13 replies to this topic

[Lizzieanne]

Hello All,

I have had a request from a client who is working with a non-profit group that is composed of representatives of non-profit service providers, the faith community, county and local governments and the United Way to help with human service needs in their area. She looking for a small logo item to present to retiring board members, give as a thank you, etc. She is looking for 25, possibly 50 and around $3 a piece. She thought of mugs but is concerned with extra cost of shipping and making sure mugs don't break. At this point, I am recovering from flu, so my brain is not functioning at all. I appreciate any suggestions that this group with a small budget can use to say Thank You.

The logo is very simple, and they would like the web site as well.

Thank You for your help,
Lee

[royster13]

Leeds closeouts

[Lizzieanne]

Funny you should mention Leed's, I was just over there looking for something. My question, is recommending closeouts a good idea? Only because if they want to do it again, it will no longer be available. Or will it seem special to those who received it and then the next time it will be something different? A conundrum since it is a good budget helper.

Thanks Royce,
Lee

[royster13]

Do they want cheap or not?....If they want cheap they sort of have to take what they can get when they get it.....

[GraNate]

Just make sure they have enough of what you want before you promise a customer. I have done closeouts before that by the time my customer drags their feet, they are all out and I'm back to square one. They understand the way closeouts work, but it is alot of extra work for me when I have to start all over.

[Lizzieanne]

There in lies the conundrum. I am definitely open to ideas and suggestions.

[3Koi Maui]

Hi Lee!
I hope you feel better very soon.

Lapel pins

Bookmarks - full color digital print from Imagery, or imprinted metal from Furniward in TX

www.i-markpen.com - they have under $3 pens for quantity 25. They engrave lower quantities too. Check out their closeouts.

[royster13]

When working with "closeouts" you have to make sure you are driving the bus...I impress upon folks that if they can decide within a couple hours I can put them into a closeout that will give them great bang for their buck...Otherwise if they snooze they lose....

[djoctagone]

Find practically any Norwood item that lists for $2 - $3 at MOQ, order the quantity they want and bill them a LTM charge.

If it's a stock item and they come back earlier than expected to reorder, you can present them two options: Norwood published MOQ or the same quantity they ordered before with yet another LTM charge.

Remember you're dealing with a $75 - $150 budget (based on what you've told us). If you're pocketing 100% of the profit at 40% margin, you stand to only make $30 - $60 profit on this.

How much effort do you want to put forth for $30 - $60?

[Imark Pen Co]

Isa,

Thank you for suggesting our product line for great gifts at that price.

Just want to fix the website so they will find us: www.imark-pen.com

Nathan McInnis
Imark / American National Supply
nathan@imark-pen.com
ASI 35579 PPAI 111307

[Lizzieanne]

Hi All,

Thank You so much for your ideas. I send a quote to my client with some stock lapel pins with the info that they would not have their name or web site on a stock pin. She really liked the idea of a puzzle piece, using the idea of essential piece or missing piece.

I also included laser engraved pens that could be personalized - no comment about that. And I did mention the closeout ideas - with 2 provisos, it had to be ordered within a day or 2 and there would not be any more in the future. No comment on that either.

Does anyone have any other ideas to use the puzzle piece? I am feeling a lot better but my brain is still fuzzy & in neutral with no ideas or a glimmer of one and I haven't been able to get rid of the cough.

May you all have a lovely holiday filled with love, laughter and fun.

Lee

[3Koi Maui]

Hi Lee,
I'm glad to hear you are on the mend. Take plenty of naps, that's always a good thing.

Puzzle pieces:
Tonata has a puzzle piece note holder MH500
Clip a very high quality card into the clip, and package the whole thing in a good gift box. An enclosure can thank the recipient and let them know they can use the clip to hold a small photo (which they could provide) to remind them of the service they provided on the board. Maybe a group photo of the board, or else a photo of some significant project...local homeless shelter or library or whatever.

You can pair the lapel pin with a custom printed card that holds the URL and message. Pinline or Gempire can help you with this, or if you go with Soundline, they can use variable printing to customize each card with the recipient's name.

Of course anything becomes a puzzle piece with the right art. If the pen has a good decoration area, laser in the puzzle piece(s) as a part of the design. Maybe a puzzle piece with their name inside, and the edges of the rest of the puzzle.

[DBeavers]

royster13 said:

Leeds closeouts

Due to my experiences with closeouts, I always explain to clients that the shelf life of batteries (when included) and ink cartridges often suffer from long term storage.

So part of the savings may be offset by a shorter quality of life for the gift. Most people don't replace ink cartridges when a pen dies. And the replacement cost of 2 or more of the tiny button cell batteries will cost the recipient more than the customer paid for any $3 gift that came with them.

It goes back to the old cliche' - You get what you pay for.

Other closeouts, such as auto/travel mugs, pad folios, and desk tools are fine, but warn your customers on closeout sales on pens and electronics.

Dennis

[Lizzieanne]

Thanks Isa and Dennis,

I went over to Tonata and found not only the note holder, but there is also a small magnet in a puzzle piece shape. I am still looking for other things - one benefit was I think I found the pen another client is looking for - never know when something will pop up and there is an "AHA"!

Dennis, I probably know it in the back of my mind - under all the other information I have. Thanks for reminding me, it is definitely important to be sure to cover the bases.

You all rock!
Lee