't have an interest, that's fine. It's an expensive bag and many people either can't afford such a bag, or if they can, they already have one. Either way, I don't begrudge you or anyone else speaking their mind on the Do, the bag or life in general. If there is something that you think I should do better, I'm all ears. |
Originally Posted by rehoult
(Post 21339023)
I'd say that's a fair summation of the situation.
Meh. I'm assisting in SMD5 because I was on SMD3 and became friends with a bunch of people in this world. OTOH, my posting is still 98% FT as it's where I started and because the MP Air Canada forum is just not developed enough yet for it to be an enjoyable experience (at least for me). I'm well aware of the animosity between the various participants in the FFer world, but I just don't have enough time in the day to care about it. If you'd like to buy a bag, please do. I'm getting one as my wife claimed the Briggs & Riley bag I won from one of the bloggers so I'm still in the market for a nice carry-on. If you don't have an interest, that's fine. It's an expensive bag and many people either can't afford such a bag, or if they can, they already have one. Either way, I don't begrudge you or anyone else speaking their mind on the Do, the bag or life in general. If there is something that you think I should do better, I'm all ears. I too have heard a lot of the talk about some of the animosity the MEGADO has generated among its founders, partners and former partners, etc. But I'm still a big supporter of the MegaDos even though I have never been on one...I'm just waiting for what I consider a decent value proposition to come along for one, so I really don't want them to go away before that happens. So I hope that volunteers like you will help Randy and Tommy and whoever else is really running this business these days see that the current MegaDo business model is a bit spent. And this version in particular feels very slapped-together to me. IMHO, a little more time and effort ought to go in up front to come up with more compelling activities and destinations than a freaking luggage factory tour. That said, it's just a business (all this non-profit/charity stuff notwithstanding). Either they can make it profitable and it will survive or they can't and it won't. BTW, I do hope you are getting some benefit (financial or otherwise) for your hard work. You and the others who have pitched in since the original plans started falling apart certainly have earned it! ^ |
Originally Posted by gpapadop
(Post 21337748)
I had this to say on the subject. And yes it was weird to receive that email. It's just plain weird to have a luggage company involved in this period!
-------- Hey do you want some luggage for $590? It has the Star Mega Do logo on it! You can show off with it, you be the cool cat in the block. Oh, and you know what? $200 will be sent from Rimowa back to Milepoint Cares! How about this? You make me a deal on the luggage, the lower the price the more I myself donate to Milepoint Cares so I can reduce my taxes even further (in addition to the red I am running with my TBB LLC venture!). Call me..maybe. I must admit I had never heard of this company before! I have a Travel Pro carry on but the darn wheel keeps making a noise that drives me nuts! Still, I will never even think of spending close to $600 for a luggage! Can’t wait for the next exclusive product? Hot nuts for all :-) I'd not spend anywhere close to $600 on luggage, even if I were a billionaire. I've had great luck with some bags from ebay and overstock-type stores. My current rollaboard is some no-name slightly used piece that I got for $20 from ebay. The thing is a bit shorter than standard which makes it very useful, and is solid as a rock inside and out. Wish I could find a name on it to track down another one. Anyway I don't care for the charity donation angle thrown into it. Just feels gratuitous and why should I finance a company's charitable write-offs. I don't know, just weird. |
Most major DOs are annual events.
Ozfest London SIN BRT Once a year is a draw. Once a month isn't. The frequency of the MP MegaDo is not the way to proceed. It's not special if it's frequent. @:-) dh |
You forgot Austin, the original Megado ;)
Even our Guru seems a bit confused... http://easycaptures.com/fs/uploaded/739/2613927930.pngView Screen Capture AFAIK SMD1 was in Nov 2009 :confused: |
Originally Posted by dhammer53
(Post 21341377)
Most major DOs are annual events.
Ozfest London SIN BRT Once a year is a draw. Once a month isn't. The frequency of the MP MegaDo is not the way to proceed. It's not special if it's frequent. @:-) dh Having said that, it's clearly not that simple. Having Nordic & SMD so close together is definitely having an impact as many 'frequent' participants choose one or the other. OTOH, if we announced a SkyTeamDo, we'd probably see huge pickup even if it was in November, as the pent up demand from Delta flyers would more than make up for some past MD attendees not going on it. Finding the ideal number of events and the ideal mix of alliances/airlines/sponsors is difficult, but with each event we get better at it. Will we hold back-to-back events again? No, probably not. Can the community support more than one MD per year? Seems like yes. Can it support five? No. Where does the perfect balance lie? Still don't know. Maybe 2 events per year? That could mean a cycle of the 3 alliances and a non-alliance MD once every two years. But does each alliance have the same attraction rate, and are the airlines within each alliance as willing to host? Maybe, maybe not. Many variables to consider. There are 100s of questions to consider on this and arguably more than one right answer. But we're still getting there. |
As I said before, I would not think about frequency nearly so much as quality if I were running this business.
Actually give me that (ultimately false) promise of a Brazilian waterfall fly-by and I am in almost regardless of price. Give me a tour of a factory in an industrial park and you'd need to pay me to get me to participate. Just my free advice. Take it for what it's worth. :) |
Originally Posted by kokonutz
(Post 21347006)
As I said before, I would not think about frequency nearly so much as quality if I were running this business.
Actually give me that (ultimately false) promise of a Brazilian waterfall fly-by and I am in almost regardless of price. Give me a tour of a factory in an industrial park and you'd need to pay me to get me to participate. Just my free advice. Take it for what it's worth. :) |
Originally Posted by kokonutz
(Post 21347006)
As I said before, I would not think about frequency nearly so much as quality if I were running this business.
Actually give me that (ultimately false) promise of a Brazilian waterfall fly-by and I am in almost regardless of price. Give me a tour of a factory in an industrial park and you'd need to pay me to get me to participate. Just my free advice. Take it for what it's worth. :) |
If you are not interested in buying a seat in English, perhaps buying one in Norwegian appeals to you: http://translate.google.com/translat...a%26t%3D120111
Can't hurt to try, I suppose. |
Originally Posted by rehoult
Unless you want my shoe so far up your ... you're chewing leather you better NOT call. Beyond that, what exactly do you expect a frontline call centre employee to know that isn't posted here?
I can forgive new participants for their eagerness, but you've got enough experience to know we'll get you the answers as quick as we can. The upgrades seem to be coming along, but between NordicDo and some vacations we're at capacity this week. We will get back to you, and the rest of the group, as soon as we have clarification. In the meantime, have a drink or 9. |
Originally Posted by kokonutz
(Post 21392996)
As George Takei would say, oh myyy.
|
Originally Posted by rehoult
(Post 21396279)
:) Glad I could make you smile.
Well played, sir! Well played. |
Originally Posted by kokonutz
(Post 21312345)
Very little movement in the last couple weeks:
http://i745.photobucket.com/albums/x...psff37b8ae.png 1 sold in Tommy and 2 in E-. But should even that slow pace keep up, it should be sold out by mid-October. http://i745.photobucket.com/albums/x...ps36a5e69c.png |
koko,
Maybe it will go MX. :p dh |
Originally Posted by dhammer53
(Post 21436158)
koko,
Maybe it will go MX. :p dh Then again, if he was, those seats would have cost $5 yesterday! |
Originally Posted by SkiAdcock
(Post 21243197)
A bit of apples to oranges. There's a big dif btwn paying $100 for a weekend seminar & taking time off during the week & increased cost of a SMD. Cheers.
After a while one gets a lot of been there done that feeling. After the 100th Bz class award booked, there is no great feeling in hearing the same thing from most presenters, but it is always fun to meet people. I went to Chicago in 2010, prepared slides for talk 2011, went in 2012 to give a talk and now just do not have time. FTU here in DC was doable as it was a weekend and no travel. The next DO is the AA/US at the Justice Dept Grounds as far as I am concerned. |
Several days ago, Darius at MMS offered a free seat to one of his blog readers.
My question - do you think SMD offered Darius the free seat (or a discounted seat) in exchange for the plug? dh |
Nope, MMS is a 'sponsor', so its one of his benefits of the palladium sponsorship package ;)
|
Three weeks or so to lift-off and here is the load:
http://content.screencast.com/users/...09-30_1133.png |
Looks like some sponsors are picking up some slack. If you don't want to pay for one of the empty seats, how does one paid for by someone else sound to ya:
On the Star MegaDO5 this year, we'll be joined by the founders of Rocketmiles, a hotel booking website that offers an average of 7,000 airlinemiles or points per stay on premium hotels all over the world. To celebrate Oktoberfest (yes, they like beer), they decided to buy an extra ticket and give it away to a lucky Milepoint member who signs up for their service using this link. In addition, they launched a hefty 2-day Oktoberfest promotion this morning, where every hotel stay in October will earn DOUBLE MILES. SO, enter to win the MegaDO seat, and take advantage of the Oktoberfest promotion now. |
Tell me... what is it with the continued interest in the struggles to fill the charter?
Schadenfreude ? |
Shatnerfreud? Is that the psychiatrist for the captain of the Enterprise?!
My interest in the load is the same as my interest in this event, the blogs and the other external points and miles resources: watching and discussing as these products evolve and get monetized. Talking about the good, the bad and the ugly and how and why it is that way. |
Originally Posted by kokonutz
(Post 21558693)
Shatnerfreud? Is that the psychiatrist for the captain of the Enterprise?!
My interest in the load is the same as my interest in this event, the blogs and the other external points and miles resources: watching and discussing as these products evolve and get monetized. Talking about the good, the bad and the ugly and how and why it is that way. |
Originally Posted by rehoult
SMD5 Update
1) Vegetarians If you are a vegetarian, vegan or other non-meat-eating individual, please send me a PM. We are in the final stages of planning the catering for the flights and want to ensure we load enough vegetarian meals. 2) Last Chance to Book Due to the international nature of this flight, we have a hard deadline of October 18 to finalize the flight manifest. If you have any friends or family who have been sitting on the fence, now is the time to get them to book. Bookings will close at 17:00 PDT on October 18, 2013. 3) Upgrade Opportunities Available As should be obvious to anyone following along at home, SMD5 is not sold out. As all the remaining seats in Economy Class are middle seats, we are offering the ability to guarantee a blocked middle seat for $300 per person in Economy. There are presently 8 seats available to be blocked, meaning up the upgrade opportunity is available to 16 individuals. These will be offered on a first come, first served basis, so please send me a PM if you are interested in this upgrade. Please include your name, current seat (if known) and email address (for billing purposes) in your message to me. In addition to the seat blocking, we do also have one window seat remaining in Tommy Class. Please PM me if you are interested in upgrading to Tommy Class. Seat Blocking Upgrade FAQs Isn’t this just like Tommy Class? While similar to Tommy Class, these seats will not be in the E+ section of the plane and therefore will only have 31” pitch. They will also be spread through the Economy section, so purchase will not result in you being reseated at the front of Economy. Do I get extra miles for purchasing this upgrade? No. But E+ gets extra miles (or similar whining)! Still no. I’m presently booked in a middle seat, can I request an upgrade? Yes! This upgrade is available to anyone currently booked in Economy class I’m presently booked in Economy, will this offer result in my seat assignment changing? Possibly. Based on who does or does not request an upgrade, combined with any additional bookings that occur prior the 18th, changes to the present seating arrangements will definitely need to be made. Such changes may or may not impact your particular seat assignment. I’m presently booked in a window/aisle seat, if I don’t request an upgrade will I be seating in a middle seat? Unlikely. Based on the current bookings, plus seats reserved for sponsors and media, we do not expect to have to reseat any one into a middle seat against their will. However, in the interest of complete transparency, I will note that it is theoretically possible that we would have to assign middle seats to individual who originally booked aisle or window seats. Please know that the organizers will do everything we can to avoid such reseating unless absolutely necessary. a) pay $300 for a guaranteed empty middle seat or b) not pay $300 and likely end up with an empty middle seat anyway BUT...if someone buys out of a middle seat to a guaranteed empty middle, someone else might be involuntarily moved from a window/aisle to a middle. |
Originally Posted by kokonutz
(Post 21591081)
BUT...if someone buys out of a middle seat to a guaranteed empty middle, someone else might be involuntarily moved from a window/aisle to a middle.
|
Two days to go before bookings close...last call!
http://content.screencast.com/users/...10-16_1246.png That said, if anyone is seriously considering buying a ticket, check out the MP thread first. At least a couple of MPers are trying to sell their tickets as they cannot attend due to last minute conflits! |
Originally Posted by kokonutz
(Post 21617527)
Two days to go before bookings close...last call!
http://content.screencast.com/users/...10-16_1246.png That said, if anyone is seriously considering buying a ticket, check out the MP thread first. At least a couple of MPers are trying to sell their tickets as they cannot attend due to last minute conflits! Kinda like the guys that got to enjoy MegaDO's without $2000 Platinum memberships |
Originally Posted by kokonutz
(Post 21617527)
That said, if anyone is seriously considering buying a ticket, check out the MP thread first. At least a couple of MPers are trying to sell their tickets as they cannot attend due to last minute conflits!
|
Originally Posted by hobo13
(Post 21635830)
Are you saying I'm going to have trouble scalping the 10 seats I bought.....
So no, I'd say you are going to take a bath on your scalping scheme. :( Meanwhile, some enhancements have been made the schedule, for those of us following along from home:
The Rimowa day seems unchanged, though. ^ |
Originally Posted by kokonutz
(Post 21648488)
Well there is an F seat being bid on. And the high bid is currently $350: http://milepoint.com/forums/threads/...auction.73011/
So no, I'd say you are going to take a bath on your scalping scheme. :( Meanwhile, some enhancements have been made the schedule, for those of us following along from home:
The Rimowa day seems unchanged, though. ^ wow, i popped over to the MP thread to check out the changes, and I am pretty suprised. I had considered going since its pretty close to my home base (BUF), i would have been BEYOND upset if they removed the two best parts of the trip and replaced them with some uninspiring other programs. The behind the scenes hotel program (which apperently involves working various hotel jobs like the front desk and housekeeping) doesn't interest me in the least. I'd be pretty angry to have dropped $2k+ for the opportunity to help clean a hotel room. |
Originally Posted by freeloader
(Post 21654052)
wow, i popped over to the MP thread to check out the changes, and I am pretty suprised. I had considered going since its pretty close to my home base (BUF), i would have been BEYOND upset if they removed the two best parts of the trip and replaced them with some uninspiring other programs. The behind the scenes hotel program (which apperently involves working various hotel jobs like the front desk and housekeeping) doesn't interest me in the least. I'd be pretty angry to have dropped $2k+ for the opportunity to help clean a hotel room.
In fact, they are at Rimowa right now as I type this! I can't wait to hear about the once in a lifetime experience of watching overpriced luggage being made! ^ Sadly no live blogging from the factory tour yet. |
Originally Posted by kokonutz
(Post 21654884)
The first rule of MEGADOs is that everything is subject to change. Except Rimowa.
In fact, they are at Rimowa right now as I type this! I can't wait to hear about the once in a lifetime experience of watching overpriced luggage being made! ^ Sadly no live blogging from the factory tour yet. |
Originally Posted by freeloader
(Post 21654052)
wow, i popped over to the MP thread to check out the changes, and I am pretty suprised. I had considered going since its pretty close to my home base (BUF), i would have been BEYOND upset if they removed the two best parts of the trip and replaced them with some uninspiring other programs. The behind the scenes hotel program (which apperently involves working various hotel jobs like the front desk and housekeeping) doesn't interest me in the least. I'd be pretty angry to have dropped $2k+ for the opportunity to help clean a hotel room.
|
Originally Posted by airbus320
(Post 21655115)
You certainly are fascinated by the goings on at SMD5. ;)
- oops there was a shutdown the past two+ weeks but we realised it only two days before the start - oops there is traffic in toronto at 5pm - oops shuttle buses need to go someplace else in YYZ I'm sure there is some surprise at the end that will make it all worth again. Maybe a C-130 ride ;) |
Originally Posted by oliver2002
(Post 21655657)
I'm sure there is some surprise at the end that will make it all worth again. Maybe a C-130 ride ;)
|
Originally Posted by kokonutz
(Post 21648488)
Well there is an F seat being bid on. And the high bid is currently $350: http://milepoint.com/forums/threads/...auction.73011/
|
| All times are GMT -6. The time now is 4:22 am. |
This site is owned, operated, and maintained by MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Designated trademarks are the property of their respective owners.