I'm picturing a set-up where the customer can decide where a portion of their money will go - new products? increase in employee benefits or wages? future promotions or discounts? While the price would not necessarily be negotiable, customers could have a say in where 10% (or more or less) of the purchase price would go.

I was originally thinking about a restaurant (though now I think the idea could work in a variety of businesses) where customers could have a monetary input in whether a new menu item should be bought, staff paid more, or the atmosphere changed or enhanced. I pictured a place where the staff were paid much more than competing businesses, yet the customers felt responsible, and theoretically the staff would work harder and get a reputation for deserving the higher pay. People would come back since they "paid" for the happier employees.

So if a cup of coffee is $3.20, the customer could decide where $.40 should be used by the business. Even better, the business could be straightforward and be very clear with where their money is going, saying:

"$2.18 of this cup of coffee is for overhead, $.26 is for advertising, $.36 is for future growth (profit), where should we put the remaining $.40? Here are your choices. . . " There could even be a bulletin board showing what people are voting for.

I realize it is risky for some businesses to be too honest with where the money is actually going (and may come across that they are not good at business and don't know what to do with their money!), but as other people on this web site have pointed out customers can be savvy and may be more loyal to places that are more open and interactive, I know I would be.

What do you think of this idea or comment?
(You can change your vote at any time)

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I disagree