posted on September 22, 2000 10:20:36 AM
I LOVE to gift wrap. I even have a special paper and gold cording I use on ALL my items, kinda my "signature". Although it has not been mentioned in emails or FB, I do not do it for compliments, but to show I care. Since I do have repeat customers, I guess it does. I did get one FB that said "nice packaging". Maybe they don't like the paper?
[ edited by sulyn1950 on Sep 22, 2000 10:55 AM ]
posted on September 22, 2000 10:44:56 AM
As long as my supply lasted, I would include a hand-embroidered handkerchief for a Lady bidder...(Did not have any Man-Oriented Lagniappe...)
When I boobooded last month and forgot to ship, I included an extra piece of Royal Bayreuth with the actual purchase. Customer was VERY happy, and mentioned in feedback: "Thanks for Bonus"..
Have received great Thank You notes from BIDDERS, before they even received merchandise...Just saying thank you for the pretty listing... Those are very heart-warming stories...Thanks for this nice thread...
******************** Shosh http://www.oldandsold.com/cgi-bin/auction.cgi?justdisp&Rifkah
I used to gift wrap my shipments, too, with my signature wrapping paper! I stopped because I needed to shorten my processing time for orders. But I think it's a real nice idea (and bravo for everyone's ideas, too!) and as a buyer would think it's pretty neat to receive a gift wrapped item!
Yesterday is history, Tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift. That's why it's called the present.
[ edited by ksterni on Sep 22, 2000 12:11 PM ]
posted on September 22, 2000 12:26:56 PM
I received a little heart-shaped sachet with something I bought once and thought it was a nice touch. Since it wasn't something I'd use, though, I included it with a shipment of my own for a buyer who had been extra nice to deal with.
I also included some peppermints once around the holiday season, but I've wondered whether it's appropriate to send candy. What if the buyer is diabetic or something?
posted on September 22, 2000 01:43:25 PM
I don't usually post messages on these forums, but I have to say that I have received "freebies" with some of my purchases, and I always mention it in my feedback. It is a great practice, and I do it sometimes myself. I deal quite a bit in glassware, and if I have one perfect piece on sale, I will sometimes send a matching piece that is not good enough to sell, but is OK for display. It makes for great customer relations!
posted on September 22, 2000 01:56:43 PM
I have never received a freebie, but I have sent some in the form of a tealight candle or something enclosed. Everyone is THRILLED to get them.
posted on September 22, 2000 02:13:59 PM
macandjan: What about cotton workgloves? I know you can buy them in bulk and they aren't terribly expensive.
All of you sending freebies to customers, whether or not your thoughtfulness is noted, are right on track- I think you send the stuff because you CARE about your buyers! More power to you- and THANKS! (for making sellers look like HUMANS)
posted on September 22, 2000 02:40:41 PM
I found out early on, you gotta tell the buyer the little 'surprise' is on Purpose!!
Many folks are NOT used to a little extra, unless you are ASKING FOR it! I always try to put something in; I go to the feedback and see what they are buying, and if possible, include a like item from my TON of STUFf...several times customers have emailed to say I "sent (whatever) by mistake." So, now, I include a little note, at times hand written, sometimes from the computer; either by me or 'Granny' that says," A box, with NO surprise, is JUST a box." Or: "A box with just what you bought, is like peeling a banana; you already know what is in it!" They like it when Granny sends these little notes, and almost always mention it in their feedbacks, or they will email. I started this, not for "PR", but for entirely selfish reasons- It made ME smile- I continue it because now I get two...one when I do it- another when it arrives! So many times things ARE appreciated; folks just don't take the TIME to TELL you! But, include that little note so they will know it is not sent by mistake!
posted on September 22, 2000 02:50:50 PM
MizScarlett: You are soooooo right. I do include a note, pretty silly (I think) with CHARM WARNINGS, like "charm will sink if dropped ij a 27 foot deep lake, so try not to drop it in one. Repeated use of charms will not induce drymouth or fatigue. Do not use charm as a projectile missile. Do not taunt charms...etc, and a note which says I included the extra, cause life should be fun and filled with surprises.
And like you, I do it as much for myself as the customers. Lots of fun, life could be short, live it up. hehehe
~Linda Moon~
posted on September 22, 2000 04:05:08 PM
macandjan: I'd count an extra box as a bonus! I always reuse good packing materials. Sometimes I am just as pleased with a new set of bubble wraps as I am with the item!
posted on September 22, 2000 04:46:56 PM
Well, I am a seller, buy occasionally buy, but when I opened up a payment today, the buyer actually sent me a check for $1.85 more than what he had bid on it. There was a note stating that he was rounding it off to the nearest dollar. Needless to say, when I sent his product off to him, I sent back his $1.85 overpayment. People are great, whether buyers or sellers!!!
posted on September 22, 2000 05:02:52 PM
This is my first post on one of these boards and I must say it sure is nice to see something positive for a change. I just received a payment for an auction that ended around the 30th of August. My terms are payment is due within 14 days. When I opened the envelope, he had enclosed an extra $5 for being late with his payment. I think I may use the extra $5 and enclose a little popcorn with his item just because he kept me updated...
posted on September 22, 2000 05:13:31 PMlabbie1 Thanks for the welcome, I got the idea from the person who sent the person who started this thread the popcorn...
[ edited by Caddone on Sep 22, 2000 05:15 PM ]
posted on September 22, 2000 05:38:18 PM
I have received little surprises, and given them. If someone sends me one in a purchase, I tell them thank-you by email, but I don't usually do it in feedback. I always think if I acknowledgde this extra in my feedback anyone else reading the persons feedback might expect an extra. And if they do not get one, it might cause probelms for the seller!
When I add a "gift", I do it because I know it makes me feel good when someone does it for me, and I think maybe the person I do it for will do something nice for someone else. Doesn't really matter if the person says thanks or not. Kind of a pollyanna attitude, but it's better than a bad attitude! It is so NICE to hear there are SO many nice people out there!
posted on September 22, 2000 07:28:54 PM
Welcome Caddone! I'm the lady that brought up the popcorn idea. Welcome to posting!! You'll have to come out of lurk mode more often!
posted on September 22, 2000 07:48:36 PM
I live in New Orleans. Here the term Lagniappe is common, but I know that it's not nationally recognized. I have often thought of including in my auctions a little card printed with the word "Langiappe" and the definition along with an explanation about how I appreciate all of my customers and I like to give them all a little "lagniappe". I would attach it to a little something extra, probably New Orleans oriented, like a Praline. My husband thought that the idea was lame, so I never did it, but now I'm thinking about it again. What do you think?????
posted on September 22, 2000 08:04:17 PM
Don't have to believe this but it's true. I once sold a beer glass for what to me was an astonishing amount. I threw in an identical glass with a small chip. He never even left me a feedback of any kind!!
On the other end of the spectrum. I have won a lot of Iris rhizomes from a Southern California dealer on Ebay. She always includes at least one free rhizome.
posted on September 22, 2000 08:11:20 PM
SO MANY replies have come to mind! but I will try to settle on one, so as to not bore anyone!! I think that if everyone did FOR someone what they would like to have done FOR them ( that Golden Rule thang again!) without expecting any thing in return, the world would be set on its end!! When I send things, I sometimes add "If you can't use this, pass it along in whatever way you see fit- as I just love to share with others what has been shared with me...just keep it going!" I have had some of the most interesting, and the sweetest emails from folks!! I say, if YOU feel like sharing, then do it! It will be appreciated by someone, it could even alter the course of their day! Don't be discouraged if you never know...after all, 'WE' have only been doing this for....how long ya'll?? Wow! think of the KINDNESS Epidemic that may get started!! The original poster has hit home with this! Mizscarlett1
posted on September 23, 2000 12:35:36 AM
my favorite bonuses....
....free additional handmade lampwork widget...awesomeness!
....handfull of lens shades.
....free super 8 film three packs (okay it expired in 1986...who cares)
....little nice notes like "bless you" "thank you" "have a great day" those take but a moment to write and are the things that make me smile.
posted on September 23, 2000 01:21:02 AM
With over 300 positive purchases, I try to remember to bookmark the seller who sends me the "little extras," like toys, mints, sincere notes, nice wrapping, and stuff like that. For me, thank you gifts are almost a clincher for making me a repeat customer!
posted on September 23, 2000 06:23:56 AM
I like the idea of freebies, and have included extras myself. Nice thread!
Sending items that have fragrances -like sachets, perfumes, room fresheners, scented candles- could become a real problem. I am selling from my home because of allergies and chemical sensitivities. If I received a purchase with a scented extra in it, I would probably not be able to use my purchase!
A couple quotes from The Human Ecologist (Human Ecology Action League) Summer 1998, No. 78.
"About 20 percent of all American have allergies. According to the Journal of the American Medical Association's most recent "Primer on Allergic and Immunologic Diseases, allergies can produce tissue changes that intensify the response of affected people to allergens and irritants. Fragrances and other scented materials may contain both."
"The American Lung Association says that 14.6 million Americans have asthma. (Some are also allergic.) Like allergies, asthma makes its sufferers extra-susceptible to the effects of irritants such as those contained in many fragrances and other scented materials." <snip>
"People who have multiple chemical sensitivities consistently report that fragrance exposure is a serious problem for them." <snip> "No one knows how many people have MCS." <snip> ...Recent report estimated that between 15 % and 34 % of the U.S. general population "consider themselves especially sensitive, allergic, or unusually sensitive to certain chemicals and chemical odors." (Ashford and Miller, 1998)
========
All ingredients do not have to be listed on the package– an FDA specialist I spoke with after reacting to a magazine insert (sent without my permission) said that companies using fragrances can pretty much use any ingredient they wish. I believe he said that the last rulings for fragrance ingredients were about 35 years ago.
The Human Ecologist, Fall 1998 issue had a chart (P. 7 & 8) with identified "fragrance constituents released into the air, not the contents of the fragrance product itself." It was done by an independent laboratory for Anderson Laboratories, Inc. The list was not pretty.
Sorry so long. Hope this keeps someone out of trouble. If you need more information try doing a search on fragrance toxicity on the web.
LabRat4
[ edited by labrat4gmos on Sep 23, 2000 06:25 AM ]
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