A Thank you or a Discount

[OKLAHOMAN]

Like most of the Vendors here I give a "Thank You" gift with each order, usually a blank, sometimes Ca, other times a pen pouch and other times something else. What I'm wondering is what would you like better especially with todays economy, the "Thank You" gift or would you like a gift certificate to be used on your next visit so you could pick out your own "Thank You" or use it for a discount. When we give a blank I try to give an acrylic blank to acrylic users a wood blank to wood users, but we never know. As of now my software won't let me do a gift certificate or discount code but I would be willing to change software to accomadate what "YOU WANT". I would really like to hear back and also your reasons

 

[wood-of-1kind]

If "gift" certificate is chosen, then what value? Is it a % of previous sales invoice? Reason that I ask is if it's say "a dollar or two" then I would be more inclined to accept a "whooopee freebie". If it's say a $5 certifificate, then I would probably desire that more and apply it to my next order.

 

[Andrew_K99]

I choose discount code. Freebies are nice but I'd rather the $ to buy something I know I will use.

AK

 

[Mason Kuettel]

I like the surprise factor of a gift...even if that surprise is a gift certificate or discount code!

 

[76winger]

I haven't voted but just wanted to offer my thoughts since I don't find a "right" option from the list. From dealing with the larger suppliers, who don't provide thank you's, I don't normally expect one when I'm ordering supplies. But when I *DO* get one it does endear my hear just a little bit to that person or supplier who went the extra mile.

I imagine you'll get several varying replies back on this. Some that may only buy from you once might be happy with "just a blank" or a "random gift" rather than a discount card or number, while those that are repeat buyers may well favor the discount so they can apply it to what they want to purchase instead. Then there's all kinds of variables in-between that would cause me to ramble on too much, so I'll digress and leave with just my 2 cents worth. Good luck on your poll Roy!

 

[OKLAHOMAN]

Good question Peter, I was thinking along the lines of 10% off your next order and each order you would get a new discount code for the following order. Just thinking out loud now

If "gift" certificate is chosen, then what value? Is it a % of previous sales invoice? Reason that I ask is if it's say "a dollar or two" then I would be more inclined to accept a "whooopee freebie". If it's say a $5 certifificate, then I would probably desire that more and apply it to my next order.

 

[wolftat]

I'm happy with just getting what I paid for.

 

[Displaced Canadian]

To me a discount off your next order feels like you are trying to get more of my business. Sometimes a freebie will make you try something you have never thought to use before and doesn't feel like it has any strings attached.

 

[kovalcik]

I like the surprise thank you gift. I like getting something I may not have ordered on my own. It lets me try out new things.

 

[ryvnd2001]

I'm probably not alone in having so many blanks and kits (way more than I need...according to my wife). When I get freebies, I think it's a really nice gesture, but typically can't use them. Maybe you can offer free shipping on your next order. If it were me, someone who orders over $50-$75 would qualify for free shipping on their next order. If someone orders something less then I would throw in a small freebie. Just my 2 cents.

 

[MesquiteMan]

I'm happy with just getting what I paid for.

I am too. Let's face it, there is no free lunch. Giving gifts or codes is a good marketing strategy but the reality of it is it just makes the cost of everything higher to cover the costs of the "gift" or code.

 

[Haynie]

I am plenty happy with getting what I paid for in a very timely manner, this is what will keep me coming back. The big kids on the block charge too much for shipping and/or take forever getting something to you. Plopping something free in is going WAY above and beyond.

 

[OKLAHOMAN]

Christopher, good point and I imagine even when a "Thank You" gift is included with the order some feel obligated to buy again from a vendor.
If we as Vendors really are honest the reason we give "Thank You" gifts is to get and keep your business. I'm thinking that maybe instead of a $2 blank if I gave a 10% gift card off of your next order it would do two things
1-Save you money as $10 off of a $100 order is better than a couple of blanks you might or might not have wanted in the first place.
2. If these were to be accumalitive up to $100 you would be able to get on order up to $100 free. ( not saying this would be done but it is something for me to think on)

To me a discount off your next order feels like you are trying to get more of my business. Sometimes a freebie will make you try something you have never thought to use before and doesn't feel like it has any strings attached.

 

[GoodTurns]

I picked the discount code, mainly because I KNOW I will be back to your "shop" and because the items I usually buy tend to be higher end... I do like the "gifts" I see when I open my package, but as this turns more business oriented for me, the discount is a known and usable item.

 

[glycerine]

I'm still thinking about this one... and by the way, Thank YOU for the "Thank you" gifts. I've gotten one with every order and don't believe I'VE ever said thanks to YOU!

 

[OldGrumpy]

Leave it like it is. Our vendors give good deals and fair prices. When you receive that unexpected item in the box it means something. Other alternatives smack of "Big Box Retailers" to me. If I do not get something added to my box I still feel I got what I wanted from the perxon I wanted it from (a fellow IAP member).

 

[seamus7227]

I like the surprise factor of a gift...even if that surprise is a gift certificate or discount code!

+1 on the surprise factor! Heck, i would just be grateful to receive anything if its free! Mama always said not to look a gift horse in the mouth!:biggrin:

 

[Smitty37]

Nothing

My personal approach is to keep the price as low as I can. Hence no freebies and no discounts under most circumstances.

 

[txbob]

I hate paying for shipping....

I hate paying shipping and handling charges. If I need a blank, I've probably already bought it. A minimum order size would be ok, just don't charge me for shipping.
txbob

 

[studioso]

just saying, the first time I got a freebee (from exoticblanks, if I'm not mistaken) it was green metallic resin blanks. when I first open the box, I started getting all worked up, since I knew I haven't ordered it and figured I was either getting ripped off (I was just starting and didn't know about IAP yet!) or that the seller had made a mistake that I will have to go through the trouble of fixing.

than i saw the "freebe" sticker on it: I never felt so thankful! I probably buy something online 5 or so times a week. (especially since many things are more expensive here in Canada, as if we live in Narnia) and I NEVER get something for free. so thank you Roy, and most other vendors here on IAP, for the gifts.

 

[maxwell_smart007]

Locally, I'm more likely to shop at stores that have the lower regular price than ones that offer a big discounted sale at times or membership cards...reason being is that the regular prices on those items, and all others, are usually higher to accommodate the occasional sale.

So personally, I like shopping for the 'bottom line' price.

However, from what I can deduce about marketing strategies, and pen companies in general, it appears that freebie blanks get more publicity and thus more bang-for-the-buck than future discounts or lower prices

 

[sbell111]

I'm happy with just getting what I paid for.

Me, too.

Honestly, I'd just as soon not get any of these gifts and for the seller to price accordingly. Obviously, the cost of these freebies must be included in the prices that I am paying. I'd just as soon not pay for them and get a better deal on the things that I actually buy.

 

[Dave Turner]

Just looking at my own buying behavior; I have a tendency to do a follow-up purchase if I have a discount that I know will be expiring. For me, three months till expiration is an appropriate time to entice me. Any shorter and I probably can't justify the next purchase so soon. If it's too much longer, I tend to forget about it. Anything less than 10% probably is not worth it to me. Free shipping is a great incentive.

 

[Lenny]

I like the "surprise factor" of a freebie, and like Displaced Canadian said, it has been a way to try other things I might never have ordered otherwise .... often things I end up ordering more of later on.

 

[markgum]

I enjoy the freebie. I never expect one; and usually its something that intrigues me to try something new.

 

[skiprat]

Roy, I think you would be very surprised if you had a 'No Freebie - No Discount' option.
Like has been said, there is no such thing as a freebie. You're running a business and therefore the cost of the 'freebie' or future discount is factored into the price. Only a one-time customer wins, your regular clients are footing the bill for their freebie.
Just good honest decent prices will do for most folks.

I also think freebies can be a bit embarrassing too for a purchaser.
They might not like the 'freebie' at all but now feel obliged to mention the vendor glowingly when they next SOYP.

Vendors shouldn't try to buy a reputation, they should earn it. :wink:

 

[socdad]

I did not vote … I would be happy with any one of the three options

 

[maxwell_smart007]

I did not vote … I would be happy with any one of the three options

That's a good choice - there are no losing options, are there!

 

[Daniel]

I like the gift, because a gift is well, a gift. I don't obligated to make another purchase. Tempted maybe if it was a nice blank so now I have to get a pen kit to match. A discount or a code is business and it does have that feeling of drawing on the next purchase. A gift says thank you for the purchase I already made.

 

[OKLAHOMAN]

As has been well pointed out, there is no such thing as a "THANK YOU GIFT",FREEBEE or what ever we call it, as vendors we just take it from our bottom line, but even the big boys CSUSA for example will at times give a "THANK YOU" in the form of a discount free or discounted shipping.It's part of the marketing stragity of most companies. If I stopped giving "Thank You" gifts there would be not enough extra margin to lower prices oh maybe one item but not across the board, it would increase my bottom line over a year but really not give my customers a better value.
The free shipping could work with orders over a certain amount and that is something I've though about but discarded as no cost effective. Maybe as a promotion but not as an every day thing. Keep posting this is very helpful.

 

[studioso]

I'm not sure why everyone is saying that the freebie comes at a cost to the buyer.
I might be wrong, but I've purchased from Csusa and penn, as well as at local stores, and didn't get anything free, yet the prices were not necessarily cheaper than by other IAP vendors.

and how cheaper can it get?

by my very rough calculations, based on an estimate of my average order, most vendors are "spending" around 1% on the freebie. very much worth it, IMHO, as a marketing expense.

BTW, sort of on the subject, penblanks.ca has a very nice feature, if you are subscribed to the email listing. they have a different item (or a group of items) on sale every week. sometimes at a high discount. I know I look forward to get their email ,usually on saturday night, and it certainly has brought me to their web sie and made put together a purchase. (but than again, sometimes I wait to buy something I don't need desperately until it goes on sale...)

 

[Robert111]

The little kid in me says "FREEBEEEEE!"

 

[LeeR]

I think the small "freebies" are a nice touch. The first acrylic pen I turned was the result of getting a freebie acrylic blank with some pen kits I ordered.

The thing I ALWAYS jump on is free shipping. In fact, I usually time my orders to Lee Valley for general woodworking stuff to those times of the year that they offer free shipping. And since many online offers require a minimum order size to get the free shipping, it encourages me to find that "something else" to order, just to get the total order $ up. I'd guess I'm not alone in following this practice.

 

[KnB Polymers]

The most important thing that gets us going back to a company is fast shipping.
The most important thing that drives us away from a company is high shipping.

I like "freebies", everyone does ... they are fun ... but personally, with the economy like it it, I would jump faster on the discount on future purchases or discounted/free shipping.

But all in all, great customer service and fast shipping is my priority. I have no patience! LOL!

 

[maxwell_smart007]

If you want to get Canadian customers - offer free shipping....that's something we NEVER seem to get.

I really get bored with the billion emails in my account saying 'free shipping on EVERY order'...but it never applies to Canadians. Even just a small discount in the amount of what the free shipping is saving the Americans would be nice...

Food for thought!

 

[ed4copies]

If you want to get Canadian customers - offer free shipping....that's something we NEVER seem to get.

I really get bored with the billion emails in my account saying 'free shipping on EVERY order'...but it never applies to Canadians. Even just a small discount in the amount of what the free shipping is saving the Americans would be nice...

Food for thought!

Anything international requires a "customs form". That form has to add up with the weight of the articles inside the box, and the pricing will determine how much Customs is due, to be paid by YOU, the buyer. In contrast to shipping in the USA, where the package does not even need to be weighed, if it is in the flat rate boxes.

Properly preparing these documents requires time, above and beyond the time for domestic shipping. IF employees are doing this, it adds a significant "overhead burden". If you are small enough to do it yourself, it takes as long to do ONE international as it does to do several domestic.

Food for thought.

 

[maxwell_smart007]

Anything international requires a "customs form". That form has to add up with the weight of the articles inside the box, and the pricing will determine how much Customs is due, to be paid by YOU, the buyer. In contrast to shipping in the USA, where the package does not even need to be weighed, if it is in the flat rate boxes.

Properly preparing these documents requires time, above and beyond the time for domestic shipping. IF employees are doing this, it adds a significant "overhead burden". If you are small enough to do it yourself, it takes as long to do ONE international as it does to do several domestic.

Food for thought.

No argument, Ed - just stating that Canucks like discounted shipping too - esp. because the big players often offer 'free domestic', but not even a small discount on Canadian...

Just an observation!

 

[Smitty37]

Not easy

If you want to get Canadian customers - offer free shipping....that's something we NEVER seem to get.

I really get bored with the billion emails in my account saying 'free shipping on EVERY order'...but it never applies to Canadians. Even just a small discount in the amount of what the free shipping is saving the Americans would be nice...

Food for thought!

I ship mostly in Small Flat Rate Box to the USA my cost with insurance is $5.80 -- to Canada with insurance it is about $14.00 and it gets worse from there. I'd love to give free shipping to Canadians but my profit on a lot of orders is less than $8.20 and I'm really not in business to lose money.

 

[IPD_Mr]

If you want to get Canadian customers - offer free shipping....that's something we NEVER seem to get.

I really get bored with the billion emails in my account saying 'free shipping on EVERY order'...but it never applies to Canadians. Even just a small discount in the amount of what the free shipping is saving the Americans would be nice...

Food for thought!

We treat our Canadian customers the same as we do those in the US. Yes it costs us more than the $1 we have charge for the last couple of years, but they deserve something for living in that climate. :tongue: Seriously though some of our best customers are Canadian and we treat them as such. We in the US have it pretty good. Shipping from one Canadian location to another is more than what it costs us to ship via first class international to Canada. The part we do not have control over is what the Canadain government charges for duties, brokerage fees and GSTs which they collect at the time of delivery from the recipient.

 

[maxwell_smart007]

Not saying that 'free' is a good idea, Smitty - just a 5.80 pr even -5.00 reduction, perhaps...

(and to clarify - I'm not trying to sound like I'm whining - just an observation in the spirit of this thread with the Canadian perspective on how to increase sales!)