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Sales - Can They Hurt You?

by Colin Palfrey
7 replies
So I'm thinking of running a sale in the run up to Christmas, on one of my long standing products. But...

If I do, will past buyers get annoyed?

I haven't promoted the product for almost a year as I wanted to rework the whole thing, so there aren't many recent buyers.

However, I've heard the opinion that anyone that paid the full price $97 is going to be really p*ssed if they see the bigger reworked version available for $47, even if it is almost a year later.

What do you think? My brain aches from worrying over this one lol.
#hurt #sales
  • Profile picture of the author Tyler S
    I know that I would be pretty mad if this happened. Maybe making it a second version or incorporating it into a new offer would serve your purpose better.
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  • Profile picture of the author pharmer100
    Hi,

    If you are worried about upsetting past customers, why not send them the updated version of the product for free. It shows you appreicate them as customers and you are unlikely to lose much money out of it as they are unlikely (in most cases) to rebuy it!
    Paul
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  • Profile picture of the author Colin Palfrey
    Yeah I was going to send them the updated version. I'm not sure that is the bit that would annoy people.
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    • Profile picture of the author cwill184
      Colin, This happens all the time as a natural part of any product life cycle. Think of cars for example. When they are coming to the end of the model life they are usually heavily dicsounted before the new model is brought out.

      I think you need to think why you aren't selling your new product at the same level of the old one. Is there increased competition? Don't you think it's worth the money you oiginally sold the old product for?

      If you have a new better version and you are selling this for cheaper then the old one then maybe your customers might get annoyed but it is over 1 year ago. If you think they will never buy from you again, give them the new one. They will then act as a promotion tool for your new product and no-one loses.
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      • Profile picture of the author RobertAxelsen
        No, I don't think you should worry

        As you say yourself there aren't that many recent customers, and if someone complain you can give them a refund, a free product or a discount on next purchase.

        You could even mention past customers in your email and tell them that if they email you they'll receive the updated version for free, a bonus product, a free consultation, a discount coupon or a partial refund.

        And if you've segmented your list and kept your customers on a separate list, then there shouldn't be many past customers noticing the discount anyways.

        Originally Posted by cwill184 View Post

        Colin, This happens all the time as a natural part of any product life cycle. Think of cars for example. When they are coming to the end of the model life they are usually heavily dicsounted before the new model is brought out.

        ...
        Great point from cwill184 there
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  • Profile picture of the author talfighel
    I would incorporate a new offer into it. The first section would be the new offer.

    I don't know if they are still going to buy from you since it has been a year since they heard from you.

    I would focus on getting new customers in the door. Start building your list.
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  • Profile picture of the author tomcam
    We handle these on a case by case basis, but it happens very seldom. A few weeks back I documented in these pages a big sale that attract over a thousand buyers. It was based on discounts, so existing customers might be expected to complain. We were ready to give them additional services for free if asked. No one asked.

    If you think about it, if you go to Disney World and have a great time, then find out someone else had a 15% discount, how much is it going to hurt? Probably not too much. You already got good value for your money.
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