PPB December 2020

compiled by Danielle Renda If it’s a regular client, I tell them that I can provide one or two samples at no charge but may have to charge for more samples. It really depends on the client. If it’s a prospect who has never purchased, then I tell them there is a sample charge, which will be credited back to themwhen they order. If they don’t order, then at least you got paid for the sample. Also, if you are paying for shipping anyway, you may as well ask the supplier to throw in samples of some of their other items. REGINA ISRAEL FINKELSTEIN Owner DoctorPromo Promotions Baldwin, New York PPAI 279640, D2 If I have the slightest feeling that they’re just looking for a freebie (like requests from non-business emails) and if the sample is no charge to me, I just ask for a UPS or FedEx shipper number or ask them to pay for the shipping in advance. All non-clients get a max of one free sample, whether they pay for shipping or not. After that, they pay with the promise that they will be credited for an order of that itemwithin 30 days. If the supplier charges for the sample itself, so do I, with the exception of clients who meet a minimum spend amount with me for the past year. They get up to $100 worth of samples for free on a sliding scale depending on the amount of last year’s spend. RAMA BEERFAS, MAS Owner Lev Promotions San Diego, California PPAI 218331, D1 My sample policy: Sample request orders totaling less than $5 are free as long as a shipper’s UPS or FedEx account number is provided. If a return number is not provided, we will charge for the items as well as the shipping cost. Promotional Gifts USA reserves the right to refuse free samples to anyone who tries to abuse it, and all paid samples will be discounted if the purchase is made. Active clients or companies that provide company email will get free samples upon request. ALLAN NAZARIO SEGARRA President Promotional Gifts USA, Corp. Orlando, Florida PPAI 206557, D5 If they aren’t already clients, tell themyou have to charge for samples over $15 plus Am I Giving Away Too Much ? If there’s any question about whether there is such a thing as “too many” free samples, many distributors think there is. Q A DISTRIBUTOR ASKS: I’m new to the business—the majority of my business is ecommerce only—and have been receiving a lot of requests for free product samples. My policy has been to provide samples, at no charge, when the client appears qualified, but this leaves me to cover the shipping cost, and over 70 percent of the sample requests haven’t resulted in a sale. Any advice on how to better manage this? Milkovasa/ Mr.Whiskey / sebra / Shutterstock.com. 12 | DECEMBER 2020 | INNOVATE