Frame and Wheel notes that more viewers of the blog are voting on the various polls. This is of great excitement for Frame and Wheel. One respondent expressed a preference for the idea of paying a deposit when purchasing a frame and receiving cash back from the manufacturer when done with the frame. This idea has its origins in the program used by Staples to encourage consumers to return their ink cartridges (the arrangement is not much different than the familiar bottle refund program).
First, the consumer joins a "rewards program" by providing name, address, telephone number and email. In return, the consumer receives a card with an identification code on it. Next, the consumer brings in the used cartridges and obtains a cash credit for them after providing their rewards card. Frame and Wheel brought in seven cartridges three weeks ago and received a promise from the cashier that a check for $14.00 would be sent ($2.00 per cartridge). The check has yet to arrive, but Frame and Wheel is optimistic that it is in the mail. Working off the numbers from the Staple transaction implies that the deposit would be about 14% of the retail price of the frame ($280 on a $2,000 frame).
First, the consumer joins a "rewards program" by providing name, address, telephone number and email. In return, the consumer receives a card with an identification code on it. Next, the consumer brings in the used cartridges and obtains a cash credit for them after providing their rewards card. Frame and Wheel brought in seven cartridges three weeks ago and received a promise from the cashier that a check for $14.00 would be sent ($2.00 per cartridge). The check has yet to arrive, but Frame and Wheel is optimistic that it is in the mail. Working off the numbers from the Staple transaction implies that the deposit would be about 14% of the retail price of the frame ($280 on a $2,000 frame).
The program seems like it could be applied to the company's sustainability strategy: the consumer purchases the frame, provides contact information and becomes a member of the "team". The consumer uses the frame and after two years tires of it. The consumer sends the frame back to the company and receives a check or a credit towards a new frame. Frame and Wheel sends the old frames to a third party organization that recycles the carbon fiber into carbon fiber threads. One such organization is Recycled Carbon Fibre Ltd, which is based in the U.K, but planning a U.S. facility soon.
There are many details that need to be sorted out with this strategy and any ideas on it are welcomed. Frame and Wheel can think of a few hurdles: First, the credit or cash can only apply to the original owner, and verifying that may be tricky. Second, processing the old frames will require a lot of the company's resources. Third, it is not clear that any third party will buy old carbon fiber frames for their recycling input, especially at such low volumes, and the price they pay may be less than a reasonable deposit. Finally, does the consumer really want to strip all of the components off the frame? Nevertheless, Frame and Wheel believes that if the consumer seeks this kind of program, then the company should think of ways to provide it or something like it.
There are many details that need to be sorted out with this strategy and any ideas on it are welcomed. Frame and Wheel can think of a few hurdles: First, the credit or cash can only apply to the original owner, and verifying that may be tricky. Second, processing the old frames will require a lot of the company's resources. Third, it is not clear that any third party will buy old carbon fiber frames for their recycling input, especially at such low volumes, and the price they pay may be less than a reasonable deposit. Finally, does the consumer really want to strip all of the components off the frame? Nevertheless, Frame and Wheel believes that if the consumer seeks this kind of program, then the company should think of ways to provide it or something like it.
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