FE "advertising"

[AnotherPrincess]

Still confused over the thought that business and gifts shouldn't be combined. My cousin is an Avon rep. The ladies in my family frequently receive Avon gifts from her for birthdays and Christmas, etc. No one in my family gets offended. In fact, it's understandable since she can get more for the same money as a rep. Likewise my sister used to be a Beauty Control rep. I got lots of those products from her, as did my mom. We loved it. In fact, mom still uses the products but has had to find a new rep since my sis no longer sells.

For those who think it's inappropriate for new friends to promote their business to you, have none of you ever been asked by a friend to host a product party? Or have you never been invited to one? If so, does that offend you too?

Maybe because I haven't received anything unwanted in my FE I just don't understand.

 

[valbob89]

This is not allowed by DCL. Other agencies have gotten in trouble for doing the same thing. I was on the Panama Canal cruise and a TA from Dreams was doing that with ther gift. I do know that Disney contacted the owners to say that was soliciting and not allowed, not sure how much of a talking to they received but I do remeber they did get in trouble for it and were told not to try it again

I think it was in bad taste. But, I have to wonder how DCL would have only found out. If someone from the FE list went and complained to them, I find that even more distressing.

 

[mickeyfan1]

WOW! Just wow!

I suppose you will still happily accept my generosity?

Hey, that person said they were putting a No SOliciting sign on their FE. Meaning they want nothing with anything that might have a business tie in, If I decide to use something and add my business card, then I will honour their request and not put anything there. At the same time, that person has no right to complain that they did not get the number of "gifts" expected or that they did not get the something that someone else in the group did Your generosity has nothing to do with my complying with that persons request.

 

[mickeyfan1]

I bet those people who purchased first aid kits, snacks, etc... did so as a GIFT, not to try to promote their own business. I personally would not appreciate feeling like I was given a FE as just a way to promote a home business. For me it takes away the spirit of giving. I would never enclose a business card with a wedding gift, birthday present, Christmas gift, OR Fish Extender. It's just not something I would ever do.

But just because wou;old ner do it does not make it the rule. Anyone is more than welcome to toss any gift and all accompanying information as they choose. Unless the organizer of the specific FE saates no commercial items or no business advertizing in the FE, then people who take the time to purchase items that they think others will find useful albiet from the company they represent, will have the opportunity to decline participating or find something else to give.

The spirit of giving comes from the giver, not the reciever.

 

[GhostlyHitchhiker]

Hey, that person said they were putting a No SOliciting sign on their FE. Meaning they want nothing with anything that might have a business tie in, If I decide to use something and add my business card, then I will honour their request and not put anything there. At the same time, that person has no right to complain that they did not get the number of "gifts" expected or that they did not get the something that someone else in the group did Your generosity has nothing to do with my complying with that persons request.

Actually I didn't say that. I said perhaps I should if its a rampant enough problem that fellow DISers don't even participate anymore for the amount of "spam" they got. And I further went on to state that its a gray area for me because the hand sanitizer branded or a handcrafted gift with a business card would be fine, IMO.

Yes, I can just throw out anything I don't want, but this thread was started asking people's opinions and I stated mine. I never bashed anyone and have been polite, so I see no reason to get snide and make comments about me "complaining" when I don't get enough gifts. I would never do that, nor would I be rude to someone putting something in my FE I didn't care for (advertising or not). The OP asked for opinions and I gave (and clarified) mine.

 

[GeneMachine]

For those who think it's inappropriate for new friends to promote their business to you, have none of you ever been asked by a friend to host a product party? Or have you never been invited to one? If so, does that offend you too?

Yes, it does offend me. I would never host a party in which I had to invite friends to buy stuff, whether it be kitchen products or jewelry. I do not want my friends to think of me as a business conduit, or a way of increasing their market exposure, or however else companies are encouraging their sales consultants to "grow their business."

The reason this is so offensive to me is that people will "befriend" people not because they are interested in them, or have shared interests, but because they are seen as business potential. And this is what is annoying about people using the FEs--if the motivating factor is to spread the word about your business, then that is really counter to the idea of making friends in a meaningful way. No thanks. We are advertised to every minute of the day, from TV, from billboard ads on the way to and from work, on the radio; literally, everywhere you turn these days someone is trying to sell you something.

I am surprised by the nonchalance on this thread, actually. I feel like Abe Simpson. Soon I'll be yelling "Get off my lawn!"

 

[texasgirl73]

Yep I agree with the above poster. It's awkward to me when friends try to sell things to me. I hate to use friends as potential customers because its harder to say no to someone you know and I wouldn't want to take advantage of a friendship. I have has many an awkward conversation with work friends trying to sell something to me. I never go to those sale "parties" (except I was forced to go to one that was incooperated into a bachelorette party) and have never held one. I would consider an advertisement in an FE as tacky and would just throw whatever it was away. "Useful" freebies would seem tacky to me as well, it's like regifting or giving free work items as birthday gifts.

 

[capshockeygrl]

I've tried a few times now to come up with a fitting response. It seems I'm in a grey area, too. At the end of the day, though, as long as it came along with a little gift, I wouldn't mind the advertising so much. Except in the case of the letter offering to meet. That really is a bit much.

 

[Miz Diz]

I am really surprised that a business card offends some people. I gave really (imo) great gifts in my FE (someone did post in the favorite FE gifts received thread that my gift was their fave).I gave a gift to every person in the cabin and personalized at least 1 item for each cabin. In most cases, I personalized more than 1 item. We got some thoughtful gifts, but most of the items we received were candy and Oriental Trading items. I got 3 travel agent business cards attached to gifts and I was not offended.

I used my business card as a tag. I didn't write off any of my gifts as a business expense. I really thought they were such nice gifts that people would want to know where they came from and I felt that I spent so much time and money on my gifts that my business should be recognized. If I got any business from it, great, but if not that was great too, as long as I knew people liked their gifts.

 

[amanda.c09]

I just don't understand all the fuss about it. Okay, you don't like getting promotional things or business cards with your gifts. Good for you. If you don't want it simply throw it in the little trash can in your stateroom and be done with it.
Expecting everyone to be happy with one idea, or expecting everyone to accommodate your opinions and views is just a waste of time.

 

[Dallas_Lady]

Was this person in your FE group or was it someone who was just walking the halls putting flyers in FEs?

 

[SaraCat]

I am a bit worried about my plans for my FE gifts after reading this thread. I have a small craft business making something (I don't want to say what item and spoil my surprise) and I thought I would do a special DCL version for the FE, the item has a small logo tag sewn in which I put on all my items. Would this be considered advertising as I guess should people be interested about the gift they might check out the 'brand'??

 

[capshockeygrl]

I am a bit worried about my plans for my FE gifts after reading this thread. I have a small craft business making something (I don't want to say what item and spoil my surprise) and I thought I would do a special DCL version for the FE, the item has a small logo tag sewn in which I put on all my items. Would this be considered advertising as I guess should people be interested about the gift they might check out the 'brand'??

I wouldn't be worried about something like this. I think the worry is the more blatant advertising like the Tupperware lady who seemed to just want everyone to buy Tupperware from her.

You've actually piqued my curiosity!

 

[Cruise]

I am a bit worried about my plans for my FE gifts after reading this thread. I have a small craft business making something (I don't want to say what item and spoil my surprise) and I thought I would do a special DCL version for the FE, the item has a small logo tag sewn in which I put on all my items. Would this be considered advertising as I guess should people be interested about the gift they might check out the 'brand'??

I wouldn't be bothered by that at all. If anything, I'd be thrilled to know I had a handcrafted, unique item.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

Does not appear to be in the best taste, although it's understandable as those who work for themselves have to scare up business any way they can. But then, you do not have to take them up on the offer. Hopefully if you see them during the cruise, they will not get pushy.

 

[Disneylandfanatic]

I don't feel that getting a business card with an item would be out of line... It would be interesting to me to see what the business was and ways to contact them should I want more in the future. If it was something that I was completely not interested in, I would simply toss the card and think nothing of it. People can certainly cross the line, like the ta saying she could meet on the ship, that seems to be way too much. A simple card however would not offend me at all.

 

[RoniBoBoni]

I am one of the ones that wouldn't mind a business card, especially since I an getting to know these people and knowing what they to for a living is interesting to me. With that said, a business card, no big deal. A flyer requesting to meet, awkward. Provide your info, if there id interest, they will seek you out. During or after the vacation. I totally understand having to make a living and if you come up with a creative gift, I might want to purchase and give on future fe exchanges, do a business card is okay.

 

[SaraCat]

Thanks! I feel much better now and will continue with my plans

 

[bmer1rick]

I have participated in many FEs and have received a few business cards attached to gifts. Personally, I would rather just receive a regular card with the gift.

If I like the gift enough and would like another one or one like it, I would just get back on the FE exchange thread after the cruise and just ask the person (or complete board if I didn't know) if I could get another/customized one--which we have done a few times. I do understand the need to expand business in these difficult times, but would rather not get even the appearance of soliciting business on a FE exchange.

 

[EpicBilynn]

I haven't participated in an exchange yet (planning on it on our upcoming cruise), but this is the way I look at it. If we meet up at the beginning of the cruise and you mention "I make..." or "I sell..." and I ask for information, feel free to pop a card or brochure in my FE. If I don't ask, assume there's no interest. However, if a flyer, business card, brochure, etc. is put in my FE that I did not request or have no interest in, no big deal. It'll probably just get an eye roll and tossed.

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