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I have had the good fortune of a repeat customer...three times. I am really flattered and want to make sure she knows how much I appreciate her. What do y'all do? I don't want to sound goopy or anything but I really appreciate it. For all I know she is reselling my stuff. I have no idea. Or maybe she just loves collecting bears. Regardless, it keeps me going and tells me there is somebody out there that gets a kick out of my stuff.
Sunnie BearsI always send along a personal note to my repeat customers to let them know how much I appreciate them. I also offer them a discount from time to time. Usually 10-15% off. Sometimes I will offer a coupon good for 10 or 15% off on the next purchase from my website to all of my customers. It does help keep them coming back
Sonya
Little Bear GuyThat's what we do as well. We provide people with Bear Guys Bucks, they get 10-20 BGB's that they can use for a future order. We also send out thank you cards after a show and try and send out christmas cards to all of our collectors. An email is nice now and then but collectors enjoy getting something in the mail as well.
Big hugs
Shane
Jenneifer when i had my patchwork /quilting shop, from time to time I always had the question do I get a discount from regular customers/ friends etc. To avoid this I introduced a "Super Shopper Card". Each time my customer bought from me they received a tick/mark on the card, this mark was given wether they spent $1.00 or $500.00 and the card was valid for a 12 month period. Once the customer had collected 20 ticks they were then entitltled to a 25% discount. They loved this as it meant they could purchases all the materials for the quilt then when it came to buying the backing etc which was expensive they got a nice big discount. Also many saved up this way to purchase books which were more expensive.
The same principle could work work regular customers in the bear market, perhaps after 3 purchases to reward them they could get a specail discount - for me that shows I appreciate their business and we all achieved something in the end.
( Again my typing- sorry cant see very well till my stitches are all out )
Lynette
bears by beesley TMI think that is wonderful! We all have been blessed with repeat customers. I have in the past given the shipping charges back as a small way to say thank you. It always comes as a surprise to them but if I can make a small gesture to say thank you it is so worth it to me. Bless your heart and this is your customers way of saying they appreciate and love your work.
Hugs Louise
Thanks everyone! You've given me some good ideas that I will definitely use.
LuxembearsAh, repeat customers are the bread and butter of this business. It's like a validation that you have made a good impression on a collector. Kind words are worth thier weight on gold and I always thank my collectors with a note of card in the shipping box. I have heard it said that if someone gives you $20.00 or a really nice compliment, ten years from now yo uwilkl remember the compliment not the money.
Sometimes I will pay for shipping on repeat customers. I like your ideas, Shane and Sonya, about offering a discount coupon. I'll have to keep that in mind.
Jennifer, I am sure you will have many repeat customers....you are just getting started. 
I love this topic. I just adore all of my customers and am so thankful for each and everyone. Some things that I have done are:
Pay for shipping, send something special with the bear such as candy. bath stuff (if they aren't allergic). One collector had bought several bears and does beadwork so I sent her some beads, another wants to visit Nova Scotia so I sent her a CD with pics of the area. Personal things like that once you get to know them. This year I mailed out Christmas cards with handmade laminated bookmarks with pics of the bears they bought on the bookmark. Yes they took time to make , but I really wanted them to know how thankful I am. I always send hand written thank you cards with each bear and giftwrap their bear so it is special to open. Have fun !
fribbles, ltd.Jennifer, Dawn & Suzanne have purchased my bears too, and I would always put an extra goody of some sort---maybe a dolly for the teddy, sometimes a polymer clay mini teddy, etc.---in with their purchase. They are wonderful customers to have, and their collection is truly marvelous! especially with your lil' bruins in it! =)
Amelia
I also make beaded jewelry (well I did it before I broke my hand-I can't do it anymore). I don't know if she wears jewelry but I could send her a necklace and she could use it or give it as a gift. Is that lame since it has nothing to do with bears?
Not lame at all Jennifer....
most "collectors" are usually just that... they often collect all sorts of things, and even if they don't....they may love a bit of jewellery. Besides, if they don't really care for it or don't want to keep it for themselves..they can always use it as a gift for someone else. They will still appreciate, and likely be completely surprised and amazed by any little "extra" you send them.
BruinwerksI tried a few times to give a discount to my repeat customers. I think they all appreciated it but it didn't seem to make a difference in whether they bought a bear or not.
I have included copies of magazines where I have been featured or even those little bear books you can often find on sale at the big box stores.
I think everyone enjoys just knowing that you appreciate their business and you took extra time to make them feel special!
Cheryl 
Love the new avatar Veronica!
Burlison BearsHey I have been wondering about this same thing...what can I do nice for my repeat customers. And I've actually had quite a few repeat customers. One lady has bought 5 of my bears and has told me she can't help buying them cause they're so cute. I found out from her that she only collects antique Steiff and Chiltern bears...and guess what else..Burlison Bears! That was a major compliment to me since she is setting my bears right alongside with those amazing antiques! I couldn't believe it when she told me that, and ever since I've been wondering what I can do special for her to keep her coming back for more.
You guys have given me some great ideas.
Bearhaven BearsHi All,
I to am fortunate to have some regular bear adopters and can't believe my lucky stars that these people seem to have endless room in their hugs for just one more Bearhaven Bear.
I always add a hand written note to the shipping box when mailing my bears out and I sometimes take care of the shipping cost if the bear brings in more $$$ than I hoped for, not that this happens often. It's the least I can do if someone is willing to part with their hard earned money.
I have even made a bear and secretly sent it to a very dear customer of mine for free( no adoption fees or nothing) she didn't even know he was coming.
Bearhaven Bears some times do that go for a walk on their own and show up on unsuspecting customers doors form time to time, looking for a new hug to call home. I send a card along with them telling them how much I appreciate their business, I hope it makes their day and not stress them out, EEEE gads not another Bearhaven Bear what the heck am I suppose to do with this. I guess I will never make big bucks doing this but sometimes $$$ aint everything.
Hugs to all
Deborah
That is very cool Deborah. Wouldn't love to be there when they get it? I can only imagine their reaction. :dance:
Posts: 8,574Well two of my repeat customers have become dear friends, we email and call and the one in NZ, well we send little surprises back and forth-silly things, but its fun. We are both little kids when it comes to stuff in the mail.
I love the ideas you all had here for repeat customers and bonus cards etc.....i am about to send a repeat customer a little gollygirl brooch-she teaches and home ec is her subject...and the kids all want to take the gollies apart and check the stitches and so on....so it is fun to send new ones along to amuse the kids-and the teacher
a few months ago I sent her earrings that dangled and bounced-and yeah....they were gollies...she says she has a lot of fun at school when she wears those.
Thanks for sharing everyone-some really great ideas to incorporate into our practises.
gollyhugs
dilu
Brandon BearsOn the other side of the coin - as a customer I received along with the bear I'd bought a
ATC -Artist Trading Card. Then at Christmas time I received a Christmas card and nice note.
I often will email a photo of my new bear with the other bears of my hugg to the Artist who made him.
When I sell a bear I've made I like to email or give a hardcopy photo of my bear to the buyer.That way they can share the good new with friends and family "a new bear in my Hugg". I love ATC's..
Donna A.
puca bearsThis is one of the nicest things about bear making! A lot of my customers have become friends, and bear friends become customers....the best and funniest happening came last Autumn, when the daughter of a bear friend mailed me and commissioned a special bearas her Xmas present to mum....and not long after, mum mailed me and commissioned a bear for her daughter! I was so excited and honoured to be part of the big SECRET....and boy, did I wish I could have been a fly on the wall on Xmas morning!!
I always put a little gift in with a new bear - sweeties, bear key rings, Xmas ornaments - I think all bear people are big kids at heart and love little surprises in the mail!
But SHANE - I just LOVE the Bear Guy Bucks concept!!!!
huggies
Maria
Jellybelly BearsI love repeat customers too. Some you can't help but become friends with, its lovely 
I give anyone who buys two or more bears from me a discount...I've had people buy 4 at once, so a discount is always appreciated I think.
I've just finished adopting out 3 bears to the sweetest lady who I've become friends with, she actually gave me a little gift with her second bear and wanted me to spend it on something for myself, it was so so sweet. I sent her a little bear as a gift back and it was so funny as we both had the same "gift" idea at the same time...its kinda like that, and it all makes you feel warm and cozy
