Bevel Accents and free samples continued...

[Jana]

Andy, the Bevel Accents pretty much sell themselves once you start showing them. I was surprised.

Did you get the video from Bainbridge showing how to work with them? The process is so easy! I was also surprised about that.

Jay Golz's suggestion on the video to charge 70 cents to 80 cents per united inch is good.

You can easily make your own Bevel Accents. I saw Brian Wolf demonstrate this. I also saw a piece by the Goddess. She had used some decorative rice paper to wrap the bevel. Beautiful! I have yet to do this, but hope to sometime.

I think the Vicky Schober Company was the first to produce their version of Bevel Accents. I've seen a set of them. They are very nice, too. But we don't sell them, because we would have to pay for yet another set.

With the exception of Bevel Accents, if we have to pay for samples, we don't get them. And you see how long it took us to get the Bevel Accents? I would say at least two years. In the meantime we coulda been selling the heck out of them.

It was a gamble for us to get them and pay for them, just like it's a gamble for the companies to send them out for free, hoping they are not forgotten in the back room. But in this case, especially, it would have been cost effective for us to get them at no charge in the first place.

I do think the rebate coupon idea is a good one. As I said on the other thread (Bainbridge Mat Samples), the Bevel Accents have ended up costing us $20. And with the most excellent additional rebate offer from Bainbridge that is good til January or February '03 (check with them), we'll even sell more of them. I saw the ad in a March 2002 PFM.

 

[MatFramer]

I have not purchased a set of samples yet either. I don't intend to.

I have come to the conclusion that I will either make my own samples or just go without. I have figured out how to make bevel board to match any color of mat board. It works great. I have even used two layers of foam core for 1/2 inch bevels. (I might add that I took a third place in a regional competition with my own 1/2 inch bevel board.)

Maybe I have been in the business for too many years. However, I am with you. If I have to pay for samples, I don't get them. The sad part is that I do use my samples. If I take them, I make sure I display and use them.

 

[Barb Pelton]

Just my opinion....
Take it for what it's worth (which is often not much!

).

I am not opposed to paying for samples IF it is something I feel will be an effective sales tool.
Sure, you can make your own, but wouldn't that time be spent more wisely doing something else to increase your business? If it is something you think you can really sell, maybe you should consider it as an INVESTMENT in your business rather than an expense. (BTW, sales tools, etc, are tax deductible--your time and costs for making your own would be cumbersome to calculate, but receipt in hand for a purchase is easy for your accountant to work with!)
Just my perspective.
( Apologies for the unsolicited advice, but, hey, I've a reputation to live up to! )

 

[tnframer408]

In total agreement with Barb Pelton. Bainbridge samples are only a coupla bucks. Go for it. You'll love their variety, their color coding system, etc. I rearranged all my mat samples and now Bainbridge sits in the predominent location Crescent used to have.

I'm also excitedto hear that Crescent is coming out with 4 inch samples. Maybe now I can sell their stuff like I sell Bainbridge. I mean you lay these bad boys on the print andyou're selling 4" widths all of a sudden making 15-20% more which, by the way, pays for the matsamples in about two orders.

 

[Less]

MatFramer - Hiyoudoin!

FYI, it sounds like you are stacking foam to make 1/2" bevels. Bienfang make 1/2" foam, in Mighty Core also.

 

[Lance E]

Originally posted by MatFramer:
If I have to pay for samples, I don't get them. The sad part is that I do use my samples. If I take them, I make sure I display and use them.

I assume that you have no intention of ever employing staff...
What a great idea!