YuleLog Ornament Collector's Bulletin Board Forums Discussion Ornament Collecting Discussion No RTWs this year

Interesting to read on digitalDreambook that there will be no RTW in the stores this year. I am glad for the break from running around to different stores to put an entry form in and crossing my fingers for a phone call. I am not one bit disappointed...more of a sigh of relief. Now to see if my store manager would like the club to set up in the store to promote KOC.

Sue
Pasadena, Maryland

I haven't won a store RTW in years, or even had the ambition to seek them out on ebay so I don't think it's going to effect me.

I kind of lost interest after so many stores closed and my chances dropped significantly. This will be my first Premiere at our new residence but in October or November, the stores here didn't hold the contest.

I'll miss the RTW events. I like to collect the repaints/colorways of the series ornaments. Tired of the limited edition repaints. Birds, cars, trains - same old same old. Metal and resin must be cheaper costs (higher profit margins) for Hallmark. When was the last time a frosty friends or toy maker Santa repaint been offered as a limited edition?

My local store is doing their own RTW. The Toymaker Santa Train. Every ornament you buy you get one entry.

I am OK with this as well. A nice little break.. I do still have a good amount of stores around me (thankfully) but I try to give my business to the two closest and hopefully I will get a VIP invite (did we see that yet?) to them since I will not be spreading out my purchases going all around entering the contests.

I was dropping off my wishlist last night & asked if there were going to be Spring VIP bag's this year. I was told the "VIP" this year was an offer sent in an email on April 15th (that's when I got the email anyway). I can't figure out how to post a picture of it so I'll have to describe it.

The email said "A Springtime offer just for you" and shows a picture of a round wire basket & it has a card in the basket with butterflies & it says "Just a little note..." on the card. There is another card outside & behind the basket that has stylized birds & flowers. In front of the basket is what looks to be a bisque candle holder with "x" punch out designs on it & a tealight in it. Also laying in front of the basket are 2 "mini" journals.

According to my store manager this is the "VIP" basket "Free with a purchase of $40 or more" or $19.95 with purchase of 3 cards.

I just thought I'd share since I hadn't heard anything about this until now.

When Hallmark started doing the RTWs again a few years ago, my Sponsor Store closed and the lone Hallmark Store near me got their Clients. Which meant, I have not won a RTW since. LOL

Of all the ones they had, there is only one ornament I wanted and forgot to enter for it. If I am meant to have it, I will get it one way or another.

That's it. Thanks Queli!

One day I'll have to learn how to post pics...

At first I was disappointed about no in-store RTWs. I used to visit a lot of Hallmark stores to increase my chances of winning, and if I didn't win, I'd buy the ornament off ebay or this board. I have them all. But after thinking about it - this will save me a lot of money in the long run. Not just on gas, but because then I also am not guilted into purchasing something at almost every store, and missing out on surprise "must have" purchases while shopping. I may still visit a few stores to make sure I get the limited edition ornaments on my list, but nowhere near as many as I would to enter the RTW contests.

MJJ...here's the photo.

Thanks Queli - one day I'll learn how to post pics on here!

I was interested to hear that. It won't change my shopping plans for the various weekends that much since I give most of my business to one store, but I actually kind of like not having anything I'm that anxious to win so there is no pressure.

On the other hand, watching the "I won" threads the Monday after was always fun, and I will miss that.

Ditto!

You're welcome :-)

I usually win one of the RTW's each year so this is a bummer. Maybe they will bring them back for next year.

I agree!

My family was always pretty lucky so I will miss them this year.

It's just another way that HMK is cutting back. Interesting that they don't see the "Register To Win" contests as away of pulling customers into the store.

I suspect that the stores have given feedback that may have had a role in the decision to have RTWs. The ornaments weren't gifts to the stores, and by not having them it reduced the amount of work that went into producing two new designs/color combinations (new designs is a lot of money for the molds, packaging, proofing, etc. as opposed to new paint combinations and new packaging for repaints).

As the daughter of a couple who successfully ran a Dairy Queen for 40 years, I can well remember how many years there was a Mother's Day promotion that included giving away a very expensive item to all mothers with a purchase. I don't know how many people bought a small cone or small Coke which was enjoyed by the mother and the free item went to a child. One year a woman chewed my father out because he ran out of brownies for the free hot fudge brownie delight but was still giving away the free sundae part. That was the last year he gave away something free and the other stores in the area quit the freebies at the same time.

I'm disappointed that there's no RTW. I've never participated in the past and was really looking forward to doing so this year. Hope they bring it back.