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Started By
Message
Simple economic debate for the OT
Posted on 8/17/15 at 3:26 pm
Posted on 8/17/15 at 3:26 pm
This is more of a question on incentives.
I've been on vacation and was at a bar that served beer. After ordering a beer, they asked for one euro deposit and then would give you the beer in a nice tall glass and a small pin that you could wear on your clothes. When you returned the glass and the pin, then you would get your coin back.
The funny thing is that I never would have considered stealing the glass, but after they made me leave a deposit, I thought about it. They seemed to incentivize taking the glass, because, since I gave them money up front, it would seem less like stealing. I at least think one would have an argument that it isn't out right stealing.
Anyway I would guess that this method actually results in more people stealing glasses than if they didn't leave a deposit at all. I didn't take it because I didn't really want or need a glass.
What do you think? Is this an effective method to deter stealing? Is the idea good, but the deposit too low?
I've been on vacation and was at a bar that served beer. After ordering a beer, they asked for one euro deposit and then would give you the beer in a nice tall glass and a small pin that you could wear on your clothes. When you returned the glass and the pin, then you would get your coin back.
The funny thing is that I never would have considered stealing the glass, but after they made me leave a deposit, I thought about it. They seemed to incentivize taking the glass, because, since I gave them money up front, it would seem less like stealing. I at least think one would have an argument that it isn't out right stealing.
Anyway I would guess that this method actually results in more people stealing glasses than if they didn't leave a deposit at all. I didn't take it because I didn't really want or need a glass.
What do you think? Is this an effective method to deter stealing? Is the idea good, but the deposit too low?
14
Posted on 8/17/15 at 3:28 pm to TheIndulger
Germans came up mit dat.
Posted on 8/17/15 at 3:28 pm to TheIndulger
Pat O's been doing this for YEARS
Posted on 8/17/15 at 3:29 pm to TheIndulger
Henry VII would make his nobles Deposit a sum of money with the crown to deter them from causing trouble. It worked. Same idea I guess.
Posted on 8/17/15 at 3:29 pm to TheIndulger
Maybe the glass is less than a euro, so if you take it, they win. If you return it, they break even.
Posted on 8/17/15 at 3:29 pm to TheIndulger
You may not be thinking of stealing it but many other people obviously do.
Posted on 8/17/15 at 3:30 pm to Pecker
quote:
Maybe the glass is less than a euro, so if you take it, they win. If you return it, they break even.
It is probably worth about a euro so it's a wash.
Posted on 8/17/15 at 3:31 pm to TheIndulger
It may not deter theft, but it will recoup cost. Especially if it is at or near cost for them to order the glasses.
Posted on 8/17/15 at 3:31 pm to TheIndulger
Aldi's has a bar?
Posted on 8/17/15 at 3:31 pm to TheIndulger
It's not a real thing.
The pin you put on was to let a scout see a tourist is present. He or she then looked you up, perhaps even at a distance, and graded you. You probably have a tail. Get out now.
The pin you put on was to let a scout see a tourist is present. He or she then looked you up, perhaps even at a distance, and graded you. You probably have a tail. Get out now.
Posted on 8/17/15 at 3:34 pm to Pecker
quote:
Maybe the glass is less than a euro, so if you take it, they win. If you return it, they break even.
This is actually what I was thinking was a possibility.
Posted on 8/17/15 at 3:36 pm to TheIndulger
quote:
What do you think? Is this an effective method to deter stealing? Is the idea good, but the deposit too low?
Sounds like a great way to sell 10 cent glasses and 5 cent pins for a buck.
Posted on 8/17/15 at 3:37 pm to SEClint
quote:
The pin you put on was to let a scout see a tourist is present. He or she then looked you up, perhaps even at a distance, and graded you. You probably have a tail. Get out now.
Did the pin look like this?
This post was edited on 8/17/15 at 3:38 pm
Posted on 8/17/15 at 3:38 pm to tokenBoiler
Glass definitely worth more than 10 cents. Pin probably worthless.
Posted on 8/17/15 at 3:44 pm to TheIndulger
brilliant marketing technique. They want you to take the glass so that you always remember their establishment and hopefully visit in the future or send new people there.
Cheap but effective marketing. In fact, you pay for their effective marketing.
Think about it...you're on a very popular message board debating it. Now I'm interested in this place.
This place wins.
Cheap but effective marketing. In fact, you pay for their effective marketing.
Think about it...you're on a very popular message board debating it. Now I'm interested in this place.
This place wins.
This post was edited on 8/17/15 at 3:46 pm
Posted on 8/17/15 at 3:50 pm to LSU8654722
Was probably more like this.
Posted on 8/17/15 at 3:53 pm to TheIndulger
quote:
I at least think one would have an argument that it isn't out right stealing.
In America, one would have an argument that it's not stealing. But you're obviously not in the United States and there could be some weird laws wherever you are.
Posted on 8/17/15 at 3:54 pm to TheIndulger
quote:
They seemed to incentivize taking the glass, because, since I gave them money up front, it would seem less like stealing.
Or you could look at it this way. They know they're going to lose glasses regardless, whether people break them or steal them, it's a definite. What they've done is put that cost on the customers, without it really being noticeable or enraging to the customers.
The bar wins.
Posted on 8/17/15 at 4:06 pm to TheIndulger
This is much like banking. The bar takes your coin and invests it for a quick return earning fractions of a euro on its investment of your euro. Some take the glass instead of returning for their "deposit", which allows the bar to continue to earn a return on that euro. Rather simple. 
Posted on 8/17/15 at 4:10 pm to TheIndulger
The original Freakonomics had a similar situation with daycare.
Parents were picking up children late, so the daycare decided to institute a penalty fee if parents showed up late.
Instead of reducing late pickups, late pickups rose, as parents didn't feel bad that they were getting something for nothing, and the fee paid for the extra time.
Parents were picking up children late, so the daycare decided to institute a penalty fee if parents showed up late.
Instead of reducing late pickups, late pickups rose, as parents didn't feel bad that they were getting something for nothing, and the fee paid for the extra time.
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