What Do You Include in a Bereavement Gift Basket?

by Shirley George Frazier on May 15, 2013

Creating bereavement baskets can be a very challenging part of business.

You need to show respect for the deceased while bringing comfort to the living.

It’s a delicate balance that most of us don’t explore as often as the fun baskets. That’s why it’s important to pay close attention to products that can be included for these special arrangements.

Some clients request nothing except fruit in their baskets, and it’s a request we respect. However, consider also informing your client about other items in your inventory that the family may appreciate and cherish after the loved one is laid to rest. This includes picture frames, miniature poem/gift books, and thank you note cards.

Hard candies, cookies, tea or coffee, and flavored spoons, all chosen around the receiver’s preferences, round out the making of a tasteful comfort basket for a man or woman.

A blog post here discusses fruit baskets, which you can find through this link:

http://giftbasketbusiness.com/blog/2009/12/15/how-to-add-fruit-to-a-gift-basket/

You may not make bereavement baskets every day, but having the right merchandise on hand will please the client and recipient during and after the mourning period.

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Don’t Make that Gift Basket Until You Know Your Costs

by Shirley George Frazier on May 8, 2013

Imagine this: a corporate client asks if she can substitute certain items for others in baskets you show at a presentation.

You say “yes” to get the order.

Later, in your office, you calculate the price for the substituted products which reveals that the baskets will cost more than anticipated, leaving you with no profit, or worse, you having to pay for the overage.

How can you make the client happy and make sure the sales price makes you money? Here are three solutions.

1. Respond with “Let me check on that” when you’re unclear about the cost. Tell the client you want to make sure she’s not being overcharged for the design change. In reality, you want to double check your own profitability.

2. Bring your own list of 3-5 items that can be exchanged for the majority of items in the display baskets. Offer any of these products if asked for substitutes, and stick with these options unless you must resort to No. 1 above.

3. Make certain designs “as is” with no substitutions. If that presents a problem, offer your custom designs, which can elevate profits substantially.

Problems are blessings in disguise because everyone must face these situations to learn and grow. When mistakes occur, you can make changes and move forward confidently and profitably.

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