CRUMMY gift idea!!!

[soylightvicki]

I don't know about you, but I think the "gift" my sister got from one of her students last week (she's a school librarian) is just crummy!

One of her students gave her an early Christmas "gift" that included a Melaleuca catalog, an invitation to a "get together" to learn more about their products, and a $20 off coupon for Melaleuca products.

I just think that's awful! That's not a gift at all in my opinion. If you want to give a business related gift, give a free sample of your product - no strings attached! I give my kids teachers candles, but I would NEVER just give a catalog, a coupon, and an invitation to an event! In my book, that's just plain tacky!

Any thoughts? Is this something other companies encourage their reps to do? Maybe I'm overreacting - let me know what you think!

[sraynor]

I don't think it's really that bad. what is the difference between getting a $20 card for that company and getting a $20 card from a store like wal mart or something? everybody is entitled to their own oppion though so I guess it's just in the eye of the beholder in this case

[soylightvicki]

The difference to me is that when you go into Wal Mart or any other major retail store with your gift card, they don't try to talk you into joining their "club" where you are required to spend a minimum of $60-$70 per month to be an active member and get your discounts. You don't have to attend a big sales presentation to use your certificate - you can use your gift card to purchase what you want and then never go back if you don't want to - no hassles or annoying sales pitches.

If it had just been the $20 gift certificate with a catalog, I would have thought that was OK. Adding in the invite to a sales presentation was what made it slip over into the realm of tackiness for me.

Thanks for your feedback - I do agree that there's nothing wrong with giving gift cards and/or gift certificates. I definitely do that myself!

[Ashley]

I agree with you too Vickie..it still is tacky lol...when its comes to the holidays you should give gifts without any strings attached.Leave the sales part of it for another time.

[ravish30]

Vicki,

I agree with you. A gift should come with NO strings attached! That is an unprofessional way to market the business.

I give products and/or gift certificates from my business all the time with No strings attached. I do not meet up with them, try to sell them stuff or try to get them to join, nor do I do a business pitch to them.

I agree with you, it was presented in a VERY tacky way.

Shelly

[LOVESILVER]

Vicki,

All of my children's teachers got awesome .925 Sterling Silver jewerly....................no strings attached!

I agree...........the holidays are for giving (no alternative motives!)!

Julie

Hermosa Sterling
www.hermosasterling.com

[cinnamonmomof3]

Yes I agree that the ladies "gift" was tacky. As someone in Melaleuca if I was going to try and promote it and give a gift at the same time I would give a product, like one of our candles or something nice like that along with a biz card. Or I could see a gift certificate but with no strings attached.