Sellers: sample size?

[Guest]

This is for those who sell their soaps:

What size do you cut your samples?
How much do you sell them for?
Do you package them as a group? (such as 4 for $5 or something) or individually?

 

[Vic1963]

I see lots of sample sizes on etsy .......did you look at theirs ? That site is almost as addicting as this one..haha

I have almost ordered samples from there myself... Id love to try some other people soaps out like that.

 

[AshleyR]

I don't really like giving people "ends" and "uglies" as I see some people doing on etsy, because I want the sample to be a NICE example of my soap.

I usually spare a bar or two from each batch and cut them up into 1/4" slices.

 

[Bigmoose]

I made a mold just for samples. My sample bars are 1.5" tall by 2.25" wide and I cut them a little over 1/4" thick. I give them away all the time. They are little but everyone always likes getting something free.

Bruce

 

[amanda131]

I'm not there yet, but I'm thinking of using my "ice cubes" samples. They are a nice size, look neat and tidy and are super easy to do.

 

[Vic1963]

I don't really like giving people "ends" and "uglies" as I see some people doing on etsy, because I want the sample to be a NICE example of my soap.

I usually spare a bar or two from each batch and cut them up into 1/4" slices.

I guess I didn't see the uglies, LOL......I saw some skinner sliced bars banded just like their regular size, I thought they looked real nice.

 

[TheSoapyEwe]

My normal sample bars are about an ounce and do not come from ends but are cut thinner than normal bars.

At shows however I do sometimes take an end piece cut into thirds they are about 3/4" x 1 " x 2 1/2" and put them in a small baggie slip my label in front of the soap and the ingredient label at the back of the soap. I sell these for 50 cents a piece and I've had many many return customers from those "ugly" samples

 

[Guest]

The way my log cutter works I get about a dozen or so mini soap sample bars off each log , they will be free for the taking at the farmers market . I feel like Ashley does about charging for ends etc .

Kitn

 

[Maria]

I cut samples from the left overs after cutting the bars. Giving out free samples was the number one reason I sold so much soap at the local market. Several times tourists who took samples called me to ship soap to them after returning home.
This year we are getting a wireless terminal for credit cards.

 

[Bnky]

I bought a silicone mini loaf mold that makes six small loaves. Whenever I try new recipes, I make one small loaf instead of a large batch; this way if I don't like the scent, I don't have so much of it. If it turns out good, I make sample bars with it. I even made a wrapper for them that is a copy of my large bar wrapper.

 

[heartsong]

x

i use my 2" x 12" round pvc pipe for samples, cut at a hir under 1/2" and they weigh .9 oz cured.

i then put them in 3x4" organza bags (30 for 1.65) with a small tag. i get them at www.yourorganzabag.com and they have a wonderful selection of colors and fast shipping.

i have them as giveaways-i include them with my tip at restaraunts, leave samples for my post lady, hand them out anywhere, especially when someone does me a kindness and i give small baskets to my dentist and dr's for the office help., which btw, is a great "pre-christmas order stimulator", especially if you include order forms.

 

[Guest]

I was just at a store this weekend and noticed a mini brownie silicone pan (with maybe 2 dozen square cavities) in the cake section. I thought it would be the perfect size for samples so that's another item on my "to buy" list.

 

[donniej]

I save end pieces for samples.

And pieces that have imperfections on the ends, I cut out so I have a smaller, nice bar. I use these for samples as well.

I don't sell these, I only give them away as "sample size" bars.

 

[AshleyR]

Do any of you that sell at craft fairs find that by giving out free samples, people don't actually buy your full size bars (because they want to try the sample first?)

I have loads of samples ready for the fair I'm going into tomorrow (my first one!!) and have been debating whether or not to just give them away. I'm kinda worried most people will just take the free sample and not actually buy any of my soap. It's only a 1 day fair so it's not like they can come back the next day to buy if they're happy with the sample. I wish I had some kind of set up where they could "try before you buy" right at my table.

I was thinking of selling samples for .25 cents - about 1 oz of each of my products, maybe a little less. What should I do? Just give them away or charge a teeny fee?

 

[Guest]

I just made samples tonight with a tupperware square shallow lid for a veggie platter. They are perfect little cubes, kinda like ice cubes. I was able to make alot of them in this lid. It is amazing what you can find when you use your imagination.

 

[bombus]

I use underweight bars (have been hand-cutting, some come out light)
and cut them in thirds. The bars are originally 3.5" x 2.25". The samples
come out about 1 " x 2 ".

Sometimes the outside edges on the two end pieces aren't so good, so
I cut one sample from the center of that slice.

I package them in the 2 ounce sample pouches at WSP. I stick a small
address label for the business & ingredient info & name of the soap.

My plan is to give out a free sample with every purchase of 2 bars.

Here is the link:
http://www.wholesalesuppliesplus.co...D=793&CategoryName=Zip+Close+Stand+Up+Pouches

 

[Guest]

Great replies everyone!
Bnky: how do you make such a small batch? How much oil goes into a batch for your tester loaf? I've been doing 1 lb batches to see how each new soap turns out. It still gives me at least 5 large slices. I'd like a smaller batch for testing