Gift Card Update - Please Read

Contributor: BBW Talks Toys BBW Talks Toys
I really wish y'all would read the entire thread before getting all pissy about the gift cards now. This thread is hours old and a resolution has been reached. Now the inability to stack cards is temporary. There's nothing to get pissy about anymore. In a week or so when they've figured out the programming, you'll be able to use your GCs as usual.

As for being able to convert points to GCs in order to donate or give away, that's being worked on. Needless to say, there's some stuff that needs to be worked out still, but the basic problem of people combining points from multiple accounts has been solved. Now it's simply a matter of implementation.

Just give them a half a minute to figure it all out. As generous as they are to us, the least we can do is give them a little patience and understanding.
08/16/2011
Contributor: aliceinthehole aliceinthehole
Quote:
Originally posted by Rachel K
Hey, gang!

We wanted to give the community the heads up that a change has been implemented on our site. This change directly involves the gift cards.

So, most gift cards on our site are made with EdenPoints. It’s a great way to get ... more
if nothing else, this is a great incentive for the rest of us to keep our eyes out and keep reporting those of us we suspect may be point farming. if they're not writing reviews, only have one follower, and-or are filling up your wall with multiple identical comments on many reviews, check out their profile for anything suspicious. i just found on contributor who appeared to be a fake account. their profile will not be filled out or will have one word, nonsensical answers.

email administrators ASAP. you can submit a support ticket if you cant figure out how to email them.


keep your eyes peeled, friends!

08/16/2011
Contributor: Tuesday Tuesday
As I read this thread I moved from feeling like I was punched in the stomach to relief.

I'm opposed to suggestions to limit the number of GCs per order. I sometimes order hundreds of dollars of products using my video review GCs. Why force me to split that up?

Also, non-reviewers might have received more than one GC as gifts. Can you imagine having two Amazon GCs and Amazon not letting you use both in one order?

I happen to have saved up a stash of GCs. I was planning on another spending blitz as soon as the Jopen Intensity comes out.

Hopefully restricting orders so that points aren't converted to GCs and you can only use your own account's points for that account's orders will be enough.

I'm also completely in favor of reducing the number of points earned for various tasks. You can cut point amounts in half or more as far as I'm concerned. That would reduce the incentive for abuse.
08/16/2011
Contributor: BBW Talks Toys BBW Talks Toys
Quote:
Originally posted by aliceinthehole
this is really shocking to me. that so many people are 'point farming.'

but are 3 orders (i'm guessing from 3 different folks?) a week really making the whole system being abused 'more often than not?' i dont know. ... more
This is a business. They have to protect their bottom line. They can tell the difference in processing a $50-300 order with GCs from one account(especially since they can track the numbers) and a $1400 order with several GCs from multiple accounts. Those three orders probably came from contributors you've never even heard of because what they're doing is NOT becoming involved. SPAMMING the reviews. SPAMMING the forums. Activating multiple programs on multiple accounts in order to gain points in order to STEAL from the company and take advantage of the generosity. We should be ECSTATIC that EF has come up with a solution that in the LONG RUN will not shut down the points system (which I suspect was one of the initial solutions that they decided not to do) and will actually make it very hard for farmers to take advantage.

I said it before and I'll say it till I'm blue in the face or gagged or flagged or whatever... This is temporary. They are not punishing the contributors who are 'above board.' They're not making it so we can't use the benefits we EARN. They are doing so to protect themselves.
08/16/2011
Contributor: ToyGurl ToyGurl
Quote:
Originally posted by Booktease
Oh, the 'nice review' thing over and over drives me nuts! At first, I thought people just really liked my reviews. Then I figured out what was really happening.
Yeah. Same here. It's hard to know if you're really doing well or not. I love the people who leave decent comments saying what they liked or responding to their own views on the toys. things like that.
08/16/2011
Contributor: BBW Talks Toys BBW Talks Toys
Quote:
Originally posted by aliceinthehole
if nothing else, this is a great incentive for the rest of us to keep our eyes out and keep reporting those of us we suspect may be point farming. if they're not writing reviews, only have one follower, and-or are filling up your wall with ... more
Let me assist all of you with those email addresses:

JR: almon (at) edenfantasys (dot) com

Kristi: kristi (at) edenfantasys (dot) com

Sam: sam (at) edenfantasys (dot) com

Gary: gary (at) edenfantasys (dot) com

Carrie Ann: carrieann (at) edenfantasys (dot) com

Let me know if you have any others you'd like to have for whatever reason. I have most of them memorized.
08/16/2011
Contributor: BBW Talks Toys BBW Talks Toys
Quote:
Originally posted by ToyGurl
Yeah. Same here. It's hard to know if you're really doing well or not. I love the people who leave decent comments saying what they liked or responding to their own views on the toys. things like that.
If you want to know if you're doing well or not, have another contributor that is higher ranked than you take a look at your reviews. Most of us are more than happy to help.
08/16/2011
Contributor: Sir Sir
I make a lot with points because of editing reviews, but nowhere near that much. But I also make a lot with affiliate money on top of that. I wouldn't be too upset, honestly, if points were taken away. They were meant to reward and, quite honestly, the whole thing's just gotten out of hand.
08/16/2011
Contributor: Booktease Booktease
I usually forget about the little ways of making posts. I make most of mine by writing reviews. I'm also taking a class from Miss Nessa. My partner and I would love to edit reviews eventually. I don't usually cash in on the 'little' point makers-- searching, following a friend, etc.
08/16/2011
Contributor: Antipova Antipova
Quote:
Originally posted by Redboxbaby
"I also think making the Advanced Reviewer Program a little more difficult to get into...would help a LOT!"

I think you hit the nail on the head there. Good Lord, there seems to be an entire screen of new reviewers each week. When ... more
I disagree with your last idea (points only to the advanced)... seeing the little 'points' banner is what enticed me to click around the site and find the forum, back when I was brand-spanking new. I might not have spent more than a few clicks here without it. Eden wants to encourage new shoppers, too.
08/16/2011
Contributor: catgirl9 catgirl9
Wow, I just finished reading this from the first post. It sucks that people have the audacity to steal from such a generous company.

Although I'm fairly new to EF, I appreciate all the hard work and dedication that it takes from everyone here to keep this site and the community such a great place. I applaud the staff for listening and posting in this thread, and to the other members for helping answer questions along the way. Also, I do appreciate the willingness to keep the points program and not do away with it altogether (someone else touched on this a few pages back; my apologies for not remembering who it was).

That's all.
08/16/2011
Contributor: exploringthechimera exploringthechimera
I am amazed at the wonderful customer support EF is showing here. Great work team!!

I also wanted to say I like the points for the searches. Its not enough points to make a big difference but enough to entice people to search. When I first started the search points enticed me to submit searches. Now I do it for fun. I love to place search just on color or other generic word. I find products this way that I never knew existed. These random searches have given me a better understanding and appreciation for the wide variety of toys EF offers.
08/16/2011
Contributor: Jobthingy Jobthingy
I just read all of this. *phew*

I also am not down with the no multiple cards because I also save video GCs etc... but glad to know it is just a temp solution.

I hate point farmers. I would like to punch them all in the eye for screwing it up for the rest of us. And it sucks the staff have to deal with this mess. *hugs all around*
08/16/2011
Contributor: Redboxbaby Redboxbaby
Quote:
Originally posted by ToyTimeTim
Rachel K, Jaimes and all the rest of the awesome staff, thank you for all your hard work! I know I speak for the majority of the community in saying you guys rock and always do your best to make this site the best there is.

I must say that ... more
Agreed! I read this before I went to dinner and I have to say I was upset. I come back and dig into the thread again and wish I had read it all the way through before I left. I would have felt much better a lot sooner.
08/17/2011
Contributor: js250 js250
THANK YOU to the hard working and generous staff here at Eden's!!!

Thank you to the honest and hard-working contributors here at Eden's.

Maybe this is the kick in the pants that we, as contributors, needed to appreciate the generosity and hard work that the staff puts into the site to keep it working, to spoil us & keep us happy and to ask us for advice and let us know there has been a problem and they are fixing it ASAP. We need to continue to help them keep this an honest, understanding and the amazing site is and will continue to be!!

Thanks again to the staff!! We appreciate you and will be patient while you continue to resolve the issue and get everything running smooth again.
08/17/2011
Contributor: Airen Wolf Airen Wolf
Quote:
Originally posted by Jaimes
Unfortunately, the 'more often than not phrase' is pretty accurate. Rachel and I processed 3 orders totaling somewhere over $5000 in gift card points just last week. We aren't at the end of an era, we're just moving into a smarter way ... more
I had a feeling someone was doing this when I started getting weird votes on reviews sometimes two years old from dummy accounts. WOW No company can hemorrhage that sort of loss without something being done. If this is temporary then I'm willing to wait and see. EF has never done me wrong can't see that happening now.
I am in favor of some way of stopping the abuse, I don't want to see EF die bleeding.
08/17/2011
Contributor: Alan & Michele Alan & Michele
Quote:
Originally posted by cherryredhead88
I just can't wrap my head around why someone would even feel the need to do this. There are so many perks and freebies at Eden, I can't imagine why anyone would feel the need to be more greedy. Why steal something you can get for free???!
Since they said the people who were doing it were getting huge orders shipped overseas, I'm guessing that it's someone gathering up all the free toys they can to sell on eBay or something. If that's the case, they wouldn't care about getting a few free toys a month for reviewing.
08/17/2011
Contributor: Airen Wolf Airen Wolf
Quote:
Originally posted by cherryredhead88
I just can't wrap my head around why someone would even feel the need to do this. There are so many perks and freebies at Eden, I can't imagine why anyone would feel the need to be more greedy. Why steal something you can get for free???!
For resale in Brick and Mortar stores....that's just one application, unfortunately.
08/17/2011
Contributor: Airen Wolf Airen Wolf
Quote:
Originally posted by Linga
I did that too but mine had a points one from me and one from my man (hehe I "borrowed" his points) and then I wake up to read this and can't help but feel like I did something wrong
You and he legitimately earned those points you didn't do anything wrong.
08/17/2011
Contributor: Airen Wolf Airen Wolf
Quote:
Originally posted by Booktease
Oh, the 'nice review' thing over and over drives me nuts! At first, I thought people just really liked my reviews. Then I figured out what was really happening.
Awwww don't feel bad...sometimes "nice review" means just that "I liked your review and it was useful to me!" Ignore the riffraff and be proud.
08/17/2011
Contributor: Airen Wolf Airen Wolf
Quote:
Originally posted by Shellz31
So I have another suggestion for those of us overseas who have high shipping costs and have a loved one on Eden too who we use to combine orders with.

~ What if we had to contact a certain staff member who can give individuals a yes or no as ... more
I am willing to help your Mom as well Shellz31. Just let me know what I can do love teaching enthusiastic people how to channel their inner writer.
08/17/2011
Contributor: ~LaUr3n~ ~LaUr3n~
Quote:
Originally posted by Rachel K
Hey, gang!

We wanted to give the community the heads up that a change has been implemented on our site. This change directly involves the gift cards.

So, most gift cards on our site are made with EdenPoints. It’s a great way to get ... more
That's horrible, but I don't see how this will stop point farming or the use of point gift cards being used that are not legitimately earned. They will just make smaller orders?

But seriously, how the fuck? So some one has THAT many accounts that are hitting the max points a day, then making different cards on each account and putting them in one accounts order? Is that what is meant by solitary order?

Maybe a way to make it so the giftcards from each account (generated by points) can only be used for that account?
08/17/2011
Contributor: ~LaUr3n~ ~LaUr3n~
Quote:
Originally posted by Kindred
There is a slight issue with this solution. I have multiple gift cards that I have received from Rumbles, graduating students, video reviews, etc. With this new system, I can no longer use these cards that I already have to their full usefulness ... more
Excellent idea.

I sometimes have more than one giftcard per order from eden points because I add to my order at the last minute and have to generate another card. I won't be able to do this anymore?
08/17/2011
Contributor: ~LaUr3n~ ~LaUr3n~
Quote:
Originally posted by ToyTimeTim
I second this, as I do much the same thing.

Is this Gift Cards in general (Ones from rumbles, points, contest etc.) or just GC made from points?

If there could be a way of converting a GC to points it sure would help. At least that ... more
Same here. I do the same thing.
08/17/2011
Contributor: ~LaUr3n~ ~LaUr3n~
Quote:
Originally posted by BBW Talks Toys
OR? Can GC totals be placed into an "account" that we can redeem, similar to our Affiliate commissions?

THIS way... we can redeem only one actual GC from points, then use the money on our accounts to pay for items? The GCs ... more
Also a great idea~!
08/17/2011
Contributor: ~LaUr3n~ ~LaUr3n~
Quote:
Originally posted by Dawn (Lilac Distraction)
I'm on the same page. I wouldn't be able to make any other orders until I have enough points to cover them, even though I have gift cards.

Cashing GCs in for points will help all of us who have quite a few GCs use them and keep them ... more
lol agreed. I use them asap so I don't lose the codes.
08/17/2011
Contributor: ~LaUr3n~ ~LaUr3n~
Quote:
Originally posted by Jaimes
These ideas rock. I love seeing how involved you guys are with making us bigger and better for everyone, and I want to assure everyone this is only a temporary solution. I do know that we have something similar to what is being discussed in the ... more
Thanks so much for listening to all of us and I am glad this is only a temporary solution.
08/17/2011
Contributor: ~LaUr3n~ ~LaUr3n~
Quote:
Originally posted by BBW Talks Toys
I have a question: How did anyone earn enough points through farming to pay off $1400 in orders before being caught? It takes me months to generate that kind of money. Mooooooooooooonnnnnntt tttthhhhsssss!

I mean, I've definitely earned ... more
Same here. I'm shocked. Safeguards lol. I have even been temporarily blocked from voting on reviews for a few hours because of "too much activity" by one of the "safe guards". I'M NOT EVEN PFing and one time it happened I voted on ONE review after logging in for the day and that was too much activity?! How did someone who actually was, in more ways than voting on reviews which gives you, what, 1 point for 10 reviews a day, get that far? -blink-
08/17/2011
Contributor: ~LaUr3n~ ~LaUr3n~
Quote:
Originally posted by Jaimes
Unfortunately, the 'more often than not phrase' is pretty accurate. Rachel and I processed 3 orders totaling somewhere over $5000 in gift card points just last week. We aren't at the end of an era, we're just moving into a smarter way ... more
Is there a way to delete accounts and block IPs? That's ridiculous. It affects us all by making it harder for you guys to keep your prices low and amazing.
08/17/2011
Contributor: ~LaUr3n~ ~LaUr3n~
Quote:
Originally posted by Kindred
I'm not that tech savvy, but I'm sure there are ways around any safeguard. No system is foolproof. Also, as far as I can tell, the only time I've gotten the "excessive use from this IP" warning had been with review voting. There ... more
Same here. I am glad i am not the only one!
08/17/2011