Catalogue Returns - Just wondering?????

renking replied:

Interesting topic Janine! I have received one or two catalogues earlier this year (not by any members here though) where I've been requested to send the catalogue back once I've looked it over... I'm happy to do that (and can understand for some it may be a matter of budgeting etc - getting the most out of their expenses).

For me personally though, I send out catalouges to EVERY customer on my list (obligation-free) - I want them to see the products - it encourages them to look the catalogue over in their free time and allows them to absorb more of what we have to offer, especially as they don't have to worry about returning it to me...

I have had quite a few people ask me if I'd like the catalogue back (which leads me to think that maybe this is a growing trend as you enquired) - because they always reply with the same thing "but won't it cost you too much money??" at 50c a catalogue (I always buy in bulk), it really isn't that much in the long run for me personally if it means more people are seeing my catalogue and I always mention that they can pass it along to family, friends, neighbours etc if they like (even MORE people seeing the catalogue then)... guess it all comes down to what works best for you & your business...

Does that help??

Zammy replied:

Wow, I've never had a catalogue sent to me with a request to return it.
I personally wouldn't do this, as I usually encourage my customers to share it with their friends and family once they are finished with it. I figure the more hands one catalogue goes through, the more *free* exposure I'm getting.
Great topic Janine!

sparklingvoodoo replied:

For me personally as our company is only small, I personally ask for them back as I don't have the volume to hand out. We are working towards it but at the moment I only just have enough to send to future hostesses and to have a couple left for parties.

I have to say though I do feel bad if I need to ask for them back, but it is something that one must do to be able to party!!

I HOPE THIS HELPS UNDERSTAND WHY SOME ASK FOR THEM BACK

partyplans replied:

As an extension to this (ie - not intending to hijack the thread)...

How many of you would actually get around to sending a catalogue back anyway if you were asked to?

My thinking is that if you are not likely to get them back anyway... don't bother asking in the first place! (and risk looking cheap)...   just my thoughts!

Janine replied:

These are the questions and answers that I am looking for Mr PartyPlans so fire away.

I doubt many do return them especially if they have to cover the cost of postage. I feel that if they would like them returned then include a stamped addressed envelope for the potential customer to return it to you. If $1.00 is too much for the consultant to pay for the return then maybe rethink asking for it's return.

Janine replied:

Forgot to add that I do understand that some companies catalogues are expensive and in this case I guess you need to wiegh that up before you sign on as a consultant.

I love have paper catalogues but if this is not possiable due the cost of printing etc.. I do not mind having a copy emailed. This is easy and quick if available and no paper is being wasted either. Of course I can then print it off at my own expense if I wish.

kathymollie replied:

'I think  'environmently' it is a great idea to recycle...but find when l do get my catalogues back from hostess' (at their show)..they are not in good enough condition to pass on...
So l do end up just purchasing more as of course it gets your company and product out there.............
But it would be good if we could all recycle and reuse a little bit more..............

chocolateaddict replied:

Catalogues in my company are $3 each!!! So, I don't just hand them out to anyone that asks, I simply can't afford to.

The party host gets one in her host pack, and that is hers to keep. At a party I always let people know i need the catalogue back. Luckily our catalogue is available to view/download online and most people have internet access.

If on the odd occasion I do hand out a catalogue I don't expect to get it back.

Also, our catalogues go for the whole year (not sure if other PP's do also) .

Janine replied:

It is fantastic to see comtributions here thanks so much

I think if your company does not have online catalogue then catalogues are a very big tool that is a necessary outlay. But when cmpanies do not have a product range on the internet then you have to ask to receive one as this is the only way to see the range other than booking a party. I am one for seeing a range in some form prior to booking a party so I am booking a party that I will order from. This in turns save time and money for both the customer and consultant.

I do get sick of handing out catalogues for no return and now I only hand them out to those who enquire directly and are generally interested in the range of products on offer. I have half solved the problem by starting a mailing list when I am events for hardcopy catalogues - this seems to elimate those who take them as they are free.

sparklingvoodoo replied:

Ours to is able to be viewed online - on my website and also the voodoo jewellery site. So I first forward the address to view or offer to send a copy via email first. This is for me the way to get out of trouble. I also agree that if I need a catalogue returned then I supply the return envelope.

scrappy replied:

My catalouges cost only 75 cents! ($7.50 for 10) so I hand mine out and leave them EVERYWHERE,
 Doctors office, Hairdressers,
Hospital waiting rooms, Etc.
I do also do a mailbox drop to a small area at a time and leave a note to say I will be back to collect it, not because I need or want it back, but it is a great reason to knock on the door and ask what they thought!!!!

PS. this has worked amazingly, I have had
not only new customers this way,
but also recruited!!!

scrappy replied:

Forgot to add, No I have never been asked to give back a catalouge, the only catalouge that I have handed back was the  HomeCare one!!

Janine replied:

Maybe for those who do want catalogues  when someone requests a catalogue let them know then and there that you would like the catalogue returned so it is clear from first contact that this is want is required. Just an idea.

biancaj replied:

Another view, and this is JMO, but hasnt Avon been collecting their catalgoues back for, like, ever?

When you are in the same area for pickup I think its a great tool, as you can have more face to face contact with the client, you are telling them that you are coming back on such a such a day, so they might have questions or even an order.  Insead of them just viewing the catalogue and disposing of them.

I generally ask for my Curious Kids catalogues back as they are display folders and after printing etc, they are approx $7 each (not to mention the cost of my time putting them together). Plus, being in Karratha I can offer a personalised service - the same that Avon do, of when is a convenient time to collect the catalogue and have a chat about our fabulous products... etc.

With Envy, the cats are $2.50 so I don't mind as much.

Last week we had a party plan expo and instead of handing out catalogues I asked for their contact details, in particular email addresss, so I could email them and everyone seemed pleased to recieve a cat this way.  I also now have thier details for future contact.

Ladywytch replied:

Hi Janine,

Great question.

I personally would never ask for a catalogue back - they are cheap enough and it ALL comes off your tax anyhow.

I can, however, go one better than asking for catalogues back though.  I recently went to a party (plan shall remain nameless as I don't know if this was one consultant or a company wide practise) and on all the catalogues the consultant handed out where stickers saying 'DISPLAY CATALOGUE ONLY' and then something along the lines of  $1 will purchase your own (can't remember the exact wording of the second part). 

So instead of asking for her cats back she was charging for them.

On a note of one of the above posts.  I have sent catalogues out to one girl 2 years ago and never got a reply.  For some reason I never sent her another and received a phone call last week asking for a latest catalogue and then 2 days later a 'secret' phone call from her hubby with a $400 order.  This isn't the first time it has happened either. So even if it is not an immediate return, having your name out there is worth it.

M

Janine replied:

What nice surprise Madonna!! Well worth the mail out of a catalogue hay!!

My catalogues cost me between $0.95c and $1.25 each and I would never charge a customer or potential cusomter that to cover the cost. But I have brought a Stampin' Up Catalogue and a few other craft catalogues but they are not just standard small catalogues they are idea and gallery books.

Hel replied:

Avon reps who have a territory are trained to go back and collect their catalogues. However, they arent actually supposed to go back and knock on the door for it - the customer is required to leave the catalogue at their door or letterbox. If the catalogue isnt left out then the rep is supposed to leave a note asking for it. I honestly find it all a bit impersonal and have used a different tact for my Avon business. I dont ask for my catalogues to be returned and have found this the best method for sales for me as the customer is then not pushed to look through it within a certain time frame and are less likely to just leave it back out again without looking at it. However, it is all up to the idividual and how they want to run their business. If I was in a company where their catalogues are $3 ea, I would probably consider a return option and I think your idea Janine of including a envelope with postage paid of say $1 is a fantastic idea!

cheryl replied:

I ask customers once they are finished with it to please feel free to hand it on to a friend.....They have my number on them so if anyone wants something all they need to do is call....