when you sell a gecko do you supply a jar?

[ColleenT]

i am thinking it is a good idea to give a jar of CGD with every gecko i sell. but i would have to buy a case of it and keep it in a cool dry room in the basement. does anyone else do this?

[Gecko Ranch]

I think a package deal, Crested gecko and CGD or MRP Base and flavor(s) is a great idea!

[Chicubswally]

Great idea ColleenT. This would certainly setup the new owner with the right food right from the beginning and go a long ways to gaining a repeat customer. Perhaps a one page insert about cgd and a link to this forum as well.

[ColleenT]

i always give out printouts. in fact i give way too much info..but i want my animals to have the best of care in their new homes. but i can definitely add this link to the handouts.

[mike]

i always give out printouts. in fact i give way too much info..but i want my animals to have the best of care in their new homes. but i can definitely add this link to the handouts.

there's no such thing as too much info, good work.

[ColleenT]

when i start having hatchlings, i will be looking to purchase a bunch of the small jars. does Allen Sell them by the case?

[Powergeckos]

The one and only time I sold geckos at a show (Midwest Herp Symposium, or something like that) - I was giving out samples of CGD from my big jar - and told them how to purchase it online or at the big pet stores.

I am Mr. Salesman for Lord Repashy!!! heheh

[dcarter]

that is a good idea and well worth it to know their going to have the same care abroad. a link to this forum is an awesome idea too.

[genevieve]

As of now there is no way to get the small jars bulk, but I believe Allen is working on it.

Genevieve

[ColleenT]

well it has been difficult to find a case of the jars. i want the jars b/c it says what it is and it's small enough that it's not going to break me to give one out each time i sell a gecko. the only place i found so far that sells the jars, is LLLreptile. if you buy 6, they are $3.59 a jar. if i had empty jars with labels, i could buy in bulk and fill the jars. maybe that is a better idea, and make my own labels with info where to purchase the repashy foods online.

[Gecko Ranch]

The jars are history from what Allen has told me. If you want to give your customer a sample it is easy enough to measure out 50g (weight of CGD in small jars) and put it in a ziplock from your big 2 lb bag (biggest size of any of Allen's foods now).

[ColleenT]

i'll look for some small jars online. i'll label them with info on where to get more.

[Allen Repashy]

I have been thinking about this and have a few ideas I am working on right now. Stay tuned. Allen

[Andrew Gilpin]

we do basically as Julie said.... but we go to Dollar tree, and get 10 small containers with snap on lids that hold close to 50 grams of diet. Works well, and at only 10 cents a container, it's cheap too!

[Chicubswally]

we do basically as Julie said.... but we go to Dollar tree, and get 10 small containers with snap on lids that hold close to 50 grams of diet. Works well, and at only 10 cents a container, it's cheap too!
Funny think is that is exactly what I did as well. At 10 cents a container, I can add a teaspoon of CGD and it doesn't break me to hand these out for free at a show.
I guess if someone is interested in selling food, we should get clarification on how this impacts Allen and the dealers that are in business selling the foods.
Any comments on this?

[Powergeckos]

I guess I am cheap. I just did a little sandwich bag.

[Gecko Ranch]

I guess I am cheap. I just did a little sandwich bag.

Ziplocks are great and even cheaper than a jar, agreed. Looking forward to Allen's ideas on the little quantities.

[mike]

I agree on the bags, I think it would be good to supply enough for 4 or 5 feedings and then strongly encourage them to purchase the diet and continue with it.

[ColleenT]

do they need to be in UV resisitant containers?

[Allen Repashy]

I have some two ounce size bags that match the packaging. I might make a custom matching label that says "Free Sample" and information that leads them to the website page listing distributors.. I would just package it in the two ounce samples myself if I could just find the time, but it is pretty labor intensive.

If I made these bags, I could send them to the distributors, who could send them out with food purchases to the breeders. The material cost for the bags and a label would probably be 25 cents... and would have to be passed on without markup.

This way, it would keeps everything looking the same and more professional. The breeder could then fill the bags from a bulk bag to give the samples away and just put an ounce in it if they wanted, as this would be all the customer would probably need to start feeding their gecko and order some from a distributor/breeder. The distributors who sell the diets could also use these bags to give out free samples at the shows.

The one big thing that is most important to me, and my distributors, is that the product is not sold in these bags or any others for that matter. Anyone who try's to repackage the product from bigger bags and sell it will find themselves in a tall tree with a short rope hanging from their neck :)

I will need to discuss this with my distributors..... we work as a team, and I will not do something like this without their feedback and blessing.

What do you guys think?

[ColleenT]

i think it is excellent. You can put NOT FOR RESALE on the package. that would be a great way to keep the gecko healthy and a neat gift for a new gecko owner.

[Gecko Ranch]

As a distributor I like idea a lot Allen!

[Allen Repashy]

Ok, I looked at the little bag and checked my costs.. I think I can make them for 20 cents.... the label costs as much as the pouch. The pouch is just a small version of the ones I already have., so it will fit nicely with the "look" of the product line. It will hold up to about three ounces if you cram it. It is a standup silver pouch with a ziplock top that is designed to be heat sealed above that, so the user will have to tape it across the top because if the bag is squeezed, the ziplock will pop open... or better yet, if you are serious about it you can get a nice little heat sealer for about $15.00 ... here is one on EBAY (http://cgi.ebay.com/8-Bag-closer-hand-heat-Impulse-Sealer-kit_W0QQitemZ260057472625QQihZ016QQcategoryZ11808Q QrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem) and even a battery operated one that only costs eight bucks (http://cgi.ebay.com/Heat-BAG-SEALER-Seals-BAGS-o-CHIPS-PRETZELS-DOODLES-etc_W0QQitemZ300054414195QQihZ020QQcategoryZ20685Q QrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)..... They would come in handy for sealing chip bags around the house too...

The diets are available in a new 64 ounce container that makes it a LOT cheaper if you can buy that much. If you bought a 64 ounce bag, it costs $50.00.. so 78 cents an ounce. So it would cost you a buck to give away a one ounce sample with your gecko.... that's really all you need to give them so they see that it works and enough time to order some.

I could also make one for the base and flavors so distributors could give out small samples of the different flavors if they wanted to.

Allen

[genevieve]

Sounds good to me, too! I hate having to point new gecko owners away for their gecko food.

Genevieve

[Chicubswally]

The concerns I had about repackaging and selling as smaller breeders was the impact to the bigger breeders and food distributers like Gecko Ranch and all. If we hand out free samples to help the new buyers maintain their new purchases it benefits the buyer and animals.
I like the idea to direct buyers to these distributor sites to continue feeding the right foods.
Some type of label to make this look more professional would also work very well.

Thanks for the input and let us know.

[Powergeckos]

I know I would probably write/tape a website on the bag - so they know where to order the MRP.

Good idea Allen - it's a lot better then me scooping out spoonsful of diet in a baggie at a show. LOL

[Gecko Ranch]

Thanks Wally, I appreciate your concern for us distributor types.:) Monte, I find the ziplock thing little "druggy" - I had my high school librarian sister at my last show with a gram scale, weight and ziplocking the leo dust. What a sight that was! LOL!

[Powergeckos]

Monte, I find the ziplock thing little "druggy" - I had my high school librarian sister at my last show with a gram scale, weight and ziplocking the leo dust. What a sight that was! LOL!

Right. Heheh - gimme a dime bag of MRP - I need my CGD real bad.....

[Allen Repashy]

On another subject, I am considering packing the MRP's and MRP Base in the 4oz. size... Does anyone think this would be of benefit, or is 8oz. small enough. I can't see a benefit ordering online because of the freight being nearly the same, but if it was sold at shows it might fly. The retail on the 8oz is around 12.99, and the 4oz. would be 8.99

[Powergeckos]

Allen - I think that is a great idea for shows - especially for you. People wouldn't mind spending that amount and it would be like a sample pack.

I think you would sell a lot - and convince even more people - especially at retail pet stores. Under the 10 dollar price point is key, though.

[ColleenT]

IMO- the 8 oz is fine, and i just stick mine in the fridge to keep it fresh.

[Gecko Ranch]

I think the 4oz MRP Base and MRP would be good for shows too.

[genevieve]

I would love to have some 1 oz samples/ sample bags to fill and give away, plus a 4 oz bag to sell.

Genevieve

[Stickytoe]

As a distributor of the diets also, I love the idea of the samples. I also think the 4oz MRP base is a good idea for shows.

________________
Nicole Chaney
www.stickytoegecko.com

[Allen Repashy]

Ok, I made some sample labels today.... two versions. I think they will make the distributors happy too.

One version says visit www.superfoods.repashy.com (http://www.superfoods.repashy.com) for a list of retailers, the other says visit www.distributorswebsitehere.com (http://www.distributorswebsitehere.com) ... so the distributor gets the referral.

The distributors can use the one with their name on it to give away samples or ask their customers to give that one out...

Or the customer can get the one pointing to the superfoods website if they want to be more neutral.

They will be 20 cents each. Maybe the distributors will sell the one with their name on it at a discount or give it away as advertisment (hint hint)

If you are a distributor, ask me about it. If you buy from a distributor, ask them about it.

[ColleenT]

that is excellent. Thanks for doing all this. it will be a nice addition when selling a gecko.

[Powergeckos]

Pretty cool Alan - I wish you nothing but success.

It really is a terrific product.

[crestedgal]

I would absolutely love to provide new owners with a free sample correctly labeled for usage.

I let my first crested go last week. I did provide the new owner with a free jar of CGD, but would rather be able to hand out free sample bags. Well, I have like 40 little guys to go, along with some adults I am trading out. I would love to get my hands on some free sample labels. I have the 2.5# containers and would use those to fill bags. It would be worth it for peace of mind that I did everything I could to encourage proper nutrition.

I'll start calling to see if/when they will be available.

Thanks everyone.

[Allen Repashy]

I am shipping orders to GeckoRanch and Pangea today and will throw a bunch in the box to get rolling. Make sure and ask for them. Thanks for the idea guys! I think it will benefit the geckos (and might help sell more diet :)

Allen

[Chicubswally]

I would absolutely love to provide new owners with a free sample correctly labeled for usage.

I let my first crested go last week. I did provide the new owner with a free jar of CGD, but would rather be able to hand out free sample bags. Well, I have like 40 little guys to go, along with some adults I am trading out. I would love to get my hands on some free sample labels. I have the 2.5# containers and would use those to fill bags. It would be worth it for peace of mind that I did everything I could to encourage proper nutrition.

I'll start calling to see if/when they will be available.

Thanks everyone.

Theresa- I couldn't have said it any better. We are all trying to encourage the use of the product for the benefit of the animals. If it looks professional, so much the better!

[Powergeckos]

My geckos which go across the country from time to time would like to thank you too...

http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p180/Powergeckos/15cgrocks-med.jpg

[Gecko Ranch]

It might be worth it if I could travel cross country overnight for $50 in a box with a heat pack, in spite of all the bouncing and turning upside down! ;)

[Darkice]

i always give out printouts. in fact i give way too much info..but i want my animals to have the best of care in their new homes. but i can definitely add this link to the handouts.

There is no such thing as giving out too much info. Ive even gone as far as making repeat trips to people houses to make sure everything is going well.

[cizin]

I guess if someone is interested in selling food, we should get clarification on how this impacts Allen and the dealers that are in business selling the foods.
Any comments on this?

Well, I know that the last show I did with you, some people got free samples from you, and didn't buy from me, but how long will those free samples realy last? I will have double the food at the next show we do together, so we'll see how things go. I personally am for the samples.

[cizin]

I have some two ounce size bags that match the packaging. I might make a custom matching label that says "Free Sample" and information that leads them to the website page listing distributors.. I would just package it in the two ounce samples myself if I could just find the time, but it is pretty labor intensive.

If I made these bags, I could send them to the distributors, who could send them out with food purchases to the breeders. The material cost for the bags and a label would probably be 25 cents... and would have to be passed on without markup.

This way, it would keeps everything looking the same and more professional. The breeder could then fill the bags from a bulk bag to give the samples away and just put an ounce in it if they wanted, as this would be all the customer would probably need to start feeding their gecko and order some from a distributor/breeder. The distributors who sell the diets could also use these bags to give out free samples at the shows.

The one big thing that is most important to me, and my distributors, is that the product is not sold in these bags or any others for that matter. Anyone who try's to repackage the product from bigger bags and sell it will find themselves in a tall tree with a short rope hanging from their neck :)

I will need to discuss this with my distributors..... we work as a team, and I will not do something like this without their feedback and blessing.

What do you guys think?

I think it's a great idea, and I'd totally be game for doing this at all the shows I do.

[Gecko Ranch]

Allen's being supplying labels and pouches to the distributors upon request, works out great for all involved! :)

[Terri]

So Nick and you other distributors, would you be able/willing to package up diet in free sample bags once Allen has them and sell a quantity of them (perhaps with your distributor info on them) to us breeders who always supply food with geckos sold? I have no problem giving a 1-ounce sample bag of food with purchased geckos seeing as how up until now I have been giving away 55-gram bottles with purchases.

[cizin]

So Nick and you other distributors, would you be able/willing to package up diet in free sample bags once Allen has them and sell a quantity of them (perhaps with your distributor info on them) to us breeders who always supply food with geckos sold? I have no problem giving a 1-ounce sample bag of food with purchased geckos seeing as how up until now I have been giving away 55-gram bottles with purchases.

Terri, we can discuss the detial over PM or e-mail, but I'll put some in your order when I ship it to you.

[Geckoaz]

That is an excellent Idea! The Brand Recognition is important when a new gecko owner goes looking for the product, the risk of the "not for resale" seems to be always out there. You have to trust that fellow herps wouldn't do that, and I think those that would are hopefully the very few.