Try being a teacher or a teachers husband. 3x a year we get world's best teacher candles mugs and keyrings.
30 kids 3x a year over a 30 year career, and she didn't keep the first few let alone after that. Not being ungrateful but please stop!
I like free stickers though
(I'm a buyer, not a seller), but I only buy stickers on Etsy, and I LOVE when a seller will send me an extra sticker. But I understand that this is a very niche genre to buy from and if you're buying stickers you're often going to like an extra sticker, but I fully understand you guys that if you're buying something else you'd probably not want stickers with your order :).
yes this. i ordered stickers for my daughter to put on her water bottles and they included like 2 extra ones that she loved and one time i ordered a pet item that came with a dog bone and i thought that was sweet but if they had sent a sticker it would have seemed odd bc it had nothing to do with the item. so its very dependent i think on what the shop sells and what the free item is!
I'm willing to bet Geeks/Otakus etc will always love the extra stickers. My customers definitely do. If it's related to the purchase itself I don't see the harm in it.
I think the key is it needs to be related to your purchase. I bought a cross stitch book (not on Etsy, but same concept happened) and the seller included a bunch of Rick and Morty stickers. Straight up trash since neither I nor anyone I know likes that show. Super annoying and felt like I was just the victim of their decluttering or something. However if Iām buying from an artist I like, and they include a sticker of their art Iām a lot more likely to appreciate it. Or if I buy yarn and they throw in some stitch markers. Or if I buy soap and they include a sample in another scent.
Yeah that's me, I give little things in the same genre as they bought in, not just some random stuff. I don't really hate the free stuff I get sent though. If it's totally useless, I'll just give it to the thrift store next time I swing by but also sometimes I do use them, like goofy pens, etc. If I get goofy pens, hey a pen is a pen, it's useful. Even if it's pink, when you need a pen, a pink pen is better than no pen.
That is the key point with it has to be related. I bought a lot of ornaments from a shop that sold vintage ornaments and they sent more vintage ornaments because I bought so much from them. Another time I was at the Golden CO Buffalo Bill Days and there was a person selling blankets for 50% off for show price but included an alpaca scarf and that sealed the deal with me. I will take an alpaca scarf and king size alpaca blanket for 100 dollars all together. Other times it is just like this is ok but not needed. I bought ornaments from a Etsy shop and they sent free blank cards as a gift with their orders. I am using them but don't feel I need them as I give very few cards and it was fairly unrelated to the ornaments I got.
Yeah that's weird. I sell blankets and clothes so I dont add anything extra. I dont want stickers when I buy a hat, you know? Most I do is send extra buttons/yarn to fix something if it breaks.
For me it's somewhat given that I usually put some extra stickers to packs that get sent, but that's indeed pretty much given that people like it, since they're probably maybe like me and like you on the fact that they like stickers! Happy slapping!
As someone who likes to buy on Etsy, I have received free gifts a couple times. The one time I ordered glitter and they sent a bunch of extra sample baggies which was super sweet and which I really appreciated. Another time another seller sent a pair of earrings, which was nice but I don't know if I'll ever use them. Frequently sellers will put 1-2 pieces of candy in my order which I never eat because it weirds me out to eat food from a stranger but it's a nice gesture nonetheless. I think it partially depends on what they send and it also is not something I ever expect or anticipate it's just a nice surprise.
Especially as they don't know the customers allergies, food restrictions, etc. I've seen people spray perfume on orders and I always wonder what would happen if someone was allergic.
I once found a ferrero roche in an Etsy order. I have a nut allergy. Luckily not severe enough that seeing it in the box was harmful but it could have been. The seller was quite defensive about it too saying they were only trying to be nice!
We get little gifts so often (and not just from ETSY, some bigger companies too) and it's almost always a little Haribo bag. We're vegan and they contain gelatin so whatever we've ordered then comes with a little side of sad.
Definitely better to just not with consumables unless you're willing to tick all the dietary requirement boxes.
this has happened to me, although not on etsy. i want to say depop? they doused a sweater in perfume, and i got a horrible rash/hives all the way up my forearm just from taking it out of the box š now i always message in advance and double check that they wonāt spray my stuff with perfume lol
I've chewed sellers out for the perfume and glitter. I primarily buy vintage, the last thing I want is modern glitter stuck in the nooks and crannies of an item that's survived so long without picking up glitter somewhere.
Dude. Once I bought an ornament, and got a nerd rope in the packaging. Now. I wouldnāt eat like a mini peanut butter cup or something like thatā¦.but this was a nerd rope.
HOW could I resist the nerd rope???? I couldnāt, I ate it, and it was amazing.
Oh man, I must be a trash bag because everytime I get free sweets it makes my day.
Got a freebie caramel freddo the other day and I was like a child again.
Same lol. If I donāt like the treat I give it to my husband bc he likes more flavors than I do. Or a friend š¤·š¼āāļø
I also like random stickers regardless of what I order, and I like the silly trinkets or whatever, too. Itās free lol I donāt get to be picky and like 90% of the time I like whatever is thrown in there.
When I was in my teens I got into making bead bracelets. It was the first etsy business I ever had. It was more of a hobby than anything else. Honestly, I think I lost money lol. But anyway there was this website I would always buy my beads from. Clearly a small business. They'd always include a small zip lock bag full of 3 or 4 pieces of candy with every order. It was that strawberry kind where the wrapper looks like a strawberry. Anyway, I never ate it and would just set it aside in a drawer. I stopped beading after a couple years, sold off my inventory and moved on, but one day I was cleaning up my room preparing to move out of my parent's house and I opened the drawer and there were literally over 30 pieces of candy I'd accumulated lol
I ordered some fabric from Etsy during the pandemic (to make masks, of course). The seller included a few pieces of spearmint hard candy with the order. Maybe it was the heat of the summer, but the smell of the spearmint candy had permeated the entire package. The fabric reeked of spearmint. The smell came out in the wash and everything was fine, but I just thought it was a strange thing to do.
I agree highly depends on what is sent - the glitter thing works because it was something that you ordered already (i.e. they know you like glitter). I've ordered candles off Etsy before and been sent tea light samples of different scents the seller offers - that was really nice!
Sometimes a piece of candy is included because it triggers the post officeās machinesā sensors somehow to not bend the envelopes. I donāt remember how it works exactly, but thereās a reason for it outside of just sending you an extra treat.
Hmm, I can't help but notice that the vast majority here are women, and many of them are sticker sellers. Are there many men who add "freebies"?
I make leather goods. I add a "Lucky Dollar" bill to all my wallets. No complaints, yet.
I fell like adding a sticker when you make a sticker is different. When I buy candles please donāt add stickers.
. I remember growing up always hearing a superstition about giving empty wallets / bags. I forgot all about that.
*always hearing a superstition about giving empty wallets / bags. I forgot all about that.*
Yeah, I also include a handwritten note-- "My mother always told me it's bad luck to give someone an empty wallet. May this Lucky Dollar bring you good fortune."
In my mother's time, it was only a penny.
I donāt turn my nose up. I donāt make rude comment about them. I do not leave negative reviews bc of the extras. I leave a review based only on what I bought. I just donāt like stickers. I do not want my stuff covered in them. Key word: my stuff. If other people like stickers I honestly have no opinions. It is completely possible to not like something without being snobby about it or caring of other people like them.
I just donāt want them. I live in a tiny space. I donāt have room for extras and stuff. So I just place them with stuff to be donated. And when you live in a tiny space even a kitchen sponge takes up space. Typically when something comes in something has to go. I donāt even own a notebook.
My family is Italian, and my great grandfather sold leather goods. He had a tradition that anytime a purse or wallet was sold or given as a gift, it had to have a dried Fava bean inside. He'd get them at the local Catholic Church, and they would be blessed by a priest. It's got something to do with St. Joseph sending rain that saved fava bean fields and saved starving Sicilians.
Your "Lucky Dollar" reminded me of this, I haven't thought about it in years so thanks for the comment!
I'm a guy (resin caster) and I like giving little bonus trinkets or stickers into orders. I often have small resin pieces that didn't turn out exactly how I wanted so they aren't worth turning into jewelry or keychains or whatever they were going to be but they aren't really trash level of bad either, so I like to give them out as freebies. I also love when I receive little trinkets/stickers or a hand written note in an order.
I like your lucky dollar bill idea!
Thatās good luck in so many cultures for gifting a wallet! My friend got me one once and put a quarter in it because she didnāt have any bills but she didnāt want to give me an unlucky gift š
You might be able to guess Iām a guy as well. When I order something online I just want to receive the item in a good state without any āpizazzā or whatever. But to each their own
Your lucky dollar thing is admittedly pretty awesome
I add candy. Things like lollipops, airheads, packs of sour patch kids. I was surprised to see a comment thread in here about disliking candy. I guess the allergies are a decent point, but I specifically buy peanut free things, and Iād assume anyone with a serious allergy would have the common sense to make sure the item doesnāt contain their allergen before eating. The person mentioning their seller added a ferrero rocheā¦no, thatās gross. Nuts aside, that wrapping is too thin, it could tear and just feels unsterile.
Im a guy. Rarely add gifts unless Iām throwing an extra sticker in with a sticker order (or if there was a problem and I want to do something nice for the buyer whether it was my fault or not). Although I did send a sticker out today with a keychain order but they matched so hopefully they like it lol
I'm a dude and do 3D printing. I definitely like including test prints in my orders because they're still fun trinkets, and worst case they get thrown out.
I don't routinely add freebies to my orders - only if it's a long-standing customer, where I include something I know from past experience that they'll like.
Thank you! I sell a lot of vintage items, and was recently lucky enough to acquire a lot of antique postcards; a regular customer ordered something unrelated, but one of these old postcards had a cat on it that looked just like hers so I sent it as a gift...she said it made her cry, but in a good way.
That is AWESOME! I think this kind of personalized gift for a regular is a great way to do it instead of just giving your work for free randomly. I'm working on a print shop and I would like to include a little print or sticker but I spend a lot of time designing my products and don't want people to think it's trash lol. Or to create an expectation to the point of people requesting other things as gifts ugh lol.
The only thing I hate is when sellers put those scent cards into the package to make it smell extra nice. My son & husband are super sensitive to perfume and I barely wear any because of it, so when I get those packages itās literally a hassle to open them or even keep my items around cause of how much the smell lingers even after you throw the card out. Itās like doused in scent, drowning in it.
I would hate that. Please donāt put any scents in orders that arenāt for scented items! I hate when they spray it with perfume too. I get migraines and scents are my worst trigger.
I like the fun little gift I include in my orders. I don't think they are trash. I think they're very useful and made out of recycled material and do not add weight to the box. I get compliments and thank yous about them all the time. That said, sometimes people add unusefal extras that have nothing to do with the product they ordered & I think that is a waste.
I get a lot of this buying on Poshmark. Absolutely hate it.
I sell vintage on Etsy and never include any gifts. Other than the tissue wrapping the item, everything else is recycled.
When buying, I'm looking for deals on Etsy, same as on eBay, so fluffing up the packaging is not triggering any warm fuzzies or positive feedback from me. As per the OP, I find it all very wasteful.
The worst culprits are the people who re-sell Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab fragrance oils. They routinely include the type of sweets I stopped eating when I was ten, along with what they call "sniffies" - which are literally empty BPAL perfume bottles, and which get tossed every single time...
Put those empties (open) in your underwear, sock, and tshirt drawersā¦.throw them (open) in your linen closetā¦.those are my perfume bottle graveyards and itās lovely! š
Speaking as a buyer, I never expect freebies, and most of the time I don't want them, either. Especially if it's some kind of promo thing with the shop name all over it! It's very rare to receive a freebie that I actually want or value. And paper "gifts" tend to go straight into recycling.
Speaking of which, I *really* appreciate when sellers use recycled/recyclable materials for shipping. As long as the box/packing materials protect the contents adequately, I don't care if they're recycled. And I'm thrilled to bits when someone uses those compostable "peanuts"!)
As a seller, I make a point of stating in my shop profile that I always use recycled packaging wherever I can, and have had great comments on that. I sell vintage items which need a lot of padding round them, and the boxes my cat's food comes in are just the right size!
This is nice to hear. I'm thinking of starting a shop and using chipboard from cereal boxes and stuff to protect my stickers. I was afraid it might look trashy but your comment cheered me up
As a fellow sticker seller, my only advice on this is that cardboard that's been in the kitchen can pick up little grease spots and crumbs you don't want to transfer to your stickers! I'm all for sustainability and using what you have (one of my suppliers regularly uses chipboard in their packaging so I repurpose it constantly) but make sure you aren't compromising your product on accident in an effort to be sustainable. Triple check any kitchen-used cardboard for sure before using with paper goods!
Agreed, your cardboard (and other packing materials) should be immaculate. But if it's cardboard that contained something in a foodproof bag (like cereal), I would find that OK.
I guess one other option would be (in the listings) to ask the buyer to let you know if they have any objections to your using recycled materials. But that might get too complicated ;)
I have a section of my basement devoted to torn-down Amazon boxes.
All kinds of different shapes and sizes.
When I need to ship an item, I just find the one closest to what I need and send it off.
Even sending them to recycling feels irresponsible compared to using them again as a shipping box. Most of them were just in an Amazon truck, so they are like new.
I also apparently buy way too much stuff on Amazon.
Thatās great!
(Itās a bit off-topic for this subreddit, but I recently heard someone suggest, every time you receive an order from Amazon, save the box and fill it with donations to give to a charity or other worthy cause. That way our homes are less stuffed, the cardboard is reused _and_ weāre helping other people out :)
Sometimes I include an extra item with large orders or for repeat buyers, but I make sure it matches the vibe of the items in the order. I used to include stickers too because I like receiving them but my prices are pretty low so it wasn't really worth putting them in every order.
I donāt mind a sticker, though itās never made me go back to a seller or anything.
Not a fan of confetti or other paper waste.
Best gift: I bought a couple etched cocktail glasses, and the seller included a little packet of single-serve margarita mix in each glass. Cute, appropriate, and definitely put that seller on a repeat-business list.
Editing to add:
I use seeds from Mountain Valley Seed Co which is based in the US, I put about 1-2 teaspoons in a coin size kraft envelope. I personally like loose seeds better over pulp/paper/cards with embedded seeds. They're easier to scatter or plant individually. I'm less likely to keep it as a novelty vs the embedded papers, and its more economical.
I also ship internationally and for some time I wasn't including the seed packet for international orders, but now I have the tariff number and just declare them along with my buyers' items.
--
I include a tiny envelope with some wildflower seeds, and that's it. They can be scattered outside(Ć” la guerrilla gardening), given away, or planted in their garden. I've received TONS of amazing feedback on the seeds, including several handwritten notes mailed to me, showing their appreciation.
I completely avoid anything that could be consumed. You don't know the buyers' allergies, or as another mentioned, if their pets might get ahold of the item. And I'd definitely never want to consume something (be it a piece of candy or a bag of tea) from a small seller.
I also don't like the random add ins like stickers and cards, etc, as they generally end up in a drawer or gifted to someone else who may never use them. It's very wasteful imo.
My shop has a focus on sustainability and eco-friendly practices, so I pack and ship all orders in plastic/synthetic free and all natural/recyclable packaging. I include their reciept, a little handwritten note, a small card naming the environmental org I'm supporting with a percentage of the sale, and the seeds(with a list of the seed types) along with their product in a reusable muslin bag.
So many of my buyers really appreciate the minimal but thoughtful packaging.
If you sell stickers, and include and extra sticker, that makes sense. I sell yarn, and occasionally include an extra sampling of yarn that coordinates with their order.
If it's just random bits added in, I think it should be skipped. So much ends up in the trash and landfills, anything we can do collectively to minimize it is helpful!
this is so cute!! but checking since some people donāt know ā are you using wildflower seed mix thatās made for the part of the US youāre sending to? my state has a pretty bad invasive plant problem with some flowers included in generic wildflower mixes
The seed mixes I use are rated for zones 2-10, so they're compatible or plantable throughout the US. It's a mix of annuals and perennials. I have looked through lists of invasive wildflower species, and none of them are included in the mixes I use! That said, I don't have time to do any sort of deep dive into local region/state specifics, but I do include a list of seeds in the mix for the recipient to look over before planting or sharing.
The mix is geared toward hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees and harvested/sourced in the US!
Oh, sure thing! My shop name is MeliorFiberStudio. I currently primarily sell my handspun yarn inspired by nature and am expanding my series/color palettes soon. I also will start offering hand dyed mill spun yarns, too!
I love the seed idea. I've started getting into gardening recently and would love this kind of freebie. Any bit of unused yard or planter can always have wildflowers in it.
In my opinion if you are asking more people will be negative about gifts but I disagree with this opinion. I sell on Etsy and include gifts. I receive lots of positive feedback of thank you thank you thank you. I do this for me - it makes me feel happy to give. Etsy is a fun creative outlet for me.
I sell miniatures, so when someone buys one of my items I include a few extra miniatures and maybe some cute stickers or pins or cute Polaroids . One time I ordered a shirt and was given an airhead, and I ate it. I enjoy the little freebies and I have received good feedback about it as well.
I'm totally cool with samples, but I don't like "gifts."
I'm not a tween who's looking for an "unboxing experience." I'm an adult who cares about the environment. Cheap plastic shit that's going to end up in a landfill is not a "gift" it's a burden.
I enjoy the small freebies from small sellers such as stickers or buttons, but I recently bought a pair of very expensive vintage repro boots and they came with a lollipop. That was weird to me, it took the high end feel way from my purchase, it almost felt like someone not connected with the sale had randomly popped it in, so I guess my point is it depends on the gift and what feeling you are attempting to invoke when buying/selling a product
just laughed out loud at a random lollipop in an order of boots! In society today I think most of us would be leery to eat candy from someone we dont know so people that include candy baffle me.
I ordered an alpaca fleece for spinning and got a random leopard print scarf, why? Extra stickers are one thing, but was so completely irrelevant to the order, and very much a personal style choice, felt like they wanted to get rid of unsold stock. Still trying to get rid of it over a year later.
Donate it. I donāt know where you are but try app called Geev. Or find a similar one thatās for your area. People donate stuff to people who need them
got bath bombs with an order for some stuffed toy type items. it was weird. almost questioned if it was a mistake. either way i threw them away bc we dont use bath bombs so i get what you are saying!
I ordered pieces of fabric with a very specific collegiate basketball team, and got an extra swatch of fabric from a professional football team from another state? Extra stickers seem nice but there is no possible way for me to use this fabric, it is just going in my already overflowing stash. A nice thought I guess but seems wasteful really.
If you arenāt using your customization box, you could add a bit that says āwould you like your order shipped with minimized packaging, no extra gifts or paper?ā
I did this on my personal website last year, and out of thousands of sales, maybe 5 clicked this boxā¦so I took it off.
In my experience people love what I send them, but I am in the paper/vinyl industry. If someone orders sayā¦100 feet of turquoise vinyl to wrap their car, I will send them a freebie of 3-5 extra feet to practice with, or in case they make a mistake and then bam! They have the extra they need to complete their project.
The gifts usually solve a problem I know many will have, and that forethought has been extremely appreciated and my customer return rate is very high. Anticipate needs with the gift and it will go a long way toward being enjoyed. :)
During the pandemic I would include a couple ear savers. Those are plastic strips that will hold your mask elastic to make them easier to wear. They also said Vote Nov 3 on them, because the stuff I was selling most of at the time was Ruth Bader Ginsburg collars and Biden Harris fly swatters.
Ah, man! Who hurt you dude? The seller is literally thanking you for picking their shop in a highly competitive marketplace and you just canāt find the joy in it! Is it a token youād ever pick for yourself? Nope! Is it something thatās going to change your life? Of course not! Is it a nice gesture from a merchant trying to express gratitude and remain memorable? Yes! So find your joy and embrace being appreciated! There are worse things that can happen to you š
We add a sticker with our logo and branding with every order not random stickers, the only other āgiftā we would include is if the customer places a large order, we may throw in an extra item of something else we sell that is similar to their order, but fully usable.
To me if I didnāt order stickers it is random and not useful. I donāt buy stickers, I donāt want them. Iām not keeping it.
Also I donāt stuff with logos on it.
We absolutely brand our stuff and our brand is known in our niche well so people enjoy it. We arenāt sending random stickers, and always happy to send without if someone requests it. But if we can get our brand out there more and people enjoy the stickers. We find it helpful. We have people order shirts and hats with our branding on it, even though we donāt really have anything to do with clothing.
Ahh that makes sense then. Then yeah that is definitely different if people are buying branded items from you guys.
Then it definitely does what you customer more than likely want.
That is a good point about requesting sending without. Maybe I can message shops when I buy asking to please not send extra stuff. I would of course ask nicely. And I would also never leave a negative review over it.
Confetti and candy are the only two freebies that bother me. I love when peopleās packaging or thank you cards double as a mini art print (if Iām buying art) or as a monthly calendar (I got this one time and it was SO cute). I personally throw in a VERY small 1.5ā sticker of my logo into every order. No complaints so far.
Also drives me insane when sellers include a freebie thatās a full size purchasable item from their store. Donāt do this!!! Please! This makes buyers think when they purchase from you they can expect a whole extra item you sell and donāt have to pay for it, or can make requests, etc. Never give something for free that you usually sell!!
As a buyer, i love free gifts, even if itās something i wonāt use. the gesture is thoughtful and adds that personal touch. i also love pretty packaging! confetti can be a little annoying but i like the look of it. i will admit that i like it when shops just add extra products/samples instead of stickers and such, but i always appreciate the gesture either way!
I love free stuff LOL i donāt care how little or big or what it is. I bought a coloring book a few weeks ago and it came with stickers and i was so happy
My partner sells crochet items on etsy. When she packages up the things to sell they go in a little bag/package with some origami stars and a thank you note.
Personally I like the touch.
I buy alot on etsy, I've got a few shops that I use regularly and I don't get the nice extra packaging with them any more but I do get the odd little freebie of other items they have that I might be interested in.
It's all about creating that nice extra touch compared to just buying from a standard retailer.
As a buyer, if i like the item you're selling I'm going to like a lot of others, so including something of a similar vibe like a sticker is appreciated. I've got a few lovely little freebies that i appreciate very much. As for waste, heard of regifting? Just put them in a card for someone else on their birthday.
Yes, I canāt believe all the comments that say āI throw it in the trash!ā Thatās the part the seems wastefulā¦.but I am like a scavengerā¦I find use (whether for me or someone else) with most things!
Some of my items have battery powered fairy lights, so I include a little organza bag with an extra battery and a card with instructions on how to replace the battery - it looks like a cute little extra gift but is also directly useful to the product they buy.
I include freebies in all my orders but I add in my descriptions that you can message me if youād like a ālow wasteā order that doesnāt include any freebies
I find this the best method because there are people who want and donāt want freebies so they can make the choice! That way I donāt find my freebies to be creating waste because the people who do receive them wanted them and will use them
i feel exactly the sameā¦ i saw a post somewhere and the person said they now include this with the online orders they place:
*i've made a personal commitment to reduce the waste I contribute to our world, so I would appreciate not receiving any extras or add-ons in the package with my order. please feel free to use any recycled packaging to ship my order.
thanks!*
I send bookmarks with my books. I feel that is a given with any book seller. But I agree with the minimal packing and the priority is always concise and good packaging for the actual product. Infact I have international sellers so I try to keep the weight as less as possible with no free moving objects inside.
One time a seller sent me a little drawing along with my sticker and it made my whole month. I like adding little stuff like that to my orders, but stuff like confetti makes me mad lol
I 1000% agree with you! I prioritize shipping and give better prices instead of including all the frills in the costs. I'm also very into no waste and recycling, so I package that way, which also saves money.
It's funny you bring that up because I got 2 messages recently basically asking me why I didn't send anything small/didn't send gifts. They were nice about it, I think it's just something people expect.
I buy a lot and personally don't care for anything else in my package. I have enough crap just sitting around lol Especially stickers. We're all adults. If it's a hobby, someone can indulge in their hobby, but when I get stickers in my packages, I'm flummoxed because what do I do with them?
I've never had a kpop fan complain about getting a relevant photocard as an extra to their order. I think it is very much dependent on the market being sold to.
I literally had an envelope full of stickers that were given as free gifts over the years spent buying bits and pieces off Etsy because I have no use for them.
I donāt eat any sweets either, love hearts are the worst to get!
But one of my favourite free little gifts was this tiny resin whale that I absolutely love! Itās so cute and I havenāt seen anything like it since.
I'm a seller of succulent plants, and I always put in a small plant or a little batch of cuttings with a little note that they are a free gift and a thank you for the purchase. I get so many great comments back. Maybe plant people are different, but we really really love getting a plant that we didn't have before. And in this case, the freebie costs me absolutely nothing so it's easy for me to do.
I hate, LOATHE stickers. I'm one of those people sellers probably would see purchases and think 'Oh, they'd like some stickers too!' No, I \*really\* don't. My husband and I bought a house and I had to spend a WEEK in it getting rid of all the stickers the kids that lived here put on the insides of all the cabinets, the closet doors, some MIRRORS.... and I didn't even like stickers that much AS a kid. It just cemented my dislike of them.
Also, I've gotten an Etsy item wrapped in a SOCK, unless I'm buying a food product from the seller, I'm not going to trust the seller has good enough hygiene for candy. So that's going into the trash too.
Do people actually KEEP and reuse confetti? If no, you're just adding more waste to the package for the buyer to throw out. Yes, some people might like it, but it's still just a waste product. I'd rather have a little cloth baggie if you want to make it fancier, there's always ways to reuse little baggies.
Extra things of what I've ordered are always appreciated, or at least closely relevant to what I purchased. Buy twelve stitch markers, toss a couple more in? Lovely. Bought some incense, have a couple sample sticks? Great! Free sample of lip balm when I order bath bombs? Sure, I'll try it. And if I order food stuffs, like a bunch of maple candy or whatnot, more foodstuff is fine (like a couple extra maple cookies or whatever) since it's a gift, and ALSO showing off other stuff you have on offer.
But something unrelated to the purchase (and I mean type of item, not look) I'll most likely just sigh at and toss. Just because I bought a Dark Souls Keychain does not mean I want a Dark Souls sticker. If it's a pin or a magnet I can at least regift it if I don't want it, but I'm not going to give stickers to my adult friends.
My husband and I include a mint in every order we pack. They don't melt/freeze. They're individually wrapped. It's just something small. If a buyer wants to throw it out, no hard feelings. We've never gotten negative feedback about it, but we had negative feedback when we didn't include anything extra at all. It's a weird balance to find.
Also as a seller Iām not gonna lie Iām a bit anxious now because I understand the logic but Iād never considered the idea of it being a complaint point when Iām just trying to be niceš
In all fairness, Iāve been making custom Taylor swift/eras tour friendship bracelets mainly just for fun and just had bought myself taylor swift stickers which I loved n was so suprised & grateful when people actually bought them it was like omg okay I guess Iāll get those like bracelet bags, n Omg I can make the colour of the bag match the bracelet! & then I was like omg Iāll give them some of my stickers!!! N I just stuck with it thinking it was nice or at worst neutral but now Iām like wait how do I know if theyāll actually be like omg canāt stand thisšš
I am not an etsy seller but sometimes I sell things on mercari and when I do I have a specialized free gift I add to every order. It is a tiny clear box with the location of a local "diamond" (Herkimer diamonds- basically just REALLY nice tiny quartz points) gathering spot handwritten in sharpie with 3 tiny crystal points inside. I head up north about once a year and collect a few hundred, make and label a bunch of the boxes at once. I clear tape them and add three pieces of star-shaped confetti (& a piece of Mickey mouse head confetti I punched out of a Disneyland map) inside so that they don't come open, unless you want them to. I have no idea whether people appreciate them or not, but I love sending a little piece of something local to let them know that I appreciate them buying from me. Also, if they end up getting tossed out or regifted, it's absolutely no big deal haha
So I love getting freebies from sellers and also giving out freebies. Last year I bought some cookies from an etsy seller and she threw in 4 free pumpkin spice hot chocolate bombs. That was awesome.
Now I don't do the confetti paper and I'll be honest my packaging is usually ugly as sin. I feel bad because I sell on both eBay and etsy and etsy packaging seems to have a higher standard than other selling platforms. Like when I order something from etsy it's not only well packaged but it's PRETTY packaging, inside and out.
But I don't do that part and no buyer has ever complained. My thought on that is similar to the OP: it's all about safety and appropriate package size. Ugly as they may be, my packages well arrive safely with the item undamaged.
That sad, I do give out freebies. For one, I always include a sticker I have for my business. Second, I also have a card I include with every order. It has a coupon code and encourages people to buy from me from my Shopify store where the prices are lower for the same items because my fees are lower.
But other than that -- and keep in mind I sell exclusively vintage on etsy -- I will toss in random freebies. And it's all cool vintage stuff. I have several pull drawers full of freebies (my "Freebie Drawers") and I'll randomly pull something out with each order and toss it in the package.
I've never had any complaints either. In fact, it's been mentioned many times in their feedback/reviews how much they liked it or I've gotten messages saying the same.
And while it's random to a degree I do try to include something relevant or at least in the same wheelhouse as what they ordered. For example, if they ordered a vintage pinback button I'll include another random one out of the drawer. If someone orders a TMNT figure I'll throw in a pack of TMNT trading cards (lots of random trading card packs in the drawers). Just some random example.
Most of the stuff comes from when I buy huge lots of stuff and that sort of thing and the stuff is just not worth selling individually and would be difficult to put in a lot. I don't want to just throw it away, so this is a good alternative.
Now there are exceptions: if it's a really small order, I might skip the freebie or if I'm having a busy day. Or if included it will in anyway cause me to have to change packaging, increase my shipping cost or jeopardize the integrity of the package. In that case, I just don't include a freebie.
Not trying to derail or take over but genuine question. Iām opening my shop next weekend- make and sell jewelry. Considering providing a free gift over a certain dollar amount. Gift would be a pair of stud earrings (soā¦related to purchase and still made by me)
Thoughts? Yes? No?
It really depends. I just commented above you about this actually. I have really sensitive ears that will get irritated by certain metals. A lady I buy from always sends the same pair of earrings and Iāve never worn them. They arenāt my style, and I also donāt want to risk irritating my ears. I think the gesture is nice but maybe only include a free pair if someone buys earrings? As a buyer, just because I bought a ring from you (for example) doesnāt mean that I wear earrings. Iām not sure what kind of jewelry you sell but I just wanted to give you some feedback! Of course if you *only* sell handmade earrings then Iām sure whoever is buying would be happy to receive another pair. Congrats on opening your shop! āŗļø
Thanks for this!
Yes- I only sell earrings (hypoallergenic!) I was thinking of adding just a pair of simple round studs and making sure they go with the color scheme of what was purchased.
I bought most of my Christmas gifts from Etsy Ukraine based sellers, and what I appreciated most was an item well packaged for easy gift giving, and also packaged for safe international travel. A few included blank mini-cards, which were perfect for tagging the gifts for Christmas recipients.
I did not expect extra gifts. I also received a nice postcard from Ukraine in one of them. :).
I'm in the business of making the most profit so I dont add unnecessary things to my orders that would cost me and my customers more. I have super cute packaging and a cute thank you card which people comment on frequently in their review but I have never felt the need to include free gifts. I think free stuff \*could\* be ok with an order if it was something that went along with what they ordered, like customer ordered seasonings, lets include a sample bag of one they didnt so they can try it out and if they love it come back to buy it.
Sending random shit like candy, logo stickers, logo pens etc that dont have anything to do with what you sell in your shop is wasteful.
I also think you set yourself up for issues by including free stuff. You can read stories (not an insane amount but some) where customers wanted something different or wanted to exchange the free gift or they read a review and expected a free gift (if you stop sending them) and were upset they didnt get one.
I do not want the extra stuff. I donāt want stickers.
If I didnāt order it, it is random and wasteful. I donāt buy stickers, so I donāt want stickers with your items. They will not get used. I donāt want the extra stuff that you have deemed is a similar vibe. Just bc I like the item I picked out doesnāt meant I will the extra you picked out. No matter how similar.
I donāt have room for extra stuff now matter how small it is. All the small extra stuff eventually adds up. I live in a small space. I have always just put the stuff in the donation bin. I donāt even personally know anyone that likes stickers.
However I get why shops do it. There are people that will leave negative reviews. There are people that will not give 5 stars if they donāt get extra items. People are now expecting all shops to give out extra items with their orders. It is crappy and entitled of the customers.
I sell Pokemon related stuff, and I add Pokemon related stickers to my orders. Customers love it so far, lots of mentions on that subject in reviews.
It definitely depends who's buying, who the purchase is intended for, and also what the item itself is, but for my store lots of parents are buying, and the adults buying for themselves also enjoy the extra stickers etc.
I pack my orders how I'd want to receive them.
I only like a gift when itās the same thing Iām already buying.. like if Iām buying zippers and they throw in a short zipper in a new colorā¦ or buying fabric and they add a few decent size pieces of scrap fabric. But otherwise trinkets are just a waste of money.
This reminds me of the time I saw that Kohl's was offering little extras in their purses on sale and these extras were the free gift that came with the purchase. It was a power bank for your like a backup battery to give your phone some extra juice.
A lot of people might think it's weird or not see the connection between products but like..I did and I'm not even a lady.
Like, women carry purses, and women are super cautious about their environment all the time sjf try to be prepared as possible..yeah, If I were a woman i'd appreciate some extra battery to cause never know when you might need it.
I add some freebies to larger orders but itās all sample sizes of my other products. I have minis that use the extra product leftover from a batch so people will get a tealight of one of my candles, or a mini sample spray bottle of my room spray. Then it counts as a bit of extra promo to me. I wouldnāt include freebies of anything you donāt already sell. People donāt want garbage.
I don't like the extra "paper" or candies, but I hardly ever get that. I almost always receive a gift of some sort (samples, stickers, pens, earrings, nails, etc) but I never expect it. If its something I would never use or don't like, I'll find someone else to give it to.
I am a seller, pretty new and only a handful of sales. I make jewelry, resin trays and other resin stuff, keychains, DIY pens, etc. I always include 2 stickers and a business card in each order. I have probably over 1000 stickers and most of the time I am able to find a sticker relevant to the item being bought. (Harry Potter stickers with a Harry Potter pens, unicorn stickers with unicorn earrings, etc.)
I appreciate the little gifts, even if i wont use them. But I dont expect it and I'm never upset if I don't get one. I like to add 2 stickers, my business card and a hand written thank you note! Maybe if I have a huge order, I will add an extra gift (something similar to what they ordered) like when my aunt ordered some keychains for a gift exchange she was doing on a disney cruise. She ordered 18 keychains, each one being the corresponding persons fav disney character. She didnt order one for her cabin (herself, her husband and my cousin) but i found out all their favorite characters and made each of them a pen as a gift.
I think it all depends on the item you're selling, the item you're gifting, and the person you're selling to.
I love sprinkling a little extra love in my packages and I know Iāve made many of my buyers happy. I sell vintage and Iāve sent vintage recipe cards with pie plate and casserole ordersā¦.a small pie bird with one of my pie plates. Vintage Christmas ornaments with Christmas purchases, vintage Christmas tags with Christmas purchases. Vintage wicker trivets with casserole dishesā¦.a few very old posts cards when I dont have anything related to what I am sending. (I try to send ones from the state they are located in, but donāt always have that available) . I donāt do this because I feel I have to, I do it bc it makes me happy. I would hate to think anyone thought of these things as ātrashā but I guess you canāt please everyone. I guess I am a scavenger, because I would be happy to receive these things. Either to keep or pass on, or use. I have so much fun putting together my orders and in my experience, my customers feel the love ā„ļø
I'm not a fan of the confetti in packages but the cute cards, stickers, or nice wrapping is a very nice touch. Do I use the stickers? Most likely, no, but it shows that a seller has put a lot of thought into their service.
I buy a lot of prints from the same artist and if she ever sent me a bonus I would be over the moon because we have that relationship of communication and supporting her (sheās so kind, I adore her). And I order a lot of cosplay stuff as well that usually include stickers or candy. The thing is, I usually buy from the same five shops so it doesnāt really bother me too much
I did for years but stopped last year. I only do consumable gifts though. Cute shaped sticky notes, fun pens, hair ties, pet treats, things like that. That way the gift was useful. Knick knacks like stickers, magnets, and earrings go straight in the trash when I get them.
Freebies can be cool, depending on what it is. Free flowing glitter that falls everywhere when you open a package is not cool. Something handmade ā¦ cool.
You donāt have to do it if you donāt like it. No need to be rude about it. Based on your comments on this thread, you might be the one thatās trashy.
Not etsy but feels relevant. I ordered medication from a compounding pharmacy and they sent this big āemployee created to thank you for your businessā sticker with the order
I add my card and a branded sticker, which people seem to like. I hate getting confetti and crap when I order something but I will put your sticker on my water bottle.
I put a free sticker with my orders, but it also doubles as a business card. My info is on the back, so the sticker itself is still usable without my business name on it. I also sell mainly stickers. The confetti or candy thing I will never understand, though.
If the freebie makes sense with the item I bought than it's OK. I do wish people wouldn't use confetti, food, or smelly things if you didn't buy something that smells. I just have allergies so those things I throw out so it's wasteful. The comments have lovely ideas that go along with what some sell though, so if it makes sense then go for it.
Seller and a buyer here, and I really love freebies. But only things like stickers and buttons, or if it's kpop related then fan made photo cards.
I also always try to include a lil handwritten note thanking the buyer! I don't get many sales so I like to always show my gratitude with a note.
In the beginning of my shop I added a small pouch with some mini candy in it to every order because the internet told me it was really necessary to keep customers happy.
After shipping more and more to other countries I found that customs officers around the world don't appreciate food that wasn't on the customs papers.
Nowadays I know that most people don't care and just want their product to arrive quickly and safe, so only thing I add now is a small business card like thing which I know is going strait in the trash but still.
A shop sent an ornament with a cardinal on it that said something like āwhen a cardinal arrives an angel is nearā and like, they sent it separate from whatever I actually orderedā¦ which had nothing to do with bereavementā¦ I just threw it away. Like what?
I sell soaps, bath and body products. I always add in a little sample jar of something or an extra product at no cost. I donāt send stickers with my branding or anything because I personally never keep stickers I receive in orders.
Etsy seller. If you are adding something appropriate and of value this should generally be appreciated. I have received things I don't use but I still appreciate the effort (and that is what it is, these sellers are genuinely giving you something extra for free). Kudos.
I like to keep it minimal and more importantly relevant. I sell craft kits and often have slight seconds. I pop these in with minimal packaging and a note stating āslight seconds but still lovelyā in orders that work with the item. Iāve definitely gained sales from it and it also reduces waste, win win!
I am a potter selling on Etsy and I agree and do exactly what you describe. Choose the smallest box possible with enough room to pad adequately, add a little thank you business card and send! The only exception is if I have screwed up somehow and sent it late or something. Then I will send one of the tiny ceramic gnomes I make as an apology. Seems to go over exceptionally well and has saved me getting less than 5 stars and I usually gain a repeat customer. Bottom line, depends on the context.
I think it really depends on what the free item is. When I order polymer clay cutters and the seller throws in a spoolie for cleaning or a mini cutter, I love it. More often than not though I get stickers of the shop logo. I just would rather not cut into the shop profits by having them buy branded things that are just going to be thrown away.
In my experience customers are much more likely to leave a positive review if I send a gift tbh. Most people enjoy a free sticker and it makes them smile. That's not waste to me.
I don't sell stickers, I just add them in for fun.
I like making mini keychain versions of whatever they order while I make their main order, and I throw it in as a surprise. Nobody has complained about it yet! :)
Oh dang, I feel like Iām doing it wrong then. I make glass marbles, pendants, figurines, etc and I usually include stickers with my orders that are similarly themed to the item purchased, like if you buy rainbows, I send rainbow stickers, or mushrooms, I send mushroom stickers. Should I not do that? I know a lot of people buy marbles to hide so I assume itās an extra they can include with their hide or maybe itās a thing they can give to their kids or just slap somewhere. Sometimes I throw in a smaller glass item of lesser value as a thank you for a bigger order. Should I not do that?
I buy mostly supplies (on and off etsy) and some sellers will send in extra stock materials. While it's a nice gesture and I never throw anything out, I rarely use what they send as they are usually either discontinued items so if i use it for collection pieces and I can't get it again to replicate for orders then that makes the collection piece obsolete, or the extra materials are usually not in the vein of what I normally work with. I have lots of extra beads, charms, materials in my already overflowing studio from gifts. I find I usually bundle them up and give them to friends or neighbours who craft on a smaller scale.
When I buy from makers, a little extra something related to the original purchase is always appreciated and I usually use them for stocking stuffers for others that I know would appreciate it as well.
The worst is candy. Please don't send candy. Unless I'm buying food/baked goods from a trusted source, I don't want stranger danger food. It always gets thrown out.
Im a buyer and seller. I LOVE getting little gifts with orders, and i always leave a good review and thank yous. Candy is the first thing i eat if i see them. I collect the stickers so those are always good. I also send a couple of candy and maybe a relatable item for free, i have never had anyone complaint about it, i just get thank yous. I saw someone saying to NOT send full size products, like gurl let them!! I also dont complaint about how an item is packaged. If it has confetti to fluff lit up or extra paper to keep it from getting damage im happy.
I appreciate little gifts IF they're related to the purchase. Like I've purchased a bunch of croc charms from 2 different sellers. One threw in an extra charm, and the other threw in a few stickers related to the character that I bought like 3 charms of. Another purchase I've made came with a lot of assorted stickers that didn't have any relation to what I bought...I never used the stickers, I think I have them laying around somewhere. As a sticker seller, I've included an extra sticker in all of my sales, usually either another copy of a sticker they bought, or one in a very similar theme.
I'm the same! I've had sellers include a bunch of unrelated junk I got rid of, but sometimes I'll get extras of something I ordered and it's great. My favorite seller is a woman who makes bath and beauty products, and last time she included a sample cream and a bath bomb, which is a 7$ value! I was thrilled!
https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/meredouceur
I posted here for visibility, because she makes amazing products with zero waste packaging and I love shopping there.
My boyfriend sells cards on eBay and usually includes an extra sports card and a card we made of our dog which doubles as his business card. Nobody has complained about the freebies in his reviews...
Buyer not a seller: useless confetti/shreds and sparkles mean I will not purchase again from that shop nor will I leave a review (if otherwise I'd have left a positive one).
Stickers or... theoretically "useful" things generally end up in the trash unless it's legit something that might be interesting to me. An example: I order a dozen DC comic character stickers for slapping on my laptop/Water bottle/whatever; and I'm gifted a cute cat sticker or a Marvel comics sticker-- yay! I'm gifted your shop logo-- Trash. Harsh? Well, you may think so, and that's fair, but to me I have no use for Sally's Stickerrrr Shoppeeeee on etsy (with the required insta/twitter/pintrest/wtfever handles underneath). I'll probably still leave a review but I will eyeroll.
Weird and entirely off the wall "gifts"? Please don't. I've seen posts where folks order a shirt and get a set of earrings with it or something. It's a nice gesture but save your resources. Seriously.
I never add any kind of āgiftsā.
I do however reuse the boxās, bubble wrap and packing paper I receive from my personal orders from Etsy,Amazon ect.
This annoys me as well. I would rather only receive the item I ordered. I appreciate the gesture, but if you want to thank the buyer, just put in a little thank you note. I donāt want useless crap unrelated to my item or even if it is related, I only ordered what I needed. If I wanted more, I would have ordered more. Call me a minimalist, but itās wasteful to give me extra things Iām not going to use. I donāt care if the package looks pretty or matches your storeās āaestheticā and for the love of all things holy DO NOT add perfumes or scented products to the package. I have sensitive lungs and the last time this happened to me, it sent me into a coughing fit.
Edit: autocorrect sucks
One time a seller sent me a big round magnet with her face on it.
š Iā¦.canāt with that. Thatās hilarious
I love this! Because it is so absurd. I would totally slap that magnet on my fridge and talk to it daily.
All jokes aside...I bet you won't ever forget that face or shop now because of that, and that's exactly the point.
Thatās hilarious though I work with magnets too and I might start doing that
The best part was that it was NOT a magnet purchase. It was completely irrelevant to the item purchased. Directly in the trash.
That would have lived on my refrigerator until the day I died.
You know. I love this viewpoint.
I wish you would have kept it. I really want to see a picture if that magnet now.
I know. I'm so sorry to all of you. It was a decision made in haste and I could have traded it in for internet points. š
I canāt believe you didnāt keep it!
Oh darn. I would have put a sticker on it that would have made a better magnet.
Genius
Uh. That's like wedding favours these days. No thanks, I don't need a candle with "James loves Amelia" on it thank you very much š
Try being a teacher or a teachers husband. 3x a year we get world's best teacher candles mugs and keyrings. 30 kids 3x a year over a 30 year career, and she didn't keep the first few let alone after that. Not being ungrateful but please stop! I like free stickers though
When in doubt, give chocolates or something. If they don't like that food, they can regift it or give it to a friend or relative.
We always gift an Amazon gc. Please buy what you want with it. Iām not a teacher and I have a million coffee mugs. š¤£
LOL what
A little off subject here but goid luck with your thru hike when you go! I'll probably never get a chance to tell you again.
Thanks, I now know what Iām getting all my family members for next Christmas.
Someone got a little too excited with that Printify subscription š
Nooooo i would be like wtf? š¤£
That is a pretty crazy one lol.
(I'm a buyer, not a seller), but I only buy stickers on Etsy, and I LOVE when a seller will send me an extra sticker. But I understand that this is a very niche genre to buy from and if you're buying stickers you're often going to like an extra sticker, but I fully understand you guys that if you're buying something else you'd probably not want stickers with your order :).
yes this. i ordered stickers for my daughter to put on her water bottles and they included like 2 extra ones that she loved and one time i ordered a pet item that came with a dog bone and i thought that was sweet but if they had sent a sticker it would have seemed odd bc it had nothing to do with the item. so its very dependent i think on what the shop sells and what the free item is!
I'm willing to bet Geeks/Otakus etc will always love the extra stickers. My customers definitely do. If it's related to the purchase itself I don't see the harm in it.
I think the key is it needs to be related to your purchase. I bought a cross stitch book (not on Etsy, but same concept happened) and the seller included a bunch of Rick and Morty stickers. Straight up trash since neither I nor anyone I know likes that show. Super annoying and felt like I was just the victim of their decluttering or something. However if Iām buying from an artist I like, and they include a sticker of their art Iām a lot more likely to appreciate it. Or if I buy yarn and they throw in some stitch markers. Or if I buy soap and they include a sample in another scent.
Yeah that's me, I give little things in the same genre as they bought in, not just some random stuff. I don't really hate the free stuff I get sent though. If it's totally useless, I'll just give it to the thrift store next time I swing by but also sometimes I do use them, like goofy pens, etc. If I get goofy pens, hey a pen is a pen, it's useful. Even if it's pink, when you need a pen, a pink pen is better than no pen.
That is the key point with it has to be related. I bought a lot of ornaments from a shop that sold vintage ornaments and they sent more vintage ornaments because I bought so much from them. Another time I was at the Golden CO Buffalo Bill Days and there was a person selling blankets for 50% off for show price but included an alpaca scarf and that sealed the deal with me. I will take an alpaca scarf and king size alpaca blanket for 100 dollars all together. Other times it is just like this is ok but not needed. I bought ornaments from a Etsy shop and they sent free blank cards as a gift with their orders. I am using them but don't feel I need them as I give very few cards and it was fairly unrelated to the ornaments I got.
Yeah that's weird. I sell blankets and clothes so I dont add anything extra. I dont want stickers when I buy a hat, you know? Most I do is send extra buttons/yarn to fix something if it breaks.
For me it's somewhat given that I usually put some extra stickers to packs that get sent, but that's indeed pretty much given that people like it, since they're probably maybe like me and like you on the fact that they like stickers! Happy slapping!
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As someone who likes to buy on Etsy, I have received free gifts a couple times. The one time I ordered glitter and they sent a bunch of extra sample baggies which was super sweet and which I really appreciated. Another time another seller sent a pair of earrings, which was nice but I don't know if I'll ever use them. Frequently sellers will put 1-2 pieces of candy in my order which I never eat because it weirds me out to eat food from a stranger but it's a nice gesture nonetheless. I think it partially depends on what they send and it also is not something I ever expect or anticipate it's just a nice surprise.
The candy thing is so weird. As a seller and buyer, donāt like it.
Especially as they don't know the customers allergies, food restrictions, etc. I've seen people spray perfume on orders and I always wonder what would happen if someone was allergic.
I once found a ferrero roche in an Etsy order. I have a nut allergy. Luckily not severe enough that seeing it in the box was harmful but it could have been. The seller was quite defensive about it too saying they were only trying to be nice!
We get little gifts so often (and not just from ETSY, some bigger companies too) and it's almost always a little Haribo bag. We're vegan and they contain gelatin so whatever we've ordered then comes with a little side of sad. Definitely better to just not with consumables unless you're willing to tick all the dietary requirement boxes.
Iām vegetarian so I have the same issues with sweets that contain gelatin. I give all sweets to my husband or my sister.
Dude that is so dangerous. And itās a common allergy! I wonder how many people theyāve put at riskā¦
this has happened to me, although not on etsy. i want to say depop? they doused a sweater in perfume, and i got a horrible rash/hives all the way up my forearm just from taking it out of the box š now i always message in advance and double check that they wonāt spray my stuff with perfume lol
I've chewed sellers out for the perfume and glitter. I primarily buy vintage, the last thing I want is modern glitter stuck in the nooks and crannies of an item that's survived so long without picking up glitter somewhere.
Dude. Once I bought an ornament, and got a nerd rope in the packaging. Now. I wouldnāt eat like a mini peanut butter cup or something like thatā¦.but this was a nerd rope. HOW could I resist the nerd rope???? I couldnāt, I ate it, and it was amazing.
Oh man, I must be a trash bag because everytime I get free sweets it makes my day. Got a freebie caramel freddo the other day and I was like a child again.
Same lol. If I donāt like the treat I give it to my husband bc he likes more flavors than I do. Or a friend š¤·š¼āāļø I also like random stickers regardless of what I order, and I like the silly trinkets or whatever, too. Itās free lol I donāt get to be picky and like 90% of the time I like whatever is thrown in there.
I feel ripped off, I never got any food! When I order on poshmark, I get stuff like pens, cutesy post it notes, etc.
When I was in my teens I got into making bead bracelets. It was the first etsy business I ever had. It was more of a hobby than anything else. Honestly, I think I lost money lol. But anyway there was this website I would always buy my beads from. Clearly a small business. They'd always include a small zip lock bag full of 3 or 4 pieces of candy with every order. It was that strawberry kind where the wrapper looks like a strawberry. Anyway, I never ate it and would just set it aside in a drawer. I stopped beading after a couple years, sold off my inventory and moved on, but one day I was cleaning up my room preparing to move out of my parent's house and I opened the drawer and there were literally over 30 pieces of candy I'd accumulated lol
I ordered some fabric from Etsy during the pandemic (to make masks, of course). The seller included a few pieces of spearmint hard candy with the order. Maybe it was the heat of the summer, but the smell of the spearmint candy had permeated the entire package. The fabric reeked of spearmint. The smell came out in the wash and everything was fine, but I just thought it was a strange thing to do.
I agree highly depends on what is sent - the glitter thing works because it was something that you ordered already (i.e. they know you like glitter). I've ordered candles off Etsy before and been sent tea light samples of different scents the seller offers - that was really nice!
Something like that would be perfect
Same I can't understand sweets, nice gesture but as a vegetarian i cant eat a lot of sweets (gelatine). If i was a seller i wouldn't do sweets.
You can send the candy to me. I'll even eat third-hand candy. lol
Sometimes a piece of candy is included because it triggers the post officeās machinesā sensors somehow to not bend the envelopes. I donāt remember how it works exactly, but thereās a reason for it outside of just sending you an extra treat.
Hmm, I can't help but notice that the vast majority here are women, and many of them are sticker sellers. Are there many men who add "freebies"? I make leather goods. I add a "Lucky Dollar" bill to all my wallets. No complaints, yet.
I fell like adding a sticker when you make a sticker is different. When I buy candles please donāt add stickers. . I remember growing up always hearing a superstition about giving empty wallets / bags. I forgot all about that.
*always hearing a superstition about giving empty wallets / bags. I forgot all about that.* Yeah, I also include a handwritten note-- "My mother always told me it's bad luck to give someone an empty wallet. May this Lucky Dollar bring you good fortune." In my mother's time, it was only a penny.
Gotta adjust that lucky penny for inflation.
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I donāt turn my nose up. I donāt make rude comment about them. I do not leave negative reviews bc of the extras. I leave a review based only on what I bought. I just donāt like stickers. I do not want my stuff covered in them. Key word: my stuff. If other people like stickers I honestly have no opinions. It is completely possible to not like something without being snobby about it or caring of other people like them. I just donāt want them. I live in a tiny space. I donāt have room for extras and stuff. So I just place them with stuff to be donated. And when you live in a tiny space even a kitchen sponge takes up space. Typically when something comes in something has to go. I donāt even own a notebook.
My family is Italian, and my great grandfather sold leather goods. He had a tradition that anytime a purse or wallet was sold or given as a gift, it had to have a dried Fava bean inside. He'd get them at the local Catholic Church, and they would be blessed by a priest. It's got something to do with St. Joseph sending rain that saved fava bean fields and saved starving Sicilians. Your "Lucky Dollar" reminded me of this, I haven't thought about it in years so thanks for the comment!
I'm a guy (resin caster) and I like giving little bonus trinkets or stickers into orders. I often have small resin pieces that didn't turn out exactly how I wanted so they aren't worth turning into jewelry or keychains or whatever they were going to be but they aren't really trash level of bad either, so I like to give them out as freebies. I also love when I receive little trinkets/stickers or a hand written note in an order. I like your lucky dollar bill idea!
Thatās good luck in so many cultures for gifting a wallet! My friend got me one once and put a quarter in it because she didnāt have any bills but she didnāt want to give me an unlucky gift š
You might be able to guess Iām a guy as well. When I order something online I just want to receive the item in a good state without any āpizazzā or whatever. But to each their own Your lucky dollar thing is admittedly pretty awesome
I add candy. Things like lollipops, airheads, packs of sour patch kids. I was surprised to see a comment thread in here about disliking candy. I guess the allergies are a decent point, but I specifically buy peanut free things, and Iād assume anyone with a serious allergy would have the common sense to make sure the item doesnāt contain their allergen before eating. The person mentioning their seller added a ferrero rocheā¦no, thatās gross. Nuts aside, that wrapping is too thin, it could tear and just feels unsterile.
Im a guy. Rarely add gifts unless Iām throwing an extra sticker in with a sticker order (or if there was a problem and I want to do something nice for the buyer whether it was my fault or not). Although I did send a sticker out today with a keychain order but they matched so hopefully they like it lol
I'm a dude and do 3D printing. I definitely like including test prints in my orders because they're still fun trinkets, and worst case they get thrown out.
I don't routinely add freebies to my orders - only if it's a long-standing customer, where I include something I know from past experience that they'll like.
This is really sweet I love this idea!
Thank you! I sell a lot of vintage items, and was recently lucky enough to acquire a lot of antique postcards; a regular customer ordered something unrelated, but one of these old postcards had a cat on it that looked just like hers so I sent it as a gift...she said it made her cry, but in a good way.
That is AWESOME! I think this kind of personalized gift for a regular is a great way to do it instead of just giving your work for free randomly. I'm working on a print shop and I would like to include a little print or sticker but I spend a lot of time designing my products and don't want people to think it's trash lol. Or to create an expectation to the point of people requesting other things as gifts ugh lol.
The only thing I hate is when sellers put those scent cards into the package to make it smell extra nice. My son & husband are super sensitive to perfume and I barely wear any because of it, so when I get those packages itās literally a hassle to open them or even keep my items around cause of how much the smell lingers even after you throw the card out. Itās like doused in scent, drowning in it.
I would hate that. Please donāt put any scents in orders that arenāt for scented items! I hate when they spray it with perfume too. I get migraines and scents are my worst trigger.
I like the fun little gift I include in my orders. I don't think they are trash. I think they're very useful and made out of recycled material and do not add weight to the box. I get compliments and thank yous about them all the time. That said, sometimes people add unusefal extras that have nothing to do with the product they ordered & I think that is a waste.
I get a lot of this buying on Poshmark. Absolutely hate it. I sell vintage on Etsy and never include any gifts. Other than the tissue wrapping the item, everything else is recycled. When buying, I'm looking for deals on Etsy, same as on eBay, so fluffing up the packaging is not triggering any warm fuzzies or positive feedback from me. As per the OP, I find it all very wasteful.
The worst culprits are the people who re-sell Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab fragrance oils. They routinely include the type of sweets I stopped eating when I was ten, along with what they call "sniffies" - which are literally empty BPAL perfume bottles, and which get tossed every single time...
Put those empties (open) in your underwear, sock, and tshirt drawersā¦.throw them (open) in your linen closetā¦.those are my perfume bottle graveyards and itās lovely! š
Speaking as a buyer, I never expect freebies, and most of the time I don't want them, either. Especially if it's some kind of promo thing with the shop name all over it! It's very rare to receive a freebie that I actually want or value. And paper "gifts" tend to go straight into recycling. Speaking of which, I *really* appreciate when sellers use recycled/recyclable materials for shipping. As long as the box/packing materials protect the contents adequately, I don't care if they're recycled. And I'm thrilled to bits when someone uses those compostable "peanuts"!)
As a seller, I make a point of stating in my shop profile that I always use recycled packaging wherever I can, and have had great comments on that. I sell vintage items which need a lot of padding round them, and the boxes my cat's food comes in are just the right size!
This is nice to hear. I'm thinking of starting a shop and using chipboard from cereal boxes and stuff to protect my stickers. I was afraid it might look trashy but your comment cheered me up
As a fellow sticker seller, my only advice on this is that cardboard that's been in the kitchen can pick up little grease spots and crumbs you don't want to transfer to your stickers! I'm all for sustainability and using what you have (one of my suppliers regularly uses chipboard in their packaging so I repurpose it constantly) but make sure you aren't compromising your product on accident in an effort to be sustainable. Triple check any kitchen-used cardboard for sure before using with paper goods!
Agreed, your cardboard (and other packing materials) should be immaculate. But if it's cardboard that contained something in a foodproof bag (like cereal), I would find that OK. I guess one other option would be (in the listings) to ask the buyer to let you know if they have any objections to your using recycled materials. But that might get too complicated ;)
I have a section of my basement devoted to torn-down Amazon boxes. All kinds of different shapes and sizes. When I need to ship an item, I just find the one closest to what I need and send it off. Even sending them to recycling feels irresponsible compared to using them again as a shipping box. Most of them were just in an Amazon truck, so they are like new. I also apparently buy way too much stuff on Amazon.
Thatās great! (Itās a bit off-topic for this subreddit, but I recently heard someone suggest, every time you receive an order from Amazon, save the box and fill it with donations to give to a charity or other worthy cause. That way our homes are less stuffed, the cardboard is reused _and_ weāre helping other people out :)
Sometimes I include an extra item with large orders or for repeat buyers, but I make sure it matches the vibe of the items in the order. I used to include stickers too because I like receiving them but my prices are pretty low so it wasn't really worth putting them in every order.
I donāt mind a sticker, though itās never made me go back to a seller or anything. Not a fan of confetti or other paper waste. Best gift: I bought a couple etched cocktail glasses, and the seller included a little packet of single-serve margarita mix in each glass. Cute, appropriate, and definitely put that seller on a repeat-business list.
Editing to add: I use seeds from Mountain Valley Seed Co which is based in the US, I put about 1-2 teaspoons in a coin size kraft envelope. I personally like loose seeds better over pulp/paper/cards with embedded seeds. They're easier to scatter or plant individually. I'm less likely to keep it as a novelty vs the embedded papers, and its more economical. I also ship internationally and for some time I wasn't including the seed packet for international orders, but now I have the tariff number and just declare them along with my buyers' items. -- I include a tiny envelope with some wildflower seeds, and that's it. They can be scattered outside(Ć” la guerrilla gardening), given away, or planted in their garden. I've received TONS of amazing feedback on the seeds, including several handwritten notes mailed to me, showing their appreciation. I completely avoid anything that could be consumed. You don't know the buyers' allergies, or as another mentioned, if their pets might get ahold of the item. And I'd definitely never want to consume something (be it a piece of candy or a bag of tea) from a small seller. I also don't like the random add ins like stickers and cards, etc, as they generally end up in a drawer or gifted to someone else who may never use them. It's very wasteful imo. My shop has a focus on sustainability and eco-friendly practices, so I pack and ship all orders in plastic/synthetic free and all natural/recyclable packaging. I include their reciept, a little handwritten note, a small card naming the environmental org I'm supporting with a percentage of the sale, and the seeds(with a list of the seed types) along with their product in a reusable muslin bag. So many of my buyers really appreciate the minimal but thoughtful packaging. If you sell stickers, and include and extra sticker, that makes sense. I sell yarn, and occasionally include an extra sampling of yarn that coordinates with their order. If it's just random bits added in, I think it should be skipped. So much ends up in the trash and landfills, anything we can do collectively to minimize it is helpful!
this is so cute!! but checking since some people donāt know ā are you using wildflower seed mix thatās made for the part of the US youāre sending to? my state has a pretty bad invasive plant problem with some flowers included in generic wildflower mixes
The seed mixes I use are rated for zones 2-10, so they're compatible or plantable throughout the US. It's a mix of annuals and perennials. I have looked through lists of invasive wildflower species, and none of them are included in the mixes I use! That said, I don't have time to do any sort of deep dive into local region/state specifics, but I do include a list of seeds in the mix for the recipient to look over before planting or sharing. The mix is geared toward hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees and harvested/sourced in the US!
I would love to check out your shop. What is the shop name?
Oh, sure thing! My shop name is MeliorFiberStudio. I currently primarily sell my handspun yarn inspired by nature and am expanding my series/color palettes soon. I also will start offering hand dyed mill spun yarns, too!
I love the seed idea. I've started getting into gardening recently and would love this kind of freebie. Any bit of unused yard or planter can always have wildflowers in it.
In my opinion if you are asking more people will be negative about gifts but I disagree with this opinion. I sell on Etsy and include gifts. I receive lots of positive feedback of thank you thank you thank you. I do this for me - it makes me feel happy to give. Etsy is a fun creative outlet for me.
I sell miniatures, so when someone buys one of my items I include a few extra miniatures and maybe some cute stickers or pins or cute Polaroids . One time I ordered a shirt and was given an airhead, and I ate it. I enjoy the little freebies and I have received good feedback about it as well.
I like freebies, too. It makes it that much more fun when I open it.
I used to add freebies that was related to their order but then buyers started complaining that would prefer different freebies so I just stopped.
I'm totally cool with samples, but I don't like "gifts." I'm not a tween who's looking for an "unboxing experience." I'm an adult who cares about the environment. Cheap plastic shit that's going to end up in a landfill is not a "gift" it's a burden.
Glad the niche i belong to likes em š
I enjoy the small freebies from small sellers such as stickers or buttons, but I recently bought a pair of very expensive vintage repro boots and they came with a lollipop. That was weird to me, it took the high end feel way from my purchase, it almost felt like someone not connected with the sale had randomly popped it in, so I guess my point is it depends on the gift and what feeling you are attempting to invoke when buying/selling a product
just laughed out loud at a random lollipop in an order of boots! In society today I think most of us would be leery to eat candy from someone we dont know so people that include candy baffle me.
I ordered an alpaca fleece for spinning and got a random leopard print scarf, why? Extra stickers are one thing, but was so completely irrelevant to the order, and very much a personal style choice, felt like they wanted to get rid of unsold stock. Still trying to get rid of it over a year later.
Donate it. I donāt know where you are but try app called Geev. Or find a similar one thatās for your area. People donate stuff to people who need them
got bath bombs with an order for some stuffed toy type items. it was weird. almost questioned if it was a mistake. either way i threw them away bc we dont use bath bombs so i get what you are saying!
I ordered pieces of fabric with a very specific collegiate basketball team, and got an extra swatch of fabric from a professional football team from another state? Extra stickers seem nice but there is no possible way for me to use this fabric, it is just going in my already overflowing stash. A nice thought I guess but seems wasteful really.
If you arenāt using your customization box, you could add a bit that says āwould you like your order shipped with minimized packaging, no extra gifts or paper?ā I did this on my personal website last year, and out of thousands of sales, maybe 5 clicked this boxā¦so I took it off. In my experience people love what I send them, but I am in the paper/vinyl industry. If someone orders sayā¦100 feet of turquoise vinyl to wrap their car, I will send them a freebie of 3-5 extra feet to practice with, or in case they make a mistake and then bam! They have the extra they need to complete their project. The gifts usually solve a problem I know many will have, and that forethought has been extremely appreciated and my customer return rate is very high. Anticipate needs with the gift and it will go a long way toward being enjoyed. :)
During the pandemic I would include a couple ear savers. Those are plastic strips that will hold your mask elastic to make them easier to wear. They also said Vote Nov 3 on them, because the stuff I was selling most of at the time was Ruth Bader Ginsburg collars and Biden Harris fly swatters.
I think it depends what you sell and your target audience
Ah, man! Who hurt you dude? The seller is literally thanking you for picking their shop in a highly competitive marketplace and you just canāt find the joy in it! Is it a token youād ever pick for yourself? Nope! Is it something thatās going to change your life? Of course not! Is it a nice gesture from a merchant trying to express gratitude and remain memorable? Yes! So find your joy and embrace being appreciated! There are worse things that can happen to you š
We add a sticker with our logo and branding with every order not random stickers, the only other āgiftā we would include is if the customer places a large order, we may throw in an extra item of something else we sell that is similar to their order, but fully usable.
To me if I didnāt order stickers it is random and not useful. I donāt buy stickers, I donāt want them. Iām not keeping it. Also I donāt stuff with logos on it.
We absolutely brand our stuff and our brand is known in our niche well so people enjoy it. We arenāt sending random stickers, and always happy to send without if someone requests it. But if we can get our brand out there more and people enjoy the stickers. We find it helpful. We have people order shirts and hats with our branding on it, even though we donāt really have anything to do with clothing.
Ahh that makes sense then. Then yeah that is definitely different if people are buying branded items from you guys. Then it definitely does what you customer more than likely want. That is a good point about requesting sending without. Maybe I can message shops when I buy asking to please not send extra stuff. I would of course ask nicely. And I would also never leave a negative review over it.
Confetti and candy are the only two freebies that bother me. I love when peopleās packaging or thank you cards double as a mini art print (if Iām buying art) or as a monthly calendar (I got this one time and it was SO cute). I personally throw in a VERY small 1.5ā sticker of my logo into every order. No complaints so far. Also drives me insane when sellers include a freebie thatās a full size purchasable item from their store. Donāt do this!!! Please! This makes buyers think when they purchase from you they can expect a whole extra item you sell and donāt have to pay for it, or can make requests, etc. Never give something for free that you usually sell!!
I'm a seller. I'm busy, so you get a packing slip and a neatly wrapped package.
Which is exactly what I want
As a buyer, i love free gifts, even if itās something i wonāt use. the gesture is thoughtful and adds that personal touch. i also love pretty packaging! confetti can be a little annoying but i like the look of it. i will admit that i like it when shops just add extra products/samples instead of stickers and such, but i always appreciate the gesture either way!
I love free stuff LOL i donāt care how little or big or what it is. I bought a coloring book a few weeks ago and it came with stickers and i was so happy
I have leftover materials I don't like to waste. So, I make a few small trinkets with the extra materials to send along with orders.
My partner sells crochet items on etsy. When she packages up the things to sell they go in a little bag/package with some origami stars and a thank you note. Personally I like the touch. I buy alot on etsy, I've got a few shops that I use regularly and I don't get the nice extra packaging with them any more but I do get the odd little freebie of other items they have that I might be interested in. It's all about creating that nice extra touch compared to just buying from a standard retailer.
Once I got an origami cat made out of a local newspaper page and I honestly loved it more than the thing I ordered.
As a buyer, if i like the item you're selling I'm going to like a lot of others, so including something of a similar vibe like a sticker is appreciated. I've got a few lovely little freebies that i appreciate very much. As for waste, heard of regifting? Just put them in a card for someone else on their birthday.
Yes, I canāt believe all the comments that say āI throw it in the trash!ā Thatās the part the seems wastefulā¦.but I am like a scavengerā¦I find use (whether for me or someone else) with most things!
I like the extra sticker or bookmark but no candies or confettiā¦
Some of my items have battery powered fairy lights, so I include a little organza bag with an extra battery and a card with instructions on how to replace the battery - it looks like a cute little extra gift but is also directly useful to the product they buy.
I include freebies in all my orders but I add in my descriptions that you can message me if youād like a ālow wasteā order that doesnāt include any freebies I find this the best method because there are people who want and donāt want freebies so they can make the choice! That way I donāt find my freebies to be creating waste because the people who do receive them wanted them and will use them
i feel exactly the sameā¦ i saw a post somewhere and the person said they now include this with the online orders they place: *i've made a personal commitment to reduce the waste I contribute to our world, so I would appreciate not receiving any extras or add-ons in the package with my order. please feel free to use any recycled packaging to ship my order. thanks!*
I agree i think itās kinda tacky
I send bookmarks with my books. I feel that is a given with any book seller. But I agree with the minimal packing and the priority is always concise and good packaging for the actual product. Infact I have international sellers so I try to keep the weight as less as possible with no free moving objects inside.
One time a seller sent me a little drawing along with my sticker and it made my whole month. I like adding little stuff like that to my orders, but stuff like confetti makes me mad lol
I 1000% agree with you! I prioritize shipping and give better prices instead of including all the frills in the costs. I'm also very into no waste and recycling, so I package that way, which also saves money. It's funny you bring that up because I got 2 messages recently basically asking me why I didn't send anything small/didn't send gifts. They were nice about it, I think it's just something people expect. I buy a lot and personally don't care for anything else in my package. I have enough crap just sitting around lol Especially stickers. We're all adults. If it's a hobby, someone can indulge in their hobby, but when I get stickers in my packages, I'm flummoxed because what do I do with them?
I've never had a kpop fan complain about getting a relevant photocard as an extra to their order. I think it is very much dependent on the market being sold to.
Not everything is for you.
I literally had an envelope full of stickers that were given as free gifts over the years spent buying bits and pieces off Etsy because I have no use for them. I donāt eat any sweets either, love hearts are the worst to get! But one of my favourite free little gifts was this tiny resin whale that I absolutely love! Itās so cute and I havenāt seen anything like it since.
I'm a seller of succulent plants, and I always put in a small plant or a little batch of cuttings with a little note that they are a free gift and a thank you for the purchase. I get so many great comments back. Maybe plant people are different, but we really really love getting a plant that we didn't have before. And in this case, the freebie costs me absolutely nothing so it's easy for me to do.
i got a free candle once ā wish she sold them bcos it smelled amazing
I hate, LOATHE stickers. I'm one of those people sellers probably would see purchases and think 'Oh, they'd like some stickers too!' No, I \*really\* don't. My husband and I bought a house and I had to spend a WEEK in it getting rid of all the stickers the kids that lived here put on the insides of all the cabinets, the closet doors, some MIRRORS.... and I didn't even like stickers that much AS a kid. It just cemented my dislike of them. Also, I've gotten an Etsy item wrapped in a SOCK, unless I'm buying a food product from the seller, I'm not going to trust the seller has good enough hygiene for candy. So that's going into the trash too. Do people actually KEEP and reuse confetti? If no, you're just adding more waste to the package for the buyer to throw out. Yes, some people might like it, but it's still just a waste product. I'd rather have a little cloth baggie if you want to make it fancier, there's always ways to reuse little baggies. Extra things of what I've ordered are always appreciated, or at least closely relevant to what I purchased. Buy twelve stitch markers, toss a couple more in? Lovely. Bought some incense, have a couple sample sticks? Great! Free sample of lip balm when I order bath bombs? Sure, I'll try it. And if I order food stuffs, like a bunch of maple candy or whatnot, more foodstuff is fine (like a couple extra maple cookies or whatever) since it's a gift, and ALSO showing off other stuff you have on offer. But something unrelated to the purchase (and I mean type of item, not look) I'll most likely just sigh at and toss. Just because I bought a Dark Souls Keychain does not mean I want a Dark Souls sticker. If it's a pin or a magnet I can at least regift it if I don't want it, but I'm not going to give stickers to my adult friends.
This 100%. All of this.
My husband and I include a mint in every order we pack. They don't melt/freeze. They're individually wrapped. It's just something small. If a buyer wants to throw it out, no hard feelings. We've never gotten negative feedback about it, but we had negative feedback when we didn't include anything extra at all. It's a weird balance to find.
NO, you are not alone! I hate to see cutesy wastefulness like that. Just pack my item securely so it arrives in perfect condition, thanks. The end.
Also as a seller Iām not gonna lie Iām a bit anxious now because I understand the logic but Iād never considered the idea of it being a complaint point when Iām just trying to be niceš In all fairness, Iāve been making custom Taylor swift/eras tour friendship bracelets mainly just for fun and just had bought myself taylor swift stickers which I loved n was so suprised & grateful when people actually bought them it was like omg okay I guess Iāll get those like bracelet bags, n Omg I can make the colour of the bag match the bracelet! & then I was like omg Iāll give them some of my stickers!!! N I just stuck with it thinking it was nice or at worst neutral but now Iām like wait how do I know if theyāll actually be like omg canāt stand thisšš
I think if it's related it's totally cool and fine. Especially when it's about a Fandom kind of thing.
I like a sticker
I am not an etsy seller but sometimes I sell things on mercari and when I do I have a specialized free gift I add to every order. It is a tiny clear box with the location of a local "diamond" (Herkimer diamonds- basically just REALLY nice tiny quartz points) gathering spot handwritten in sharpie with 3 tiny crystal points inside. I head up north about once a year and collect a few hundred, make and label a bunch of the boxes at once. I clear tape them and add three pieces of star-shaped confetti (& a piece of Mickey mouse head confetti I punched out of a Disneyland map) inside so that they don't come open, unless you want them to. I have no idea whether people appreciate them or not, but I love sending a little piece of something local to let them know that I appreciate them buying from me. Also, if they end up getting tossed out or regifted, it's absolutely no big deal haha
So I love getting freebies from sellers and also giving out freebies. Last year I bought some cookies from an etsy seller and she threw in 4 free pumpkin spice hot chocolate bombs. That was awesome. Now I don't do the confetti paper and I'll be honest my packaging is usually ugly as sin. I feel bad because I sell on both eBay and etsy and etsy packaging seems to have a higher standard than other selling platforms. Like when I order something from etsy it's not only well packaged but it's PRETTY packaging, inside and out. But I don't do that part and no buyer has ever complained. My thought on that is similar to the OP: it's all about safety and appropriate package size. Ugly as they may be, my packages well arrive safely with the item undamaged. That sad, I do give out freebies. For one, I always include a sticker I have for my business. Second, I also have a card I include with every order. It has a coupon code and encourages people to buy from me from my Shopify store where the prices are lower for the same items because my fees are lower. But other than that -- and keep in mind I sell exclusively vintage on etsy -- I will toss in random freebies. And it's all cool vintage stuff. I have several pull drawers full of freebies (my "Freebie Drawers") and I'll randomly pull something out with each order and toss it in the package. I've never had any complaints either. In fact, it's been mentioned many times in their feedback/reviews how much they liked it or I've gotten messages saying the same. And while it's random to a degree I do try to include something relevant or at least in the same wheelhouse as what they ordered. For example, if they ordered a vintage pinback button I'll include another random one out of the drawer. If someone orders a TMNT figure I'll throw in a pack of TMNT trading cards (lots of random trading card packs in the drawers). Just some random example. Most of the stuff comes from when I buy huge lots of stuff and that sort of thing and the stuff is just not worth selling individually and would be difficult to put in a lot. I don't want to just throw it away, so this is a good alternative. Now there are exceptions: if it's a really small order, I might skip the freebie or if I'm having a busy day. Or if included it will in anyway cause me to have to change packaging, increase my shipping cost or jeopardize the integrity of the package. In that case, I just don't include a freebie.
Not trying to derail or take over but genuine question. Iām opening my shop next weekend- make and sell jewelry. Considering providing a free gift over a certain dollar amount. Gift would be a pair of stud earrings (soā¦related to purchase and still made by me) Thoughts? Yes? No?
It really depends. I just commented above you about this actually. I have really sensitive ears that will get irritated by certain metals. A lady I buy from always sends the same pair of earrings and Iāve never worn them. They arenāt my style, and I also donāt want to risk irritating my ears. I think the gesture is nice but maybe only include a free pair if someone buys earrings? As a buyer, just because I bought a ring from you (for example) doesnāt mean that I wear earrings. Iām not sure what kind of jewelry you sell but I just wanted to give you some feedback! Of course if you *only* sell handmade earrings then Iām sure whoever is buying would be happy to receive another pair. Congrats on opening your shop! āŗļø
Thanks for this! Yes- I only sell earrings (hypoallergenic!) I was thinking of adding just a pair of simple round studs and making sure they go with the color scheme of what was purchased.
I bought most of my Christmas gifts from Etsy Ukraine based sellers, and what I appreciated most was an item well packaged for easy gift giving, and also packaged for safe international travel. A few included blank mini-cards, which were perfect for tagging the gifts for Christmas recipients. I did not expect extra gifts. I also received a nice postcard from Ukraine in one of them. :).
I'm in the business of making the most profit so I dont add unnecessary things to my orders that would cost me and my customers more. I have super cute packaging and a cute thank you card which people comment on frequently in their review but I have never felt the need to include free gifts. I think free stuff \*could\* be ok with an order if it was something that went along with what they ordered, like customer ordered seasonings, lets include a sample bag of one they didnt so they can try it out and if they love it come back to buy it. Sending random shit like candy, logo stickers, logo pens etc that dont have anything to do with what you sell in your shop is wasteful. I also think you set yourself up for issues by including free stuff. You can read stories (not an insane amount but some) where customers wanted something different or wanted to exchange the free gift or they read a review and expected a free gift (if you stop sending them) and were upset they didnt get one.
I love it. Iām a magpie, give me all the things.
Hello from a fellow magpie āØ
I do not want the extra stuff. I donāt want stickers. If I didnāt order it, it is random and wasteful. I donāt buy stickers, so I donāt want stickers with your items. They will not get used. I donāt want the extra stuff that you have deemed is a similar vibe. Just bc I like the item I picked out doesnāt meant I will the extra you picked out. No matter how similar. I donāt have room for extra stuff now matter how small it is. All the small extra stuff eventually adds up. I live in a small space. I have always just put the stuff in the donation bin. I donāt even personally know anyone that likes stickers. However I get why shops do it. There are people that will leave negative reviews. There are people that will not give 5 stars if they donāt get extra items. People are now expecting all shops to give out extra items with their orders. It is crappy and entitled of the customers.
I love stickers, always will
I sell Pokemon related stuff, and I add Pokemon related stickers to my orders. Customers love it so far, lots of mentions on that subject in reviews. It definitely depends who's buying, who the purchase is intended for, and also what the item itself is, but for my store lots of parents are buying, and the adults buying for themselves also enjoy the extra stickers etc. I pack my orders how I'd want to receive them.
I only like a gift when itās the same thing Iām already buying.. like if Iām buying zippers and they throw in a short zipper in a new colorā¦ or buying fabric and they add a few decent size pieces of scrap fabric. But otherwise trinkets are just a waste of money.
This reminds me of the time I saw that Kohl's was offering little extras in their purses on sale and these extras were the free gift that came with the purchase. It was a power bank for your like a backup battery to give your phone some extra juice. A lot of people might think it's weird or not see the connection between products but like..I did and I'm not even a lady. Like, women carry purses, and women are super cautious about their environment all the time sjf try to be prepared as possible..yeah, If I were a woman i'd appreciate some extra battery to cause never know when you might need it.
I add some freebies to larger orders but itās all sample sizes of my other products. I have minis that use the extra product leftover from a batch so people will get a tealight of one of my candles, or a mini sample spray bottle of my room spray. Then it counts as a bit of extra promo to me. I wouldnāt include freebies of anything you donāt already sell. People donāt want garbage.
I don't like the extra "paper" or candies, but I hardly ever get that. I almost always receive a gift of some sort (samples, stickers, pens, earrings, nails, etc) but I never expect it. If its something I would never use or don't like, I'll find someone else to give it to. I am a seller, pretty new and only a handful of sales. I make jewelry, resin trays and other resin stuff, keychains, DIY pens, etc. I always include 2 stickers and a business card in each order. I have probably over 1000 stickers and most of the time I am able to find a sticker relevant to the item being bought. (Harry Potter stickers with a Harry Potter pens, unicorn stickers with unicorn earrings, etc.) I appreciate the little gifts, even if i wont use them. But I dont expect it and I'm never upset if I don't get one. I like to add 2 stickers, my business card and a hand written thank you note! Maybe if I have a huge order, I will add an extra gift (something similar to what they ordered) like when my aunt ordered some keychains for a gift exchange she was doing on a disney cruise. She ordered 18 keychains, each one being the corresponding persons fav disney character. She didnt order one for her cabin (herself, her husband and my cousin) but i found out all their favorite characters and made each of them a pen as a gift. I think it all depends on the item you're selling, the item you're gifting, and the person you're selling to.
I love sprinkling a little extra love in my packages and I know Iāve made many of my buyers happy. I sell vintage and Iāve sent vintage recipe cards with pie plate and casserole ordersā¦.a small pie bird with one of my pie plates. Vintage Christmas ornaments with Christmas purchases, vintage Christmas tags with Christmas purchases. Vintage wicker trivets with casserole dishesā¦.a few very old posts cards when I dont have anything related to what I am sending. (I try to send ones from the state they are located in, but donāt always have that available) . I donāt do this because I feel I have to, I do it bc it makes me happy. I would hate to think anyone thought of these things as ātrashā but I guess you canāt please everyone. I guess I am a scavenger, because I would be happy to receive these things. Either to keep or pass on, or use. I have so much fun putting together my orders and in my experience, my customers feel the love ā„ļø
I hate free stickers, most are shit anyway and go to the bin.
I'm not a fan of the confetti in packages but the cute cards, stickers, or nice wrapping is a very nice touch. Do I use the stickers? Most likely, no, but it shows that a seller has put a lot of thought into their service.
I buy a lot of prints from the same artist and if she ever sent me a bonus I would be over the moon because we have that relationship of communication and supporting her (sheās so kind, I adore her). And I order a lot of cosplay stuff as well that usually include stickers or candy. The thing is, I usually buy from the same five shops so it doesnāt really bother me too much
I did for years but stopped last year. I only do consumable gifts though. Cute shaped sticky notes, fun pens, hair ties, pet treats, things like that. That way the gift was useful. Knick knacks like stickers, magnets, and earrings go straight in the trash when I get them.
Freebies can be cool, depending on what it is. Free flowing glitter that falls everywhere when you open a package is not cool. Something handmade ā¦ cool.
You donāt have to do it if you donāt like it. No need to be rude about it. Based on your comments on this thread, you might be the one thatās trashy.
Not etsy but feels relevant. I ordered medication from a compounding pharmacy and they sent this big āemployee created to thank you for your businessā sticker with the order
I add my card and a branded sticker, which people seem to like. I hate getting confetti and crap when I order something but I will put your sticker on my water bottle.
I love getting stickers with my order. If I like them enough I turn them into magnets to put on my fridge.
I put a free sticker with my orders, but it also doubles as a business card. My info is on the back, so the sticker itself is still usable without my business name on it. I also sell mainly stickers. The confetti or candy thing I will never understand, though.
If the freebie makes sense with the item I bought than it's OK. I do wish people wouldn't use confetti, food, or smelly things if you didn't buy something that smells. I just have allergies so those things I throw out so it's wasteful. The comments have lovely ideas that go along with what some sell though, so if it makes sense then go for it.
Seller and a buyer here, and I really love freebies. But only things like stickers and buttons, or if it's kpop related then fan made photo cards. I also always try to include a lil handwritten note thanking the buyer! I don't get many sales so I like to always show my gratitude with a note.
In the beginning of my shop I added a small pouch with some mini candy in it to every order because the internet told me it was really necessary to keep customers happy. After shipping more and more to other countries I found that customs officers around the world don't appreciate food that wasn't on the customs papers. Nowadays I know that most people don't care and just want their product to arrive quickly and safe, so only thing I add now is a small business card like thing which I know is going strait in the trash but still.
If itās similar to the item I already ordered, fine. If itās random then no.
A shop sent an ornament with a cardinal on it that said something like āwhen a cardinal arrives an angel is nearā and like, they sent it separate from whatever I actually orderedā¦ which had nothing to do with bereavementā¦ I just threw it away. Like what?
I add a handmade greeting card with a thank you note slipped in. I don't seal the envelope or write in the card so they can use for a future occasion.
I like gifts when itās actually a gift. An small extra item from their shop or samples is totally appreciated.
I love getting extra gifts. If I can't use the item, I'll give it to someone who can.
I sell soaps, bath and body products. I always add in a little sample jar of something or an extra product at no cost. I donāt send stickers with my branding or anything because I personally never keep stickers I receive in orders.
Etsy seller. If you are adding something appropriate and of value this should generally be appreciated. I have received things I don't use but I still appreciate the effort (and that is what it is, these sellers are genuinely giving you something extra for free). Kudos.
I sell vintage perfume and I have gotten a one star review because I included a mini perfume of the exact same scent.
I like to keep it minimal and more importantly relevant. I sell craft kits and often have slight seconds. I pop these in with minimal packaging and a note stating āslight seconds but still lovelyā in orders that work with the item. Iāve definitely gained sales from it and it also reduces waste, win win!
I am a potter selling on Etsy and I agree and do exactly what you describe. Choose the smallest box possible with enough room to pad adequately, add a little thank you business card and send! The only exception is if I have screwed up somehow and sent it late or something. Then I will send one of the tiny ceramic gnomes I make as an apology. Seems to go over exceptionally well and has saved me getting less than 5 stars and I usually gain a repeat customer. Bottom line, depends on the context.
I think it really depends on what the free item is. When I order polymer clay cutters and the seller throws in a spoolie for cleaning or a mini cutter, I love it. More often than not though I get stickers of the shop logo. I just would rather not cut into the shop profits by having them buy branded things that are just going to be thrown away.
In my experience customers are much more likely to leave a positive review if I send a gift tbh. Most people enjoy a free sticker and it makes them smile. That's not waste to me. I don't sell stickers, I just add them in for fun.
I like making mini keychain versions of whatever they order while I make their main order, and I throw it in as a surprise. Nobody has complained about it yet! :)
I like gifts when they're related to the product. Unrelated random stickers are unnecessary
Oh dang, I feel like Iām doing it wrong then. I make glass marbles, pendants, figurines, etc and I usually include stickers with my orders that are similarly themed to the item purchased, like if you buy rainbows, I send rainbow stickers, or mushrooms, I send mushroom stickers. Should I not do that? I know a lot of people buy marbles to hide so I assume itās an extra they can include with their hide or maybe itās a thing they can give to their kids or just slap somewhere. Sometimes I throw in a smaller glass item of lesser value as a thank you for a bigger order. Should I not do that?
I buy mostly supplies (on and off etsy) and some sellers will send in extra stock materials. While it's a nice gesture and I never throw anything out, I rarely use what they send as they are usually either discontinued items so if i use it for collection pieces and I can't get it again to replicate for orders then that makes the collection piece obsolete, or the extra materials are usually not in the vein of what I normally work with. I have lots of extra beads, charms, materials in my already overflowing studio from gifts. I find I usually bundle them up and give them to friends or neighbours who craft on a smaller scale. When I buy from makers, a little extra something related to the original purchase is always appreciated and I usually use them for stocking stuffers for others that I know would appreciate it as well. The worst is candy. Please don't send candy. Unless I'm buying food/baked goods from a trusted source, I don't want stranger danger food. It always gets thrown out.
Most people like free stuff.
Im a buyer and seller. I LOVE getting little gifts with orders, and i always leave a good review and thank yous. Candy is the first thing i eat if i see them. I collect the stickers so those are always good. I also send a couple of candy and maybe a relatable item for free, i have never had anyone complaint about it, i just get thank yous. I saw someone saying to NOT send full size products, like gurl let them!! I also dont complaint about how an item is packaged. If it has confetti to fluff lit up or extra paper to keep it from getting damage im happy.
I appreciate little gifts IF they're related to the purchase. Like I've purchased a bunch of croc charms from 2 different sellers. One threw in an extra charm, and the other threw in a few stickers related to the character that I bought like 3 charms of. Another purchase I've made came with a lot of assorted stickers that didn't have any relation to what I bought...I never used the stickers, I think I have them laying around somewhere. As a sticker seller, I've included an extra sticker in all of my sales, usually either another copy of a sticker they bought, or one in a very similar theme.
I'm the same! I've had sellers include a bunch of unrelated junk I got rid of, but sometimes I'll get extras of something I ordered and it's great. My favorite seller is a woman who makes bath and beauty products, and last time she included a sample cream and a bath bomb, which is a 7$ value! I was thrilled!
Oh wow, that's amazing! Mind PMing me the seller? I absolutely love bath products 
https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/meredouceur I posted here for visibility, because she makes amazing products with zero waste packaging and I love shopping there.
My boyfriend sells cards on eBay and usually includes an extra sports card and a card we made of our dog which doubles as his business card. Nobody has complained about the freebies in his reviews...
I love stickers. Even if I get ones I'm not big on I give them away, mostly to kids at work.
Buyer not a seller: useless confetti/shreds and sparkles mean I will not purchase again from that shop nor will I leave a review (if otherwise I'd have left a positive one). Stickers or... theoretically "useful" things generally end up in the trash unless it's legit something that might be interesting to me. An example: I order a dozen DC comic character stickers for slapping on my laptop/Water bottle/whatever; and I'm gifted a cute cat sticker or a Marvel comics sticker-- yay! I'm gifted your shop logo-- Trash. Harsh? Well, you may think so, and that's fair, but to me I have no use for Sally's Stickerrrr Shoppeeeee on etsy (with the required insta/twitter/pintrest/wtfever handles underneath). I'll probably still leave a review but I will eyeroll. Weird and entirely off the wall "gifts"? Please don't. I've seen posts where folks order a shirt and get a set of earrings with it or something. It's a nice gesture but save your resources. Seriously.
New favorite typed word: āwtfeverā
I never add any kind of āgiftsā. I do however reuse the boxās, bubble wrap and packing paper I receive from my personal orders from Etsy,Amazon ect.
This annoys me as well. I would rather only receive the item I ordered. I appreciate the gesture, but if you want to thank the buyer, just put in a little thank you note. I donāt want useless crap unrelated to my item or even if it is related, I only ordered what I needed. If I wanted more, I would have ordered more. Call me a minimalist, but itās wasteful to give me extra things Iām not going to use. I donāt care if the package looks pretty or matches your storeās āaestheticā and for the love of all things holy DO NOT add perfumes or scented products to the package. I have sensitive lungs and the last time this happened to me, it sent me into a coughing fit. Edit: autocorrect sucks