Thread: Gimmicks to Increase Business - $500 Free Groceries

While doing some research last week, I came across one web site of a home inspector giving away $500 worth of free groceries to anyone scheduling an inspection.

Thats definitely thinking outside the box type marketing. I have seen guys offer crappy power tools from Harbor Freight and some other stuff, but this was a first for me.

Im not sure how he can pull it off, but if he can more power to him. Looks like a good reputable inspector.

Maybe he inspection is $1000? Not so according to the web site.

Similar Threads:

• Free Outdoor Grills
• When Buying a Home¡KLook Beyond The Mortgage - Inside INdiana Business (press releas
• Cost of Business Button
• Unfinished repairs 'desperate situation' - London Free Press
• Taking Care of 'Small' Business: LIFE Foundation Offers Five ... - PR Newswire (press

One of the rules I was taught as a child was that nothing in life is for free.

Always comes with a price.

rick

Originally Posted by Rick Hurst

One of the rules I was taught as a child was that nothing in life is for free.

Always comes with a price.

rick

So how much do we owe you Rick for that info

Best

Ron

Rick: Bibler's rolling in dough. Send him a bill.

It's nuts, plain and simple. I don't know how many homebuyers believe that a guy can give them $500.00 worth of groceries (you sure it isn't 50.00?) and still run a profitable business, but my guess is; not many. It tells me the guy knows nothing about business and marketing, and that would raise my radar on his HI abilities.

He already has a potential client at his web site, why not use the site to tell who you are and what you do?

Loss leaders, discounts, and freebies are losers in low volume service industries. Satisfied clients (building and maintaining a referral base), web marketing, networking, those are winners.

The guy may be a crackerjack inspector, but he is sending very bad signals to potential clients. In short, when smart people look for professional services, they are wary of discounts and freebies. Think about the 2 for 1 Lasix surgery offers; does anyone think that an established, competent surgeon discounts his services? Who does that leave?



Tim

"when smart people look for professional services, they are wary of discounts and freebies"
"does anyone think that an established, competent _______ discounts services? "

Evidently some do.





I saw this ad just below a post and couldn't resist.

Originally Posted by Rick Hurst

...Always comes with a price.... rick

Rick is spot on.

Certain "marketing machine" inspectors always have a 'catch, hook' or other gimmick.

The $500 of groceries involves coupons that get doled out to the client and they have send in for the actual coupon and validation, etc., etc.. Cannot be had all at one sitting. It is stretched out over some time frame.

First one I saw was in the Atlanta area (wonder who that is?) and then saw a 'cookie-cutter' display on other HIs websites in the DFW and Houston markets. Both of the HIs involved likely subscribe to the Atlanta 'marketing machine' person.

There is an inspector right here in Tarrant County that gives away the coupon thing for 500 in free groceries. He maybe lives five miles from me.

Originally Posted by Ted Menelly

There is an inspector right here in Tarrant County that gives away the coupon thing for 500 in free groceries. He maybe lives five miles from me.

TM: About what I would expect from Panther City.

Got one right here in town doing that!

Funny stuff. He's going to save the world with free groceries.

"Home Inspector xxxx xxxxx was appalled when he heard taxpayer money wasn’t trickling down to “Main Street” Kentucky. xxxxx quickly assembled his key advisers at his Lexington home inspection firm to decide how they’ll come up with their own stimulus package."

A one man part-time shop with "key advisers" named Chris and Tightwad! Humorous!

Turns out you gotta spend a 100 a month (for 20 months) in your chosen store to get a $25.00 coupon.

Wal-Mart full timer, part-time inspector, part time real estate investor.

Nice guy but:

Lexington Ky Home Inspector

Didn't realize it was wider spread.

Ain't life wonderful.

Erby, that is the exact same tag line that this guy was using to promote his $500 grocery give away. "Home Inspector xxxx xxxxx was appalled when he heard taxpayer money wasn’t trickling down to “Main Street” ________Texas.

I guess it is some marketing guy spewing this stuff to inspectors through out the country.


If I was the consumer, I would be pretty ticked off if all I got was a bunch of coupons. The website didnt say anything about only getting coupons.


Im all in favor of GOOD marketing. This particular ploy seems a little pathetic though.

The link you reference in Ky, the guy is even "giving away" free satellite TV. Whats next, free Brinks home security consultations?

Originally Posted by imported_John Smith

The link you reference in Ky, the guy is even "giving away" free satellite TV. Whats next, free Brinks home security consultations?

Now that you mention Brinks. I know a very large portion of inspectors that have brinks do a consultation for 18.00 in their pockets (the inspectors pockets that is).

This offer is not a gimmick. It is a legitimate offer to increase business. I'm happy to see that you all took a look at my website. As Erby informed you I'm a Full time Wal-Marter and a part time inspector. That to me really does not make me different from any other inspector. To correct everyone you get a $25 gift card not coupons. This is a great program and has doubled, even tripled my business, so maybe soon I will be FULL TIME !!

Gene Keyse
Lexington Ky Home Inspector

Gene

"This offer is not a gimmick"

Not trying to bust you, But, it does meet at least one definition of Gimmick, which one kinda depends or your view.

gimmick
–noun 1.an ingenious or novel device, scheme, or stratagem, esp. one designed to attract attention or increase appeal.2.a concealed, usually devious aspect or feature of something, as a plan or deal: An offer that good must have a gimmick in it somewhere.

"I'm happy to see that you all took a look at my website"
Well, not quite "all".

"...I'm a Full time Wal-Marter and a part time inspector. That to me really does not make me different from any other inspector"

Don't be offended, but working at Wal-Mart is not the background most inspectors have. I think it safe to say that most inspectors have 15-25 years as contractors of some sort.

"... soon I will be FULL TIME !!"

Good luck, hope you make it.

There are a lot of very smart folks here, so hang around and ask questions.

$25 gift card or $500 worth of gift cards? Did you hook up with Ken Compton, sure looks like one of his ploys.

Wal-Mart is not my only Background. I've been there for the last 7 years. I do have construction background and lots of it. You should not judge someone if you don't even know them. It is $25 a month back when you spend $100 at the store of your choice. Yes it is a Ken Compton thing, I have been a member for a while now and he has helped me market my business to where it is today.

"should not judge someone if you don't even know them."

I was not judging you. The only experience that you told us of was at Wall-Mart.
Since you do have a background in construction then you understand that someone working at Wall-Mart does not add to there creditability as a home inspector.
Whereas someone that does not have construction experience may not know that.

Hey Gene,

Welcome to the board,

Get a thick skin and hang around. It's a great place to learn.

But don't forget your thick skin. It's needed occassionally around here.

I hope to see more of your posts here.

Glad to hear your business is going up.

Give me a holler sometime and I'll buy you a cup of coffee!


-

This is definately not a crackpot scheme but a ligitimate marketing strategy. I've been using this marketing promotion for a few months and can say without a doubt that it has increased my business by at least 5-10 inspections per month. The program is very simple and it's available for gas or groceries... I buy the redemption codes for under $15 each, pass them out to my client at the end of the inspection, they register online to shop at the store of their choice, they shop each month as usual and accumulate at least $100 worth of groceries or gas from that store. At the end of the month they send in their receipts with that months' redemption coupon, in 4-6 weeks they receive a $25 Visa gift card in the mail to use as they wish. It costs the client absolutely nothing and they shop where they normally would but get paid $25 per month to do so. The program is considered a "loyalty reward program" by the merchant. The idea is to have the customer frequent the store every month. I've been using the process myself, and if Publix Supermarkets wants to pay me $25 per month to shop where I would shop anyway, then more power to them. Don't knock something if you don't have all the facts. This is a very effective way to get more business and is just one of the marketing strategies I employ.

I've been a member of Ken Compton's for over a year and can say that his marketing techniques and strategies are exceptional. If, like me, your marketing challenged, then you need to get help from those who excel in it like Ken. My business in certain areas has increased from 31% to over 60% thanks to his guidance. If you're not doing effective and targeted marketing that stands you out from the crowd in this down Real Estate market, then you're missing out on alot of business. I've been inspecting since 1997 and my business in the last two years is way up thanks to Ken, while many inspectors are going out of business. I'm sad for them, but happy to get the business they're making available for me.

Happy Inspecting and stay safe out there.

A friend of mine does PI work... not always the Magnum PI chasing down bad guys... usually chasing down white collar junk like what's mentioned in this thread. If this program is legit it's one of a very small percentage that are. It may be promoted by someone reputible but the company that actually administers it is totally fly-by-night. Probably running out of a basement somewhere. If any of them ever got big enough they'd have a Dateline NBC camera in their face.

In reality, they shut down, change names and move on regularly and it's basically a load of BS. I'm sure the rah-rah-rah guys peddling it would disclaim any association to the companies when push comes to shove.

Surprisingly, the crowd standing up for it has about 3 total posts between them. What's that I've heard about a free lunch? I'd be totally embarrased to peddle this crap to my clients. I survive on referrals from past clients and industry professionals (yes, lots of agents) becasue I do a good no nonsense job. Junk like this makes our industry look like used car sales.

Matt,

Thanks that is what I have heard from an inspector in Alberta who got tied up with the Compton marketing scam.

Best advice; like you say is to stay away. Sham Wow.

Matt,

Correct, and just like in the real old days, those selling snake oil were proud of it and publicly displayed all their wares, hawking it all to the public, finding nothing wrong with it.

The only difference is now that the snake oil is different.

Ya, the snakes are selling the oil!

Gene, welcome to the board. As Erby said, you will need to let things roll off your back from time to time.

As for the marketing idea that you are using, I say if it is working and it is honest and not deceiving then stay with it.
Now that I have said that, I did look at your site and what you have in print is not very truthful. In fact, I bet that this could be considered to be deceitful advertising. To my eye, with what you learn from Ken Compton and Mike Crow, some of their ideas look and sound great but hinge on the side of presenting false statements, ideas and advertising.

I would try to ween myself off of Ken's program and for the fact any other marketing program. What they sell are common sense ideas. The money you spend on their programs could go a very long way in other forms of marketing your company.

Mike and Ken are both great at what they do. I have had dinner and drinks with both of them a few times over the years. I just do not care for their methods, Ken's tend to be a little more on the edge from what I have seen.

Originally Posted by Scott Patterson

Gene, welcome to the board. As Erby said, you will need to let things roll off your back from time to time.

As for the marketing idea that you are using, I say if it is working and it is honest and not deceiving then stay with it. I would try to ween myself off of Ken's program and for the fact any other marketing program. What they sell are common sense ideas. The money you spend on their programs could go a very long way in other forms of marketing your company.

Scott: I agree. Sometimes I will get lost in the marketing end of things. I will think of what I could do to get a jump on the market. I have never been able to follow the food for business thing. Heck, I never like a quick meet and greet at Realtor offices with the OJ and breakfast burritos.

I do know all the strange scams...ooops marketing gimmicks work because I see it all around me. Everytime I see one I think of a better more conventional way to keep things steady. I have been busy, slow, busy, nothing since the begining of the year and have seen all the other marketing scams...I mean gimmicks working for others.

I still have great placement on google for the top search keywords in this particular area but the google map thing with a thru j listed of home inspectors in the area. That is actually the biggest marketing thing one can do nowadays. Just like organic search, if you are not a thru d you more than likely not get a call. Some in the area are somehow getting multiple city hits such as Home Inspectors Keller..Southlake...Fort Worth. Those particular folks are in the top called inspectors in those areas. The Google map thing is almost eliminating SEO for anyones website. You work your butt off to get and stay on top of the organic search and the finds beside Google map listings of area home inspectors becomes the list to call. Oh well, next step in fooling the area google map thing. Now that is the top home inspector find on the net. So much for doing your own SEO or for that matter paying for it.

Well, after all the comments I will say that I'm going to keep doing what is right for my clients and company. I agree that some OFFERS seem to good to be true but I will keep my promise to my clients in the case that somethings are not as they seem. In the future I will not allow the comments from others get to me but I do take things personally !! Good luck to everyone. There is enough business for all of us and how we get it is up to the individual !!

Peace and God Bless,

Gene

I have a friend who has a local car dealership and has a similar program and it works all well and good as long as the company that is to supply the $25.00 cards follows through but as soon as there is a mix up and it doesn't get processed right guess who they are calling and you spend hours chasing some stupid voucher that most likely got you a customer that is a pain in the azz in the first place. I have noticed with any marketing that I have done in the past that when you advertise for bargain bin shoppers you get just that. It has always worked this way for me the customer that pays the most and gets what they expect are usually the most happy with their purchase 99% of the time. Just my opinion. I'm not a fan of bottom fishing.