Selling Question

[cat20sew]

Can I include a free thank you gift with my orders. I do not advertise in the listings.

[tatertot2u57 · Accepted solution]

sure you can, I do it all the time.  Hopefully it buys me some brownie points when it comes to feedback too.  

[cat20sew]

 The buyers love the gift idea. And it helps my sales.

[usmc*usnmom]

You can, but no joke, sellers have gotten negs over free gift items. Do so at your own peril.

[lex-talon]

I've ordered magazines from sellers and sometimes they include a free issue. It's something I wouldn't do or recommend.

[castlemagicmemories]

Negs can happen if the buyer doesn't like, want, or need the free gift.

Also, they may not care to receive something they didn't order but have to pay shipping on it irregardless.

Just some thoughts.  No good deed goes unpunished.

[coolections]

Of course you can. Not sure why you would ask. With that said it depends on what the free item is. If it happens to be something a buyer is not interested in, the buyer could be upset about it. I.E., religious items, food items, porn, mildewed items, broken useless stuff, etc. I would think you are talking about something "similar" to what you are actually selling and the buyer would be happy with. Use your own discretion.

[tatertot2u57]

I agree...I have always added a little something and never got any complaints, quite the opposite and it doesn't add to the shipping cost either.  My free gifts are very light weight but useful too. 

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@cat20sew wrote:

 The buyers love the gift idea. And it helps my sales.

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[cat20sew]

I sell charm earrings. The gift I include is according to what the buyer ordered. If the order is for cat earrings, I give a pair of cat earrings. Or if the order is an anchor I send a fish pair of earrings. A rose ordered, I send a flower pair.

[cat20sew]

I ask this question because eBay might consider that as a advertisement. That is why I do not mention in my listings about receiving any thank you gifts with orders.

[cat20sew]

Yes, negs can happen. So far I never got a neg for giving a thank you gift.  As for having to pay the postage for the gift.  All my shipping is sent free anyway.

[castlemagicmemories]

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@cat20sew wrote:
I sell charm earrings. The gift I include is according to what the buyer ordered. If the order is for cat earrings, I give a pair of cat earrings. Or if the order is an anchor I send a fish pair of earrings. A rose ordered, I send a flower pair.

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@cat20sew

That's really clever and thoughtful; so appropriate.  Coordinating to the purchase is something the buyer probably loves!

I have received key chains, and pens, small lapel pins of say, a guardian angel.  All useful.  

appreciated, adorable.

Who can't use a pen!

Candy, not such a great idea.  Many are diabetic, don't eat sweets, and it can melt.

[castlemagicmemories]

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@cat20sew wrote:
I ask this question because eBay might consider that as a advertisement. That is why I do not mention in my listings about receiving any thank you gifts with orders.

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@cat20sew

Seller can put those things in with orders.  I often get business cards.  I don't say thank you in feedback because I am afraid that the seller might run out of a thank you gift, or neglect to put one with an order, or the next buyer doesn't see it in their package, and it could generate bad feedback, as in I DIDN"T get a thank you gift!

Maybe far fetched but not taking any chances.  I message the seller with my thanks.

Once a seller included a BUNCH of things that were best consigned to trash.  Not happy but she meant well, so I just let it go.

[megadestroyers]

Oh yeah!  The gift should be at least related to the item you're sending (maybe an additional CD), should be an item you yourself would like to get, not just some throw-away item you wouldn't think twice about, and should be a surprise to your buyer.  No hints!!

Yes.  Some get ticked at little extras, like biz cards or flyers.  Some even find themselves on a mailing distribution list because some seller "thoughtfully" added you to theirs.  No thought of asking!  Some people can assume an awful lot!!

[castlemagicmemories]

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@cat20sew wrote:

Yes, negs can happen. So far I never got a neg for giving a thank you gift.  As for having to pay the postage for the gift.  All my shipping is sent free anyway.

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NO ONE should get a neg for sending a thank you gift!  Good heavens!  IF they aren't happy, they should just take it with a grain of salt!  The intentions were good.

With all due respect, there could be someone out there that might conclude that since the shipping is rolled into the item price, (not everyone truly believes shipping is free) then they are still paying for it.  I'm just glad you haven't run into that person yet!

Hope you NEVER get a neg for showing the kindness of your heart!