Referals

[routierracing]

A local print shop wants me to stop in and talk about pricing for them to outsource banners and yard signs and that kind of stuff through me. Also he asking about just referring customers to me and getting some sort of kick-back.

So my question is do any of you season veterans have referal deals? How do yours work and what kind of kick back to do you give? Some sort of percent?

 

[Rick]

A thank you is what they get... and with a print shop, I would refer them (if they are good) and expect nothing but a thank you, I may send them a gift at the end of the year... but I would be excited to get a 100 dollar gift certificate from the Piggly Wiggly the end of the year.

I don't like having other people sticking their finger in my business.. I would not do it, I expect the same from others...

 

[J Hill Designs]

yeah we would refer back to the company anything we dont do, and they do well

 

[Bigdawg]

No kickbacks here. We offer a slight discount when we sell directly to the print shop, but when he sends customers here he expects nothing (as I expect nothing when I send people to his place).

 

[routierracing]

Thanks for the advice. I'm definately going to use it.

 

[Jet Fast Printing]

yeah we would refer back to the company anything we don't do, and they do well

We do the same thing.

 

[petesign]

I have one company who does print that I work with here, we do wholesale for them, and vice versa. Beats sitting around and doing nothing. It's our clients and our relationships with them, so we like to handle things that way.

 

[routierracing]

Ok here is my thought on the benefit of a kick back verses having him just outsource the work to me. (sounds like its an either or type thing) If he refers a good customer once. I give the kick back once. And I am left with what will hopefully a profitable account in the future. Where as the other way around I am constantly just doing discounted work. Is that unrealistic?

 

[Mosh]

No kick back, no nothing! Next thing they will have a printer and be you comp!

 

[Bigdawg]

OMG...

I know I'm sick... and a bit feverish... have been for a week now...

but I totally agree with Mosh!! Woo-Hoo!!

 

[klemgraphics]

Mosh is totally right. Send work to each other mutually with no kick backs expected or don't do it at all.

 

[webguru]

Just the term kickback makes it sound wrong to do. Like others have said, tell them you will wholesale to them or they can just refer the work to you. I can't imagine they would not want to sell for retail and pay you wholesale to do the work.

 

[routierracing]

well put webguru

 

[SignManiac]

I have one local print shop in town who will send me customers that he can't take care of (large format printing and sign related work) and I send any potential customers to him that need more business type printing that I don't do. So far, we have both helped each other out with no money exchanged.

 

[CheapVehicleWrap]

WOW! Great insight! ALLOT of homework has been done by ALL here! I totally agree with everyone.

Stacy, hope you get better soon and that's it not contagious!

 

[SlightlyChilled]

No back rubs just if ether one of you needs a quickie job hook the other one up the fast service. like a move to the front of the line pass..