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Punchd - A Loyalty Program (from Google)

getpunchd.com

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Re: Punchd - A Loyalty Program (from Google)

#3
This seems to compete with some of the benefits of using Google Wallet. Although, I suppose a Google Wallet based loyalty card requires a lot larger investment by the business.

Also since a QR code is just an image and not something more complicated like an NFC tag what's to stop someone from taking a picture of it with their phone and scanning it multiple times at home?

edit:* well looking at their FAQ they say this: Patent-pending technology guarantees the integrity of your loyalty program. GPS triangulation, velocity analysis, and statistical variation keep things secure.

That still has to trust the smartphone to report the correct GPS and velocity, additionally I think faking the statistical variation might not be too difficult.

Re: Punchd - A Loyalty Program (from Google)

#4
Applied to yc with this idea couple years ago, cool to see it in production. Sharing a loyalty card with a group of friends (i.e. when anyone makes a purchase everyone gets a stamp) was one of the social features we were excited about, I'm interested to see what they come up with.

Re: Punchd - A Loyalty Program (from Google)

#5
post #3

This seems to compete with some of the benefits of using Google Wallet. Although, I suppose a Google Wallet based loyalty card requires a lot larger investment by the business. Also since a QR code is just an image and not something more complicated like an NFC tag what's to stop someone from taking a picture of it with their phone and scanning it multiple times at home? edit:* well looking at their FAQ they say this…

I would guess that this might eventually tie into Google Wallet in some way. Perhaps it's essentially the loyalty card part of Wallet just re-packaged until more businesses deploy the new machines at registers?

Re: Punchd - A Loyalty Program (from Google)

#6
post #3

This seems to compete with some of the benefits of using Google Wallet. Although, I suppose a Google Wallet based loyalty card requires a lot larger investment by the business. Also since a QR code is just an image and not something more complicated like an NFC tag what's to stop someone from taking a picture of it with their phone and scanning it multiple times at home? edit:* well looking at their FAQ they say this…

Faking the variation shouldn't be hard at all, but how many people would be willing to take the time and risk being prosecuted for fraud in exchange for some free coffee?

Even if 10% of customers abuse the system, it's still a net win for the business. They'll have to cough up some free coffees or sandwiches, but the fraudster is still in the shop and likely to pay for incidentals that go with the promotion; e.g., a drink or chips to go with their sandwich, croissant with the coffee, etc.

Re: Punchd - A Loyalty Program (from Google)

#7
post #4

Applied to yc with this idea couple years ago, cool to see it in production. Sharing a loyalty card with a group of friends (i.e. when anyone makes a purchase everyone gets a stamp) was one of the social features we were excited about, I'm interested to see what they come up with.

Five Stars Card (http://www.fivestarscard.com/) got funded by YC this year.

I see the Five Stars Card badge everywhere here in the Bay Area.

Re: Punchd - A Loyalty Program (from Google)

#8
Did anyone notice this little Apple logo yelling at the Android logo at the bottom of the page?

http://getpunchd.com/img/june/idiots.png (http://i.imgur.com/sy7QX.png)

It's called idiots.png. Is this illustrating that it's stupid to bicker about your mobile platform? Or is it calling Apple users idiots (it does look like the Apple character is yelling about something and Android guy just looks like he's thinking "wtf?").

Oh the possible Internet drama.

Re: Punchd - A Loyalty Program (from Google)

#9
Don't underestimate how huge this is.

It is directly competing with where daily deal sites are trying to evolve to, like Groupon's Rewards.

http://www.groupon.com/merchants/rewards

Most Groupon clones are trying to quickly roll out reward systems through credit card processing.

Google's solution seems more eloquent, with more opportunities for social and advertising directly to a user with location services, mobile alerts, etc.

Basically you could fill a 2011 trendy startup bingo card with this product.

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