Any one give X mas gifts to their reps? (like SanMar rep)

[Gilligan]

We really like our rep and are trying to judge what we should send them.

Also, logistically, how?  They work out of their home and I'm sure they aren't going to give that address out.

[Printficient]

I would vote Yes!!!!!!!

[inkman996]

We give gifts to certain reps. UPS driver, USPS Driver, and top customers.

Customers typically get a large Yankee Candle and a gift certificate for an embroidered item from Sanmar.

UPS guy gets a couple bottles of good wine, Mail guy gets beer. And Reps get gift certificates.

The vouchers for Sanmar work well because we use the points we rack up over the year plus we here get to spend some of them on our selves. Whats left over go towards show room products.

[ebscreen]

You should get them a shirt or something. Everyone likes shirts.

Invite them over, that's what they are there for.

[GraphicDisorder]

I give our UPS and USPS each $100.  Its not a lot but hey they can get a good dinner on it. 

[Croft]

You should get them a shirt or something. Everyone likes shirts.

Invite them over, that's what they are there for.

My customers are all marketing companies and they don't want shirts , I usually get them Starbucks/ dinner gift cards. 

The only shirts that have been a hit that I have done  are custom printed UA shirts aimed towards the winter Olympics  "GO CANADA GO" but may also work in the USA     I know these worked because I only did 50 and gave to good customers. The UA rep that sends me work got one and loved it , he also told me that people had seen the shirts on the street and wondered where they could get one.

[Sbrem]

No, not to vendors, but they do get tens of thousands of dollars. My very best customers get what they ask for, usually food. We have about 5 UPS drivers and 2 FedEx that we take care of, and mail is delivered to a general delivery box so we don't see him... One of my customers sends us a deli platter, and all the fixings to feed us for a week. Love that guy...

Steve

[ebscreen]

I was joking about the shirts, seeing as how that's all a SanMar rep deals with all day long....

[tonypep]

One of our blank reps will actually be here next week with like 30 pizzas for lunch.  At other companies we have gotten those ginourmous gourmet baskets that lasts a week. But I see where you're coming from. They often have to pull off a lot of favors so in some cases the so the reverse trend makes sense.

[inkman996]

Our inside rep at Sanmar is fantastic. For the birth of both my kids she sent me a huge package of items, from apparel to accessories. Never met her since she is in Seattle but she also gets a gift certificate.

[Gilligan]

Our inside rep at Sanmar is fantastic. For the birth of both my kids she sent me a huge package of items, from apparel to accessories. Never met her since she is in Seattle but she also gets a gift certificate.

This is what I am talking about.  Ours is several states over as well.

We of course take care of the rest of the supply chain (Cash to UPS and USPS guys) and a few other key players.

Just wondering about the reps that you deal with only over the phone... again, what are the logistics on getting them something?

[larryk]

again, what are the logistics on getting them something?

Here is something we have used in the past, but it might not work for everyone..... next time you talk to them ask them for an address so you can send them a Christmas card. If you are doing lots of business with them they usually will give it out.

[ebscreen]

Ahhh, didn't catch on that your rep wasn't local.

I run into mine at the grocery store all the time. We're both usually buying beer.

If you sent it to the nearest office of your rep I'd wager they'd get it to him. They typically tend
to go the extra mile. I actually really admire Sanmar a lot.

[screenxpress]

One of our blank reps will actually be here next week with like 30 pizzas for lunch.  At other companies we have gotten those ginourmous gourmet baskets that lasts a week. But I see where you're coming from. They often have to pull off a lot of favors so in some cases the so the reverse trend makes sense.

This is new territory for me, lol.  My father was a lithographer for years and years and the vendors gave HIM stuff, not the other way around.

Regarding the service folks, like UPS, Fedex, etc. that the other way around.  Very standard to give them perks.  But people who count on you to buy their products should be doing the 'giving".  IMHO

[Gilligan]

You are correct Wayne... But our girl goes above and beyond helping us out year round.  I figure a small token to say "thanks" could pay for itself many times over.