sale time

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mogoats

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Getting ready for a print and poster sale - framing special. Wonder if "ercentage off of framing" or "flat fee" per size category is more effective when offering a combination of print purchase with framing option?
 
People will expect a percentage off to apply to every framing service you offer. Then they'll expect you to offer it periodically and just wait until you do. If that isn't your intention, consider . . .

A flat fee on a limited number of options - maybe dry mount, regular glass, a choice of three different metals (gold, silver or black) and fitting on a particular size range for a fixed price.

A neighbor of mine used to offer a poster framing special - $29.95 for up to 24x36. I don't know how they did it (and maybe they still do) but they're still there and I'm not.

Welcome to The Grumble. You just narrowly missed the big rush of May registrations.

I like your signature line.
 
I cut my owm metal chops out of OEM gold,silver or black and offer frame ,glass, mount -ready to hang for ---length + width x $ 1.20 (up to a 24 x 36). Been doing it for years and it seem to well.BTW I get OEM metal for about $.70 per foot.
also got a bunch of really cheap posyers a long time ago and now I sell them for $7.00 if you frame them here, although since the internet ,poster sales have been nil !!!
 
Percentage off sales are quirky. The public is jaded by jewelry stores and a multitude of others offering 40-80% off sales evey other week.

In addition, believe it or not, the general public does not know how to figure percentages. If a service you offer costs $ 50.00 and you offer 40% off few consumers can calculate the price to be $ 30.00. They would more likely choose a $ 15.00 off coupon and pay more. Or offer a piggyback promo...free upgrade on services. You benefit by not giving up any of the original net sale price and introduce a customer to a superior service or product.

Experiment sometime and you will be amazed.

You are better off stating a set price or giving a dollar off value.

Dave Makielski
 
The only way to know this is to try it in your market and monitor the results.

Every promotion (sale) should have an objective, a direction and a means to validate it.

But, wouldn't it be great if you got some real, actual promos instead of anecdotoal advice.

Instead of getting advice here, look to your own market. Review all the advertising from the best of the industry-the newspapers are filled with flyers and supplements created by retailers spending gazillions of dollars tracking what resonates with consumers.

Why don't we get smart and try and learn something from folks that are actually really good at this stuff
 
I agree with Dave on the % off thing. A dollar amount lets the average consumer know exactly how much they will save. And, IMO, % off sales make you look like everyone else in town.
 
Potting soil was selling great with a coupon at $2.77 for 8 lb bag, limit of two.

The 16 lb bag below it was a regular price of 4.99. Was it the coupon, the limit or the price?

Welcome to the Grumble.
 
“But, wouldn't it be great if you got some real, actual promos instead of anecdotal advice.”

No because I’m left to guess at the actual promos margins, success, objective, and direction. Plus comparing a custom frame sale to a buy one get one free pizza or oil change for $19.99 is really just apples to oranges for the most part.

What would be great is an example of an actual frame promotion “formula”. I know we all keep plenty of ideas to just a few friends but maybe you could share a hypothetical formula that would apply to any idea.

For example, you say “Every promotion (sale) should have an objective, a direction and a means to validate it.”

By that do you mean that we should be able to break down every promotion into specific categories like this?

Goal – Method – Result

This is an actual promotion that I ran so maybe you too could share something that’s a little more practical and less anecdotal also.

The promotion was to gain 10 new customers.

Goal – Gain 10 new customers for under $500.
Method – Send 1000 postcards with $25 off custom framing.
Results – Cost of mailing $200 plus discounted cards (7) = $375.00.

While the goal wasn't met, the entire budget wasn't used either. So there can be good argument rather the promotion was a success or failure. However at least there is specific areas we can look at that might need to be tweaked in order to reach the actual goal.

Is that sort of what you mean?

I didn’t write these down ahead of time but this captures the spirit of my intent.
 
They missed the point Bob. I'm still going over what you shared Saturday night while we <strike>were on grass</strike> stood on the lawn. Sorry long week-end.

What works in Kentucky, doesn't neccessarily work in New York City, or Anarchy Central Oregon.

In NYC you get attention with "90% off, or we rub-out the competition"

In Kentucky, it may be "Free Derby ticket with every custom order over $200 that is picked up within 30 minutes of being finished".

In Medford, mogoats, I'd pay attention to Bob. Peruse the ads. In Eugene it works to give away a free glass pipe with every dorm poster... in Ashland, it might be tickets to the Shakespear Fest.... but in your paper, week in and week out there are promotional ads that work.

To succintly sum-up a lot of Bob's posts and lectures: Read (and pay attention) more about what others are doing successfully in business then how to cut a fancier mat. Crunch time is here, and it gonna get easier.
 
Ol Baer is right on the money. We need to quit thinking we are reinventing the wheel and start riding on te perfected wheels of those that really do it exceptionally well.

What the heck is wrong with following success.

I don't mean to pick on Joy, but we have to get beyond the idea that we shouldn't look like anyone else at all. If that were the case, we would all have to throw out all our Crescent, Bainbridge, Larson. Face it, if something works, and it resonates with the consumer, why shouldn't we utilze it. It just makes sense.

When I suggested it might be more beneficial to see some real life examples, perhaps if Sherry actually did a free print promo, she could share those results (or if it bombed, that also). We tend to get a lot of IMHO suggestions that haven't been attempted. It's kind of like sending a request up to the singer with a song you'd like to hear.

If it's just the title, it's a note. If it's wrapped in a $5 bill, it's a request. In other words, if it's a good suggestion, how come the suggestor never did it?
 
Well I'll be damned if I'll ever respond to one of these again.

Did somebody ask about WallBuddies?
 
Eric, No, but I'ma fixin' ta hitch up my liberal bleeding heart gas sippin' Prius and comin' to visit youall maybe this next week. You all be in or out Ratting on the River? Sorry I'll be fresh out of them glass pipes... :D
 
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