topic Re: Small Free Gift With Purchase A Disappearing Ebay Tradition in Selling

Small Free Gift With Purchase A Disappearing Ebay Tradition

the-fab-gift-shop — Tue, 06 Aug 2013 04:06:42 GMT

What ever happened to the old Ebay tradition of sending a small free gift with every purchase? We've been doing this for years now, because we enjoy doing it and buyers love it too. With a bit of creative thinking, it doesn't cost much to do and I think it is still a nice touch. We've even received unexpected feedback from delighted and suprised buyers, telling us that they felt valued as a customer, simply by receiving a little extra something that may have cost all of 40 cents. As a buyer, I have not received a free gift with my purchase in a few years now, except from one or two exceptional sellers, and from a seller in China, who sent a 1cm piece of green string in a tiny cello bag, with 'free gift' written on it. I am not sure as to whether they 'got the idea' right with that one?! Anyway, with so many aggressive impatient buyers and distrusting resentful sellers operating on Ebay these days [am i correct?], perhaps a free gift with every purchase, would at least work towards something positive, in calming all those stormy oceans ...

Re: Small Free Gift With Purchase A Disappearing Ebay Tradition

jameshouseofstyle — Tue, 06 Aug 2013 04:34:18 GMT

Great buys, sorry to disillusion you about the free gifts with purchase!

After many years selling on Ebay I can tell you that free gift does nothing at all to appease buyers.

I have even read here on the boards that one great seller got a neg for including the free gift, I think it was tea towels with sheets , comment was "I didn't order the tea towels" Almost unbelievable - but true.

We include quality (expensive ) items sometimes with purchases, not because we want to make them feel beter, how they feel generally is their problem, but because we want to and they are in most cases repeat customers.

For the best part we never even get a thank you - but a very different story on our non Ebay site! People think and behave differently there - and we still don't know why is that. It's like we operate on another planet - where friendliness, good manners, social graces... are still very much in use - even without the free gifts!

Re: Small Free Gift With Purchase A Disappearing Ebay Tradition

putney32 — Tue, 06 Aug 2013 04:58:02 GMT

personally, I HATE free gifts.. .. if I want something I'll buy it, I do not need an ebay seller sending me items.

Good Descriptions, clear photos, excellent packing and prompt postage are all I want or expect from a seller when I buy something.

for which they are rewarded with a thank you email and appropriate feedback.

I do not need 'new friends' 'goodies' or a pen pal. it is a business transaction. end of story.

Re: Small Free Gift With Purchase A Disappearing Ebay Tradition

jameshouseofstyle — Tue, 06 Aug 2013 05:32:17 GMT

Hi putney (always reminds me of living in London - close, in Chelsea),

I get gifts with regularity, even though I don't expect them - evn from DJ's!

After a particularly big shop recently they delivered a biggest hamper to my office, that same afternoon, full of all sorts of yummy stuff and expensive crockery to eat it with! It took 2 guys to bring it up!

Other than that, every time I buy a coat, or a suit, or a handbag, or a watch or whatever (from non Ebay sites) they include a very valuable items from their range (not 40c. worth), more like several hundred worth.

The only gift I have ever received from an Ebay seller after messaging to and fro - told her how I looooove chocolates, cakes, lollies, have them for breakfast, lunch & dinner - she's sent me a Darrel Lee gift voucher for 50bucks!

Cheers!

Re: Small Free Gift With Purchase A Disappearing Ebay Tradition

trulyspecialgoodies — Tue, 06 Aug 2013 06:22:45 GMT

I didn't realise it was an eBay 'tradition' to include a small free gift with purchases. It's something I've always done since starting selling a couple of years ago - simply because it's a nice thing to do. I don't have an awful lot of buyers since I only have 20 auctions a week. Each buyer is very important to me so I try to make them feel special by including something extra. I have pretty 'thank you' cards printed which I include in a small organza bag which also has 'thank you' printed in gold all over it - the free gift is either a pair of earrings, bangle or a bracelet (I try to match them to the rings). Sometimes the buyers will mention 'thank you for the gift' in their feedback - which is nice of them, but that's not why I do it - it's just something that makes me feel good

Re: Small Free Gift With Purchase A Disappearing Ebay Tradition

jhyll — Tue, 06 Aug 2013 06:26:05 GMT

we love the idea, especially when selling dresses for little girls.....makes us feel happy too!

Re: Small Free Gift With Purchase A Disappearing Ebay Tradition

digital*ghost — Tue, 06 Aug 2013 06:34:10 GMT

Sometimes my 'gift' is the item priced so low I don't really make a worthwhile profit... (In other words, some of my items are loss-leaders and I couldn't afford to sweeten the deal with something else...or maybe I just don't want to. Some others are handmade and the prices are often lower than most other people would charge for similar work).

I generally include a little something extra for repeat buyers, or buyers who have purchased multiple items in one transaction, but not for standard, single item transactions.

Re: Small Free Gift With Purchase A Disappearing Ebay Tradition

phorum_junkie* — Tue, 06 Aug 2013 16:40:16 GMT

I generally include a little something extra for repeat buyers, or buyers who have purchased multiple items in one transaction, but not for standard, single item transactions.

me too DG.

You do have to think carefully about what you send though, i have received sweets when I am on a strict diet, pillar earrings when I don't have pierced ears and worst of all a lavender bag when I am allergic and sneezed for two days!

Re: Small Free Gift With Purchase A Disappearing Ebay Tradition

springyzone — Wed, 07 Aug 2013 00:23:48 GMT

I've rarely received a free gift and I don't expect one.

I doubt it would swing me to positive feedback if everything wasn't right with my main purchase.

But having said that, I did get a little freebie the other day. I bought a sheet of paper-it came out quite expensive for one sheet, mind you, but the seller included a small pack of embellishments, little light coral coloured flowers. I was very impressed as they matched the paper so well.

Now, that seller put the sheet into a padded bag, but the postie, in his wisdom, bent the bag in order to put it in our letter box.

I gave the seller top feedback because he deserved it and i did appreciate his effort with the freebie, but I also messaged him privately, just to let him know it wasn't a problem for me, but the sheet got bent and a normal envelope with maybe a cardboard backing for the paper might work better than the padded bags.

I noticed someone else gave him neutral because an item was bent in the post and I bet they got the freebie as well.

So I am not sure a gift is necessary-but I have to admit, I like them.

Re: Small Free Gift With Purchase A Disappearing Ebay Tradition

onekiwi0 — Wed, 07 Aug 2013 01:02:08 GMT

I have a few free gifts next to the computer to send when I send preloved boys clothes, however more often that not it'd bump the postage from 500g to 3kg so I don't! I think its a nice thought to put something little in extra for your return buyers though.

Re: Small Free Gift With Purchase A Disappearing Ebay Tradition

thecatspjs — Wed, 07 Aug 2013 02:21:16 GMT

I have a standard "appropriate to purchase" item that I pop into each of my clothing sales parcels, and I think that no one could argue that my feedback reflects that buyers very much appreciate the thought.

I frequently get free gifts with my ebay purchases, including some higher priced items. Don't quite get the individual that doesn't appreciate an unexpected bonus - or the thought at least.

Re: Small Free Gift With Purchase A Disappearing Ebay Tradition

digital*ghost — Wed, 07 Aug 2013 02:56:00 GMT

@phorum_junkie* wrote:
I generally include a little something extra for repeat buyers, or buyers who have purchased multiple items in one transaction, but not for standard, single item transactions.

me too DG.

You do have to think carefully about what you send though, i have received sweets when I am on a strict diet, pillar earrings when I don't have pierced ears and worst of all a lavender bag when I am allergic and sneezed for two days!

That's the beauty of selling handmade jewellery - I will always have something similar to what was purchased, and I can be pretty confident the buyer can use it if they like it (I never include earrings unless they've already purchased some).

I used to get the odd message letting me know I'd 'mistakenly' included something they didn't buy and they'd be happy to return it, so now I try to remember to put a little 'with compliments' or 'thank you for your repeat custom' kind of note in with it.

When I was primarily selling clothes, I used to include cosmetic samples (sealed in a plastic bag, so no accidents occurred during transit), and thankfully no one ever complained about allergic reactions etc. Twice now I've received toffees in a package (different sellers) - the first ones were unfortunately rather awful tasting, but the thought was sweet, even if the lollies weren't.

I've received the fluro yellow string from a seller too, with other jewellery findings, so I figure it's intended as stringing material (to make lanyards, phone charms etc with what was purchased).

Re: Small Free Gift With Purchase A Disappearing Ebay Tradition

thecatspjs — Wed, 07 Aug 2013 03:44:52 GMT

My goodness, I can only say that I am delighted I am a very different person than someone who would receive a sweet, sachet or other such gesture and put a negative spin on it.

Fortunately, the vast majority of buyers, including those with allergies, would never be so spiteful or nasty to take issue with any such freebie.

My feedback speaks for itself.

Re: Small Free Gift With Purchase A Disappearing Ebay Tradition

thecatspjs — Wed, 07 Aug 2013 10:53:50 GMT

LOL in the business world gifts, sweeteners, samples and rewards are the norm...,

Re: Small Free Gift With Purchase A Disappearing Ebay Tradition

ambridgebuckskins — Thu, 08 Aug 2013 01:16:52 GMT

l've had a few emails in the past from buyers saying they received their purchase but was there meant to be a freebie in the package too. I asked one what 'freebie' they were after, they mentioned that most 'good' sellers give a free gift with their purchase. She then went on with item numbers of my listings that she thought would be a suitable gift. Talk about more front than Myers.

Re: Small Free Gift With Purchase A Disappearing Ebay Tradition

gr8t_happee2givitahome — Thu, 08 Aug 2013 02:46:03 GMT

I have been giving a free gift for two different reasons:

1. If they buy a postable item and pay by direct deposit I state the gift is include and what it is.

2. I have recently started giving free vintage knick knacks with furniture items if they fit the theme and these will be photographed and state in the listing

@great_buys_cheap_price wrote:
What ever happened to the old Ebay tradition of sending a small free gift with every purchase? We've been doing this for years now, because we enjoy doing it and buyers love it too. With a bit of creative thinking, it doesn't cost much to do and I think it is still a nice touch. We've even received unexpected feedback from delighted and suprised buyers, telling us that they felt valued as a customer, simply by receiving a little extra something that may have cost all of 40 cents. As a buyer, I have not received a free gift with my purchase in a few years now, except from one or two exceptional sellers, and from a seller in China, who sent a 1cm piece of green string in a tiny cello bag, with 'free gift' written on it. I am not sure as to whether they 'got the idea' right with that one?! Anyway, with so many aggressive impatient buyers and distrusting resentful sellers operating on Ebay these days [am i correct?], perhaps a free gift with every purchase, would at least work towards something positive, in calming all those stormy oceans ...

. Eg. 2 porcelain trios with a vintage table.

This works for me. I enjoy it and thats the main thing.

Re: Small Free Gift With Purchase A Disappearing Ebay Tradition

zanadoo_56 — Fri, 09 Aug 2013 12:37:31 GMT

Occasionally I've received free gifts when buying Tupperware - the little gadgets that you usually only see given away at Tupperware parties. Some of them have been really handy so I love getting those, especially as I am not keen on holding or attending any Tupperware parties myself.

A Chinese seller I've bought a few things from also included little packets of craft stickers, and I once received a little packet from a Japanese seller which I think contained tea. (I don't drink tea).