CanCanCase
12-15-2010, 09:50 AM
So, I'm simplifying my vending layout in the Vision Venders - I don't really need to sell every brand that comes in an appropriate size, and I can double or triple up on columns that run out regularly (Tide, Gain, Bounce, etc.) This has left me with fractional cases of Surf, Disol-Vol, Clorox Bleach in coin-vend handi-paks, etc... It's not enough of any one thing to bother selling as surplus, and none of these products sell quickly enough to clearance out.
I got to thinking about a typical "free soap" promotion the other day when a nice family was loading an 80# washer and trying to decide if they wanted the plus cycle for another $.50 - it seems they had $1 left to buy bleach, and using the plus cycle would use half of their last dollar. I had just removed the handi-paks from vending so I brought one off the stack and gave it to them. They're now regular customers at the first of every month, and always bring a carefully budgeted (and precise) amount to put on their card which includes plus cycles...
Okay, sorry to ramble, but I haven't had coffee yet today, and that's what got me thinking about a seasonal "gift" for my customers. I don't really like just GIVING something away for nothing, so I wanted to require a washer start before a coupon holder gets anything. Also, the attendant needs to be there to PUT THE PRODUCT IN, rather than allowing some folks to horde the free supplies and take them to another mat or home.
So... now that you have most of the long-rambling background story for my "one free laundry product" promotion, here it is:
http://GreenLightningLaundry.com/2010/12/holiday-gifts-are-here-free-stuff/
Right now, the coupon is only available on our website, and has only been "advertised" there, FaceBook and Twitter (and now here)... most of the folks who will see it, however, are non-local (family, friends and other store owners) who won't really cash it in. I'm toying with the idea of printing a bunch at home and pinning them to a few open bulletin boards around town. I guess it wouldn't be friendly to hang them in competing laundromats, eh?
Comments? Praise? Criticism? Discussion?
-Case
I got to thinking about a typical "free soap" promotion the other day when a nice family was loading an 80# washer and trying to decide if they wanted the plus cycle for another $.50 - it seems they had $1 left to buy bleach, and using the plus cycle would use half of their last dollar. I had just removed the handi-paks from vending so I brought one off the stack and gave it to them. They're now regular customers at the first of every month, and always bring a carefully budgeted (and precise) amount to put on their card which includes plus cycles...
Okay, sorry to ramble, but I haven't had coffee yet today, and that's what got me thinking about a seasonal "gift" for my customers. I don't really like just GIVING something away for nothing, so I wanted to require a washer start before a coupon holder gets anything. Also, the attendant needs to be there to PUT THE PRODUCT IN, rather than allowing some folks to horde the free supplies and take them to another mat or home.
So... now that you have most of the long-rambling background story for my "one free laundry product" promotion, here it is:
http://GreenLightningLaundry.com/2010/12/holiday-gifts-are-here-free-stuff/
Right now, the coupon is only available on our website, and has only been "advertised" there, FaceBook and Twitter (and now here)... most of the folks who will see it, however, are non-local (family, friends and other store owners) who won't really cash it in. I'm toying with the idea of printing a bunch at home and pinning them to a few open bulletin boards around town. I guess it wouldn't be friendly to hang them in competing laundromats, eh?
Comments? Praise? Criticism? Discussion?
-Case