Christmass/Holiday cards...? - Electrician Talk - Professional Electrical Contractors Forum

captkirk · 10-03-2009, 10:06 PM

Are and Do any of you guys send out Holiday cards to your past customers? I am planning on including a 10% off coupon in them. Right now I dont really need the work but I am just trying to plan ahead for the lean and mean Jan-Feb....? ZHave any of you guys done this in the past?

mattsilkwood · 10-03-2009, 10:11 PM

We used to send out popcorn tins to all of our regular customers, but last year we donated bicycles to toys for tots in thier names and had cards made with pictures of the crew and all the bicycles. That went over really well with everyone.

Magnettica · 10-03-2009, 10:39 PM

I'm definitely sending "Holiday Cards" even though I am a stern believer in Christmas.

captkirk · 10-03-2009, 10:42 PM

Same here but I got a lot of Chanukah customers.

BCSparkyGirl · 10-04-2009, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mattsilkwood

We used to send out popcorn tins to all of our regular customers, but last year we donated bicycles to toys for tots in thier names and had cards made with pictures of the crew and all the bicycles. That went over really well with everyone.

BryanMD · 10-04-2009, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by captkirk

I am planning on including a 10% off coupon...

if just 10 customers take you up on a 10% discount on even a minorish $250 job... that alone is at least $250 out of pocket (and probably a lot more)...

otoh when a non political magazine subscription like http://www.nationalgeographic.com/magazines/ at just $15per gets sent each and every month to their home for the whole freaking year to your 16 best customers...

then every month for the whole year you're the hero who makes them smile when that yellow magazine shows up again.

it's probably worth sending them to the next 16 best customers too

Decepticon · 10-04-2009, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BryanMD

if just 10 customers take you up on a 10% discount on even a minorish $250 job... that alone is at least $250 out of pocket (and probably a lot more)...

otoh when a non political magazine subscription like http://www.nationalgeographic.com/magazines/ at just $15per gets sent each and every month to their home for the whole freaking year to your 16 best customers...

then every month for the whole year you're the hero who makes them smile when that yellow magazine shows up again.

it's probably worth sending them to the next 16 best customers too

I get enough junkmail to carry in and then sort out and recycle. If a serviceman sent Nat Geo magazine to my house I wouldn't like it. Just my opinion.

I definitely like the donating to kids in someone's name idea.

robnj772 · 10-04-2009, 09:37 PM

I send cards out each year,I include a magnetic calender or business card magnet. I also think the 10% off thing isn't worth it,If they are already your customer aren't they going to call you for anything elese they need,10 % off or not??

Magnettica · 10-04-2009, 09:47 PM

I was thinking about this 10% thing today too.

How would a customer know you're truly taking off 10% of the bill?

Black4Truck · 10-04-2009, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Magnettica

I was thinking about this 10% thing today too.

How would a customer know you're truly taking off 10% of the bill?

I would think the guy is giving me a high price to begin with and then subtracting the discount

When I went to Ford to buy my truck, there were discounts involved and I always wondered what the true price was suppose to be

william1978 · 10-04-2009, 09:52 PM

If I were sending out Christmas cards they would definitely include the word CHRISTmas in them or I wouldn't send them out.

Black4Truck · 10-04-2009, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by william1978

If I were sending out Christmas cards they would definitely include the word CHRISTmas in them or I wouldn't send them out.

I agree.. lots of Jewish people do the Christmas thing and using "Holiday" might piss off the non - PC (political correct) people

robnj772 · 10-04-2009, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Magnettica

I was thinking about this 10% thing today too.

How would a customer know you're truly taking off 10% of the bill?

Thats just it, I offer different things in different ads just to see where they got me from.

Like,for example, if they ask for the senior discount they got me from the Church bulletin. If they ask for 15% off they got me from the local directory. Of course you mark it up more so that it doesn't really get discounted. Its just a way of checking your advertising

william1978 · 10-04-2009, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robnj772

Thats just it, I offer different things in different ads just to see where they got me from.

Thats a good idea.

Decepticon · 10-04-2009, 10:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robnj772

Of course you mark it up more so that it doesn't really get discounted.

That's mighty honest of you...

robnj772 · 10-04-2009, 11:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Decepticon

That's mighty honest of you...

I am more then honest pal!!!

I cut people breaks all the time BUT business is business!!!

Do you own a business or just work for someone else?

If you own then take some business classes,thats how its done. Its a common marketing strategey. When you go to HD and they take 20% off cause you opened a credit card who do you think is paying that 20 % ? You are in their fees!! Look around at different ads you will start to see patterns.

Decepticon · 10-04-2009, 11:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robnj772

I am more then honest pal!!!

I cut people breaks all the time BUT business is business!!!

Do you own a business or just work for someone else?

If you own then take some business classes,thats how its done. Its a common marketing strategey. When you go to HD and they take 20% off cause you opened a credit card who do you think is paying that 20 % ? You are in their fees!! Look around at different ads you will start to see patterns.

I've been around the block a time or two, I know too well that companies will markup goods or services before claiming a sale or promotion. And I've always felt they were scumbags for doing it, preying on people.

Good Christmas gift!

Absolutetruthz · 10-05-2009, 02:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robnj772

Thats just it, I offer different things in different ads just to see where they got me from.

Like,for example, if they ask for the senior discount they got me from the Church bulletin. If they ask for 15% off they got me from the local directory. Of course you mark it up more so that it doesn't really get discounted. Its just a way of checking your advertising

9th commandment ; Exodus 20:16 "You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor."

robnj772 · 10-05-2009, 07:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Decepticon

I've been around the block a time or two, I know too well that companies will markup goods or services before claiming a sale or promotion. And I've always felt they were scumbags for doing it, preying on people.

Good Christmas gift!

Oh so now I am a scumbag????? Why are you starting a fight???

Way to answer my question,why don't you go into business for a few years and then come talk to me.People who just work for someone else always seem to have ALL the answers in here.

I didn't say anything about a Christmas gift if it was it would have been a present,gifts are for birthdays.

Get off my ass and get back to the topic. Do you send your customers Cards? Do you have customers? Why are you inputing your 2 cents if your not a business owner other then to hijack the tread and start **** with people??

rewire · 10-05-2009, 12:26 PM

We are not doing cards this year as we have eliminated all non essentials from our budget. If you have been in the trade less than ten years this will be your first trip through the looking glass. If you have not already started tossing out extra baggage then you are behind the curve. Dont expectnext year to be better and yes I said YEAR.