Including Free Gifts with Purchase

If you are going to include free gifts with purchase there are a few things to take into consideration.

What to include?  How much to include?  How to include it?  How much to spend on it?  How to handle it?

What to include?

Depending on what you sell, you should tailor your free gifts to the items that you have for sale.  If you sell clothing, include coordinating items (such as neckties, costume jewelry & accessories). 

-- Accessories- If they purchase jewelry include a coordinating piece.

-- Candy- Include hard candies (avoid chocolate & melt able type candies).  Lollipops can be given with children’s clothing for instance.  Also, keep in mind that some people are diabetics, so sugar free candies should be taken into consideration.

-- Discount cards/coupons- Very easy to make.  Give a dollar amount or percentage off their next purchase.

-- Gift Cards/Phone Cards, etc- For larger purchases, you can include free gift cards to national stores or for military families.  For phone cards, you can check out the buyers ME page to see if this is a good option.

-- Travel vouchers- Be very careful with these.  Make sure they are legit before sending them.

-- Samples- Perfume/Cologne, etc.  Keep in mind that some people are allergic, so hypoallergenic brands are best.  Or tailor this to your perfume/cologne/bath & body customers only.  Scented lip balm is another option.

-- Toys- Small, light weight toys can be included with children’s purchases.

-- Promotional Items- Pens, Key chains, etc with your store id/business info.  Make sure that these items will be useful to the buyer.  Also keep in mind that it may be taken as advertising for advertising’s sake and not as the free gift you intended it as.

-- Books- Small, light weight, paperback books are great gifts.

-- Stickers- Great, ultra light weight item.  Make sure they are suitable to your buyer.

-- Seasonal Items- For example, Christmas ornaments.  Keep in mind that not all of your buyers will celebrate the same holidays as you do.  Free gifts should not offend your buyer in any way.

-- Adult Items- Unless you sell adult items, it is generally not a good idea to include adult related material as your free gift.

-- Religious Items- Again, unless you know for sure that your buyer will not mind, it is generally not a good idea to include religious items as your free gift.  While some may appreciate it, you run the chance of offending some of your buyers.

How much to include?

If you have sold one item, it is generally acceptable to include ONE free item.  However, if you sell quite a few items to one customer or sell a large lot more than one item may be appropriate.  The items should be tailored to the items sold.

How to include it?

Anything that has a color that may run or stain, or that may melt should be placed in a separate plastic baggy.   If you do not and the free item ruins the item your buyer purchased, you’re thoughtfulness will be lost.

How much to spend on it?

Free is always the best.  But you can’t always get free items, so keeping your cost low is a must!  Remember it’s the thought that counts, not the amount of money spent on the gift.  Try to keep your costs under $1 per item unless it’s for a larger order.  For instance, we include free gift cards to national chain store such as Gymboree and Lowes for large orders.  The amount depends on how much the customer spends with us and the store depends on what type of items the customer purchased from us.

How to handle it?

Do not get discouraged if you receive feedback that does not mention the free gift.  It is very rare that the free gift will be mentioned.  Remember, you are not doing this to get recognition for the free gift.  You are doing this to give your customers great customer service.