That's a 'wrap'

[wood-of-1kind]

My "marketing manager" who is my daughter, but most importantly my 'little girl' is insisting that I 'offer' gift wrapping to go along with my pens. She is totally convinced that this will put us 'over the top'. I'm reluctant to say the least, to start this new found 'campaign' and glamorize(ribbons) my hand made wood pen cases. Call me 'old fashioned', but I don't like ribbons and other 'frilly things' . Can she be right and that I'm being stubborm with my approach? Can the 'wrap' boost sales? Any input, good, bad, indifferent?

 

[fiferb]

I'm with you in that I'm against it. Not that I don't think the wrapping may happen at some point in time. However, it's tough enough carrying umpteen types of pens, boxes, refills, etc., now you have to carry umpteen types of wrapping and ribbons. Wrapping is too personal and best left to the people buying and giving the pen. JMHO

 

[igran7]

Last year I started offering gift wrapping from November through Christmas. I don't know if it was coincedence or not but my sales increased by about 60% during this time frame over the previous year. I now offer it at the time of checkout from my website and all in person sales I offer it as well. A little over half the time the customer accepts the offer and almost always the customer will repeat buy from me and request the gift wrapping without me even asking.

Almost all the pens sales during the holiday months are gifts and it is just one less gift they have to worry about wrapping. I suspect most of the pens I sell throughout the year are also gifts for loved ones, co-workers, grads etc...if the presentation is stunning then the anticipation of the actual pen will blow them away, and it makes the purchase easier for the buyer. Impressions are everything, whatever I can do to keep them coming back, I'll do it.

 

[markgum]

maybe offer it at the booth. Enlist the help of your marketing manager to come with you to the show, and if the customer wants to buy a ribbon for their box, she can help with that.
would give you some quality time with your daughter, (which one can never have enough of)

 

[dgscott]

I'm with markgum. Offer it as a bonus -- people love to have less work to do when they get home. As for me and ribbons, I only use them in my hair!

Doug

 

[mbroberg]

My "marketing manager" who is my daughter, but most importantly my 'little girl' is insisting that I 'offer' gift wrapping to go along with my pens. She is totally convinced that this will put us 'over the top'. I'm reluctant to say the least, to start this new found 'campaign' and glamorize(ribbons) my hand made wood pen cases. Call me 'old fashioned', but I don't like ribbons and other 'frilly things' . Can she be right and that I'm being stubborm with my approach? Can the 'wrap' boost sales? Any input, good, bad, indifferent?

The key is the connection with your daughter. Who cares if it increases your sales or not. Your willingness to listen to "your little girl" and to involve her in your business is much, much, much more important.

 

[Marc]

I agree about the daughter connection. But I also see the value in the gift wrapping as many folks buy pens as gifts. I think it is a great service to be able to drop ship a gift right to the recipient. Very convenient for the customer.

Personally, I am awful at getting a tight wrap with gift wrapping paper. All thumbs, that's why the recruiting of the marketing manager would be an excellent idea here.

 

[wudnhed]

Last year I started offering gift wrapping from November through Christmas. I don't know if it was coincedence or not but my sales increased by about 60% during this time frame over the previous year. I now offer it at the time of checkout from my website and all in person sales I offer it as well. A little over half the time the customer accepts the offer and almost always the customer will repeat buy from me and request the gift wrapping without me even asking.

Almost all the pens sales during the holiday months are gifts and it is just one less gift they have to worry about wrapping. I suspect most of the pens I sell throughout the year are also gifts for loved ones, co-workers, grads etc...if the presentation is stunning then the anticipation of the actual pen will blow them away, and it makes the purchase easier for the buyer. Impressions are everything, whatever I can do to keep them coming back, I'll do it.

Totally agree:good::good::good::good:!!!!!! Take it from a woman's point of view and the gift wrapper in the family. If you can offer it and do it right, your sales will boost, JMHO!

 

[KenV]

Your daughter is already a wise woman -- Your challenge is to work out the logistics of taking her idea into implementation. I suspect that she is likely to be able to help you with that aspect, abet with some adaptive management (used to be trial and adjust) along the way.

 

[THarvey]

The key is the connection with your daughter. Who cares if it increases your sales or not. Your willingness to listen to "your little girl" and to involve her in your business is much, much, much more important.

+1


The investment of listening to "Daddy's Girl" is worth it, whether the sales increase or not.

 

[wood-of-1kind]

I must admit that my "little girl" is 23 years old and a certified teacher. I'm thankful for all the responses received so far. Maybe she can "teach" an old dog(me) a new trick (wrapping. : )