I have been spoiled I tell ya'!

I like kitschy stuff.

I used to get swedish snus fairly often before pricing shot up and I had to order less frequently in bulk.

The web store I used to use the most also sold candies and snacks. Once in a while I'd find a weird salmiak candy in my package or something.
What I really liked was when they would throw in a bottle opener, or a pen. Sometimes a refrigerator magnet, key chain, or some other cheapo gizmo or gadget.
Everything always had their logo on it.

Most of this stuff was seriously junk.
At most the nicest thing might have cost them half a dollar.
Never mattered to me what it was, it usually put a smile on my face. Never expected anything extra either. I loved it though.

There's tons of catalogs and I've seen websites where a vendor can order all sorts of stuff with their logo or brand on it.

Since tobacco has to ship UPS now, I order less often and get more at a time. I don't buy from the other website I used to because they couldn't handle all the paperwork and documentation anymore.

I get a better price then they used to offer relatively speaking. I was spoiled though. Now I don't get a key chain or a magnet anymore. No more weird candies or surprises.

I don't expect it whenever I buy stuff in general.

I appreciate it though. Notes are cool I suppose.

When I buy stuff on eBay is where it really gets interesting. I've seen some high strangeness buying stuff on eBay. Notes in the package that would make you want to burn the box it came in.

I'm happy to throw repeat business towards companies who go above and beyond the bare minimum. Be it "Thanks" written on the packing slip or a little sample of something. Especially if there's a business card. Business card magnet? Call me loyal return customer for sure.

Pack my stuff in an old toothpaste box and use a grocery bag as packing material? You better except you're going to get some goofy sarcastic feedback on your eBay for your troubles. I know we're talking artisans and shaving vendors mostly, but after seeing some stuff eBay sellers do, an artisan would have to get it awfully wrong in a big way to make me raise a brow in dissatisfaction. At least all the ones I've dealt with use clean, new shipping boxes. I've gotten probably half a dozen eBay items in single serving size breakfast cereal boxes over the years with the postage on the outside. Right on Tony the Tiger's face. 



 

Well,  not everybody is afraid to disagree with mods…  

You guys, on the whole, do a great job here, and I personally love the philosophy behind the entire forum.

I don't necessarily disagree with the premise behind this thread either, as I find samples and notes to be a nice touch.  It just happens to be useful to further the discussion, to point out that it should not be expected, is not necessary, and has marketing as an underlying purpose. No reason for anyone else to get upset over these things, just a little food for thought.

I don't think for most individuals out there that the lack of a thank you note or samples is going to deter them from completing a transaction with a merchant.

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

yes, each time I buy another product from the said merchant. to further that, if someone likes the product enough to write about it and/or do a review whether on a forum or through a youtube video, that's free advertising for the merchant...it's like double the 'thank you' message...

So customers like personalization and thank you's, but vendors don't? Like they're less human than anyone else... Okay...

They get our money, we get their products... Equal exchange. You like a thank you, maybe you should send one, otherwise, it's just a tad hypocritical, no?

The difference is, you risk $10 on maybe a bad soap, they risk their livelihoods and potential bankruptcy.

are you arguing just to argue, or....?

the part about running a business is that there's ALWAYS inherent risks with it: some are successful, some aren't...that's the nature of how the gears turn in the world. if someone isn't willing to entertain the risks associated with running a business, then they REALLY shouldn't even bother with it.

are you arguing just to argue, or....?

No Andrew, but it sure does sound like you're just arguing to argue.

Consider, I made several initial counter intuitive points on this thread addressed to no one in particular. You, and others, chose to engage and argue with me personally, not I you. You may say you don't want back and forth petty bickering, but then when I am personally engaged with this practice, I am to remain silent?

You will have to make up your mind, Andrew. Either you want back and forth free discussion and debate within the forum rules, or you don't. If so, I'll be happy to answer your remaining points. If not, you will need to accept my previous posts as they stand, agreeing or disagreeing without further engagement.

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

No, but I have on multiple (almost all) occasions e mailed a vendor to thank them for extra goodies they add to an order.


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are you arguing just to argue, or....?

No Andrew, but it sure does sound like you're just arguing to argue.

Consider, I made several initial counter intuitive points on this thread addressed to no one in particular. You, and others, chose to engage and argue with me personally, not I you. You may say you don't want back and forth petty bickering, but then when I am personally engaged with this practice, I am to remain silent?

You will have to make up your mind, Andrew. Either you want back and forth free discussion and debate within the forum rules, or you don't. If so, I'll be happy to answer your remaining points. If not, you will need to accept my previous posts as they stand, agreeing or disagreeing without further engagement.

Insulting other members by calling them childish started the bickering back and forth. To me, it is the insults and condescension that will get in the way of free discussion.

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

No, but I have on multiple (almost all) occasions e mailed a vendor to thank them for extra goodies they add to an order.


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That's usually what I do too. I don't order that much any more, but try to remember to follow up with an "I got my order, everything looks and smells great" type of reply. The same as I do with BST transactions.

The only time I feel like I am entitled to a reply is if someone specifically asks me for something (address, measurements, my advise etc), I take the time to research or type out a PM or email and send it their way, then they don't reply. If they don't reply with a simple "thanks", I get a bit peeved.

Also, if I sell something I actually ask the buyer to reply when they receive it and if it meets their expectations.

I actually like to give vendors feedback as well. Especially if the products are good, and if the vendor throws me a nice note or a sample of something I did not ask for, I will reach out and thank them and let them know its very much appreciated. There are a few vendors that I typically always thank for service and shipment of products. Most artisans are so responsive and reachable so I like to let them know I appreciate what they are doing for the shaving community and so forth.

are you arguing just to argue, or....?

No Andrew, but it sure does sound like you're just arguing to argue.

Consider, I made several initial counter intuitive points on this thread addressed to no one in particular. You, and others, chose to engage and argue with me personally, not I you. You may say you don't want back and forth petty bickering, but then when I am personally engaged with this practice, I am to remain silent?

You will have to make up your mind, Andrew. Either you want back and forth free discussion and debate within the forum rules, or you don't. If so, I'll be happy to answer your remaining points. If not, you will need to accept my previous posts as they stand, agreeing or disagreeing without further engagement.

Your insulta and insinuations against the OP and everyone that happened to agree with him are what created an argumentative situation, and you continue to do so. I kniw...Im making it personal. But if you go back through the topic, youll see that I never addressed you or even one of your posts until you soecifically tagged me in a co.descending post of your own.

You dont discuss, you insult and argue. Thats neither gentlemanly nor intellectual.

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Your insulta and insinuations against the OP and everyone that happened to agree with him are what created an argumentative situation, and you continue to do so. I kniw...Im making it personal. But if you go back through the topic, youll see that I never addressed you or even one of your posts until you soecifically tagged me in a co.descending post of your own.

You dont discuss, you insult and argue. Thats neither gentlemanly nor intellectual.

If you are on mobile or Tapatalk you probably didn't see....he's now gone.

There is probably no point in anyone else quoting him or challenging his posts as he can't defend them at this point.

Your insulta and insinuations against the OP and everyone that happened to agree with him are what created an argumentative situation, and you continue to do so. I kniw...Im making it personal. But if you go back through the topic, youll see that I never addressed you or even one of your posts until you soecifically tagged me in a co.descending post of your own.

You dont discuss, you insult and argue. Thats neither gentlemanly nor intellectual.

If you are on mobile or Tapatalk you probably didn't see....he's now gone.

There is probably no point in anyone else quoting him or challenging his posts as he can't defend them at this point.

I am on TapaTalk at the moment.

Honeslty I am sorry to see that he has gone. I would have rather he stepped up and become a reasonable, contributing member of the community, as there was some good insight at times. But if you cant play nice, you cant play at all and most of the time it wasnt nice.

Anyhow...back on topic...

I do try to provide positive feedback for the artisans and vendors that treat me right. I offer positive reviews when applicable, direct potential consumers to them when I can, and try to provide honest feedback in my social media networks when a prdocut or experience is especially pleasing.

If a transaction is between me and another individual, outside of a merchant relationship, such as b/s/t, I definitely try to provide feedback both privately and publicly on the transaction...

What comes around goes around, even for merchants. Take care of your customers and they will take care of you...

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