I have been spoiled I tell ya'!

Is anyone sending a handwritten personalized message back to the Artisan when they get their order or a Thank You email?

I have always contacted the US-based artisans when I purchased one of their soaps, via PM or email and thanked them and offered my impressions.

Personalization is a wonderful thing and, as someone said, the idea is to make what is ordinarily a rather impersonal transaction much more personal. Unfortunately, you eventually get to a point where writing all those notes can make your hands hurt/cramp, so some vendors (B&M included) have started typing the notes instead. I'm curious: do you think the fact that the note is typed makes it less personal?

In a word, yes.

Barrister_N_Mann, generally, I would have to agree with Jeff.  A handwritten note, even a simple "Thanks for your order, Freddy", will always show a higher level of caring.  However, realizing what you have stated here, a typed note with a handwritten signature would be almost as good.  For me, what that handwritten note or signature does is make a personal connection, even though we may never meet and have nothing but a merchant/customer relationship.  It's something special.

There are a few people here who would argue the point but, based on this thread, the majority really seem to enjoy that special touch.  I might add that the fact that some artisan merchants, such as yourself, feel the need to type, rather than hand write a thank you means you must be doing a lot of things right in product, service, and the care you take with your customers.

Fair enough. Regardless, for the sake of our hands, I'm afraid you're going to have to live with it, gents.

I guess I just meant that it makes the "Thank you" more personal (handwritten letters sent by mail are inherently more personal than a typed out email for example), not any less valued or appreciated. You still take the time to add the note, which as already mentioned before is a "bonus". I'm certainly not disappointed or let down in any way if the note is typed or non-existent.

I'm glad to hear that. (seriously; I wish the damned smily didn't look so sarcastic) Here's another question: Suppose we had a system in place that mailed you a thank you postcard, separate from your order shipment. Thoughts? I've been looking into the idea precisely for the reason you mentioned, though it admittedly would not be hand-written.

I would like to remind everyone of this thread.

http://damnfineshave.com/thread-sticky-a...lease-read

Much of this thread is fun and insightful as to what people think, but some are taking it a but too far. Let's not end up with yet another closed thread.

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

A typewritten response or note on my receipt is fine with me. Lets me know you are paying attention to me, and my thoughts.

But I want gravy too dangit!

A typewritten response or note on my receipt is fine with me. Lets me know you are paying attention to me, and my thoughts.

But I want gravy too dangit!

[Image: 2016-04-12%2004.13.48%20pm_zpslyfuo1gf.jpg]

Personalization is a wonderful thing and, as someone said, the idea is to make what is ordinarily a rather impersonal transaction much more personal. Unfortunately, you eventually get to a point where writing all those notes can make your hands hurt/cramp, so some vendors (B&M included) have started typing the notes instead. I'm curious: do you think the fact that the note is typed makes it less personal?

Fair enough. Regardless, for the sake of our hands, I'm afraid you're going to have to live with it, gents.

I guess I just meant that it makes the "Thank you" more personal (handwritten letters sent by mail are inherently more personal than a typed out email for example), not any less valued or appreciated. You still take the time to add the note, which as already mentioned before is a "bonus". I'm certainly not disappointed or let down in any way if the note is typed or non-existent.

I'm glad to hear that. (seriously; I wish the damned smily didn't look so sarcastic) Here's another question: Suppose we had a system in place that mailed you a thank you postcard, separate from your order shipment. Thoughts? I've been looking into the idea precisely for the reason you mentioned, though it admittedly would not be hand-written.

Honestly, Will, that might cause problems if, for example, your customer gets the thank you card but the purchase to him is delayed or lost in the mail by the shipper.  Instead, why not a slightly smaller thank you card that you put in the shipment itself.  Perhaps the card could have pictures of your shaving jar designs or logo on one side and the printed thank you on the other.  Just a thought.

It means a lot, makes a big difference and to be honest impacts my buying decisions. I do view you all as my sourcing partners and I doubt I'll order from this other place again.

I agree with your assessment. When I first ordered from Maggards, I was shocked at their instant emails and updates. Shocked enough to tell them that. When I ordered from Soap Commander, I could not believe the hand written note. I was so shocked I showed my wife. I then read their blog and read this http://soapcommander.com/blogs/beyondthe...-you-notes The TL;DR summary is: We have manners and we appreciate you as a customer.

Did that make me a fanboy? Not particularly but I would not hesitate one second to buy from them again.

these things are ultimately marketing tools, nothing more. Apparently it works!

I'd call that smart and good business practice. And the small businesses that don't follow suit? You lose because there is too much competition right now.

I'm still waiting for Porter Stansberry's thank you note

You didn't get your's? I did. The emails keep coming wanting me to buy one of them black blades.  Cause the price is going up.

I guess I just meant that it makes the "Thank you" more personal (handwritten letters sent by mail are inherently more personal than a typed out email for example), not any less valued or appreciated. You still take the time to add the note, which as already mentioned before is a "bonus". I'm certainly not disappointed or let down in any way if the note is typed or non-existent.

I'm glad to hear that. (seriously; I wish the damned smily didn't look so sarcastic) Here's another question: Suppose we had a system in place that mailed you a thank you postcard, separate from your order shipment. Thoughts? I've been looking into the idea precisely for the reason you mentioned, though it admittedly would not be hand-written.

Honestly, Will, that might cause problems if, for example, your customer gets the thank you card but the purchase to him is delayed or lost in the mail by the shipper.  Instead, why not a slightly smaller thank you card that you put in the shipment itself.  Perhaps the card could have pictures of your shaving jar designs or logo on one side and the printed thank you on the other.  Just a thought.

That's a good point, Freddy. Maybe we'll look into doing both; a small thank-you card in the box and a separate postcard with a 10% coupon as a thank you or something of that nature.

I'm glad to hear that. (seriously; I wish the damned smily didn't look so sarcastic) Here's another question: Suppose we had a system in place that mailed you a thank you postcard, separate from your order shipment. Thoughts? I've been looking into the idea precisely for the reason you mentioned, though it admittedly would not be hand-written.

Honestly, Will, that might cause problems if, for example, your customer gets the thank you card but the purchase to him is delayed or lost in the mail by the shipper.  Instead, why not a slightly smaller thank you card that you put in the shipment itself.  Perhaps the card could have pictures of your shaving jar designs or logo on one side and the printed thank you on the other.  Just a thought.

That's a good point, Freddy. Maybe we'll look into doing both; a small thank-you card in the box and a separate postcard with a 10% coupon as a thank you or something of that nature.

I really like that idea.

Any personalizations or added extras are ALWAYS welcomed, regardless of when or how they get to me. I can't think of too many other product purchases I make that have any kind of personal acknowledgement or extras added. I really like it too that the extras I get from wet shave artisans are overwhelmingly things that I can actually use. All I can say is, I don't think it matters much how you do it; it's the fact that a number of artisans do it all is what is appreciated. It is one more thing that makes me think twice about giving my money to the corporate big boys when I can help it.