Bloggers’ boozy deal causes Thresher site to crash
Posted by Ellee on Nov 30, 2006 in updates | 3 commentsThe Thresher boozy bloggers’ exclusive deal offering 40% discount for 10 days from today on receipt of this coupon has proved sensational. The traffic surge 
was so great that it caused their computer system to crash.
That is what a delighted Hugh McLeod of Gapingvoid told me last night at the londongirlgeekdinner. He said it was proving phenomenal.
It was picked up by other bloggers from my site, including Tim Worstall, Devil’s Kitchen, Mr Eugenides, Harry’s Place and Tim Almond. As a result, I had two of my biggest hits two days running – peaking at 1,222 on Tuesday.
Let’s wait and see if those hits convert into cash for Thresher, the comments have been very mixed how genuine an offer it really is. But it is a great test for viral marketing.
Update: 1st December, 800,000 people download coupon.
Update: 2nd December, I had a new record number of hits again yesterday, mainly due to this offer, reaching 3,269. The Times today reports that more than 1 million coupons have been downloaded.
That’s OK, I have pointed all of my family and friends towards it…!
40% off is not too bad an offer really, although I would prefer it if it included ales as well…
DK
Ummmm ???? I listened to a report about this on FIVE LIVE DRIVE last night, and a wine supplier said it was originally designed for family and friends. If that’s the case, why circulate it via a blog? They say they will honour and accept all vouchers….interesting.
I smell a rat and suspect that this is a clever markrting ploy to try and compete with TESCOs current excellent offer of an extra 25% off 6 bottles of wine or champagne until Tuesday. The difference is that TESCO include ALL offers including the HALF PRICE wines which means you can get an £8 bottle for just £3 with the half price + 25% offer.
Still it is great publicity and a very clever marketing offer, but as Threshers do not include their special offer wines, I will be getting mine from Tesco.
Their website went down just before 2pm yesterday – just after I’d linked to their “3 for 2″ graphic. I’m sure I didn’t do it single-handedly, though …