First, I want to say I'm happy for the people that bought in at super low minimums for direct benefits, as low as 25 points. When I say it was a dumb move by DVD to give direct benefits for as few as 25 points, I don't mean to disparage those who took advantage, especially because I'm super jealous of yall.
But they really screw it up when direct benefits are low thresholds. With so many people in as direct members it dilutes the special things DVD is able to do. A huge pot means more "costs" to any variable cost benefit while overcrowding and creating too much demand fixed costs stuff like Moonlight Magic. If they didn't give basically everyone direct benefits we wouldn't see as many complaints of people not getting Moonlight Magic.
Unfortunately the period of super low threshold direct benefits overlapped nearly exactly with Poly and CC point hog bungalows and cabins, creating other issues.
Increasing the minimum benefits requirement will eventually allow DVD to create more special benefits for members, stuff that can further differentiate direct and resale, differences that will ultimately push more direct sales.
Increasing the minimum for benefits should in theory immediately help sales considering the number of people saying "buy only the min and then buy the rest resale." With strategies like that, it's no wonder DVD looked to both undercut resale and further differentiate direct.
And yes I acknowledge the "get off my lawn" mentality of this post.