Do you include unannounced bonus items with your orders? If so, what kind of items?

[daveresells]

I have been selling coins mostly lately, but I sell a mix of items. Do you ever include unannounced free bonus items with your orders? If so, what do you include?

[the*dog*ate*my*tablecloth]

I have bought around 10-15k items on Ebay in the last 20 years. I get bonus stuff all the time. I can't remember anything I've ever kept. Sellers have sent food items, related collectibles, artwork and religious literature. It all goes into the circular file. Especially the times sellers include useless large items that they probably can't sell. It becomes my garbage that I have to pay to throw.

Make sure you're doing this to benefit buyers and not just to get move monkeys from your back to the back of someone else.

[soh.maryl]

Would not ever consider doing that.  It's an action that, believe it or not, can offend some buyers, plus, as another poster mentioned, it then becomes THEIR problem to dispose of something they did not buy or want to begin with.  

[alcoforever]

I do it from time to time but only with items that are related to their purchase, are light weight and don't add shipping costs and finally are too low in value to sell.

I have gotten good feedback the times I have done it.

[jeannicho22]

No, I do not for a few reasons.  I've received candy, gum, trinkets and other "junk" with my orders which promptly all went into the trash.... Just send me what I've ordered.

The other reason I do not, is because I want buyers to be prompted to purchase because of an additional item they know about and want and not something they get and trash.

[belleoftheprom]

I have received "free items" with purchase.  I don't want any "free items".  Just send me my item.

Any free items I have received have gone in the trash. 

[annadryl]

Usually when I sell guitar parts or strings I tape a pick to the packing slip. It's small and inexpensive and it's something they'll likely use. Other than that, no. It can't be random, it has to be a closely related item but very minor.

[alturi_64]

When I sell earrings I send a couple of extra back pieces, necklaces and bracelets I send a cleaning cloth.

[fern*wood]

Nope, I don't consider it.  With my luck, the buyer would find the freebie and trip all over themselves getting to the computer to file a not as described return.

[yuncreations]

I always add little extra gifts , such as stickers, candy, pencils, erasers... and a Thank you note.

[packratville]

I don't include bonus items, and when I buy I don't like to receive them for reasons listed by others who've responded. And what I really dislike is when a buyer confuses my listing with someone who did and leaves feedback thanking me for the free gift I included (nope, wasn't me), as has happened at least once. Then I get paranoid that future buyers who saw that erroneous feedback will expect a bonus with their item and be offended that I didn't include something.

[ersatz_sobriquet]

Once. Sold a Lenox Christmas item and included a free Lenox angel pin. No thanks for it, no feedback, so I'm done. 

[dhbookds]

I think the pick and the jewelry stuff are good ideas and people probably appreciate them (whether they say anything or not).   Non related stuff can be iffy.......over the years there have been sellers who have gotten lousy feedback based on the "free" item alone.  Others can take offense........"I'm diabetic" so sure don't want the candy......etc. 

[uzumakey]

Yes when possible, with cosmetics purchases or pricier jewelry, but I include gifts from the category they purchased from. When someone makes a beauty purchase I include new sample packets (like major beauty retailers do), and if someone buys a piece of jewelry above a certain amount I'll include an extra piece that's in good condition but relatively inexpensive. Basically I match the gift with the purchase and don't include anything that could be construed as junk.

I rarely get gifts from US sellers, but Korean beauty shops routinely include sample packets or little gift packs for me, which I appreciate. I've also had one lovely domestic seller who sent me some beautiful luxury beauty items after I bought something from them. If the gift is thoughtful, well-intentioned and in good condition I do really enjoy them as a buyer.

[shevey55]

I sell kids clothes. If the packaging(like flat rate boxes) will accommodate it without adding to the weight, I add an age appropriate book. I've gotten messages thanking me for the book more than for the clothes   🙂