The expense of our machines and Christmas Cards

[DoubleDown]

I would like to state that after having been in this industry for over 15 years, I am still blown away at the "thanks" given by our manufacturers for our service and money.

You end purchasing half a million dollars plus of machinery every year and then the same in materials and more and you get a Christmas card. Not a really nice thoughtful gift that means something or at least costs something...no you get a card.

I would like to go on record and thank Miller Weldmaster because after purchasing a larger banner welder this year, they are the ONLY ones that spent some time and sent a really, really nice package to their customers and yet this machine costs nothing compared to the print machines WHICH by the way are taking in ink and service costs beyond the original purchase.

I think it's still pretty amazing that we are purchasing machines that cost more than most high end luxury cars and yet we get treated like it's nothing.

Heck, even a card that stated something like "Hey, we know you have your entire life, house, and others riding on our machines ability to produce what we sell you at our shows and demos, so thanks for giving us the ability to help you save your life" would be nice.

Ranting of course but for all of you machine manufacturers that read these things, this a pretty big deal for people spending the amount of money we do with you to actually come back and spend some thought and money on us.

 

[DoubleDown]

Yeah I hear ya. We ALWAYS make a list of the top 30 customers each year and send them out something nice and send everyone else a handmade card. You'd be blown away by how much people love and appreciate that and how much business this turns into.

 

[ChicagoGraphics]

But cars don't make you money everyday like a printer does.

What do you send out to your customers for them giving you work to keep your printers running?

 

[DoubleDown]

If I am putting a half million dollars into someone's pocket just for the machine, you don't think that warrants a pretty decent gift or one heck of a thank you card? That's just basic sales 101, especially in this day and age.

We find out throughout the year what our customer's love and like and then we make a custom gift for them or get them a nice gift card to a restaurant they love or take them out, etc. Basically relationship building, if not they are just a number to you and numbers can move anywhere very quickly.

My father back in the day bought an expensive Lexus and to this day he still gets a really nice package from them every year...why? because one day he will get another one and that positive reinforcement makes all the different in the world.

If I'm spending that much money on a machine and inks and support, then yes, from a pure positive reinforcement/thank you standpoint manufacturers and vendors should take the time to really, really thank the people that keep them alive because as we all know $1 million dollars via $1000 dollar orders each versus one $1million order is still the same.

 

[Gino]

When you signed on the dotted line to give them your 1/2 million in exchange for their machine, did you bring up the subject of wanting a Chrsitmas present then..... or is this just a sudden yearn for a b!tch & gripe session ??

 

[DoubleDown]

you're kidding right? you have to be joking Gino.

This is Sales and Customer Service 101 that evidently has gone by the wayside in this day and age. It used to be a common thing, where this type of attitude and thought wouldn't even be questioned.

 

[DoubleDown]

No I get it completely and I understand this greater than most.

Maybe you don't get it.

As I stated clearly, Miller gets it 100%. We weren't their biggest sale of the year but they treated us AND their other customers like we were and that is HOW it should be done. Especially when we...the customers and users are responsible for the vendors being in business.

Hell, even the company I bought a few nice suits from this year sent me a gift card. It wasn't anything big but they understand how this all works and the value of relationships.

But then again, that's possibly why I only have 200+ comments due to the fact I spend more time with my customers creating relationships than making comments on this site.

So yeah, I get it.

 

[Flame]

You're bringing emotions into business. Not always a dandy combo.

It's one of those things that is "nice" to get and often appreciated, but should never be expected.

 

[Gino]

Nope, I wasn't kidding.

I might not be spending 1/2 million smackers at a time, but I've never acted like a spoiled little brat when I didn't get a gift from someone who wasn't expected to give me one. Customer appreciation is one thing and the act of giving is so ever sweet, but the act of crying when you don't receive a gift, is just lame. It's none of my concern what your tailor makes off ya in suits, but I'm glad he made enough to make you happy.

If receiving is better than giving, tell me why you never hear of this tradition ?? It must be an All Over kinda thing.

 

[ScottyAdams]

This year I designed our own xmas card, a sample of small "cute" window cling ornaments with instructions on how to use and the benefits of cling, and a 20% off coupon on their next purchase of any in house production item to our top 75 customers. I printed, stuffed, and mailed myself. I even printed their names and addresses on envelope labels. I hope that counts for customer appreciation. We spent a good amount of money and time to show our customers we appreciate their business. Well?

 

[royster13]

I send out hand written thank you cards after each order is completed....They are noticed and appreciated........As far as incoming, I got only 1 card from a supplier this year.....

 

[Gino]

This year I designed our own xmas card, a sample of small "cute" window cling ornaments with instructions on how to use and the benefits of cling, and a 20% off coupon on their next purchase of any in house production item to our top 75 customers. I printed, stuffed, and mailed myself. I even printed their names and addresses on envelope labels. I hope that counts for customer appreciation. We spent a good amount of money and time to show our customers we appreciate their business. Well?

I think we all understand. We too, just sent out cards and my wife and I signed them personally. I enjoy doing this, but I'm never looking for anything back, that's my whole point. The joy of giving..... but we do this throughout the year with other incentives and goodwill. We just don't do it at Chrsitmas time.

 

[skyhigh]

Not exactly the same thing, but this came to mind when I read this thread.....

One of my larger customers has a Christmas party each year for their employee's, and each year I receive a letter asking me to donate a gift for a door prize. I thought this was odd, but being the level of customer they are, I always accomodate.

This year I gave a $50 gas card, and also a $75 gift card to red lobster. Still seems strange that such a large corporation would ask for this type of a donation. Not that this matters, but their average employee makes about $70 grand a year.

For a handful of customers, I had a few dozen donuts delivered to the offices (including them)

 

[Gino]

Not exactly the same thing, but this came to mind when I read this thread.....

One of my larger customers has a Christmas party each year for their employee's, and each year I receive a letter asking me to donate a gift for a door prize. I thought this was odd, but being the level of customer they are, I always accomodate.

This year I gave a $50 gas card, and also a $75 gift card to red lobster. Still seems strange that such a large corporation would ask for this type of a donation. Not that this matters, but their average employee makes about $70 grand a year.

For a handful of customers, I had a few dozen donuts delivered to the offices (including them)

So sky...... why did you give Red Lobster gas and gift cards ??

 

[skyhigh]

So sky...... why did you give Red Lobster gas and gift cards ??

That was a gas card to the local convenience store and a separate Red Lobster gift card.

Not sure of your question..... If you're asking why 2 different gift prizes, I didn't know what the "average" prize amount should be, so I left it up to management to decide if they wanted to give both cards as ONE door prize, or do them separate. I decided that $125 would be how much I would donate.

Given the type of business we are, I didn't think a "banner" or a set of mags would be a great door prize for their average employee. If I were a tavern owner, I would have donated a case of beer (I mean, who dosen't like beer?)

Perhaps you were making a joke that went over my head???

 

[Gino]

Not exactly the same thing, but this came to mind when I read this thread.....

One of my larger customers has a Christmas party each year for their employee's, and each year I receive a letter asking me to donate a gift for a door prize. I thought this was odd, but being the level of customer they are, I always accomodate.

This year I gave a $50 gas card, and also a $75 gift card to red lobster. Still seems strange that such a large corporation would ask for this type of a donation. Not that this matters, but their average employee makes about $70 grand a year.

For a handful of customers, I had a few dozen donuts delivered to the offices (including them)

That was a gas card to the local convenience store and a separate Red Lobster gift card.

Not sure of your question..... If you're asking why 2 different gift prizes, I didn't know what the "average" prize amount should be, so I left it up to management to decide if they wanted to give both cards as ONE door prize, or do them separate. I decided that $125 would be how much I would donate.

Given the type of business we are, I didn't think a "banner" or a set of mags would be a great door prize for their average employee. If I were a tavern owner, I would have donated a case of beer (I mean, who dosen't like beer?)

Perhaps you were making a joke that went over my head???

Ding...... ding....... ding....... ding....... ding....... ding....... ding.......

Happy New Year.............. !!
​

 

[skyhigh]

Gotta luv ya Gino.......don't know why, but I do.

(kinda like an irritating rash on my sack)


:ROFLMAO:

 

[SignManiac]

Sucks to be you I guess. My main supplier gave me a round trip ticket to Hawaii and the keys to a condo for a week! They like my account.

 

[CheapVehicleWrap]

We always have our x-mas cards done in January, cheaper. Run through the postage meter in December so it looks like it got lost in the mail. Always on top of the pile and don't come all at once.

 

[Pat Whatley]

So you're spending $500,000 on equipment and another $500,000 on supplies from a vendor and you don't even get a Christmas card? Even at a 5% profit margin you're still covering somebody's salary for the year. Next time you write a half million dollar check add a couple of hundred bucks to it and tell them you're expecting a damn fine fruit basket next year.

 

[CheapVehicleWrap]

So you're spending $500,000 on equipment and another $500,000 on supplies from a vendor and you don't even get a Christmas card? Even at a 5% profit margin you're still covering somebody's salary for the year. Next time you write a half million dollar check add a couple of hundred bucks to it and tell them you're expecting a damn fine fruit basket next year.

^^^ Absolutely! I need 4 more doorstops. And FRUITCAKES serve the purpose. Cheap too.

 

[john1]

Few years ago i received a dozen or so cards, Anymore i have not received any at all. No biggie, I send out cards to my customers every year. If i can do it, The big companies can too and i don't mean a email blast card...I send custom designed cards.