So a local restaurant is crowdfunding its renovations…Why would I donate money to a for-profit business, when there are charities, non-profits, and arts organizations out there that actually do good for society with the money they raise? What does my donation do in this case? It helps this business expand its kitchen and allow it to increase its profits. You want me to support your business, then provide me with a good product or service, and I will. But donate? Seriously? You’re not helping society, you’re just serving food to people with disposable income. —Skeptic
This article appears in Feb 21-27, 2013.
hmm, can’t blame them for trying, i guess. worked the first time around but a business is just that, it’s not a not for profit
There is something very distasteful about this kind of high-tone panhandling. Never been.
Never going.
i would hope, treating your customers and employees well, would be enough
Sooo…. They want their customers to pay for their renovations, not from the profit they receive from the services they provide but, from the goodness of their hearts? This would seem to be exactly how the stock market works, well, without all the profit returns and such.
What kind of maroon would buy into that shit?
My take on this was you would get a dinner for your donation. …. according to the article I read this morning.
Seems fair to me ….. the OP makes it sound like a cash grab …. it is a service that is paid for upfront without having to pay exorbitant interest charges to a bank.
But, hey, what other people do with their money ain’t no concern of mine whatsofuckingever ….
no names are required… even I know who wrote this bitch… Get a dinner for free… nope. Get a FIFTY DOLLAR t shirt, yes that helps them so much. everyones bumming in NS even the crummy restaurants. so typical NS.
their food is good and they are nice people
I thought you get a free meal after they finish the reno?
their food is good and they are obviously bums that start the day with the rest of the panhandlers in halifax paingirl. I advised you look at their tax return for a look at finances associated with this FOR PROFIT BUSINESS. see how much help they need for sure!!!
I’m going to start crowdfunding to pay my bills this month – its cheaper than borrowing from the bank.
I’m a good cook. Give me money and I’ll smile at you.
Someone is on pain-killers and making stupid comments…
Worse, people are actually supporting that resto with “donations”… idiots!
i do not believe that anyone would be/ are twisting your arm to give any support to anyone o.p., and believe also, that this is a very lame bitch.
I agree with the OP and personally find this behavior outrageous and egregious! Pay for your own damn renovations!
And fuck off.
I disagree. You give money and get something in return. Last year I paid $50 and got a free lunch for two and t-shirts, valued at more than $50. This year I paid $100 and am getting $125 in restaurant credit. This is the same as conventional lending except the rate of return is paid in kind rather than financially. And the lenders in this case are patrons rather than bankers. It’s an innovative way to promote your business while engaging with the community. Of course, people in this city are generally opposed to innovation, so it doesn’t surprise me to see such opposition on forums like this one.
canned; I honestly thought there was more to the story, or at least, hoped there was. Sounded pretty sleazy at first, but your info does make sense and is very clever for them to do.
I feel sorry for these guys. It worked the first time so they never could have predicted the backlash of a second attempt. They get consistently high reviews which means lots of exposure (need I even mention, lots of income) but also increased scrutiny.
Then they launch this silly plot and all the people who may have been on the fence about visiting say no thanks.
I hope they can fix this mess they made for themselves… but no I won’t be donating to that fund.
I am starting to see that even non-profit organizations are a farce. I only give to someone in need; no more donations to the big non profit organizations. They are only filling their pockets at our expense.
Get some help; you sound very close to the edge Powdered Toast. But, I guess your name says it all.
PS toast for the record, I don’t try to ‘scare’ anyone. That’s your sick MO my friend. Don’t try to put me in your category. uhn uhn….. Posting personal information on MM puts even you to a brand new low. I didn’t think there was any lower but hey, for once, you proved me wrong. Sicko.
OB, it would be easier if you told the whole story, the who, what, where, when, and why. Is it donation or a variation of a bond?
So for those of you who don’t know, the restaurant in question is Brooklyn Warehouse. They are NOT asking you to make a donation to their business, they’re asking you to make a purchase in advance. For $100 you can get a $125 meal for two. For $500 you can get a four course meal for 8. For $1500 you get two meals for two per year for the life of the restaurant (a bit of a gamble I guess). It seems like an innovative way to fund a local business expansion (don’t we always bitch about how we should be focusing on growing local business!?) without the hardships associated with traditional financing models. Don’t like it? Don’t take part in it.
Agreed Hipp. Think of it as just another product for sale. If you don’t like the price, don’t buy it.
I promise you the WORLD if you give ME money. Of course, if I can’t GET the world to give you, I can’t make good on that promise, can I?!
I promise you a four-course meal for 108 if you give me $500. Of course, if I can’t open my restaurant because don’t get enough money, I can’t make good on that promise, can I…
Slick trick. Did the bank refuse to give you a loan? If you can’t afford your own renos, you’re probably on the verge of bankruptcy. When your doors are boarded up next week like many of the other local businesses, where might one go to redeem these prepaid dinner certificates???
“Don’t like it? Don’t take part in it.” – Charles Ponzi, 1920.
The difference between this and a Ponzi scheme is that the company has established credibility when they did the same thing last year. Spreading worries about the company closing down before they can make good on their promises (meaty, no_fool, Ivan) is just the paranoid fear mongering of people who have never been to the restaurant, which is usually filled to capacity and has generally received highly favourable reviews from a variety of different sources.
The restaurant is effectively offering a futures contract. This type of contract is prevalent everywhere, from financial markets to clothing and box-store retail to online shopping. So I fail to see the abhorrence of a local restaurant applying the same model to grow their business.
now lets see the COAST COWARDS delete this
http://www.facebook.com/VintageHalifax#!/d…
dennis cato
295 Av 49E
Lachine QC
H8T 2S7
Whatever. If its so awesome and packed all the time, with the prices they charge, they should be able to afford some renovations all by themselves.
On another note… Went there. Was unimpressed. Won’t be back. Pretty sure I’m not the only person.