mindy5140 Posted January 15, 2006 Share Posted January 15, 2006 My friend wants to give a coworker one of my candles for her anniversary (lick me all over) go figure. I'm giving it to her free. Because I haven't sold a candle yet, I'm done testing the type of jar that she wants to give to her.100% satisfied with the testing that I have done on it.Anyways My question is, would you also give the person a freebie, like a tart of a different fragrance to sample or something like that. Or a free refill or am I being to generous.TIA,Mindy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mystical_angel1219 Posted January 15, 2006 Share Posted January 15, 2006 IMO~ you are being too generous. :smiley2: Once you actually start selling, its good practice to give freebies.But this person isn't even paying you, and its a gift. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mindy5140 Posted January 15, 2006 Author Share Posted January 15, 2006 Thanks, I thought that to but thought what the hell might ask the experienced ones first. Before I give away all my money.Mindy:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AngelaVA Posted January 15, 2006 Share Posted January 15, 2006 I agree, if the gift is free I wouldn't necessarily include a freebie. But I do include freebies with all my orders. Generally it's a votive or tart or something like that. People like getting things for free so it's good for business. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mindy5140 Posted January 15, 2006 Author Share Posted January 15, 2006 ThanksMindy:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DragonWorks Posted January 15, 2006 Share Posted January 15, 2006 When you've been doing something as a hobby and then switch over to being a business, it's sometimes hard to mentally switch gears. You have to remember WHY you are giving a freebie.Is it a sample to a potential good customer who may give you business in the future?Will it function as an advertisement (donating a candle center piece to public function, or as an auction item for a non-profit fundraiser)Is it a 'thank you gift' for a current customer? (like a free votive or tart)I gave two tealights in a pretty container to 10 people in my office for Christmas---and got $150 in sales from them on my website.Those (and others) are good reasons for freebies. But friends also have trouble mentally shifting to you being in business, so they may ask without even thinking. If you are giving it to them so they don't have to buy someone else a present, personally, I'd talk to them first. Most of us are nice people with good friends and once we point out that its now a business, they understand.You just have to decide why you are giving it to them. Because you don't want to say 'no' and possibly hurt the friendship? That's a decision you have to make based on how important the friendship is to you and how comfortable you are with telling people no.All I can say is that my life has gotten a lot easier since I learned to set limits on my friends' (and family!) expectations for me. It was hard at first, but if I didn't, I'd be giving away the whole business! Nina Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sudsnwicks Posted January 15, 2006 Share Posted January 15, 2006 I wouldn't be so generous as to give an additional freebie. I only give freebies when it's their birthday/other special occasion or as a gift with purchase. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mindy5140 Posted January 15, 2006 Author Share Posted January 15, 2006 I'm definitly not ready to start a business yet. But like I have posted several times, I have several testers and my friend is one of them. At first I was going to charge her for it but the candle only comes out to $1.50 to make and thats everything. Jar, lid, wax, wick, FO, labels, and decorative tie.She has been the best observer, and has been up front with all of my candles, if they suck she has told me. So I feel like I owe her for some odd reason. The person she is giving the candle to is a candle fanatic, loves them.I'm just wondering how I can get this woman to come back for more other than just my candle. Should I also give her a list of Fragrances I have tested?Do you think it would be stupid just to start selling the 8 oz jars or do you think I should wait it out till I perfect other types of candles??I do have a perfect name for my candle business but have been waiting till I had enough types of candles to file for it.Thanks to all that have posted, I really appreciate it.This board is awesome, I learn something new everyday.Mindy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tlc26 Posted January 16, 2006 Share Posted January 16, 2006 Definately give her a list of your tested frangrances. Especially if she is a canedle fanatic. She could be your first real customer! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobinInOR Posted January 16, 2006 Share Posted January 16, 2006 Sure, I'd give her a list of all your tested fragrances, along with a little sentence like "all of these will be $x.xx" so she knows it's not just a list of free candles Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tess Posted January 16, 2006 Share Posted January 16, 2006 I give a "freebie" tea-light, to every customer purchase. If it is a loyal customer and is over 50 bucks I usually give a votive. I would not give "Freebies" to "free" orders. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mindy5140 Posted January 21, 2006 Author Share Posted January 21, 2006 Oh my Goodness, the lady loved the candle, and so did alot of other people.My friend put up the list of fragrances, I have 10 orders for 8oz jar candles, and 2 orders for orneries-I know I spelled that wrong.I am sooooo excited. I also had a lady ask me if I could make up tart bags for her daughters babyshower, she wants them pink and white babypowder fragrance. She wants 4 in each bag, and wants 40 bags . YAY for me,Mindy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvcandletarts2 Posted January 21, 2006 Share Posted January 21, 2006 Congrats Mindy on your orders. See what that one freebie candle did? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mindy5140 Posted January 21, 2006 Author Share Posted January 21, 2006 Thanks Pam, Mindy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elle110 Posted January 21, 2006 Share Posted January 21, 2006 ROCK ON...you are on your way now, good luck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LauraInNY Posted January 21, 2006 Share Posted January 21, 2006 Way to go Mindy! Guess you better start filing for that business name. Awesome news with the orders...:whoohoo: :whoohoo: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mindy5140 Posted January 21, 2006 Author Share Posted January 21, 2006 Thanks guys, Yep I better go file for my name now.I love this group, you guys are awesomeMindy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tlc26 Posted January 22, 2006 Share Posted January 22, 2006 congrats girl! Good things will come! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sudsnwicks Posted January 22, 2006 Share Posted January 22, 2006 Wow, that's great how so many orders came out of that one freebie! Way to go! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smalltownscents Posted January 23, 2006 Share Posted January 23, 2006 If you are comfortable with your 8oz. start selling. You have to start somewhere. I started with a 4oz. and 8oz. I am discontinueing the 4 oz. Not enough profit. I am now doing 8 and 16, votives and tarts but will add to my line as I can. I want to do pillars and some b & b. Votives and tarts don't sell well around here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mindy5140 Posted January 23, 2006 Author Share Posted January 23, 2006 Well on my list of Fragrances I put 8oz jar, Tarts, and ornerys down. I have tested the 4 oz but can't find my notes and totaly forget what wick and everything so I would have to test those over again.I want to move onto bigger things but still have to test test test what I'm doing now which is 16 oz jars.Which has been a nightmare since I started testing them. Thank you for all of the support that everybody has given me,Good Night,Mindy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wvcandleguy Posted January 24, 2006 Share Posted January 24, 2006 I definately would include a note or brochure with the scents you have tested and a price. Also make sure you include your phone number or email address. This way if she really likes your candles she can contact you direct. Or if you are comfortable with the idea, let your friend make contacts for you, and let her continue to get her candles free or at cost.... this way its a win win for both of you.... Just my 2 cents. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mindy5140 Posted January 24, 2006 Author Share Posted January 24, 2006 I like that idea, wvcandleguy.Thanks,Mindy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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