PLEASE Help!

[Former_Member]

So I got a convo this morning from a woman who asks if she can have my store's coupon code.

I, with great wonder, asked if she was referred to me by a website or blog. I do have a couple incentives out there so I can advertise my blog, etc.

She replied, no, that when she added "six" of my items to her cart, and tried to check out, it says, "Enter coupon code."

That's it. Now like I said, I have coupon codes out there,but am not currently running a sale, and if this was a huge order of some kind, I'd even maybe throw in a small bulk discount. But she's bought 100+ items on Etsy (on her profile) so she should know what checkout is like.

I don't want to lose an order of six items! But I don't want the wool pulled over my eyes either. What's the best way to handle this?

Also, I am kind of sick right now and my perceptions may be whacked. So help me please :) I'd really appreciate it!

[WilliamsGiftshop]

You get coupon codes. You don't ask for them.
So, no, you don't make up a coupon code just because she asked for one.
She pays full price, just like anybody else.

[Former_Member]

I would just kindly explain that you are not running a sale right now and therefore have no coupon codes to give her!

[Former_Member]

Thanks, Bea.

I am glad it's not just me.... I just couldn't fathom that someone would be so audacious as to "dumb" themselves into a coupon code but I guess it's happening. Been here 3+ years and never encountered anything like it!

Thanks, Bea, for the reassurance.

[Former_Member]

Yes, that is what I will do, Katie, thank you. :)

[Former_Member]

I agree with Katie. Just send a polite message saying there aren't any sales and just check out like normal.

It's quite interesting the people we run into online! :) Good luck!

[Former_Member]

I dunno, I would be certain that she wasn't referred to you by someone else. I had it happen once where someone said hey check out Angie's store and told them I had coupon codes. Depending on the monetary amount of the order, I think * I * would be willing to sacrifice a few bucks. Again, depending on how much she's paying me.

[Former_Member]

OOPs I misread, actually now looking at it, looks like a confused buyer. Scratch that....although I still would give her a little something. Etsy isn't the most buyer friendly site if she's a new buyer.

[VintageCarolina]

Since this isn't likely to happen often I think I'd give her a minor discount code for like 5-10% with no comment rather than lose a sale for multiple items. If she is giving you some bs then she is probably the type who will cancel it all if you decline the discount.

[Former_Member]

Well I just sent her a polite little note explaining coupon codes, and saying I wasn't currently having a sale.

Thank you everyone for your input and for calming me down! :) I really appreciate it!

[Former_Member]

I know what you mean, Elise. I am scared she will drop the sale, too. Like I said, I wouldn't mind a bulk discount, but I had no idea what she was buying. Sometimes I wish we could see shopping carts in action! haha

[PICFiberArts]

That might be something etsy can work on. Seeing into the customers shopping cart or you could as her what she was purchasing just to see?

[WilliamsGiftshop]

I think people try these things out hoping that you indeed will be scared she'll drop the transaction.
Don't worry about these things. YOU run your shop. Your customers don't.

[DecalInnovations]

Yep it seems with the anonymity of the internet people aren't shy about asking outright for a discount. But I would have messaged her and asked what she was interested and told her I could do a bullk discount depending on the items. I usually would rather get a little less $$ than lose the whole sale. As long as you can still be profitable

[Former_Member]

Good points, everyone. Thanks for stating that. Bea, I am the manager of my own shop.

Ten bucks discount or something is not a big deal to me. But I just couldn't live with myself knowing that I had given in to being duped. I would feel awful about myself. Maybe I take things too seriously, lol I dunno! But that was the final notion.

Thanks again for everyone's insights and help! :)