Cash mob hits downtown Pleasanton at 6 p.m. tonight Around Town, posted by Editor, Pleasanton Weekly Online, on Feb 18, 2013 at 8:12 am
The "Cash Mob" is at it again. These groups that meet to patronize a specific local business have been popping up across the country and Downtown Pleasanton is no exception.
Read the full story here Web Link posted Monday, February 18, 2013, 7:35 AM
Posted by Mike, a resident of the Highland Oaks neighborhood, on Feb 18, 2013 at 4:16 pm
Great idea!
You tell me where to spend my money, as opposed to, say, my deciding where to spend my money. This way we relieve our wonderful downtown businesses of the inconvenient burden, the added expense and effort of trying to attract and keep customers with outstanding products and services.
Here's what I usually do to contribute to downtown QOL. I visit businesses on my way to destinations that have already won my loyalty by providing me with outstanding products and services. In this way, I feel I give them the opportunity to impress me.
After all, it's up to the business to attract customers, not up to the customers to provide business.
Posted by Bryan, a resident of the Pleasanton Heights neighborhood, on Feb 19, 2013 at 9:19 am
Dear Connie, Mike,
The goal is to build a bigger customer base for our downtown. The method is to have a social event where people get together and thus enjoy being part of the "event". It is to have fun, meet people, do good. It is easy to be a curmudgeon, a little harder to put a smile on, but a lot funner in the end!
Posted by LK, a resident of the Ironwood neighborhood, on Feb 19, 2013 at 3:03 pm
I love this idea. I support local business and appreciate what they all bring to down town Pleasanton. If we don't support our town who will and how would we encourage others if we don't.
Posted by Mike, a resident of the Highland Oaks neighborhood, on Feb 19, 2013 at 3:43 pm
Bryan,
I think you'll find that most people are highly social and usually up for a good time, especially if there is a chance that some benefit to self or other might come out of it. I also appreciate the PDA's desire to plan events that increase the customer population, albeit temporarily, in an attempt to help the business community. The uncomfortable feeling that the "Cash Mob" event in particular elicits stems from the apparent attitude that the market base must somehow work a littler harder to support local businesses by going out of its way to spend money that it might not otherwise spend at a business that may or may not inspire the gesture based on its own merit.
Instead of asking the good people of Pleasanton to "Come downtown and spend 20 dollars at a location that we tell you to," wouldn't it be nice if the PDA invited the good people of Pleasanton to "Come downtown, where many Main Street businesses are offering wonderful meals and merchandise for 20 dollars or less"?
Posted by Connie, a resident of the Birdland neighborhood, on Feb 19, 2013 at 4:14 pm
I personally think the event would be more popular if the merchants handed out $20 vouchers to shoppers who show up for the event. I'd even let somebody show me how I'm supposed to shop. The current pitch: Cmon to downtown and spend your $20 and be part of the fun of spending your $20 at your expense and our profits sort of sounds a bit forced. Maybe spend a 20 spot or two on somebody with some marketing sense? I'm kind of embarrassed for everyone.
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