Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Does it PAY to pay a compliment to a product or store?


I've been encouraging those of you who took advantage of VG's recent triple coupon promotion to let your store manager and/or corporate know that you appreciated their offer. Shannie followed that advice and found that it actually PAYS to take the time to let stores know what you think! Here's her report:

I just wanted to share that I received a letter from VG's and a gift
certificate for $5.00
! What an awesome store. It really made me feel
like they appreciated me as a customer....I followed your advice on your blog
and e-mailed them thanking them for participating in triples and how that helps
people during this rough economy. I also noted that this was my first time
shopping there and they had a nice store and friendly employees. I was stunned
to get the gift card, they didn't have to do that, but it was a very nice
gesture.

Stores learn from your feedback, positive or negative. Whenever you can, I recommend sharing your experience with them. I'm thrilled that VG's takes the time to show appreciation to their customers! Does this happen all the time? No! I've written to Meijer many times either with a comment or compliment and received no response at all. On the other hand, I've complained about a coupon that was denied at Kmart (a store coupon THEY sent me by email); when I didn't receive the response I was promised, I continued to call until my issue reached corporate level and I was rewarded with a $25 gift card. The store's reaction will vary widely, but it never hurts to try!

Manufacturers appreciate your feedback as well and will send their loyal customers nice coupons that can't be found anywhere else. When you have time, contact your favorite brands via email and let them know what you like about their product. You can also ask for coupons or ask if there are ways that you can save. A Full Cup has created a Manufacturer's Internet Contact Information List here - it's a great resource. Find your favorite brands and send a few emails each day. You'll love the surprises that arrive in your mailbox!

When you find a product that doesn't meet your expectations, be sure to call or email to let the company know. Your feedback might help the company learn about an error in processing or quality. You will usually be offered a coupon good for a FREE product replacement.

As a consumer, it can pay to speak your mind! Have you ever been rewarded for contacting a store or manufacturer? Let us know!

3 comments:

  1. This is great advice! I regularly contact companies regarding their products, especially if it's a new item that I've tried. Sometimes they reply to my feedback with just a "thank you" email, but other times I get coupons for that product and other products that their company makes. I recently gave some praise for a new variety of Breyer's ice cream, and they sent me a coupon for a FREE package of ice cream!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I took your advice and did as you asked and I got mine too! I was going to email about it today. My husband said "You should right more good things to more stores more often!"

    - Tashena

    ReplyDelete
  3. Oh okay so I just thought of more . . .
    I emailed Naked Juice asking why they didn't offer coupons and told them I loved their product and if they had coupons I'd by more often, they now have coupons on their site.

    I emailed Target my complaints, talked to customer service and then emailed them again to say that I feel better after talking to customer service but would appreciate small compensation for my troubles and they emailed me back to say my two coupons are now in the mail.

    I emailed Garden of Eatin' to tell them I loved their products and they sent me like 8 55 cents coupons in the mail which served me well during the VGs Triple Coupon event!

    - Tashena

    ReplyDelete

Blog Widget by LinkWithin