root:
Here's an idea out of Amazon's book. What about a membership that you can pay annually to get extra benefits?
I easily spend a few grand on newegg each year. I don't know about everyone else but I'm willing to a pay a few Jackson's to get special membership perks (free shipping, free extended warranty, free swag, etc).
Just next month I'll be laying down 800 bones for some "root-happiness", and getting free shipping would rock.
I also drop a few grand a year on NewEgg. They get my money because they are, for the most part, the best on the planet. There's a part of me that thinks that, because of my business, they should be paying me, and not the other way around. However, on second thought, my first point is actually most-relevant. They get my business by being the best value for my dollar, and they need do no more than that to keep me involved.
And, if the quality of the product is adequate, there's no need for an "extended warranty", is there ? I'll take the good-quality product with no warranty, and you can have the sub-standard one with the extended warranty.
However, "swag" ? Swag is free c*** companies give away to people that find value in something of no value. I want quality products at a reasonable price delivered quickly and in a workable condition, reliably. THAT has value. Swag ? Please... Go to some public football game, cover your face in face-paint and wear some ridiculous hat, like the cheddar-heads.
Free shipping ? That would be nice. How about DISCOUNTED shipping, for those that have spent more than "X" amount in the last year ? You can keep the swag, here - you can even have mine - and I'll take your shipping discount in exchange, as well as my own.
THAT has value.
In terms of a "special" Membership, I agree. Some people are special, and should be treated specially. Providing good, clear feedback on what is working and what is not has value. It's also a function that should be done by the company, and not by it's customers. I almost never make "constructive suggestions" to businesses, about how to do their job. They got my money, they should KNOW how to do their job,with no help or advice from me. Remember ? I gave them money. I shouldn't also be expected to give them free advice. I can always go somewhere else and spend my money there, and give it to people that know what they are doing, and don't need my help.
But, for some reason I have a strong affinity for computer hardware, and NewEgg. I'll spend some time giving out my advice. And it's free, but that doesn't necessarily make it valueless. If my information is useful, and the paid Management doesn't have it, well then GUESS who is doing "management's" job ?
I'll take money for that, in some form. You can keep the swag. I like discounted shipping. Maybe "first dibs" on heavily discounted products (like 1 Terrabyte Seagate HD's). Actually THAT suggestion has a dollar value to people like me, and wouldn't cost NE very much. The administrative cost of providing advance notice and promo codes, maybe. Guess it all depends on how much NE values the input of their "special" customers.