Gifts at time of estimate?

[roscioli]

Would it be unethical to give gifts at the first meeting with a prospective client? Say at the time of the estimate.. I am talking maybe a couple of mugs and some nice coffee, maybe include a pen or magnet, etc... What do you guys think? I will even post a poll.

[Clayton800]

Nothing past company logo items. Anything else would be percieved as cheesy and will be dismissed.

[Expert Lawns]

just don't spend too much at first. you never know....

[TaylorLawn]

Not unethical, but cheezy.........I think you have the definition of ethical incorrect.........just cut the lawn, make it look great, and that is their gift,........and you are getting income from it...........I have several clients who give me and my children special gifts during the holidays....and expect nothing in return except the holiday greeting and great service, that is it.....and it has worked for years...do not overextend yourself....ET

[roscioli]

At the time of any estimate... maintenance or installs. This would leave them with a very strong impression and keep my logo in their face. I don't think it would be cheesy if done correctly.

[lawncare3]

Originally posted by TaylorLawn
Ndo not overextend yourself.

I totally agree u never know if they called just to get a free estimate.

[mklawnman]

I have never given anything but estimates when I'm out with a potential customer. When I get business cards I would definatly think that would be the only thing I would give to a potential customer besides the estimate.
We provide a professional service to them and after we are done that is our gift to them a great looking landscape. Priceless :cool:
Matt

[thfireman]

I just give a card when I do the estimates. But after a season I might give a client a logo imprinted gift. One year I gave out rain guages with my logo and number. That was a huge success. Another year I gave a flower seed packet and 2"x4" planter with my logo and number. I always try to relate it to my services.

:D

[Piedmont Lawn]

thfireman,

Where did ya get them logo rain guages ?

Kelly

[rodfather]

i'm not sure if it's cheesey or unethical or what...maybe just unwarranted or just too early???

[thfireman]

I get my imprinted items from a specialty ad company called Recognition Plus. Most of the time there is a minimum order for imprinted items. I go for the cheapie stuff.

[Gravely_Man]

If done correctly on a big enough jobs I would say go for it. What I am saying is that if you are giving a bid that is over a thousand what is giving the customer a pen or pad of paper with your logo? This will keep you name in their face. Just my thoughts on the subject.


Gravely_Man

[Acorn]

I was asked if I gave gifts of appreciation to my employees I said "yea, a paycheck".

At the estimate stage, these people aren't even your customers yet. After you get the job and you send them the bill, maybe include a pen with company info on it so they can write a check for you:cool:

[roscioli]

Some of the responses dont seem like people are forward thinking enough.. The gift will help get the customer. I can get logo'ed mugs for .99 each, non-logoed coffee just as cheap... Which means I put out $3-4 at each estimate (obviously I will use my discretion as to customers that I think are serious or just playing the field), and will increase my rate of "estimate acceptance". Right?

[greenngrow]

I think gifts are ok, but not too a propective client. A long time client is another thing.

You have to build relationships with the customer first then you can be friends. I don't look at gifts as customer building blocks.

A well written note or a thank you card will go much further.

[Acorn]

If you are as big as sears and can afford to give out a set of knives for a credit application go for it

[southerngent]

A gift on an estimate , is like giving a ring on the first date...might wanna wait a little to see how compatatible you two are :cry:

[2 man crew]

Try to put the shoe on the other foot. If you were a property manager or potential customer. Wouldn't you feel a little awkward about getting offered some thing during the estimate? The first thing I would think is: What does Coffee have to do with grounds maintenance. And second what is wrong with his service? IMO gifts should be for very special existing customers.

[bob]

Can you say, bribe?

[TurfGuyTX]

Originally posted by Acorn
I was asked if I gave gifts of appreciation to my employees I said "yea, a paycheck".

At the estimate stage, these people aren't even your customers yet. After you get the job and you send them the bill, maybe include a pen with company info on it so they can write a check for you:cool:

I agree. Save some of the things for them once they are customers. Some magnets and such used for advertising could be used a little differently.

[JimLewis]

I don't see anything wrong with a very small gift (e.g. a gadget with your logo on it.) It's definitely not unethical. And I can see where it would give you an edge. A LOT of other industries do it all the time. My wife used to bring home so much "logo" gadget stuff from work it would blow me away. But it worked. Those companies got more business from her company.

But I also agree that maybe it's a little premature. I personally save gifts of any kind for really good customers. I bought several dozen golf balls with our company logo custom printed on each ball. And whenever I am at a GOOD customer's house and I see a set of golf clubs, I'll give him a sleeve of the golf balls.

And we always give Christmas gifts and cards to all of our clients - big or small. But that's about it.

[tiedeman]

I have never gave gifts at the estimate. I only give them at the end of the season unusally around the end of November or beginning of December. I give out gifts to all lawn care customers that signed up the previous year in advance. I also always give out custom art landscaping stones. A different one each year. With the stone I include a "written," written is the big key here, note that thanks them for the season.

[walker-talker]

I would feel better giving a potentiol client that turned down my services a gift, than an actually potential client. Along with a note that said "Thank you for considering our services, please give us a call if your can be of service to you in the future". That would not be cheezy, but would show some class.

Now that would leave an impression!!!

MATT

[roscioli]

MATT- That is an excellent idea. That way its couldn't be viewed as a bribe like some people called my idea. I can see how it could be construed as a bribe, but if it were something like a calculator w/ logo (or since the entire world is on a coffee craze, I suggested coffee) it would keep your logo in their mind, which is the name of the game. I was surprised to see this dragged back up, but your suggestion is very valuable, Thanks.

[SLS]

I give a 'potential' client a business card along with their FREE estimate.


I save the gifts for the loyal customer at Christmas.

[walker-talker]

Originally posted by roscioli
MATT- That is an excellent idea. That way its couldn't be viewed as a bribe like some people called my idea. I can see how it could be construed as a bribe, but if it were something like a calculator w/ logo (or since the entire world is on a coffee craze, I suggested coffee) it would keep your logo in their mind, which is the name of the game. I was surprised to see this dragged back up, but your suggestion is very valuable, Thanks.

I was doing a search on "business cards" and the list of threads came up. I forgot I was looking at the threads that I had done a search for and thought this one was recent.....haha. I later realized what I had done, but this a good thread none-the-less.

I keep records of all my one-time jobs and estimates that never came through. I don't send them gifts, but they will get a flyer or two throughout the year.

MATT

[matitude]

Let your work speak for itself if your good at what you do you dont need to give a coffee mug.