Do you offer freebies with your orders?

[MelsCreativeWishes]

In the past I have included a postcard with a discount code on it but very few customers took up the offer.
Now I am brainstorming freebies I can pop in with my items.
I sell children's toys and games so some of the things I've come up with include bookmarks, recipe for children, play dough recipe, imaginative play ideas based on the item, a felt bag tag.

Who includes freebies and what do you give?

[Former_Member]

Hi Mel,

I sometimes include a couple of hair ties with the jewellery I send. I also have a postcard with details of the link for them to give me a Review and as a thank you give them a 10% discount on their next purchase. It doesn't always work but I reckon they are less likely to bin a postcard than a business card.

Good luck! :)

[ColourscapePrints]

We occasionally throw in a bookmark, or small print that compliments the one they've purchased. Obviously weight is a big consideration so it's always less than 15-20gms.

[SpangGangDesigns]

We don't offer any free gifts. While it may be a nice gesture, to me, both as a buyer and seller, great customer service trumps all! Though it may seem "little", even a free item (of a value less than $1, for example) would add up very quickly for higher volume shops. Some work with such a slim profit margin anyways. JMO.

[Former_Member]

Agreeing with Erica. I don't offer a gift. Nor do I offer coupon codes very often.

[LaLindaArtStudio]

No, I do not. I usually just include a business card with their invoice and I include a thank you note with special orders.

[WalterSilva]

No discount code because no one ever uses them.
But, do include a 1 " Button Pin with all orders with a Thanks you note.

[BrushStrokeOrnaments]

I never include a free gift or coupon code. Since I sell excellent product (include colorful gift box/bow) and provide great customer service, a free gift is unnecessary - and would most likely be discarded anyway.

[Former_Member]

No i usually don´t. at one occasion, when a lovely lady from NZL ordered three of my more expensive bracelets i added little beaded stars that i had no use for to the package.
i usually only include a handwritten thank you card and a business card

[DesigningParrotJewel]

No don't include freebies or business cards but do include a hand written thank you note. I also believe that great customer service is the best way.

[StuckOnSilver]

I don't give free gifts and actually don't like to get them. I suspect that most people would prefer a little discount rather than an unwanted item.

[LOVEnLAVISH]

I added a free item of the same purchased value or less on my 100th or 200th sale item, goal numbers I was looking to celebrate with a customer.As a shopper on Etsy, I like it when I buy a print and get a little print card or button. I have also bought beads and received a small amount of free beads which I always appreciate.

[Former_Member]

I always gift wrap for free in tissue paper and tie with a ribbon.
I also usually include some little rose post earrings on a moo business card.

When I purchase on Etsy I like to get freebies (especially fabric samples) - but I certainly don't expect it.

[WiredByJanes]

I give out free zipper pull charms for all my jewelry customers that spend more that a certain amount. I even wrap it up like a little present and put a Thank you sticker on it. I also include a little note that says...
Thank you for your purchase!
As a special thank you, I have included a little zipper pull charm for you.
Positive feedback on Etsy is appreciated.

Then I sign it.

I give excellent customer service and I am grateful for every order I receive. So a thank you gift is a no-brainer for me. It's how I would want to be treated. :)

[Former_Member]

I package my items in gift ready packaging and include a business card. I have given little gifts to repeat customers or will offer a repeat customer discount (which no one ever takes advantage of).

[FreshFromtheFlame]

I do give a free gift. I can not help myself. I always am excited to buy from Etsy shops and when they also send a free gift I just feel like that makes Etsy even more special of a place to buy from (although I think I have only received three free gifts total from all the shops I have purchased from, but I do go back and check out their shops again). What big box online shopping gives a free gift? It is just special.

[Former_Member]

I do not offer freebies but I do gift wrap and add a handwritten card of thanks to my orders. I also send a 10% next order code.

[Former_Member]

No. I've gotten some free things when I've bought from Etsy sellers before. 9/10 they are things I won't use, so they end up getting thrown away.

[Former_Member]

I usually do not directly state on my site, but I always attach an extra card on people's purchases? Should I maybe consider putting that every purchase brings a free card?

[Former_Member]

I send soap samples. As soon as I can figure out how to ship it safely, I want to send scrub and body butter samples. People who try my solid body butter love it, but you have to try it first. I often say that I don't get any new customers, all my customers are repeat customers, lol

[Former_Member]

Yes, but sometimes I don't know it its worth it or not. I also have samples for sale and sometimes don't know if that is worth it either.

[iLikeiLikeDesigns]

Honestly, the best freebie I took part in as a buyer was offered BEFORE checkout. I thought that was a great idea and once I have something I can offer like that, I might take that approach.

The seller put in her shop announcements (that many people forget to check) - something like: "This month only: 20 free tags with purchase! Just mention it at checkout what size/colors you'd like." (Obviously more descriptive than that.)

So yes, it's up to the buyer to see it and put it in their cart notes, but this way, I was able to see another product the seller offered and had to put in minimal effort. Which, let's be honest, buyers need minimal-effort opportunities! :)

-Aurora

[SpangGangDesigns]

I guess if I sold eatables or soaps/lotions, like TangledSenses, it would a great marketing tool to send a small sample of another product.

[Former_Member]

I use to send out very nice " metal" bookmarks with each order until a few customers kept asking what it was... seems like the Kindles and such have taken over! So now I send jewelry ... usually a pair of earrings with each order!

[TheCuriousNeedle]

I send out a free zipper pull with each of my bags. They coordinate with the product and are useful. I bought my own badge machine, so that I could make my own zipper pulls. I've had a lot of great comments about them and they really finish off the bags I think.