Customer Service: A Token of Appreciation Still Has Value

"We don't give away giveaways!"

That was an actual advertising line used by a local bank at a time
when giving away everything from matches to pens to small appliances
was common in financial marketing.

The point the bank was attempting to make was that their customer
service counted for more than giveaways.

The bank is no longer in business but giveaways of one kind or another
continue to be a part of business.

This is a roundabout way to answer a question posted this week.

Do premiums still have a place in business?

Call them what you will: chotchkies, premiums, promotional items, advertising apparel or giveaways.

You've probably got two or three in or on your desk. Go to a trade show or conference and you end up with a plastic bag (appropriately imprinted) full of giveaways.

So what has all this got to do with Customer Service?

Three things:

1. Customers want to be recognized
2. Customers like to be thanked
3. YOU want to remembered

Small tokens and remembrances still seem to address all three. Besides, everyone likes something for FREE.

No need to get carried away, but small useful or entertaining items, tastefully imprinted with your company logo, can provide simple recognition or an inexpensive "thank you" … while providing at least some means of continuing exposure.

But if you have some giveaways -- or decide to order some -- let your people use them. That's what they're for. Hoarding them in a closet does no one any good.

You still have to provide the same quality, price and level of service but sometimes even a small token will DELIGHT CUSTOMERS!