the 5 Worst Promotional Items to Hand Out

Most common mistakes companies make when using promotional marketing products.

So you have decided to broaden your marketing horizons with promotional items branded with your company’s unique message or logo. A wide array of products are available to suit your specific needs and budget, from t-shirts emblazoned with your logo to stress relievers in the form of most any shape you can imagine.

Perform a Google search for the term “promotional stress ball,” and you will quickly realize that hundreds, if not thousands of companies are vying for your attention in this ever-expanding marketplace. While this presents the consumer with a wide array of choices, it also makes it significantly more difficult to know where to go to receive the most bang for your buck.

When shopping for promotional products, it is important to remember that most of these firms act simply as middlemen between you, the consumer, and wholesale manufacturers that produce blank goods, such as stress relievers, pens, apparel, coffee mugs, and other products designed to be personalized according to your specifications. Most, if not all, of these firms work with many of the same suppliers, so you can usually rest assured that the final product you receive will be of the same quality, regardless of the company that you choose to place your order with.

If, based solely on the quality of the product you are receiving, it makes no significant difference which firm you choose to do business with, that begs the question: Where, exactly, do I go to get the most “bang for my buck?” When selecting a company to order promotional merchandise from, you should consider the two most important factors: price and quality of service.

 

Locate the Best Price

When it comes to price, remember that most firms are willing to do a bit of “haggling.” Given the competitiveness of the marketplace, most firms are willing to go the extra mile to get your business. Put together a list of five web sites that carry the products you are interested in. Contact these companies, explain your specific needs to them, and then ask for a quote. If you believe the price they offer is too high or that you could do better elsewhere, say so. They might just make you a better offer than you had in mind in the first place.
Try: Google Product Search

Customer Service Counts, So Choose Wisely

Also (and this is important), remember that customer service counts. Depending on your particular needs, you may be on the verge of making a somewhat serious investment. While it may be easy to return a defective widget to Amazon.com, you may run into unexpected obstacles when attempting to return 5,000 t-shirts with a mis-spelled name on the back. Many on-line retailers of custom promotional products provide customers with a very clear return policy, and it is not always favorable to the consumer.
Try: USimprints

 

• Regardless of which company offers you the best price, remember that you are embarking on a project that needs to be done right the first time. While it may be tempting to choose the company that offers you the lowest price, it would be wise to consider the professionalism they exhibit when discussing your project with them over the phone.

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