Here's a Question.
If a member has a full Collection. Call them a Whale .
How Much Does that Whale Spend in a Year to buy every card released that year?

Also,

Totem pays out 60% to their Affiliates and Only keeps 40% for the Business
how much does The Business keep a year from one of us Whales ?

and How Many Whales are there?

You Might be very surprised if you answer these questions...

you don't need to post the numbers here..
Just do it for your own knowledge...

Good point...One other thing to think about is granted even though it's mainly a Desktop application is the future of said application. Not trying to be negative here at all just remember when I initially signed up when it was VirtuaGirl2 and VirtuaGirlHD, It was a subscription based model. What sort of plans or ideas to help the site and business grow from where it is. Only reason I say this is just recently redownloaded the application again. Though since then I see they've added VR to the mix.

In example forming partnerships with certain other Adult Entertainment sites. For instance Playboy Plus offers a modified version of the application and has Playboy where iStripper is supposed to be. I assume it's like this for other affiliates as well. Though do those affiliates also create their own content and could possibly help create / add more additional cards with their models or is strictly content that Totem produces. Just a wild rambling thought.

@TheEmu

With respect to the games of chance I do not understand why Totem are singled out for using what is a very common, and apparently effective, business practice. I don't particularly like them - especially those that are explicitly presented as gambling - but have absolutely no expectation that they will stop because something like 0.01% (probably less) of customers *****.

You routinely point out the futility of objecting to Totem's business practices here, yet would now advocate for objections to other companies being made here?

If you feel that Totem is being singled out, perhaps that is because these are Totem's forums.

As I've mentioned once before, introducing cards which can only be obtained by filling a potentially bottomless hole with money is simply exploitative.

The site for their affiliate program states "Highly Addictive - Average retention on iStripper is 5 months" so maybe they've calculated that serving up this sort of thing to long term *****... er, members is more profitable than encouraging more customers to stick around longer than 5 months.

@iPseudo - What I routinely point out is that people claim that these practices ARE harming Totem but that these claims all made with no evidence. What evidence there is is that these practices work for others, can be expected to work for Totem and that Totem have the data to know whether they work or not.

I don't think anyone seriously questions whether these methods work, the question is whether or not less exploitative methods could be more profitable.

@iPseudo - if you look back on the various posts in the various threads addressing this topic you will find that other posters have indeed repeatedly claimed that Totem will lose business due to these practices. It is that claim, and only, that claim, that I am disputing. There may well be other, perhaps equally effective, alternatives but if these are introduced it is likely that they will be in addition to those currently used.

As someone has pointed out recently, Totem state on a webpage devoted to their affiliates program that on average new customers are retained for 5 months. Rex has also previously stated that Totem were getting roughly equal business from long term collectors and new customers. This suggests that the "natural wastage" of short term customers each month will be much bigger than the number of long term customers who have been pissed off enough by the games to stop buying. I can't imagine that the existance of the games or the exclusive special event cards will put off many new customers.

I'm curious. Is your basis for engaging in that dispute a faith in Totem's business acumen, or lack of faith in it?

I would argue that people who claim that Totem is on track to lose them as a customer are in a better position to know the truth of that statement than anyone else, even if they can't quite muster the will to follow through.

@iPseudo - We as customers do not have access to the data and can only express opinions as to whether we think that Totem's behaviour will have a negative impact on their business (i.e. on their profits).

What we do know is that Totem have access to their sales data and can actually see the effects. They continue to make the offers that other claim will (not might, but will) be detrimental. If Totem are seeing a negative effect (as the others claim that they should be seeing) then it is,in my opinion, exceedingly unlikely that they would keep on with the practices as they are doing.

We can also argue from the experience of other businesses that indulge in similar practices and seem to think that they benefit from them. Why would Totem be any different.

Finally, I do not dispute that Totem will lose a few customers, what I do dispute is that this will have a significant effect.

With respect to the games of chance I do not understand why Totem are singled out for using what is a very common, and apparently effective, business practice.

I'm not sure they are all that common. Perhaps I am simply ignoring them, but I don't shop much. Totem's cards are one of the few products other than groceries that I buy on a regular basis.

@Dorsai6

In the last couple of years I have seen various games of chance used to help sell cars, chocolate, beer, softdrinks, fast food meals, proper resturant meals, hotel rooms, foreign hollidays, groceries, newspapers, magazines, houses and "adult" products. I assume that there were a lot more, but as I don't participate in those games I have not been looking out for them.

Je hais tout ces petits jeux que je dois jouer si je veux avoir une chance de gagner une "carte spéciale".
Avec 3322 cartes, j'ai aussi dépensé un assez gros montant d'argent sur IStripper (encore plus avec la faible valeur du dollar canadien).
J'ai encore participé à un jeu sans intérêt, car j'adore Melena.
Je l'ai fait à contre coeur.
J'ai fini par gagner la carte, après avoir dépensé un montant élevé, plus de 700 crédit ($100), plus les crédits gagnés et redépensés, nombreux pour être addictif, et continuer à jouer.
Après, je m'en voulais tellement, et je m'en veux encore.
Bien sure, j'ai gagné d'autres cartes, avec cette argent dépensé, mais que je ne choisissais pas, et plusieurs sans intérêt pour moi.
Suite à ce jeu, je m'en veux terriblement.

Penser à IStripper, j'éprouve de moins en moins de plaisir, et un gout amer me remonte dans la bouche.
L'équipe de IStripper semblait être fait de passionnés, à l'écoute des membres.
Parmi ceux ci semble s'être infiltré des spécialistes en marketing, ou seul la valeur de l'argent compte.
Avec la multiplication des jeux (probablement illégaux), et surtout des cartes spéciales qu'on ne peut acheter, ça vaudrait dire que cette façon de faire apporte assez d'argent pour ne pas entendre la grogne des anciens membres et collectionneurs, qui vous supportent depuis bien des *****ées.

Ça fait plusieurs mois que je me demande si la fin de ma collection approche. Ça fait plusieurs mois que j'achète des cartes plus par habitude que par réel plaisir, malgré toutes les belles femmes découvertes par l'équipe. Aurais-je atteint le point de non retour?


I dislike a lot all these games we see every week on Istripper now, even more when this is the only way to « win » a « special » card.
I have 3322 cards, so i spend a good amount of money on Virtuagirl, deskbabes, and Istripper, even more with the low value of the Canadian dollar these few years.
I participate in the last game, again, to win the card, since i love Melena, but i did it against my will.
I win the card, after spending more than 700 credits ($100), plus all the credit i won and spend again.
Now, i ***** myself, and thinking of Istripper, it feel like i have a bad taste coming in my mouth.
The Istripper team now have good marketing people that think of new ways to attract new members who may be ***** to all the casino games we see on I Stripper now. Ok to them, but the special cards we can’t buy need to stop.

The last few months, i buy cards…by habitude. The fun isn’t there. Every week, i see these discusting games, and, every now and then, these special card. I ***** it. Maybe it’s finally time to say that my collection is completed. Thinking………

Hi All,

We understand that some of you are frustrated because of the "special events" cards and we hear you.

The truth is that Totem always had in mind to create "rare" cards (It probably has something to do with the fact that the founders are Magic players;)). Among the 7 special event cards we have released so far, 4 come from pre-orders or advent calendars and 3 were added on the occasion of a scratch ticket promotion.

We had already heard your claims with the first Special Event cards we had released. This is why we have decided to create the Joker card, to give you more chances to get the special event cards. And it worked ! 50 of you have earned this joker card and were able to get Melena's special card if they hadn't won it when scratching.

But it's obviously still frustrating when you have no luck. That's why we have decided to work on new means to obtain special event cards NOT based only on luck but as rewards for your LOYALTY.

We'll keep posted on this by the end of the year.

L'équipe de IStripper semblait être fait de passionnés, à l'écoute des membres.
Parmi ceux ci semble s'être infiltré des spécialistes en marketing, ou seul la valeur de l'argent compte.

Exactement mon point de vue en tant que membre depuis le tout début de iStripper (VirtuaGirl).

The Istripper team now have good marketing people that think of new ways to attract new members who may be ***** to all the casino games we see on I Stripper now. Ok to them, but the special cards we can’t buy need to stop.

If they want gambling games, so be it, but don't use games as the only way to get exclusive cards. They could sell them at a reasonably higher price and those who like to gamble could take a chance to get them at a potentially lower price.

Power users that don't gamble should be allowed to buy cards that istripper deems as worth more.Just set a price.

Thank you for the update Kaiju.

@Kaiju: Based on what you expose ... If a SPECIAL EVENT CARD, has the same format as the others, the same resolution of video and photos. It was not filmed differently ... What makes it Special? The whim of your company?

There is no added value in such a letter ... it is a mockery of people.

When you give something the great title of SPECIAL, your client must feel it and must vibrate with it.
You know how much I vibrate with the SPECIAL CARD that I won and that cost me almost $ 50US… .Nothing!…
I found a mockery of bad taste. I would exchange it happily for a 1080p card of my choice.
Your analogy with the MAGIC Letters ... a shame. I illustrate a few RARE letters of those, the economic value in the market is very high. Because they have an exceptional quality, they are handcrafted, a print finish from another world and the illustration I made for them I made and painted with my fingers without using brushes or pencils on a canvas of 2mts x 1mts .... That is Special !! !!

This is pathetic! and I decide to retire as an active user, I value myself as a person, this has no more weight than a pop-corn package

C'mon now @7171al71 you're not interested in the new SEC Loyalty Plan

I’ll pay a little extra for a hot girl on roller skates. Better and more different than the usual lingerie were used to on Istripper. Otherwise just another card here. Please stop with the gamble and just put it out there for us to buy. Please listen to your members

But it's obviously still frustrating when you have no luck. That's why we have decided to work on new means to obtain special event cards NOT based only on luck but as rewards for your LOYALTY.

Judging by this statement, LOYALTY will not be sufficient to get access directly to the so called special cards, luck will still have to do its part.

When you give something the great title of SPECIAL, your client must feel it and must vibrate with it.
You know how much I vibrate with the SPECIAL CARD that I won and that cost me almost $ 50US… .Nothing!…
I found a mockery of bad taste. I would exchange it happily for a 1080p card of my choice.

I also agree that Melena's card has nothing really special apart from the fact it's a Melena's card. In the beginning of Special Event Cards, we've had access to previews like normal cards, to at least get a glimse of what this special card would offer but this is not the case anymore, we have to buy blindly or should I say gamble blindly, hoping to get it and hopping to be surprise by the content.

Thank you @kaiju for your response.

I'm glad to see that Totem has heard our displeasure and is considering a solution to satisfy its customers.

Also for the sake of transparency, I want to tell you that I got a response from Manue today to my ticket, after 5 days of waiting. I'll tell you what she wrote to me and my answer.

For the rest I'm waiting for Totem solutions, before starting to buy cards again.



Manue Customer Service (7 hours ago)

Hello

Really sorry for the inconvénience caused, I put your ticket/request to our Marketing team

Kind regards

Manue


ComteDracula (an hour ago)

Thank you Manue for your reply. I was beginning to wonder about Totem's seriousness, to try to satisfy its most loyal customers.

I'm still waiting before I buy new cards.

I want to make sure I can own the Tara Rya melena card, and future special event cards.

I'm not asking for charity, I'm willing to pay for these cards.

But I need to know the cost in advance and make sure I buy it.

But please. I don't want any more hazard games for these cards.

I'm a principled person, and against all kinds of "Gambling."

I look forward to your proposals.

I find it a pity to have to write on the forum, to make understand the seriousness of my discontent, this is not my habit. However, without an answer from you, you left me no choice.

Thank you




Merci @kaiju de votre réponse.

Je suis content de voir que Totem a entendu notre mécontentement et songe à une solution pour satisfaire ses clients.

Aussi par soucis de transparence, je veux vous dire que j'ai eu une réponse de Manue aujourd'hui à mon billet, après 5 jours d'attente. Je vous retranscrit ce qu'elle m'a écrit et ma réponse.

Pour le reste je suis en attente des solutions de Totem, avant de recommencer à acheter des cartes.


Manue Customer Service (il y a 7 heures)

Bonjour,

Vraiment désolée pour l'inconvénience causée, J'ai remonté votre ticket/demande à notre équipe Marketing

Cordialement

Manue

ComteDracula (il y a une heure)

Merci Manue de votre réponse. Je commençait à me poser des questions sur le sérieux de Totem, à chercher à satisfaire ses clients les plus fidèles.

J'attend encore avant de faire l'achat de nouvelles cartes.

Je veux être certains de pouvoir posséder la carte de melena Tara Rya, et les futures cartes évènements spéciaux.

Je ne demande pas la charité, je suis prêt à payer pour ces cartes.

Mais je dois savoir à l'avance le coût et être certain d'en faire l'acquisition.

Mais s.v.p. Je ne veux plus de jeux de hazard pour ces cartes.

Je suis quelqu'un de principe, et contre toute sorte de "Gambling".

J'attend impatiemment vos propositions.

Je trouve dommage d'avoir dû écrire sur le forum, pour faire comprendre le sérieux de mon mécontentement, ca rce n'est pas mon habitude. Par contre, sans réponse de votre part, vous ne me laissiez plus le choix.

Merci,

........the so called special cards.......

I think some people are missing the point here.

As @TheEmu has pointed out on a number of occasions, there is nothing special about the cards. They are typically just ordinary cards but of very popular models. I don't think Totem have even claimed that the cards are special as such. It is the event where you can get the cards that is special not the card itself.

We have had two advent calenders which were obviously special events. There was a Black Friday Event - again a special event for the Black Friday weekend. There was a summer sale special event. Even the current debate - the special event was the launch of the Joker cards.

The cards are offered as a bonus for taking part in an associated special event. Of course Totem are going to use cards of popular models to encourage people to take part in the event.

The decision to take part is down to the individual.

Hmm...

I find all the girls here special, each and every one lifts me "out of this world"! :)

@Kaiju: Based on what you expose ... If a SPECIAL EVENT CARD, has the same format as the others, the same resolution of video and photos. It was not filmed differently ... What makes it Special? The whim of your company?

There is no added value in such a letter ... it is a mockery of people.

When you give something the great title of SPECIAL, your client must feel it and must vibrate with it.
You know how much I vibrate with the SPECIAL CARD that I won and that cost me almost $ 50US… .Nothing!…
I found a mockery of bad taste. I would exchange it happily for a 1080p card of my choice.
Your analogy with the MAGIC Letters ... a shame. I illustrate a few RARE letters of those, the economic value in the market is very high. Because they have an exceptional quality, they are handcrafted, a print finish from another world and the illustration I made for them I made and painted with my fingers without using brushes or pencils on a canvas of 2mts x 1mts .... That is Special !! !!

This is pathetic! and I decide to retire as an active user, I value myself as a person, this has no more weight than a pop-corn package

@7171al71 ,

I respect your opinion, but before making any decisions, I would like to suggest that you wait until you see the proposals made.

I appreciate your participation on the forum and your creations. It would be a shame to lose you, even if I agree, few people comment positively on your creations, who deserve it.

Having said that, I see a positive movement on totem's part, and I prefer to see what will happen, before "throwing the stone".

Of course, nothing prevents you from doing as I do and waiting for the proposed solution, before making purchases, if you obviously wish.

One thing is certain, special event cards are cards like any other, and do not deserve to be paid exorbitant sums to get them. As gambling leads people to do it.



@7171al71 ,

je respecte votre opinion, par contre avant de prendre des décisions, j'aimerais vous suggérer d'attendre de voir les propositions faites.

J'apprécie votre participation sur le forum et vos créations. Ce serait dommage de vous perdre, même si j'en conviens, peu de gens commentent positivement vos créations, qui le méritent amplement.

Ceci dit, je vois un mouvement positif de la part de Totem, et je préfère voir ce qui va se passer, avant de "jeter la pierre".

Évidemment, rien ne vous empêche de faire comme moi et attendre la solution proposée, avant de refaire des achats, si vous le désirez évidemment.

Une chose est certaine, les cartes évènement spéciaux sont des cartes comme les autres, et ne méritent pas que l'on paie des sommes exorbitantes pour se les procurer. Comme les jeux de hasard ammène les gens à le faire.

Based on what you expose ... If a SPECIAL EVENT CARD, has the same format as the others, the same resolution of video and photos. It was not filmed differently ... What makes it Special? The whim of your company?

No one said the CARD was Special...
The Event is Special...
it is a Special Event, Card.. not a Special Card, for the Event.

The only thing different is that the card is Exclusive to the Special Event.
and after the event, it can also be gained through one of the games of chance.

But totem Never said the Card was a Special card.
it is an Ordinary Card the same as any other card.
Might have a unique Outfit only used for that card, or it might not...
But it is exclusive to the Special Event.

The Event is Special...
it is a Special Event, Card.. not a Special Card, for the Event.

I really dislike doublespeak. Obfuscation is only used for certain reasons...
Completely normal cards are being put behind a variable pay wall.
So... what is being celebrated? Luck? Games of chance? Fiscal irresponsibility? Something else...?

The fact that an ordinary card is being used to frustrate honest customers out of the chance to complete their collections of a single girl or a complete card collection for 'financial reasons' will not go down well with many spoken members here.

After all this time have we come full circle back to the same old entitlement problems, double standards and goal post moving?
Only the rich or the lucky, selected few are allowed to garner a full collection?

What withers in the light of day does not belong on the vine...

@shodan084

There was no doublespeak. The wording of the offers clearly (to me at least, and I think to most who read them) indicated that it was the events that were special. Nothing was said about the content of the cards being special.

What is being celebrated - nothing in particular. Some of the special events aligned with external celebrations but not the others.

Using emotional words and phrases such "frustrate" and "honest customers" does not help.

As far as "entitlement problems" are concerned what I see is a relatively small subset of customers thinking that they are entitled to dictate how Totem decide to do business. I don't much like the special events and would prefer that all cards were simply sold in the normal way - but that does not mean that I feel that I should be entitled to get them that way.

one sentence taken out of context.
"There were Very Fine People on both Sides"

"Fake News reports"
Trump calls White Supremacist "Very Fine People"
they play an edited Select few words from the entire speech...
Pushing forth a false narrative...

and the world believes the Fake News, instead of listening to the speech
so they know the truth..

So... what is being celebrated? Luck? Games of chance? Fiscal irresponsibility? Something else...?

Mandatory, *****, automatic updates of the software is the event that is being celebrated.

@Chicsans - you may be correct - but if so it will be a private celebration.