Does free samples and personal notes on packing slips make a difference to you?

[Nailz]

Free samples was mentioned on a suppliers thread and wondered how important it is to people?

I know for me it makes a difference, for example I always order at least $15 from MBV to make sure I get the 15ml free sample, also good to try new flavors, even if don't get to pick, might get something you may not of tried and really like, this happened to me with Mr.Vape Inc, I ordered 3 different flavors from them, and they sent me a vanilla coffee sample, me and the wife loved it so much, we went straight back on the site and ordered a 60ml bottle of it, so not only is good for the customer to get extra juice and new flavor, but can work out for the supplier too, due to more sales from the samples, and not like it has to be 15mls like MBV, the Mr.Vape Inc was only a 3ml sample, so not like it has got to cost a fortune to the vendor, and surely the repeat sales will pay for them.

I was disappointed with one supplier a few weeks back, it was my 1st time ordering with them, and after a week my order still hadn't shipped, so emailed them, they responded quickly saying they was backed up due to the 4th July sale, which I can understand, after 2 weeks my order turned up, nothing extra for my waiting, no sorry or anything wrote on the packing slip, some may say big deal you got your juice didn't you? but did not make me feel special as a customer, and with all the vendors out there, would think would of been something for having to wait so long. I did really like 1 of the flavors I got from them, but as I did not really feel important as a customer, I just ordered the same flavor from another vendor.

Also the personal hand written notes on packing slips make a difference for me, not saying I would not re-order from a vendor who does not hand write something on the packing slip, but it does make it more personal and make me feel a valued customer due to it though, so more likely to order again if there is.

Before anyone says 'it matters what the juice tastes like', yes it does, but I want the customer service to go with it.

 

[thomas.egnoto]

Makes a huge difference for me. I'm really big on patronizing small business, and to me, the personalized notes, extra samplers on occasion, etc. make me feel like the vendor really does appreciate my business.

 

[belber095]

i don't mind if a vendor sends free samples or not, and i also don't really get upset if they don't hand write a note, but when there's good customer service, i know i can count on them, and i'll be more likely to go back to that vendor if i was between 2 choices of juice from two different vendors.

 

[gthompson]

Makes no difference to me.

 

[Arnie H]

It certainly doesn't hurt! That's just good business sense. I do enjoy freebies and personal attention, but of course the main things like overall customer service, quality of product, shipping speed, the correct items, etc. are more important.

But to all the vendors out there I will say this: Keep those freebies comin'!!

 

[unloaded]

All I really care about is the juice.

 

[MrSelf Destruct]

It's great to send out free samples when someone orders. Not only are you more likely to receive repeat business, but you may turn someone on to a new juice they can buy from you. Handwritten notes are nice but I would much prefer a free sample.

 

[flowerpots]

This is important to me as well. Free samples mean I get to try other flavors, sometimes flavors I would not necessarily select, and find out I really like them. Personal touches are an added bonus to me. But, I realize that is not always feasible for some vendors. The more volume they have, the more they have to basically decide what is most important, and spend time on that. I would rather they spend the time getting my juice to me (and others) than adding a ton of personal touches, resulting in receiving an order 2 weeks later. A sale that results in a lot of volume for a short time period is understandable to me, so I would be less offended when receiving this order late. But, I think adding a sample is a nice touch and a way to say thank you for your business and patience.

I do care about packaging. Juices shipped in padded envelopes risk being crushed or having a leak.

Ultimately, I do care how I am perceived as a customer - just another order or valued customer. I will not order from a vendor, even if their juice is excellent, for poor customer service.

EDIT ~

I got a pkg today from one of my favorite vendors. This vendor is artistic, sent a pkg full of personal touches including a hand-written note, that was packed well and thoughtfully, included a sample, and it really made my day. Couple this with fantastic juices and this is why I will always be a customer. Thank you, TPR, for such a great experience!

 

[Zak Rabbit]

I come from the "old school" customer service era where a relationship was much more important than the price of a single product. What I expect to receive is exactly what I paid for, but when my order arrives wrapped in a way that I could give it as a gift (cloud 9), or I get an actual hand written note along with a free sample (pink spot), it makes it that much easier to go back to that vendor because I'm not just a credit card number to them; I also have a contact name for them instead of "sales@..." For me, it makes the transaction personal.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-T989 using Tapatalk 2

 

[jefsview]

I've used 3 juice vendors since I began 3 months ago. None of them give me free samples. Sometimes there's a smiley on the invoice. Whatever. It doesn't matter.

What matters is that I get my product as I ordered it in a timely fashion and packaged well enough to survive shipping.

One of those vendors sent 10 bottles of liquid in bubble wrap and a manilla envelope on the first order. Nothing was damaged, but it was a turn-off. But, man, the juice was the best I have ever had. I re-ordered. The next time the juices were in a proper box.

Would free samples be nice: certainly -- who doesn't want something for free.

Does not getting free samples dissuade me from purchasing from a vendor? No. If the vendor provides me with I ordered and I like the product or their shipping costs or speed of packaging and delivery... that's more important than a free sample. That is customer service.

If I want to try out a juice, I'll order some, or ask on this very forum for others input. I respect the vendors' decision in regards to how they do business. But I will not let my decision be based on weather they gives things away or not. If the vendor is GOOD, they will continue to get my business.

 

[DoogieTony]

It doesn't upset me if there is no sample or note, but when there is one (or both) of these I do enjoy it. With my two favorite vendors, one writes handwritten notes on packing slips and the other does samples and notes, but the reason they are my favorite is because they have the best liquids I've found.

 

[Nailz]

Just FYI, I never said I wouldn't order off a vendor who doesn't give a free sample or write a note, just saying it makes it more personal and might order more due to have another flavor I didn't order and want more.

If found a juice I really like, but there was no sample or note, I would still order it again, the only reason I didn't re-order one juice I did like, was the fact it took 2 weeks for it to come, and was like they didn't care, so I did not feel valued as a customer and not good customer service in my eyes.

 

[newq]

I really enjoy it myself. My daily vape is honey pearry from vapor chef. Every order I get a sample , a plastic army man, sometimes a velvet pouch and a handwritten thank you. Best of all vapor chef gives you samples in the format you order the rest of your juice. So if you order 50/50 12mg that's what you get your sample in. That makes a difference to me. To me it says, "we not only want you to try the rest of our juice line but we want you to experience it the way you enjoy the rest of your juices." Which is a stark contrast from other vendors I have ordered from that send you a sample in wrong nic or ratio that you are not very likely to use. They also ship pretty quick. It all matters to me and I remember what vendors do for me. Its why Vapor Chef gives me that warm fuzzy feeling that says theyh want me back. And they will have me for some time to come.

 

[Bookworm]

Personalized notes and free samples definitely go a long way to making me feel like a special customer, and it does make me more likely to order again. My 5 favorite juice suppliers (Altcig, Mr. Vape, Maddcatt Vapors, Halo, and Mt. Baker) all include free samples, and I have found some of my favorite juices that way. But there are a couple of companies that I order from that don't do either, and I will still buy from them if the juice is good or if they have fair prices on equipment.

 

[Underwhelmed]

I only want what I paid for, in a timely manner.

Any invoices, business cards, or samples I didn't ask for go right into the trash inside the post office.

 

[hazarada]

no difference. I still think the hotel soaps are the best soaps on the planet though, because they are free.

 

[Bookworm]

I only want what I paid for, in a timely manner.

Any invoices, business cards, or samples I didn't ask for go right into the trash inside the post office.

You may be missing out on some great juices by throwing away samples. Also you can give them to a vaper in need if you don't want them. And invoices are standard in all shipping.

Edited to remove my own judgement call. You do you.

 

[glasseye]

I like getting a little note and or free samples or upgrades, but it's not crucial. I tend to take the time to write reviews and recommend the company (if I like the product) more often if they have taken the time to make it more than just a business transaction.

 

[Underwhelmed]

You may be missing out on some great juices by throwing away samples. Also you can give them to a vaper in need if you don't want them. And invoices are standard in all shipping. Seems a little ridiculous, but that's just my opinion.

I have tried samples in the past and never found anything worth ordering that way. I have a particular palate.

It's not my responsibility to support anyone else's habit. They can buy their own juice.

I have no use for an invoice since juice can't be returned or exchanged. Why drag home someone else's garbage?

I would much rather get my juice in a timely manner than wait a week or more to get a note on an invoice or a tiny bottle of juice I didn't ask for or want to begin with.

 

[SissySpike]

I like the samples and the note is nice but it really has very little to do with my repeat purchases. Good product is my first priority