Helping out customers really feels good!

[john1]

I had a customer contact me from my website a week or so ago for some cards with a custom design. Since then they have ordered a set of full color mags and wanted a quote on some shirts.

I talked to the guy a few times over the phone and he really seemed like a good guy trying to work a 9-5 and start up a legit business on the side also.

I was told it would be a few weeks before they could get the shirts going so i decided to ship 1 shirt i pressed using thermoflex on my hix press as a gift to start the customer off with the mags. I have a 1 dozen minimum for screened shirts so this way i could get them going in the mean time.

I really like helping out people as i know it means a lot. Business isn't about money as much as it is about creating relationships and being a solution to the end customers problem or need.

Anyone ever do anything generous for a customer like this? :signs101:

 

[visual800]

When I run into clients that have persued their dream of owning a business and I do them a layout they really love and they openly admit to me they are low funded and had no idea the costs of starting up, I have let them make payments to me over 3 or 6 month period. They are grateful and it pleases me they got a great product and didnt settle for less quality......knock on wood I have never been screwed over by these folks.

 

[Pat Whatley]

Lagniappe.

I give away 20-25 sets of business cards a year to customers who are ordering other work. A set of cards costs me $10 and if I'm already doing other work for them it takes only minutes to adjust the layout to fit cards. To a guy who stuggled to come up with the $400 for his van lettering that set of cards will look like a box of gold.

I did learn early on to make sure and tell them the price for the next set of 1000 when they get the free set. Once or twice a year I'll get some jackleg who will complain about something on his free set of cards but for the most part it's been a pretty good deal for me.

 

[CS-SignSupply-TT]

My goal is to get people into this business and help them stay in once they start. For me, it is a RUSH to see and hear customers do what I recommend and be successful. It's like the "...NESTEA PLUNGE..."

 

[john1]

My customer should receive his package today, I'm excited for him to open it!

 

[slappy]

I kinda hate people right now after dealing with one that was riding a really, really high horse friday. I had to take a xanax to go to sleep that night and a klonopin the next day to not think about all the stuff i wanted to say to him.... right now, i'm done going above and beyond for anyone.

 

[Jackpine]

I have on my cards "You always get more than you pay for", in professional quality, design time, advice for an effective job and a few extras such as decal, biz cards as Pat does and prompt service.....except for the "smart a**es they get quality, service and price... pick two. I don't mind losing a bad customer but I respond to the good ones.

 

[john1]

Well you don't bust your sack for everyone, Gotta feel the kinds to go the extra mile for out.

 

[HulkSmash]

Lagniappe.

I give away 20-25 sets of business cards a year to customers who are ordering other work. A set of cards costs me $10 and if I'm already doing other work for them it takes only minutes to adjust the layout to fit cards. To a guy who stuggled to come up with the $400 for his van lettering that set of cards will look like a box of gold.

I did learn early on to make sure and tell them the price for the next set of 1000 when they get the free set. Once or twice a year I'll get some jackleg who will complain about something on his free set of cards but for the most part it's been a pretty good deal for me.

this.

 

[CheapVehicleWrap]

My customer should receive his package today, I'm excited for him to open it!

fakepooped him digjya?

 

[J Hill Designs]

otta feel the kinds to go the extra mile for out.

um, what?!?

 

[SD&F]

There are always people who are POS's. They feel better making others feel terrible.
That is their lot in life and they are miserable most of the time.
It feels GOOD to do GOOD!!!!!

 

[TheSnowman]

We do a lot of repetitive business for people...we basically have had the same customers ordering weekly for years. I guess the "going above and beyond" is them calling 24 hours after they order wondering why I haven't contacted them to tell them it's ready to be picked up. We take good care of them, and normally next business day, they have it. If they screw up on their end every now and then, I eat the cost and just give them the fix. They are thankful, and I just make sure we're both treating each other right.

If a customer comes to me from the start for design, I'm more likely to give them some cards, or those pennant things they have at the car dealerships or something...but normally that doesn't happen, and they bring me something they think is great, that is terrible, and are hard to work with.

 

[AwardImage]

Customers are your life's blood, and people do appreciate things.

Situation in reverse.
I worked my whole life in a sporting goods store (athletic+screenprinting+trophies) we sold it, I was under a non-compete blah, blah 2 years later... I'm wiped out, just doing anything to meet my minimum income requirement, part of that is selling a little item that wasn't mentioned in my buyout contract.

I forget (busy days) about replying to this lady on email and neglect her. She emails a few days later "Do you have a logo yet?"
Heck no... I forgot.
I volunteer the work for free (+ a special product that originally said I wouldn't do... it WAS an exclusive to 2 sports teams in the universe).
I would have given the freebie to anyone neglected for 3+ days, but I did the extras, because they were military (the address was well known US base). blah, etc...

The Gift
In January 2012, I expected something bad when I found a registered mail receipt in my box, but no. That ArmyWife that I had corresponded with in September, sent a package to me.

Inside was a team autographed football of the peewee BLACKJETS with a display case and a 24x30 poster of the team + individual autographed photos. Depending on where she bought it, those items would cost $50-180... but they are priceless to me. How many dollars can you put on every missing tooth grin image smiling at you?

They affirmed my work... "thank you for helping us out and doing a great job".
If I had an ancient army, there would be a guy holding that Jets football out in front.
My 2012 outlook went from ehh or CRAP to PrettyFreakingGood, with a single gesture.

Back to the question
IMO gifts or sponsorships are relative.
People in general like getting "free" stuff.
Your shop may get 200 Christmas cards, but a year end greeting or birthday or anniversary congratulation may go for miles. Some people never get kudos for doing what they do.
Birthday/Anniversary Cards are worth their price in gold. Christmas/holiday cards are a good minimum.

Thanking your customers is nice.
AND most of their vendors didn't think about them. If you were a borderline account, an event card in the mail may push you over the edge to the preferred vendor.

Customer care will reach the summit.

 

[AwardImage]

Beer induced ramble correction.
@ relative gifts/sponsorships
You can afford what you can afford. Advertising should always be drawn from available liquid funds with an expectation of result.

 

[SignosaurusRex]

After a while, you can get an idea of who to go the extra mile...or two for. Sure, now and then you will get kicked in the teeth and sometimes some of those disappear into the woodwork but the others that appreciate your investment in them and come back for everything they need over and over, often not asking price nor proof for 40+ years......that feels good, that is priceless, that Charlie is... WINNING!

 

[john1]

Customer received his order and free t-shirt and was floored. He said "Everything looks great and you have me wanting more...I will give you a call this weekend for some more signs"

All is good.