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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    Chicago IL
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    2,048

    Default customer goody ideas

    Looking for some input guys.
    With the new season approaching, I'm thinking of lasting client marketing to existing customers to 'stay in their minds' for referrals.
    I have a couple ideas I'm thinking of exploring. My question is such ... How would you guys 'feel' if you were a recent customer and received one of these items and a nice little 'promo - hope you like your new house, blah blah letter'?
    - Calendar, house related, with company info; from what I've heard costly and if I do the insp in September, kind of a waste
    - Box of company embroidered shop/cleaning towels, bottle of murphy's and windex. Don't know any cost yet but this is the one I'm leaning towards.
    People clean regularly (presumably) and would use/see the towels and I would stay in their minds. Would you be insulted by this?
    Everyone has done pens and fridge magnets, so I'm trying to think outside the box.
    Thanks for any input.

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  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Fletcher, NC
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    28,032

    Default Re: customer goody ideas

    Quote Originally Posted by Markus Keller View Post
    - Box of company embroidered shop/cleaning towels, bottle of murphy's and windex. Don't know any cost yet but this is the one I'm leaning towards.

    Oh, so I can clean up those things you missed?

    Jerry Peck
    Construction/Litigation/Code Consultant - Retired
    www.AskCodeMan.com

  3. #3
    A.D. Miller's Avatar
    A.D. Miller Guest

    Default Re: customer goody ideas

    Quote Originally Posted by Markus Keller View Post
    Looking for some input guys.
    With the new season approaching, I'm thinking of lasting client marketing to existing customers to 'stay in their minds' for referrals.
    I have a couple ideas I'm thinking of exploring. My question is such ... How would you guys 'feel' if you were a recent customer and received one of these items and a nice little 'promo - hope you like your new house, blah blah letter'?
    - Calendar, house related, with company info; from what I've heard costly and if I do the insp in September, kind of a waste
    - Box of company embroidered shop/cleaning towels, bottle of murphy's and windex. Don't know any cost yet but this is the one I'm leaning towards.
    People clean regularly (presumably) and would use/see the towels and I would stay in their minds. Would you be insulted by this?
    Everyone has done pens and fridge magnets, so I'm trying to think outside the box.
    Thanks for any input.
    Markus: Buy empty spray bottles, fill them with the correct proportions of common, cheap ingredients, make your own labels with your company logo and the ingredients:

    <LI itxtvisited="1">1 pt. rubbing alcohol <LI itxtvisited="1">1/2 c. ammonia <LI itxtvisited="1">1 tsp. dish soap <LI itxtvisited="1">water <LI itxtvisited="1">blue food coloring
    in the generic "Windex" and tell to refill it in order to "clean up" with the savings.


  4. #4
    A.D. Miller's Avatar
    A.D. Miller Guest

    Default Re: customer goody ideas

    Quote Originally Posted by A.D. Miller View Post
    Markus: Buy empty spray bottles, fill them with the correct proportions of common, cheap ingredients, make your own labels with your company logo and the ingredients:

    <LI itxtvisited="1">1 pt. rubbing alcohol <LI itxtvisited="1">1/2 c. ammonia <LI itxtvisited="1">1 tsp. dish soap <LI itxtvisited="1">water <LI itxtvisited="1">blue food coloring
    in the generic "Windex" and tell to refill it in order to "clean up" with the savings.
    I see that the Hann's interface cannot deal with bullet points.
    Lame POS software . . . . .


  5. #5
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Orlando, FL
    Posts
    1,592

    Default Re: customer goody ideas

    Quote Originally Posted by A.D. Miller View Post
    I see that the Hann's interface cannot deal with bullet points.
    Lame POS software . . . . .

    It can, as long as you insert them directly (instead of Copy/Paste from another source)

    • Like this...
    • and this...
    • and, of course, this.



  6. #6
    A.D. Miller's Avatar
    A.D. Miller Guest

    Default Re: customer goody ideas

    Quote Originally Posted by Dom D'Agostino View Post
    It can, as long as you insert them directly (instead of Copy/Paste from another source)
    • Like this...
    • and this...
    • and, of course, this.
    Dom: OK, I'm busted!


  7. #7
    Ron Bibler's Avatar
    Ron Bibler Guest

    Default Re: customer goody ideas

    My take is this is a bad idea. You did your inspection now get out of the way. you go poking your nose around you just may get it bit off

    Buyer remorse, other problems with the home. Real estate agent jack them around. Dang just let the dust settle for a year or 2 or 4...
    If you did a good job they will call you back if they need you...

    Put you time and money into new buyers... thats where you will find your money. not in the past.

    If your Phone is slow get out and into the market place bub. don't just sit there in the office. make it happen...

    Best

    Ron


  8. #8
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Plano, Texas
    Posts
    4,245

    Default Re: customer goody ideas

    I try to send a periodic news letter to their email just to keep my name fresh.
    I try to put relevant tips about checking the shingles after a storm, watering around the foundation during the summer, etc. It costs nothing except my time and I have never had a negative customer response. I have gotten at least two jobs recently with the customer contacting me from the last email I sent them.
    I did get a rather nasty request to remove her from my mailing list from an agent that I killed her deal, but I knew I would never get any business from her anyway.

    Jim Luttrall
    www.MrInspector.net
    Plano, Texas

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Mesa AZ
    Posts
    1,181

    Default Re: customer goody ideas

    I've had good luck with sending a Thank You letter a few weeks after the inspection.
    The best results I've had is applying information on my reports, from some of the most experienced inspectors on this site, ASHI and TIJ sites.


  10. #10
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    Chicago IL
    Posts
    2,048

    Default Re: customer goody ideas

    That's nice Jerry, I like that Never saw it coming.
    I agree with the downsides mentioned. I'm not big on calling past clients, just not my thing. I find it annoying when I get those types of calls from others.
    The majority of my work comes through referrals. I was thinking about subliminal/background advertising over longer time spans to past customers. Maybe I'm over thinking it.
    I'm doubtful about spending ad money for new customers until later on this year, 2-3 quarter. I don't think it is worthwhile at this time.
    Thanks for the input.
    Markus

    www.aic-chicago.com
    773/844-4AIC
    "The Code is not a ceiling to reach but a floor to work up from"

  11. #11
    Ron Bibler's Avatar
    Ron Bibler Guest

    Default Re: customer goody ideas

    You could put little notes all over the house as you are inspecting it.

    Have a nice day Joe your inspector was hear


    under the kitchen sink. yup I was hear too

    move on go after new blood... Guys....


    Best

    Ron


  12. #12
    Join Date
    Oct 2003
    Location
    Rockwall Texas
    Posts
    4,521

    Default Re: customer goody ideas

    What did Joe the inspector hear?

    rick


  13. #13
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    Chicago IL
    Posts
    2,048

    Default Re: customer goody ideas

    That's a rockin' idea Fritz. I think I might run with that one. Clients are always asking me for my tape also ... will the couch fit through the door, how big does our 50" look on that wall, blah, blah
    The tape has some duration to it, will most likely get used for a while and has a positive 'aura'.
    Plus I can give it to them at the insp, they have it and that portion of marketing is done.
    The flashlight, maybe but I'm diggin' the tape idea. So simple of course I didn't think of it.
    Thanks!

    www.aic-chicago.com
    773/844-4AIC
    "The Code is not a ceiling to reach but a floor to work up from"

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