Kachingo
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Kachingo was a customer rewards programme in New Zealand run by Global Online systems. Every time a customer spent over a certain amount at any one the participating retail outlets the customer would then receive a ticket with a Game Line on it, the customer could receive additional game lines by spending a higher amount or purchasing certain items in store. Each Game Line gave the customer a chance to win money.
The programme was first trialed at Super Liquor outlets across New Zealand in December 2000. In October 2001, BP, Woolworths, Big Fresh, Price Chopper and KFC (Auckland North only) all joined the Kachingo programme offering rewards to customers shopping at participating stores.
Originally Kachingo included 3 draws from the one ticket, the first draw was a daily draw for $1000, the second a weekly draw for $10,000 and then a monthly draw for at least $250,000. In order to win the top prize the ticketholder needed to get all six numbers and the power number making the chances of winning less likely than Lotto. In April 2002 the daily and weekly draws were dropped and the weekly draw was now for $100,000 each week, smaller prizes were for $5, $20 and $1000. As a bonus sometimes shoppers received instant prizes when making a Kachingo purchase these prizes included chocolate bars, Coke and Cadbury Creme Eggs.
Checking tickets could be done on the Kachingo website, on Teletext and in the store of any participating retailer. The Kachingo website rapidly became one of the most frequently visited in the country. Some stores had self checkers that customers could use to check tickets themselves prior to redeeming any winning tickets at the counter. Staff at the store could also check for winners by using their Point of Sale system.
The Kachingo programme was designed as an incentive for customers to shop at the participating retail outlets, therefore increasing business at these stores. It was the retailer that paid Global Online each time a game line was issued and this was how the operaters made money out of the scheme and was able to pay out prize money.
The idea didn't catch on with many customers as it was found that many receipts were thrown out and along with it the prizes.
In February 2003 it was reported the Kachingo operators were in financial trouble and then weeks later it was announced the program would cease at the end of March 2003. The operators stated that Kachingo was ceasing to operate as the program was only a pilot program and now the program would be taken overseas and trialed in overseas markets. The last Kachingo game lines were issued to customers on the 31st March 2003 and systems were removed from stores at the end of April 2003. Customers could still claim prize money until their tickets expired which at the latest was at the end of September 2003 since tickets had a six month expiry date.
