Many of us run home based businesses, or sell products for numerous companies. One of the biggest keys to growing our business is marketing, getting our name out there so people know what we do. We throw home parties, online parties, pass out fliers and business cards, and do numerous other things. An increasing trend is giving out samples of your product, which has produced two companies that deal specifically in samples. These companies are The Sample Bag and The Sample Gal. First, I’ll review The Sample Bag, then The Sample Gal, and finally do a review of both companies customer service and and ability to make sure your product gets out to those who would use it. The selection of the SEO expert specialist based in San Diego can be made through the business person. The method of direct selling will be beneficial for internet marketing for the business firms.
The Sample Bag’s strongest point is that it has numerous types of bags. They have holiday themed bags, bags for men and women, decorative bags, bags that you can reuse, product themed bags, and many more. To get your product in The Sample Bag, they have a rather long list of requirements when compared to The Sample Gal. First, you pay a $30 yearly fee that guarantees that they will only have a maximum of 3 consultants from 1 company, and that you will be one of them. You must send in 20 samples every month with a business card attached to every sample. Also, by signing up to get your products in the bags, you also have to agree to be a representative for The Sample Bag. Becoming a representative requires a minimum of $55 in sales every month in order to receive a commission. Your commission is 20% from personal sales, you also receive 20% of personal purchases, as well as 20% off their representative kits. Also, for each representative that signs up under you, you receive $1. (However you do not receive a commission on sales made by that representative.) The Sample Bag offers a sellers only program where you do not have to send in samples. The cost is $15 a year, you must sell at least 22 bags quarterly, and you receive the same commission and discount as a representative. Both of these come with an affiliate website, a yahoo group, toolbar, marketing materials for your own personal sites, as well as several other ways to connect with other representatives or sellers. Also, your personal website and business will receive a spot on their sponsors page.
The Sample Gal is more simple than The Sample Bag, as it only has 2 boxes. Both are for women, one is a simple sample box with 15-20 different samples in it, the other is focused on bath and beauty products. With The Sample Gal, you have two options as well. The first is becoming a sponsor. This is where you simply send in samples of your products to go in one of their sample boxes. They do have a minimum, you must send in at least 20 samples at a time, however there is no deadline. (So you can send in samples once every 3 months if you desire.) Additionally, there is no cost to become a sponsor. The Sample Gal does not guarantee that there will not be more than 3 representatives from the same company, however they will not send 2 samples from the same company in a box. Your samples are put in rotation immediately, and they do require a business card or brochure so that the person receiving the box can contact you if they are interested in your product. You can sign up to be a Sample Gal consultant, which means you would also sell The Sample Gal boxes. The Sample Gal sells their boxes in “campaigns”, or 150 boxes every 2 weeks. Your options to sell the boxes are very flexible. You can sell them your own personal website, online parties, Ebay, home parties, or even fliers. They have two different consultant levels. As a sample consultant you earn 10% commission on your own personal sales, a free website, and your commission is paid via paypal. The cost to become a sample consultant is $10, and you have no monthly minimums. The sample consultant receives a sample promo kit that includes 1 flyer, 1 thank you card, and 1 post card. If you’re more serious, you can choose to be a basic consultant, which costs $25. This also comes with a free website, your commission is paid via paypal, but you receive a 25% commission on your own personal sales as well as a 10% commission on your team’s sales and purchases (those you enroll). The promo kit for a basic consultant includes 2 flyers, 10 non-custom business cards, 1 thank you card, and 1 post card.
I also decided to test each companies products. On July 22nd I ordered both a Sample Bag and Sample Gal box. The cost of the Sample Gal box was $15 including shipping, the cost of the Sample Bag was $20.99. I received my Sample Gal box within 5 days of ordering it. I was contacted by the company to make sure I received my box and was happy with my purchase within 1 week of receiving the box. The box was full of numerous useful things, ranging from soap and skin care products, to cat nip and hair ties. I have yet to actually receive my Sample Bag. Unfortunately, their customer service has been very poor. I sent an e-mail inquiring about my Sample Bag on August 20th, the reply was very unprofessional. I then asked for my order to be canceled and for a refund of my money, which I received no response too. I am now being forced to dispute the charge on my credit card because I have received no contact from the company in regards to my order or canceling it (despite another attempt at trying to get information on the order and if it had been canceled). The website says that the bag may take up to 3 weeks to receive due to the popularity of the product. However, I found out that it’s because the person in charge of sending out the original Sample Bag’s is simply not sending them out. The company contacted me asking how I enjoyed my order a little over 3 weeks after it shipped, which I replied to and let them know I had never received it. I did not receive a response which led to further e-mails through their contact e-mail. So, as for overall service, I will have to give The Sample Bag a very poor rating, while The Sample Gal was excellent!
In conclusion, after looking at each companies business model, your ability to get your product out with each company, and how quick they are with getting your product out I believe that your best option would be The Sample Gal. They are fast, reliable, less expensive, require no yearly cost to send in samples, as well as no monthly minimums, and their customer service was fantastic. SEO expert specialist based in San Diego r
