12 replies to this topic

[Rex]

We are in the process of going through our sample closet, cleaning for the new year, etc. We have collected numerous samples in our 4 years in business, either from trade shows or through the mail

We would like to know what other distributors do with outdated/not valid samples. I know I have seen on DT in the past some answers to the same question, but my search turned up nothing.

I know there are possibilities to donate to schools, orginations, etc. but am curious about the items that have ASI, PPAI, SAGE numbers on them. Is that an issue?

Any ideas would be appreciated! We hate to just throw the stuff in the trash.

Thanks,
Rex :rolleyes:

[Mark@BB-U]

Pack them into a tote bags and give them to your top customers, buyers and receptionists at the companies. the receptionists are often overlooked and can do you the most good too!

[Murmur]

We donate our samples, overruns, etc to local charities. Most items go to a local church that sends out various packages throughout the year to soldiers overseas, under-developed countries, or rummage sales. If you have pens and pencils, churches and schools love these! Nicer items we will give to clients, friends, family - many times I will let our employees look through items first.


Right now I am doing a major cleaning in our showroom and have come across quite a bit as well. The one trait about myself I find annoying is not being able to get rid of something if it is still available - I sometime welcome items being discontinued so I can move it out of the showroom. :tongue:

[3Koi Maui]

Hi Rex!

We have donated to schools, shelters, and other organizations. We have sent product to Operation Gratitude (www.operationgratitude.com). We have given it away to everyone from receptionists to non-clients: bank tellers, postal workers, neighbors, anyone who we encounter. Hey, sometimes that leads to the conversation about what we do, and that's good too.

So far, we have had no problems with ASI, PPAI, SAGE, or other identifiers on the products. The only area of concern is with product that has our client logos on them, as when we have a misprint or other problem and end up with a load of product. In that case, we must first seek the approval from our client to donate of the items. In some cases they would prefer we destroy the product rather than have their logo incorrectly displayed and/or in situations they can't predict.

[ProPrinters]

Garage sale

[bdail]

Thanx for the plug Isa. Operation Gratitude over the holiday just sent out our 500,000th package to our deployed troops in harms way. Of course, we all look forward to the day, that they'll all be home and we're out of business.

But until then, I'll continue to ask for help from you generous folks in our industry.

BTW-in celebration of the 500,000 package, one of our troops received the keys to a custom Harley when he (or she) opened it up!


Barbara

[Chris Miller]

I'm with Barbara and Isa. That's what we did with ours when we had a huge pile to deal with.

Now we have asked ALL suppliers to not send us anything. So if it's from a supplier, and in a package bigger than a #10 envelope, it goes into the round file. :)

[jimknecht]

Chris Miller said:

Now we have asked ALL suppliers to not send us anything. So if it's from a supplier, and in a package bigger than a #10 envelope, it goes into the round file. :)

Funny, but that is the exact opposite of what we hear & see. We have had tremendous success when we offer distributors our free sample kit... which is not huge but most certainly bigger than a #10 envelope.

I was at ASI Orlando Monday & Tuesday & we had a great show. Interesting thing is, of the over 700 folks that requested us to send them info, about 500 requested the free kit. The vast majority of distributors we see are truly thrilled to receive samples & state how much easier it is to sell when they have them.

Chris, I think the difference is you never leave the house & never get out of your PJs. :) So why would an online distributor like you need samples anyway... especially one that knows everything already. :D

[wadayaneed]

We just went through our samples too. First we separated things we wanted to keep in the showroom, things we wanted to send or show to top clients, flat things we could mail with an invoice or catalog, and things we get sample requests for. Then we let the staff go through and pick what they wanted. After all that we still have three huge boxes to donate to the local charities.

[Chris Miller]

jimknecht said:

Funny, but that is the exact opposite of what we hear & see. We have had tremendous success when we offer distributors our free sample kit...

What distributor is dragging around samples of stadium cups?

"Hello customer, we want to show you our new unique product, the plastic cup. I've even brought samples because I bet you've NEVER seen a plastic cup before" :D :D

Your kit was a huge success because distributors need cups for their kids to drink out of. Actually, can you send us over your latest sample kit too? :D

[jimknecht]

Chris Miller said:

What distributor is dragging around samples of stadium cups?

"Hello customer, we want to show you our new unique product, the plastic cup. I've even brought samples because I bet you've NEVER seen a plastic cup before" :D :D

Your kit was a huge success because distributors need cups for their kids to drink out of. Actually, can you send us over your latest sample kit too? :D

For the most part, I don't think they drag them around but use them in a showroom. For you to do that would mean getting dressed in the morning & actually having local clients. :) However I do know distributors take them on sales calls too... you know, those things that require getting dressed & leaving the house.

Also, folks like to see specific colors of product. Many folks like to get a special kit that includes all 17 colors of our cups.

Hey, let your kids drink out of those overrun cups you mentioned in the other thread. :)

[3Koi Maui]

The other thing about samples is that it really does help the client imagine their promotion.

I know, you would think that someone could think of a pink stadium cup with a lid for containing pink hair scrunchies as a giveaway during a breast cancer fund raiser. But really, our industry is all about the tactile world. Yes, you can mock it up in an image, but for some folks holding it in their hand makes the sale.

And as Jim said, knowing which green looks most like their company colors is also helpful. Yes, you can show them the PMS number in a swatch book. But having the green cup in hand reassures a cynical product marketing rep.

Obviously not everyone needs that. That's why internet marketing works too. Different strokes and all that.

[Allan]

I actually took the sample kit to a customer and ended up having the customer order a different cup than what we had talked about on the phone. They were very happy to have to visual choices. We quickly eliminated ones that were not right for the program and it came down to a budget decision to go with a more expensive cup than what they had told me in email and phone conversations.

Chris Miller said:

What distributor is dragging around samples of stadium cups?

"Hello customer, we want to show you our new unique product, the plastic cup. I've even brought samples because I bet you've NEVER seen a plastic cup before" :D :D

Your kit was a huge success because distributors need cups for their kids to drink out of. Actually, can you send us over your latest sample kit too? :D