Table of Contents
Fighting the Bots, Rewarding Loyalty
Let me explain what's been happening and why we've had to make some changes…
The Problem We're Facing
As many of you know, I'm Fez, and I run Gathering Games here in Skipton. We're a proper local game store that's been serving our community for years, and frankly, I'm getting fed up with what's been happening lately.
We've been seeing massive amounts of bot traffic on our website - automated programs that snap up all the latest and most desirable Pokémon products the moment they go live. These aren't real customers, they're not people who've ever set foot in our shop or even spoken to us. They're just programs designed to buy everything up and flip it for profit elsewhere.
This isn't fair on you - our proper customers who've been supporting us for years. You're the ones who should be getting first dibs on the good stuff, not some faceless bot from who knows where.
What We've Been Doing (And Why Luke's Been Run Ragged)
Up until now, we've been trying to work around this by never actually putting the hot Pokémon products live on the website. Instead, we've been sending emails to our newsletter subscribers inviting you to place orders directly with us.
While this kept the bots at bay, it meant our poor support team (mainly Luke, bless him) has been absolutely swamped manually creating orders, processing payments, and dealing with all the back-and-forth. It's been a right nightmare for everyone involved, and frankly, it's not sustainable.
The New VIP System - How It Works
So here's what we've done: we've created a proper VIP early access system that's much slicker and fairer for everyone. Here's how it works:
Sign into your account - This is the key bit. When you're logged in, our system can verify your VIP status
Browse normally - Products will appear on the website as usual
VIP verification happens automatically - If you have access, you'll see the normal "Add to Cart" button. If you don't, you'll see a message explaining why
Order directly - No more emailing back and forth, no more waiting for support (i.e. Luke) to manually process everything
It's that simple. If you're one of our loyal newsletter subscribers, you just log in and shop like you always have. The bots can't get past the login requirement, and our genuine customers get the access they deserve.
Email Notifications & Time Windows
We'll still be sending you emails to let you know when new products are available and what your ordering window is. In the future, we're planning to show these dates directly on the product pages too, so you'll always know exactly when you can place your order.
Future Plans - Proper VIP Tiers
This is just the beginning. We're working on a proper tiered VIP system that'll make things even fairer. Here's what we're planning:
VIP Tiers (Coming Soon):
Stone - Entry level for newsletter subscribers
Bronze - Customers with some spend with us
Silver - Regular customers with good loyalty
Gold - Our valued repeat customers
Platinum - High-spending loyal customers
Diamond - Our absolute top-tier customers
Your tier will be based on customer loyalty - essentially how much you've spent with us over time. But it's not just about the raw numbers; it's relative to our other VIP customers too, so tiers can move up and down based on activity.
Higher tiers will get earlier access windows. So if you're Diamond tier, you might get access on Monday, while Bronze tier gets access on Wednesday. Everyone still gets a fair chance, but loyalty gets rewarded.
When you log in, you'll be able to see exactly which tier you're in and when your access windows are.
Why We're Doing This
At the end of the day, this is about fairness. You've been supporting us, shopping with us, and being part of our community. You deserve better than having to compete with bots and automated systems that have no connection to our store whatsoever.
This system means:
Real customers get priority over bots and resellers
Loyal customers get rewarded for their continued support
Our support team (Luke!) can focus on helping customers rather than manually processing orders
Everyone knows where they stand - no more confusion about who can order what and when
Questions?
If you've got any questions about the new system, just drop us a line. We're still the same friendly local game store we've always been - we've just got better at keeping the bots out and looking after our proper customers.
TL;DR - The Key Points
Bots were buying up all our best Pokémon products before real customers could get them
Old system: Email invitations only, which created loads of manual work for our team
New system: Log in to verify your VIP status, then order directly from the website like normal
Newsletter subscribers get VIP access - bots can't get past the login requirement
Future plans: Proper VIP tiers (Bronze to Diamond) based on customer loyalty, with higher tiers getting earlier access
Email notifications will still tell you when products are available and when your ordering window is
It's all about fairness - rewarding loyal customers instead of letting bots take everything
Bottom line: If you're a newsletter subscriber, just log in and shop normally. The system does the rest.
FAQs
I'm signed in but I still can't order a product. What's wrong?
Being signed in just verifies your account - you also need to be subscribed to our newsletter to get VIP access. If you're subscribed but still can't order, it might be that you're not in the right VIP tier for that particular product, or the ordering window hasn't opened yet. Check your email for notifications about when you can order.
How do I know if I'm subscribed to the newsletter?
If you're getting our regular emails about new products and special offers, you're subscribed. If you're not sure, you can always sign up again using the same email address - it won't create duplicates.
I've been a customer for years but I'm not on the newsletter. Can I still get VIP access?
Absolutely! Just sign up for our newsletter with the same email address you use for your account. Once you're subscribed, you'll get VIP access. We know you're a loyal customer, and we want to make sure you're looked after.
When will the VIP tier system (Bronze, Silver, Gold, etc.) be available?
We're still working on it! Right now, it's just newsletter subscribers vs. non-subscribers. The proper tier system is coming soon, and we'll email everyone when it's ready. You'll be able to see your tier when you log in.
How is customer loyalty calculated for the VIP tiers?
It's based on how much you've spent with us over time, but it's also relative to other customers in the program. So if everyone's spending more, the thresholds go up. We think this is fairer than just having fixed spending amounts.
Can my VIP tier go down as well as up?
Yes, but don't panic! Since tiers are relative to other customers, they can shift over time. But we're not going to punish anyone for having a quiet month. The system looks at longer-term patterns, not just recent purchases.
Will I get an email telling me when I can order?
Yes! We'll still send email notifications to let you know when products are available and what your ordering window is. Eventually, we'll show these dates on the product pages too.
What if I miss my ordering window?
Get in touch! If we still have stock and you're a VIP member, we'll create an order for you.
Can I share my VIP access with friends or family?
Please don't. VIP access is tied to your individual account and email address. If your mates want VIP access, they should sign up for the newsletter themselves. It's free and helps us know who our real customers are.
What products will be VIP-only?
Mainly the latest and most sought-after Pokémon releases - the stuff that usually gets bought up by bots within minutes. Regular products will still be available to everyone as normal.
I used to get special email invitations to order products. Will that still happen?
What if I have multiple email addresses or accounts?
Try to stick to one account if you can - it makes it easier for our system to track your customer loyalty properly. If you've got multiple accounts, get in touch and we can help sort it out.
Do I need to do anything different when ordering VIP products?
Nope! If you have access, it works exactly like ordering any other product. Just add to cart and checkout as normal. The VIP bit happens automatically in the background.
What happens if I'm not signed in when I try to order a VIP product?
You'll see a message telling you that you need to log in to access the product. Once you're logged in, the system will check your VIP status automatically.
I think there's been a mistake with my VIP status. Who should I contact?
Drop us an email or give us a ring. We can check your account and newsletter subscription status and sort out any issues. Sometimes there are technical hiccups, and we're happy to help.
Will you be adding more VIP benefits in the future?
Possibly! Right now we're focused on making sure the early access system works properly. But we're always looking at ways to reward our loyal customers, so watch this space.
