Thursday, February 2, 2012

The Great $5K Running Contact Debate..

If you compete in agility, and don't live under a rock, chances are you've heard of the upcoming running contact seminar offered by Susan Garrett. It's for 5 handlers, 5 dogs, 5 days....thus costs 5K.  Okay, well, maybe that's not exactly how it works, but it gives you the basic idea.

In my opinion, this is a fantastic marketing ploy.  You shock the small agility community with a seminar that most could never afford (or would be willing to pay that much for) to build hype.  Then you select 5 people, that have 5 dogs that you are sure will to be able to offer what you're looking for.  Those handlers, in turn sign a waiver, releasing all royalties, then you turn this seminar into the real big dollar deal, on line running contact classes.

By listing this seminar as a $5k course, she's going to reduce the number of applications to review.  Along with the fee, you need to be able to get off work, and pay travel expenses, not cheap.  Who knows, maybe once they get there, or are chosen, it's free?  Please donate to my 'PayPal Account' (just kidding!!) G

Let's say she wanted to do this seminar at no cost to participants, but you still needed to sign the waiver for rights.  Can you imagine the nightmare if she opened it up 'free' to any 5 people that was interested? She would never be able to review all the applications.

Logically, what she's doing makes sense.  I'm not saying I agree, or disagree, just that it's a great marketing idea.

I think Susan is a great dog trainer, along with a lot of others out there.  Do I think running contacts are worth $5K?  Personally, no, but I'm sure there will be some that do.  Along with most other people, I'm curious as to who's willing to pay it.  This might be a awesome reality television show!!!

2 comments:

  1. Total marketing genius, but still makes me... whew. Have to catch myself from an overshare. I guess I can't fault her? But I truly can't imagine who would pay that much for ANY dog training skill. Why? That part I feel ok finding fault with.

    That's just me though- it's so much more fun to figure it out the long way! Well, if not always crazy fun, super rewarding. Shiver's running dogwalk fills me with joy (JOY!) because WE solved the great puzzle TOGETHER. So satisfying.

    I so, SO hope that this does somehow end up as reality TV! That is the best idea I've heard all week! :)

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  2. THAT is a TV reality show I would watch!

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