I have been spoiled I tell ya'!

As to notes, I probably send far too many to our artisan and vendor community but I do feel it important to show some appreciation for all they do. We are are a community with high expectations and can have huge demands as a result that are no doubt often difficult to meet.

A quick thank you note, kudos or even brainstorming on potential marketing opps occurs all the time [I can't shut off my marketing brain].

These men and women are burning the midnight oil in the support of our hobby and beyond commerce a quick thanks [other than buying and using their wares] is something I enjoy doing.

I also follow BadDad in spreading the word for vendors and or products with which I have had good experience, etc. Anything potentially negative, I will communicate directly and come at from a constructive perspective.

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?

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...

Sent from my LGL34C using Tapatalk

I believe it is only a three day ban.

@Bruce and BadDad, that is what I try to do, as well.  Through positive feedback on sites and, especially through recommending merchants that I have had positive experiences with, I let them and others know that they are a class act.  I have done this in the fountain pen world, as well as in our shaving hobby.  How many times, for example, have I recommended the Goulet Pen Co. here at DFS to newbies to fountain pens and how much business have the Goulets gained from this.  I have done the same with Dapper Dragon, Stirling, Barrister & Mann, and others.  To me, that is probably the best thank you we can give to any merchant and, I'm guessing, the one they want the most from us.

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.

That's a really nice thought, but even though I like the personal touch, I don't think it's worth the extra waste or the additional postage. I'd prefer a small note (like you suggested a few posts later) instead of you creating more trash (another envelope) and waste money on sending it. I know it sounds silly, but my opinion is that everything adds up in the end. One of the points for traditional shaving (for me) is to reduce waste after all

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

I tend to send feedback on my purchases from artisans, stores not so much. But I do like to send along my thoughts if something stands out to me good or bad. Try not to take up too much of their time, but I've had some really nice exchanges with various artisans because of it.    

My take on all of this: Is a note or handwritten thanks nice, very much so. Will it determine how I purchase in the future, not really. I know people are trying to run a business and are normally busy, at least with the people I've bought from directly. You get me what I order in a timely manner, help me out if I have any issues, and we're golden. The personal touches, while much appreciated, are just gravy.

I do exactly the same. If I really enjoyed a product, I'd tell that to the artisan. If I had a bad experience, I'd ask for their suggestion about other products, as to not repeat my mistake.

For example, I had a really bad allergic reaction to one of the WSP soaps, but I really liked how the soap performed for me (you know, beside the swelling and horrid burning sensation after the shave ). I wrote about the reaction and asked if there was an unscented version because I really enjoyed the soap. In less than 10 minutes, I got a nice reply including a refund that was sufficient to purchase the unscented soap, and incidentally I made them aware to the fact that it was missing from their shop in the scent descriptions/options. Another recent example, I've purchased two Shannon's soaps from shaverevolution. It got really banged up on the way (not the first time), and one of the soaps had a really odd and unpleasant texture, while the other was excellent. I sent an email to Shannon's asking about the weird texture, and she was really nice, we chatted a bit, and she actually sent me a replacement (I didn't ask for anything, I was just curious about the huge difference between the soaps). I'll be a returning customer for both. I won't buy again from shaverevolution.

tl;dr - a personalised note is nice, but good service and being a nice person wins me as a returning customer.

To me the bottom line is this, I'm not going to dismiss a vendor because he or she didn't sent me a thank you note, a sample, or some other item I didn't pay for.

If it happens, nice, otherwise is business as usual.

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

I send them my hard earned money and thats better than a personal note - nothing says "I care about you" like cold hard cash

And I have written posts on DFS, some fairly lengthy, thanking my favourite artisans for their fine work and discussing some of what I find to be interesting aspects of their craft. I think that counts too.

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.

That's a really nice thought, but even though I like the personal touch, I don't think it's worth the extra waste or the additional postage. I'd prefer a small note (like you suggested a few posts later) instead of you creating more trash (another envelope) and waste money on sending it. I know it sounds silly, but my opinion is that everything adds up in the end. One of the points for traditional shaving (for me) is to reduce waste after all

That's also a good point. Perhaps an email instead of a post card (in addition to the thank you). Our receipts now contain a 10% coupon automatically, so I might just stick with that. Maybe I'll look into getting nifty little cards or something with some handy info on one side and a spot for a note on the other. That will probably come as we broaden our packing team. Thanks for the feedback!

That's also a good point. Perhaps an email instead of a post card (in addition to the thank you). Our receipts now contain a 10% coupon automatically, so I might just stick with that. Maybe I'll look into getting nifty little cards or something with some handy info on one side and a spot for a note on the other. That will probably come as we broaden our packing team. Thanks for the feedback!

A card insert with cool tips and tricks or scent pairings would be interesting.  How about Artisan trading cards?!  I wonder what I could get in a trade for a Will Carius Rookie Card?  OK, I'm kidding with the trading card idea but information like specific scent pairings and why would be interesting to some of us.

That's also a good point. Perhaps an email instead of a post card (in addition to the thank you). Our receipts now contain a 10% coupon automatically, so I might just stick with that. Maybe I'll look into getting nifty little cards or something with some handy info on one side and a spot for a note on the other. That will probably come as we broaden our packing team. Thanks for the feedback!

A card insert with cool tips and tricks or scent pairings would be interesting.  How about Artisan trading cards?!  I wonder what I could get in a trade for a Will Carius Rookie Card?  OK, I'm kidding with the trading card idea but information like specific scent pairings and why would be interesting to some of us.

That's a great idea! I'd have to check into the trademark ramifications, but I think that would otherwise be really, really cool!

That's also a good point. Perhaps an email instead of a post card (in addition to the thank you). Our receipts now contain a 10% coupon automatically, so I might just stick with that. Maybe I'll look into getting nifty little cards or something with some handy info on one side and a spot for a note on the other. That will probably come as we broaden our packing team. Thanks for the feedback!

A card insert with cool tips and tricks or scent pairings would be interesting.  How about Artisan trading cards?!  I wonder what I could get in a trade for a Will Carius Rookie Card?  OK, I'm kidding with the trading card idea but information like specific scent pairings and why would be interesting to some of us.

That's fantastic, Mark! I do like the way you think.