Ok,I just got the most recent DAZ Newsletter and am a bit miffed so please bear with me.I am familiar with charities and how they can at times be abused by various companies for sales promotions wherein the charity is nothing but a gimmick to boost their own profits.There are currently several sites doing 50% off sales for the holidays with nothing more attached than the offer of a good sale...thats the way it should be.DAZ however is using a charity to boost sales with 50% of every sale being given to http://www.thechristmasboxhouse.org/ which is in my estimation a very worthy charity.

But here's where the problems begin wherein this sale reveals itself to be nothing but a gimmick as they are releasing one item a day for twelve days more or less representing a certain number of lost sales for each day because there is no base number of products to build on.Whats the significance of that?If you're trying to generate $15,000.00 for charity over a period of roughly 17 days and you must actually make $30,000.00 in sales to reach that goal,you must begin the sale with a number of products and not rely on a day by day rush to buy the next items released.

I went there and saw the first item,good product but I don't need it so there was a no sale.I won't be there every day nor will I expect to buy anything as I really wasn't impressed by one item...nor will I be impressed by six.However,had DAZ released twenty or thirty items up front and then added to it each day then they would have gotten my attention.

The trick here is most people won't buy even for charity if they don't need the item...those who do largely buy because its for charity which basically begs the question why not donate all the money to the charity knowing 100% goes to it rather than splitting it 50/50 with DAZ?

Course you do get vouchers and if you suck up enough to buy all twelve items you don't need maybe you'll even get a $50.00 voucher.

This doesn't set right with me because to me if you donate to charity it shouldn't be used in conjunction with what will be percieved by some as a 50% sale with the charity being used to promote sales to people who otherwise wouldn't be inclined to make a purchase.

However,I do realise to some of you that this represents kindness and goodness on their behalf...kindness and goodness would be to ask merchants to "donate" items for the charity and then give 100% of each sale to the charity.You'd be surprised how many people would have donated to such an event had they been approached or the project was presented publicly to generate interest.

Maybe DAZ didn't mean for this to come off badly,but then DAZ only thinks about promoting DAZ and making money...they could always prove me wrong by asking more merchants to donate and then giving 100% of all sales to charity.This is indeed a worthy charity and it can be written off on their taxes...lol,course they'll probably do that anyway even at 50%.

So ignore the DAZ sale if you want to donate to this worthy charity,send 100% of anything you wish to donate directly to http://www.thechristmasboxhouse.org/ and know that you are putting a smile on the faces of countless needy children this Christmas...I used to be one of those kids and it mean't the world to me knowing people cared so much to bring us a Christmas dinner or gifts with absolutely nothing being given to them more than the warmth they gained from looking at a young boy tear into presents he might not otherwise have gotten...then seeing a tear in his mothers eye knowing we were not forgotten.

Charity comes from the heart and unless you really want the item then don't buy anything from DAZ on this deal...send 100% of the amount you are thinking of giving to them on a purchase to the charity instead,after all~these aren't new products from what I'm told and if they're not then you could have purchased them at any time if you really wanted them.

What they might be doing is giving their half to charity while giving the artist their full half.

Quote - What they might be doing is giving their half to charity while giving the artist their full half.

Yep. I see nothing wrong with companies donating proceeds to charity. You see it all of the time in restaurants, and department stores... even car dealerships. The month of December is often the month where more companies get on board to donate to Charity for different reasons. One could be nearing the end of their fiscal year and adding to their tax deductions. Another is "Christmas Spirit".. you know that good feeling that most people are often hit with this time of year... trying to make the Christmas/Holiday Season better for everyone. Etc. I don't understand threads like this that rain on people's parade. I think it's great that they are donating money to a worthy charity!!

They are new items so far as I know. I've never seen them before.

You don't have to rush to buy every day. Each new item will remain up through Christmas Day. If you want, you can wait and buy all 12 items on Christmas Day.

Its not the giving thats an issue as its great that anyone donates...course being on the inside for so many years like I have you'd have a different understanding seeing how blackhearted people really can be when their motivations seem so pure.Its like learning that the money you donate to a child for Christian Childrens Fund doesn't go to the child and that they may recieve very little from it at all because so much of it is taken by the charity and whats left goes to the community as a whole.Is it wrong to do things this way?Only when you realise that some of these people make six figure salaries and they do nothing more than oversee the charity. In regard to what I said... Many creators would have donated items for no compensation and no where does it say who gets what.DAZ could easily donate $15,000.00 to the charity and not bat an eyelash,they could also donate 100% of all proceeds to the charity. Plus irregardless of how you percieve what I said...is there anything wrong with saying if you don't want the item then donate 100% of the money you considered putting on a purchase you don't need to a charity that needs 100% of what you have to offer? Sure businesses donate to charity especially at this time of year for the tax write offs...I just feel that setting a goal to make $15,000.00 for charity knowing you have to make $30,000.00 in sales and then stipulating that if you don't meet that goal of $15,000.00 that all promised vouchers will be null and void is wrong~especially since you know some people will buy thinking in advance they'll get the vouchers.If DAZ fails to make $30,000.00 in sales,there will be a lot of people voicing a lot of anger...people who now think its a great idea.You should never buy something for charity...give to charity and buy only what you want.

You can wait until the last minute to buy, so you'll have a good idea if DAZ is likely to make their goal or not. If people get mad, it will be because they feel cheated of the voucher, not because the charity didn't get as much money as they'd hoped. I bet most people won't donate a cent on their own.

Personally, I give to charity, but I'm very picky about what charities I give to. I already have my favorite charities, and a budget for giving, and probably wouldn't give to a new one, no matter how worthy. But I will buy some of DAZ's charity auction products. Maybe all of them.

PS:If DAZ hopes to meet its goal it has to average at least around $1,764.00 a day in sales give or take a dollar because there's 17 days til Christmas.If you think I'm wrong and you want to buy something from DAZ knowing only 50% of what you spend goes to the charity then do so...if you need the item or want it,don't buy it for the charity as even most charitys tell you thats wrong because they can use the whole amount.They do however conceed that most people won't give to charity unless they get something in return...they know that says very little about the spirit of giving but if you won't give freely and companies do it only for the tax write off,then they take what they can get.

But did DAZ ask merchants to donate products for no financial return?Did DAZ consider donating 100% of all profits?Or did DAZ know something inherently flawed about us that most of us don't wish to admit...maybe they know they could ask us to donate and we wouldn't do it even for a product in return,but a sale~now thats the way to motivate people and get them off their wallets.

All I'm saying is it comes off as a sale and "looks" bad for that reason because it can be percieved they're doing it to move product...especially when they can sell stuff for $1.99 and make enough in sales to keep offering items at that price.

But if you say I'm wrong then get over there and buy something...I'd rather be wrong and see this charity get something than to know if you didn't buy something they'd get nothing from you at all

Message edited on: 12/08/2005 20:11

I bet most people aren't buying items for the charity. Most are probably buying for themselves. Because they want the 50% discount on the items, and because they're hoping for a voucher in the end.

I do think that most people will give money to charity...but they want to give money to charities of their own choosing. Maybe they'd prefer to donate to a cause that helps animals or adults, instead of children, or to children in their home town rather than in Utah. There are so many charities asking for money; you can't donate to them all. Especially this year; with the bad economy, the earthquake in Pakistan and the hurricanes in the Gulf, people are tapped out.

If you're so curious about whether the products were donated or purchased, why don't you ask? At DAZ, or privately to the individual merchants? Someone will probably tell you.

Well I have a bad view on charities as it is.I tried to sponsor a child in Guatamala and sent her a bear for Christmas...do you know those greedy sum bitches actually cut the bear open looking for hidden money because some people found out the money wasn't getting through to the kids and were trying to find ways to sneak it through to them!I likewise don't like anything where you see a business trying to use charity to move product as a lot of people do buy solely because they believe they're helping someone else...especially kids.

I think its sad that people won't give to charity,but I also think its sad how even some of the most reputable charities abuse the donations we send them and yes how many businesses do use charities to boost sales at this time of year.I used to do advertising for a living,you wouldn't believe what these people think about consumers or how blackhearted they can be.Some create conditions they know may not be met so they don't have to honor their promises...that was a huge bullseye for me when I saw the voucher conditions stipulated by DAZ.Then I saw the sale as its basically 50% off and then the proceeds of the sale are split 50/50.

The last I saw they were up to $342.01 and they just released their item for day 2 meaning they fell short on first day sales by about $1,400.00...thats a lot to make up for y'know.

So if nothing else,this is poor planning on their behalf and they better get some primo big dollar items in there if they're gonna make up the difference...or you guys better get off your wallets and go buy something.But lets say the average buyer only buys one item and half the sales proceed goes to charity?Say they meet their goal of $30,000.00 in sales so $15,000.00 goes to charity?Say 70% or more only buy one item and get a $5.00 voucher?DAZ could take a pounding.

So if nothing else...very poor planning indeed on their behalf and I'm not wishing them ill,I just mistrust companys that use the spirit of giving to sell product and wonder if DAZ thought out the contingencies in advance or maybe knew they might not make their goals so peeps get screwed out of the vouchers?Lol...course if that happens you deserve to get screwed out of them as unless more people buy and buy big,they're not gonna meet that mark they set for themselves.

Now if they wish to say their goal is only $15,000.00 and that half of this will be donated,they still need to make $884.00 a day...that might be achievable so long as they don't fall too far behind as peeps are going to think more about buying gifts for family at Walmart the closer we get to Christmas than buying 3d products.

But again...if I'm wrong then go buy something,they need to make up a lot of sales already after today and as we get closer to christmas sales may drop off sharply.The charity needs money regardless and if I can stir up interest to get you thinking about it,to get you to donate to them,to help DAZ if you think they're doing a good thing...or maybe just buy something for someone else's kids you know will have nothing for Christmas,then go do it~do something and see if you might be the one who puts a smile on a childs face and a tear in their parents eyes knowing that they are not forgotten;)

I think DAZ will reach their goal. That is the point of setting goals. Gets people to shell out more because they want to see the goal met.

Besides, you know if sales are lagging they will sweeten the offer. If they offer the right item at the right price, they'll make $15,000 easily. They are probably saving the best items for last. And a lot of people are waiting to buy. Friday night is a big shopping time. Plus a lot of people are probably waiting until Christmas Day, to see all the items and decide which to buy (and whether to buy them all).

I'm not familiar with www.thechristmasboxhouse.org. Never heard of them before. I'd have to do some research before I'd know whether they are good, bad, or indifferent. And who they are affiliated with.

There are certain charities that I'd never dream of giving a dime to. Some, because I don't agree with what they stand for: and others because the bulk of the money goes for "operating expenses" -- and not for the supposed hyped-up purpose.

Everyone should investigate charities thoroughly before forking over your hard-earned cash. Don't give to something just because it sounds good, or because their sales pitch tugs on your heartstrings: good con men know how to advertise. You might just be handing over the sweat of your brow to support some scam artist's fancy lifestyle.

I'd never give one red cent to United Way. United Way supports organizations and "charities" that represent ideas and philosophies with which I utterly disagree. There's no way that they'll ever be seeing any cash from me.

Now, having said all of that.......as to the DAZ example in this thread:

IMO, discussions about a DAZ charitable promotion belong at DAZ. shrug Personally, I wouldn't be inclined to discuss a Renderosity charity drive in the Commons at DAZ, either. I'd talk about it here..........in the Community Center forum.

;)

Message edited on: 12/08/2005 21:26

www.thechristmasboxhouse.org is based in Utah, so it stands to reason Daz would support it. Very nice of them. :)

I won't give a cent to United Way, either, for the same reason you won't. But I bet the specific ideas and philosophies I object to are the polar opposites of the ones you object to. :)

FWIW, I just bought the Winter Wilderness item. I paid half the 50% off price; vouchers covered the rest. I think they way they have it set up is that DAZCharity is the brokered artist and gets half of every purchase, like a regular PA. Even though they are listed in the DAZ originals section...

I won't give a cent to United Way, either, for the same reason you won't. But I bet the specific ideas and philosophies I object to are the polar opposites of the ones you object to. :)

I'd say that's a good bet.

But I like you anyway.

;)

.

"FWIW, I just bought the Winter Wilderness item. I paid half the 50% off price; vouchers covered the rest. I think they way they have it set up is that DAZCharity is the brokered artist and gets half of every purchase, like a regular PA. Even though they are listed in the DAZ originals section." ------------------------ It's all very confusing to me over there. Just glad I don't have to purchase anything from them again. lol

Okay, what ideas and charities does United Way support? They're a pretty big organization, is there something we should know? If you don't want to mention it in public, please IM me. BTW: I don't contribute to them, but I used to.

It's nothing really scandalous (well, not since that shakeup back in the '90s, anyway). It's just that so many charities are supported that any one person is bound to disagree with some of them.

As an example...my local United Way found both Planned Parenthood and the Boy Scouts of America problematic. The rightwingers objected to Planned Parenthood's providing abortions and birth control, the leftwingers objected to the Boyscouts' discrimination against gays and atheists. It really was a no-win situation for them. They tried excluding "controversial" charities, but that just ticked people off even more.

As Jon Lovitz's Satan stares into the camera and intones, "Worship Me!"

Trusting an American company to "donate" to a "charity" is about as sensible as retaining your faith in WMDs. If you want to help someone, go to a place where needy people are, and hand them things. That's not so hard. There are homeless shelters, women's refuges, and so forth, everywhere. Or donate things like cans of spinach or beans, to food drives. No glam, but good nutrition. Or pick a charity, check their ratings on the web (Give.org), and send them a check.

Don't let big-hearted big business take the worry out of being a decent human being.

M

Mick, I think that's a pretty solid suggestion there.

Personally, since I'm such a lazy butt, and never do anything for anyone... I've decided that this year I'll put my money where my mouth is.
Well since I have no money at the moment, that's tricky. So I'm getting in touch with Shelter or the Red Cross and see if they can use muscle (or brains, or something I can provide) at Christmas.
If that means I'll be handing out soup on Christmas Day, then I'll be handing out soup on Christmas Day.
It'll be a more pleasant way to spend the day than vegetating in front of the TV and stuffing food into myself, while arguing with relatives and feeling uncomfortable all day.
Thats going to be my Christmas Present to myself.
To try and put a smile on someone's face.

Message edited on: 12/09/2005 07:41

Silke-- That's the real Christmas spirit. Jesus wasn't big on tax write-offs. One year, my eight-year-old niece and I went to a budget store and bought a couple dozen cheap stuffed animals (a few bucks apiece), then took them to a homeless shelter and handed them out to the kids who wanted one. Her share of the work was picking them, helping carry, and handing them out. Little money, big pleasure, and I'm willing to bet one of those "cheap" stuffed animals became a loved buddy. Another year, my son saved up to pay for half a case of kidney beans, and I paid for the other half. That went to a refuge too. One starfish at a time. M

DAZ does about anything to make some more revenue.... even abusing a charity if needed. Imo you're much better of giving all the money directly to a charity, at least that what I do. I don't like DAZ's marketing tactics and rather give the full amount to a charity of my choice, which I'll do in a moment. Besides the goal seems very high, looking at the first to days, their going to have a hard time reaching it. ALSO, if you do a promotion like this, do it with real useable items, items that every can and wants to use. I don't have the Millennium Environment and wouldn't know what to do with a wooden horse at all. DAZ may sound really generous, but in the end if they reach their goal, they've made a nice handsome profit to out of this promotion. Done rambling, off to give some money to a charity of my own choice.

... Apparently, my reminder that the thread is being watched by staff wasn't enough. No attacks, period. If you don't agree with what they're doing, don't participate, or contact them and let them know. MorriganShadow Poser Moderator

I dropped by DAZ to check out the sale. I've decided I'll "donate" if the goodies include a peepee for "the Demon Nybras." Barbie's Fiery Demon is a Kahlil Gibran escapee from Heck. Flippin' cool. Somebody say anything for a buck? M

Silke given the choice, i think many would choose to do that rather than sitting with the in-laws for a day =)

Anxcon... then why don't they? Can you think of a better way to get away from in-laws where they can absolutely positively not protest? =D

The co-promotion scenario is an interesting one - while the business benefits from having this charitable association during a sale (especially at this time of year), I guess the charity in question must also benefit in some way from the promotion to a wider marketplace by the association with the business (putting aside whether the charity is worthy or not of course). Charity organisations must be in an incredible amount of competition around Christmas. The cut-open teddy story was horrendous - Is there a charity watchdog for reporting that sort of thing?

they've made a nice handsome profit to out of this promotion. Will they? You know this for a fact? Truth is, how much money Daz will or won't make is pure speculation. You (collective not specific) don't know if Daz paid the merchants up front for those items. You (collective not specific) don't know if the merchants are getting that whole 50%. You (collective not specific) don't know. Only Daz and the respective merchants know. So until one of those speak up you (collective not specific) should stop accusing people of things which are based on unfounded rumour and speculation. SSDD. It truly saddens me that things never change :(

"No good deed ever goes unpunished", Xena. ;)

"So ignore the DAZ sale if you want to donate to this worthy charity,send 100% of anything you wish to donate directly to http://www.thechristmasboxhouse.org/ and know that you are putting a smile on the faces of countless needy children this Christmas..."

Or I can buy from the sale and know that some of it goes to the charity, and some of it goes a company who's products I enjoy. Wah. Your mileage may vary.

Can help put a smile on the face of a kid, a vendor, and Dan Farr al at one shot - it's a Threefer! ;]

"If you think I'm wrong and you want to buy something from DAZ knowing only 50% of what you spend goes to the charity then do so..."

I shall. Thanks for giving me permission. I feel so much betterer now.

http://givingchest.daz3d.com/givingstories/viewtopic.php?t=15

I trust Daz and did so with several products during the attempt to raise money for Katrina victims. I see nothing wrong with setting aside a portion of certain products for charity. Certainly something is better than nothing.

I said it before but here I go again: Daz could be giving away $20 bills and some people here would complain they're not fifties. Others would say it's part of a long-term plan to destroy Poser. And still others would suspect a conspiracy for world domination.

Andrew Jackson Morph Pack sold separately :-)

couldn't resist

Message edited on: 12/09/2005 21:07

It is all marketing which is 100% normal. This is what businesses do. You have to expect it. People forget that daz is a company and not a collection of art enthusiansts. Nothing bad just business stuff. Freebeies are nothing but marketing Galleries are marketing So are forums the intended goal is traffic=sales, which isn't always the case. But is is the goal. They have always been big on charity things. If they can make a buck off it too I suppose there is no harm. Walmart does it.

nod And it sometimes causes people to give something because they're making a purchase on something they want, who wouldn't normally just give to a charity. That's not a Bad Thing.