How to get the “Insider Deal”
Do you remember the Seinfeld episode (The Dealership, season 9 episode 11) when Jerry attempts to purchase his new Saab? Jerry’s mission is to ensure that he’s getting the “insider deal.”
Elaine’s on again off again boyfriend, David Puddy had been promoted to the sales floor. Jerry begs his friend Elaine to get back together with Puddy so that he can get a good deal on his new car.
Most of the episode is spent with Jerry playing couples counselor to Elaine and Puddy in his own form of: “let’s make a deal.”Upon completing his task of reuniting the estranged couple, Puddy agrees to hook Jerry up with “the insider deal” only to rebuke his offer when Jerry denies Puddy a High Five.
This classic Seinfeld episode is the penultimate example of the trials and tribulations that we go through to save money on purchases.
Fortunately, this blog may provide you with some resources to save you from having to ask your friend to get back together with their ex so you can save on your next purchase!
My personal credo: NEVER PAY RETAIL
It’s something that I am passionate about. This passion has led me on a continual journey to find my own “insider deals.” I’d like to share with you, my findings.
Membership benefits
Do you belong to any clubs? If you do, then you may already have access to some tremendous perks.
I first learned about membership perks years ago when I competed in my first triathlon. To compete in the local event, the athlete must be a member of USA Triathlon.
I paid my membership fee and explored the website. There was a ton of fantastic information on the member site, including an upcoming event calendar, search features to find local clubs or coaches, and exclusive sponsor discounts.
The exclusive sponsor discounts were brands applicable to triathletes, including nutrition, training plans, and apparel discounts.
This got my wheels turning. What if I was a member of other clubs?
Try doing a google search for: “outdoor industry pro deals”
You will find, as I did, several different websites and links for portals and brands that offer exclusive discounts. These discounts typically require that one is in fact in a field that qualifies for “industry pro deals.”
The discounts you may find range from 10–60% off the retail price of the affiliated products.
Some sites will sell the products at the “pro price” or offer the member an exclusive coupon code to save directly with the vendor.
Do you qualify for one of these industry deals?
Outdoor Prolink requires their applicants to satisfy one or more of the following requirements before they will admit you to their program:
· Work for an outdoor brand
· Sell outdoor goods and gear
· Advocate for the outdoor industry through your job
· Rely on technical outdoor gear to do one’s job
· Work as an outdoor educator
· Work in environmental conservation
· Are a public servant: military, law enforcement, EMS
“I am an outdoor enthusiast” is not a qualifier to receive outdoor industry pro deals.
The article “The Shady World of Pro Deals,” featured on outsideonline.com claims: “Figuring out who deserves a steep gear discount is crucial to running a successful brand pro program. Connect with the right pros, the theory goes, and a manufacturer helps these influencers do their jobs, while also familiarizing them with the gear and driving full-price sales to local retailers for a win-win. But if standards loosen so much that practically anybody can stock up on gear for 40 percent off or more, then pro deals become something else entirely.”
The article describes the abuses associated with these industry pro deal sites, along with their impact on local retailers.
Support your local gear shop when possible
Bottom line: Don’t take advantage of the system. There are many other ways to get the “Insider Deal”
SheerID & ID.me
Online identification sites like ID.me and SheerID offer exclusive discounts to their members. The requirements are much broader than those of the outdoor industry. Many online retailers will offer exclusive discounts to these members. When checking out on the retailer's website, enter your affiliated login information to verify the discount.
ID.me simplifies how individuals prove and share their identities online. The ID.me secure digital identity network has 94 million members, with over 70,000 individuals joining daily, as well as partnerships with 31 states, multiple federal agencies, and over 500 name brand retailers. The company provides identity proofing, authentication, and group affiliation verification for organizations across sectors.
Military, Law Enforcement, First Responder
First off: thank you for your service
I’m a huge advocate for those who put their lives in jeopardy daily to ensure our health, safety, and freedoms. You deserve all the “insider deals” available as far as I’m concerned.
SheerID and ID.me are just a few of the sites available to this group. I would also suggest checking out: Govx.com. Govx not only provides its members with brand savings, but they give back to several organizations supporting those who’ve served.
What if I don’t qualify?
Maybe you are not a sponsored athlete, a photographer for a major outdoors magazine, or a member of our armed forces. Chances are though, that you may still qualify for one of the many programs out there.
Consider the following:
· Do I work for a large organization? Typically, large companies have corporate partnerships with retail brands. Your company may be one of those
· Are you an alumnus of a school, group, or organization?
· Do you have any specific hobbies or activities that you enjoy? Consider signing up for a local or regional club. You may find membership benefits beyond the joy of connecting with like-minded enthusiasts.
The Power of the Pen
My older brother loves cereal. As a child, he would absolutely crush bowls of cereal for breakfast. I recall one day, he found some burned flakes in his favorite breakfast cereal. My parents suggested that he write the company to let them know how much he enjoys their product, his recent findings and that there may be a quality control issue.
My parents got my brother to do a writing assignment without him realizing it
Weeks went by, and my brother received a letter in the mail from the cereal company that he had written to. They thanked him for his correspondence and provided him with some coupons for free boxes of his favorite cereal.
The moral of the story: constructive criticism and brand loyalty sometimes pay dividends
At the very least, my brother strengthened his literary muscles, regardless of whether he got a response from the cereal brand or not.
If you have a particular product or brand that you enjoy, let them know!
Share your passion for their products and how you use them in your daily life. Imagine being on the receiving end of that correspondence. A kind letter or a shout-out is much more uplifting than a complaint.
You never know, maybe that uplifting letter may be answered with a coupon code or boxes of cereal. At the very least, it’s worth the effort to let someone know that their organization is making a positive difference in someone’s life.
“Carry out a random act of kindness, with no expectation of reward, safe in the knowledge that one day someone might do the same for you.”
—Princess Diana
It’s time for you to go clubbing. Take advantage of the many benefits that are available to you, which you may not have even realized were out there. Enjoy the product research, enjoy the purchase, but remember: NEVER PAY RETAIL
High Five!
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0697683/
https://www.outsideonline.com/business-journal/issues/the-shady-world-of-pro-deals/
https://www.sheerid.com/privacy_overview/
https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Triathlon
https://outdoorprolink.com/