sending gifts to customers

[G. Lasagne]

Anyone send gifts to customers after a job is complete?

Got the idea off another thread, for a fancy box of chocolates and a thank you card, i would only obviously send it to customers who have paid a certain amount of money.

There's companies online that will sort the delivery out.

Just think it would be a great surprise for a customer and something they would talk about to there friends/family, and another good reason to refer you on.

 

[estwig]

That's a brilliant idea, really good, now let's pretend you fixed my boiler, you send me some choccys and I'll tell everyone what a top bloke you are!!

Deal????

 

[Atilla]

For some customers, it would breach their internal ethics code. Can have very serious repercussions for potential recipient.

 

[G. Lasagne]

For some customers, it would breach their internal ethics code. Can have very serious repercussions for potential recipient.

WTF internal ethics code?:|

 

[G. Lasagne]

That's a brilliant idea, really good, now let's pretend you fixed my boiler, you send me some choccys and I'll tell everyone what a top bloke you are!!

Deal????

Basically thats the idea

 

[Atilla]

WTF internal ethics code?:|

It is a major issue at one of my current customers.
Instant dismissal if caught accepting ANY gifts/tokens etc

 

[Matt1959]

my opinion - boxes of chocs and bunches of flowers are for wives, girlfriends and those that dear to you. Giving this stuff to customers at the end of a transaction just doesnt usually fit IMHO. However, knocking on the door 14 days after completion of the work with a monoxide detecter or whatever, along with asking if everything was ok with the work, is totally different. Easy to spend a tenner and think you're gonna impress people, most see that for what it is these days.....

happy to be proved wrong

 

[Atilla]

my opinion - boxes of chocs and bunches of flowers are for wives, girlfriends and those that dear to you. Giving this stuff to customers at the end of a transaction just doesnt usually fit IMHO. However, knocking on the door 14 days after completion of the work with a monoxide detecter or whatever, along with asking if everything was ok with the work, is totally different. Easy to spend a tenner and think you're gonna impress people, most see that for what it is these days.....

happy to be proved wrong

Agreed.

A follow up phone call a week or so later can be very effective.

 

[Matt1959]

A follow up phone call a week or so later can be very effective.

a follow up call is a standard thing, this thread is about gifts

 

[G. Lasagne]

my opinion - boxes of chocs and bunches of flowers are for wives, girlfriends and those that dear to you. Giving this stuff to customers at the end of a transaction just doesnt usually fit IMHO. However, knocking on the door 14 days after completion of the work with a monoxide detecter or whatever, along with asking if everything was ok with the work, is totally different. Easy to spend a tenner and think you're gonna impress people, most see that for what it is these days.....

happy to be proved wrong

I here what your saying, my plan was to send it a few days after the completed job, so its unexpected and gives them something to talk about.
I just think chocs are something every one likes and therefore will be well received.

Its not like anyone is gonna say "dont use them they send you a box of chocs" more like " you wont believe this but the company that fitted my boiler sent me a box of chocolates yesterday". "oh really well i want a new boiler so give me there number"

 

[Matt1959]

ok, ok so would I make a point of saying to my friends " gas angel heating gave me a monoxcide detector" or would it be more newsworthy if I got a box of chocs. Certainly chocs more a talking point but I think a thin line between something of genuine value and something that can be seen as gimmick. I always come down on the side of anti gimmick but jury's a bit out on this one for me really....

 

[G. Lasagne]

Im advertising a free co detector with an install, so i need something to give as an "unexpected" gift.

Ok well how about " To celebrate your new boiler and the fantastic hot water you will now be experiencing, please accept this gift, thank you for choosing Gas Angel".

http://cart.bombcosmetics.co.uk/index.php?p=product&id=253&parent=34

 

[Matt1959]

I dunno, I think a bunch of flowers stuck in their hand when you last leave the house is as good as anything. Posting something later, to me, just seems to lack a personal touch, is kinda automated and a bit lazy...

 

[G. Lasagne]

I dunno, I think a bunch of flowers stuck in their hand when you last leave the house is as good as anything. Posting something later, to me, just seems to lack a personal touch, is kinda automated and a bit lazy...

Yeah i agree, but its a case of organising the flowers and havent to physically take them to there door. I may not have the time.

I think the appeal is the unexpected factor, if there not expecting something then its a talking point.

It can only be a positive thing, sending a gift to show your appreciation, and every time they put it in there bath they will think of me.

I cant see how you can make any negative comments, everyone likes something for free.

I got a £40 cheque off t mobile once that i wasnt expecting and i have no idea why they sent it to me, but i talk about that cheque every time a conversation about mobiles starts.

 

[estwig]

If anyone gives me choccys, I say thank you, as soon as the choocys have been eaten (this bit doesn't take long!) I have forgotten all about them.

If however someone gives me a keyring, a pen or a torch, every time I use that item I think of the person who gave it to me.

 

[G. Lasagne]

If anyone gives me choccys, I say thank you, as soon as the choocys have been eaten (this bit doesn't take long!) I have forgotten all about them.

If however someone gives me a keyring, a pen or a torch, every time I use that item I think of the person who gave it to me.

so what do you think about the bubble bath gift?

 

[estwig]

so what do you think about the bubble bath gift?

I like bubbles in me bath, got loads of smellies for Christmas, but if a fella posted me a bottle of bubble bath for whatever reason, I would run away, very quickly!!!

 

[Matt1959]

I cant see how you can make any negative comments, everyone likes something for free.

.

Dave we're splitting hairs, you're right of course, but allow for the cynical ********. Keiths is a good point, something that lasts is better than a throw away gift for obvious reasons. Personally, I think if someone has had a boiler install done and its a good job, they'll recommend you anyways, chocs or not.

All the above said -- if you had personalised boxes of chocs made up with the box stamped with the Gas Angel logo (I'm sure there are suppliers that do that sort of thing) I think that would be a fantastic touch. In fact I'd think about doing that myself so long as the chocs were decent and not some Lidl type crap

http://www.chocolatetradingco.com/special.asp?ID=28

but make sure the quality is tops

 

[Matt1959]

so what do you think about the bubble bath gift?

NO WAY

 

[G. Lasagne]

Dave we're splitting hairs, you're right of course, but allow for the cynical ********. Keiths is a good point, something that lasts is better than a throw away gift for obvious reasons. Personally, I think if someone has had a boiler install done and its a good job, they'll recommend you anyways, chocs or not.

All the above said -- if you had personalised boxes of chocs made up with the box stamped with the Gas Angel logo (I'm sure there are suppliers that do that sort of thing) I think that would be a fantastic touch. In fact I'd think about doing that myself so long as the chocs were decent and not some Lidl type crap

http://www.chocolatetradingco.com/special.asp?ID=28

but make sure the quality is tops

People do reccomend me because of the standard of work, but its just an extra something for people to talk about it.

I like the personalised chocs, good idea.

Or what about a personalised diary, if good ad used then customers will see your name and number every day, but then again i suppose a diary 6 months in to the year isnt much use, may be good as a december gift though.

or how about this http://www.smartgiftsolutions.co.uk/shopexd.asp?id=2389

 

[Matt1959]

well I guess you're coming back round to standard corporatey gift things for example - personalised Post It notes with your details on each one. More lasting appeal - less initial impact....

PS when you get the offical Gas Angel Heating chocs going - I want a freebie for suggesting the idea

 

[Tw Installations]

I think its a good idea and I do it myself but not for every customer,

I always do it when someone recommends us or does a testimonal, I send something out to say thanks. Always.

Not sure about sending choc's to every customer, I dont think it will do you any harm just a bit cheesy for me?

If the painter and decorator we use sent my wife flowers as a thank you for the work id be asking questions

I agree with Keith something usefull would be a better idea, how about some Gas Angel 2010 calanders for all your previous customers, it might be the type of thing thats gets hung up and everytime someone looks at it, they see you

Would be the perfect time to do it aswell

Hope this helps
Tommy

Ps, have you got a referal system in place?

 

[brothersrice]

Thats really a great idea. If I would had been the customer to whom you had sent some gifts surely I would have liked this idea and would definitely have referred you to most of my friends.

 

[maxine]

Same as Tommy... We do this to but not for every customer.

They get hand delivered by me on or just after the last day of the job or they get delivered but never does Tim hand them over as he says it makes him cringe hehe

Definately worthwhile as people remember the chocs or flowers or wine and in my opinion work better than a cheap sales gift that can come across as if they get churned out to everyone

I am also surprised by the little gifts that customers get us too... bottles of wine or chocs.

I also think that maybe the calendars, diaries, post its etc are more for b2b customers than consumers

 

[Beachcomber]

I sent some of my best customers a posh box of chocs for xmas - ordered from Hotel Chocolat. Order over a certain amount and you get some free chocs for yourself


If you get a customer who mucks you about or takes ages to pay can you arrange to send them chocs containing the manky ones from quality street no-one likes?

 

[Sure]

I used to have a bathroom showroom, if we did a complete re-fit i used to give people a bundle of towels & flannells to match the suite, plus if i was feeling really generous some bubble bath.
It was really appreciated by the women folk.

 

[maxine]

a posh box of chocs for xmas - ordered from Hotel Chocolat.

... they are gorgeous

 

[Tw Installations]

I used to have a bathroom showroom, if we did a complete re-fit i used to give people a bundle of towels & flannells to match the suite, plus if i was feeling really generous some bubble bath.
It was really appreciated by the women folk.

Good tip Sure, I will keep that in mind.

Nice website b.t.w, some good stuff on there but I think your site would really benifit from some testimonials in there,

Tommy

 

[tophatandwellies]

I'd be not so impressed if the boiler man sent chocolate. However, I think a small gift for those customers offering testimonal or a referral might be a nice touch.

 

[Lee Jones Jnr]

Customers do appreciate gifts, and it does make them talk you up to people.
I often give customers a set of kitchen knives or something similar on completion of a fitted kitchen. I hand them over in person if possible and long after payment and they have signed the job off etc as I feel they know then it is given through appreciation for their business and not just to smooth things over or butter them up.

I did used to send flowers, wine or chocolates but as others have suggested this was seen the wrong way once or twice and I ended up with one or two ladies continually popping in for a chat and a flutter of the eyelashes.

 

[G. Lasagne]

I did used to send flowers, wine or chocolates but as others have suggested this was seen the wrong way once or twice and I ended up with one or two ladies continually popping in for a chat and a flutter of the eyelashes.

Flowers and chocolates it is then

 

[AerialSolutions]

I know a kitchen company that had a '48' policy.
Once your kitchen was fitted the customer would be guaranteed a phone call to check if everything was ok within 48 hours.
If there was any problem at all someone would be with them within 48 seconds!!
How crazy was that?
'How did they do it' I hear you gasp and cry?

The owner was sat outside their house when he made the call!! Yay - GENIUS

Obviously this can only work for a select few trades. But still a fab idea!

 

[Tw Installations]

I know a kitchen company that had a '48' policy.
Once your kitchen was fitted the customer would be guaranteed a phone call to check if everything was ok within 48 hours.
If there was any problem at all someone would be with them within 48 seconds!!
How crazy was that?
'How did they do it' I hear you gasp and cry?

The owner was sat outside their house when he made the call!! Yay - GENIUS

Obviously this can only work for a select few trades. But still a fab idea!

Genius:

That really made me laugh out loud

Thanks

 

[bluezone101]

I know a lot about sending gifting

 

[Tej]

I know a kitchen company that had a '48' policy.
Once your kitchen was fitted the customer would be guaranteed a phone call to check if everything was ok within 48 hours.
If there was any problem at all someone would be with them within 48 seconds!!
How crazy was that?
'How did they do it' I hear you gasp and cry?

The owner was sat outside their house when he made the call!! Yay - GENIUS

Obviously this can only work for a select few trades. But still a fab idea!

Fab!!!

Idea worth trying sometime for a laugh... get one of the operatives to do it

 

[SillyJokes]

I got flowers on the back seat when they delivered my new car - I loved it.

When we sold our house we left wine for the new people, they loved it.

People love to get gifts.

I like the freebies I get from Rajapack when they send our boxes although I think this is really aimed at warehouse staff in charge of packaging and making sure they order from that supplier.

I personally think a little high powered torch would be nice, you can never have enough torches and you can get your logo on it. Put this with a letter and actually ask people to recommend you to others.

The only way to find out if it works is to do it. I think people who say it is creepy are going on gut feeling and not results.

 

[sharky.yan]

gift !! how about the playing card or lenticular card ?
most of my clients , they make some playing card or lenticular card as the promotion gift !
the playing card can print your company logo or products , someone can see the company infomation when play the game !
if you want to make some playing card as the gift , pm me

 

[applemaidcleaning]

I send gifts to my clients - or for the kids

Or i take them out for lunch! it keeps them in your pocket in a way, and some cases hard for them to get rid of you.

Not the only reason to do it, just helps with the word of mouth bit and a good working relationship.

 

[summertea]

that is a good idea! small gifts can promote mutual feelings between you and your customer!