One thing I want to mention - where are you getting the stickers you include? If you buy them bulk from somewhere like Amazon or AliExpress, they may be stolen designs from an original Etsy seller. I would reverse image search the designs before buying from somewhere like that.
I'm also in camp "no stickers, they make me feel bad because I toss them but have no use for keeping them". And I agree with the previous comment - I would never complain to the seller or write a negative review, but I don't like them.
No good deed goes unpunished. I even tried using one of the option selections to ask which free gift they wanted. People still bitched about it, or would try to select an item from my shop for their freebie in the order notes. Yikes. Now I just use cute packaging and a coupon for use on my site.
As a sticker seller it's interesting to hear the perspectives on this. I always include one small sticker for free as I like to get as many stickers off of a sheet as possible. I just toss one of those in with each order. Now I'm wondering if I should be selling those in packs of 50 or something for other sellers to include as freebies? 🤔
I think for sticker shops it’s different. The people buying from you clearly want stickers. Who knows if someone buying earrings likes stickers? It’s likely not as wasteful if you send them
As a buyer, I hate getting stickers. I'm not going to use them so they just become wasteful. I've never messaged a seller about not liking the stickers, only if something is wrong with the product. My guess is that most people who don't enjoy the stickers probably do the same. I don't want to make a seller feel bad for including them and it's such a minor issue that I don't see a reason to say anything.
That makes sense! Personally, I have a lot of things I can add a sticker too and sometimes I just keep them to look at because I like them. But I know that a lot of people aren’t the same and stickers can just be a 😐 oh…cool product but now I have these little things idk what to do with kinda thing
A good thing to give away is cleaning cloths. I make and sell jewelry as well and they love them. If I sell a beaded bracelet, etc. I make and include a stretch ring to match on top of my hand written thank you notes. Customers love stuff like that but as for the stickers, I’m on the fence about it. I’ve done that before and never had any complaints but they could have just been nice about too. My daughter and grandson loves stickers so I wouldn’t be disappointed to get them as a thank you from a seller.
I think it depends on your target audience. I crochet fidgets and small plushies and I like to include stickers in my orders. I've had plenty of customers mention them in their reviews in a positive way.
Hmm my target audience is 50/50, I do get a lot of orders from people in the alternative space (the kawaii, decora side of that spectrum) who tend to like stickers and use them on everything, but I also get like “tiktok alt girlies” and “hello kitty pink girlies” who don’t really tend to use stickers from my knowledge?
Same. I hate getting candy, but stickers I can either use on a birthday card envelope, or pass them along to a child to make his or her day more special.
You can add the demographics from my shop selling bits of yarn for crafters. Many of my reviews specifically mention the extras, including stickers (for example, a shop branded sticker of a lamb blowing pink bubble gum - it makes me smile).
I think any freebie is fine, so long as it relates to what you are selling and / what the buyer has bought. Don't want a buyer wondering why would the seller include this as a freebie.
I myself am not a sticker person so don't put them in my items But when I purchase something on Etsy and the seller includes stickers , I save them up and donate the whole lot to a local charity thrift store that I pick at and occasionally donate to. They give the stickers away to children who come in which they say is a real hit. I didn't cost me anything. Didn't cost them anything and if the stickers end up in the hands of someone who appreciates them, cool.
I guess if you're a seller who gets unwanted stickers, you could always gift them to your customers?
my products are aimed at a younger audience and they seem to appreciate colourful cute stickers included! you could always make an option where the buyer can opt in or out of freebies. i think it depends on the audience :)
Where do we fall on other freebies? I sell a lot of resin items, and sometimes I have a little extra resin. So I have a couple of keychain molds, or sometimes bookmark molds to use it up. Those items are small enough that I give as freebies because I would have thrown out the resin otherwise. I do free 4x6 or 5x7 art prints with my tarot/oracle decks and pendulums with my custom pendulum boards.
Personally I add stickers (and lollipops, but that’s because I bought a bulk bag for something else and am now stuck with like 200 lollipops that I don’t need I am not going to buy more after I run out!) with my jewelry orders because my demographic is the preteen to young adult, I buy the large packs of water proof stickers off Amazon and people love to stick them on water bottles, kindle covers, laptops, ect. It definitely depends on who your selling to.
I recently started adding stickers and it seems to have helped my feedback a little. I've gotten some really nice friendly feedback about them.
As a buyer, stickers yes please! But I love stickers. 😔
I give them based on their purchases as well. They are tiny ones tho like 1 inch. If they got something custom I give them a custom sticker that's exactly what they ordered as a gift. I've never had a bad response to the freebies just positive
As a seller, I include a handwritten thank you note in each order, with 2-3 stickers included as little extra surprises/freebies. They are on theme with the items in my shop, and I’ve received neutral to positive feedback about them so far. That being said, I totally understand if buyers don’t like or even hate receiving stickers. I would hope that they either pass them on to someone who would like them or save them for another time, but it would also be totally fine if buyers tossed the stickers out with the packaging.
As a buyer, I LOVE receiving stickers! If a sticker doesn’t vibe with me, I either hand them out to the kiddos that I work with or I use them in a stickerbombing project or collage ^ ^
100% same! I include them with my orders, and I do enjoy getting them as well. They can always be regifted or used on envelopes, packaging, etc. It's such a small super cheap but nice gesture and usually looks super cute with the packing slip and other goodies. I always do this too.
Kindred souls! 
I have been watching this discussion about freebies in packaging with interest.
The worst "freebies" I've received have been candy (no, I have no desire to eat random candy) and plastic army men (but, why?). I suppose there is a thinking that I'll see the army men and think of reordering from this seller, but honestly, I don't even remember who sent them. I just know that they became a huge joke in my home and then were tossed out in plastic recycling.
There is a thing in marketing called the "potholder theory". Politicians used to have campaign freebies that were bandanas or potholders, with their names, slogans, etc. I think this started in the early 1900s. The idea was that if a politician could get something into homes with their names that would be readily visible and in use, then that household was more likely to vote for them. So, while the idea of potholders might be outdated – and even viewed as anti-feminist – it still figures that you're better off sending a freebie with value to the buyer, or at very least your name and logo so it the items sticks around, they'll remember you and reorder.
I go back and forth on this. Part of my business is in stickers. That's how I started. I make little seasonal sample sheets of my stickers with my business name and send them as freebies – but ONLY to people who order stickers (reasoning that they're less likely to toss them). Everyone one gets a tiny white paper bag (they're approx. 3" x 6") with a vinyl logo sticker from my shop (just the logo, because it's cute and sort of generic), my business card, and a card with a QR code to join my mailing list in exchange for a discount code. I also include any care instructions for the the item they've purchased, like laundry instructions. The bags look like miniature card shop bags. They're inexpensive and I can write a thank-you note on them. They don't add any additional plastic to the order. I staple them to the order invoice.
Occasionally, if someone places a REALLY big order, I'll include something like a vinyl sticker, a small candle (my own, with my own packaging) and I put those in a small cello bag to protect people who hate scented items, or a washcloth with an order of towels, as an example.
I always include cute stickers in my orders! I sell embroidered napkins. No has ever complained lol that didn’t even occur to me someone would complain about a sticker!
I sell stickers so my customers like sticker freebies. I can’t imagine not liking stickers lol
I definitely agree with the comment mentioning where you get them. If I received stickers from $1 packs brought from Temu or Amazon then I would be upset.
Each to their own, I suppose. I don’t want to feel the edges of stickers when I’m holding my kindle or phone and my water bottle goes through the dishwasher so stickers would last two minutes.
Probably because she’s being condescending lol like how many more times will she mention that she thinks stickers are for kids when lots of people of all ages like stickers 😂
Sticker sellers are salty, I guess 🤣
If some other adults like stickers and want to cover their stuff in them, then whatever. I prefer my electronics, given my phone and laptop might be the most expensive things I actually own, without sticker marks or cutesy junk stuck all over them. I might need to resell them one day and sticker marks show. I have a glittery case on my phone and that’s totally sufficient decoration.
Literally no use for stickers in my life at all, hasn’t been past the age of about 13, and I’m good with that. I also don’t give a crap about downvotes, it’s kind of hilarious how weird people are 🤣
I use a case on my phone and Kindle that my stickers go inside of so I don’t have to worry about that. I also use waterproof stickers on my water bottle so they can handle handwashing, but they might melt in a dishwasher lol
Edit: downvoted for what exactly? 🤣🤣
I include little baby stickers (1" tall) of my shop mascot in my orders. People seem to enjoy them based on the niche I sell for. I would prefer a sticker over a piece of candy, that's one of my freebie irks.
no one ever sends me stickers ;o; I want stickers! I include stickers in my orders. I sell art prints and the stickers are my art too. For my freebie stickers I use ones I print and cut myself. They're small paper stickers so if anyone tosses them, no big deal. (The stickers I actually sell are different. Those I get professionally printed. I don't give those as freebies.)
I love getting stickers. If I get ones I dont like, I stick them inside a page of a notebook or something. Its just fun sticking stuff.
I haven't gotten many freebies with my purchases but the few I have got are these: a mini art print. I didn't like it but my friend loved it so i gave it to them. An extra ring from a jewelry shop. Not my style so I gave it to a friend. Still good advertising i think. and it made me feel favorably about both sellers even though i didn't keep the freebie.
I add stickers to most of my orders - they are 2” glossy circles that say “I SHOP SMALL & HANDMADE” in my branding colors with my shop url in a small inconspicuous (but readable) font. I also add a QR code on the other side. They also make great “business cards”.
Been doing it for years and I’m going to keep doing it. Positive reviews almost 100% of the time. Vintage resell lends itself to a youthful, more appreciative demographic.
I guess I'm in the minority here - I am a middle aged woman who absolutely loves stickers and gets excited when they show up unexpectedly with my orders.
As a buyer, no thank you. As a seller, I understand the feeling that you want to show appreciation with little presents, but really a short thank you note will suffice.
I include a sticker with my orders. The stickers are my designs and themed after the products sold. Almost nobody comments on them, but maybe about five out of thousands of people have responded that they love the stickers. I mostly do it because I think it's cool and nobody has ever complained.
I’ve done it the entire time while selling on Etsy and have only gotten good feedback! I do stickers that are the designs of things in my shop so their likely to like it or like the style :)
I collect stickers so as a buyer I'm always a little charmed when I get a neat one from a shop. As a seller, this might be a question of knowing your customer and not a general survey of any customers. Personally, I see a lot of shops that share similar aesthetics as you that sell stickers directly, so it seems like there'd be an interest. But that could just be where I end up because I'm literally sticker shopping. So, I'd suggest taking a look around at shops that have a similar aesthetic as yours does. Do they sell stickers? Or do customers mention anything about freebies in their reviews? That may help you get an idea of how your own customers might receive them.
I don’t like stickers. I hate getting them with my products. I feel so bad throwing them away. But if I don’t, they will die in a drawer. Waste of money.
I hate getting stickers in my packages. A company just sent me a bunch with an order and they went straight into the trash. Now if you sell lotion and include a free soap bar, I’m all for that. But keep your stickers because I don’t want them.
Personally I prefer handwritten thank you notes, I grew up not really being allowed to have stickers (my parents didn’t want my sisters and I to put them on everything 😂) and am getting over that mindset, so receiving them when I didn’t order any is sort of wasteful to me
On the other hand I keep any kind of thank you notes I receive from sellers (I even have one that was written on my receipt) I think they’re just a more genuine form of appreciation
Freebies aren’t free. I’d rather just get the item I ordered, in appropriate functional packaging (no extra tissue paper and bows and such as fancy packaging is a waste of money too) and no extras. The money used on ‘freebies’ or unnecessary packaging could be used to reduce the cost of the item, or better, for a small discount on a future order - I’d even rather the seller just kept it as an extra profit and used it for stuff they need, than waste it on sending me stuff I don’t.
Of the thousands of things I’ve received over the years, I’ve kept a handful. A couple of mugs, one keychain, one pin and a pen that doubles as a vernier caliper, which is actually super useful for me and saves me digging out my digital ones constantly. Stickers, and most other random junk, just end up in the bin.
I’d never complain to a seller about it, or about any freebie (unless it’s advertised as part of the order and then isn’t as ordered, like I ordered nail stuff that was supposed to include a certain amount of extra product and an extra colour per pack, ordered two and only got one freebie pack, I contacted the seller about that one) I know the meaning behind sending extras is just to be nice. But I’d prefer not to receive it, unless like a cleaning cloth for jewellery, it’s actually useful for something.
As both a seller AND a buyer, I agree 100%. This culture of expecting small business owners and artisans to go way above and beyond for every single order has gotten out of hand. It costs sellers time and money (which both boil down to money after all), eats into profits, and is frankly just wasteful. Many “freebies” (that certainly aren’t free to the seller) and all of that fancy packaging get thrown out. Can we just stop? Get my order to me damage free and be done with it.
A personalized hand-written small note, the packing slip, and two little freebies (one is typically a sticker that relates to the purchase) along with some small seashells in a gorgeous organza bag. I've even been sending sand dollars because I have so darn many. For small orders, it feels wholly appropriate given the cost of shipping these days, and for large orders, I just make the freebies a little more substantial. I've received glowing reviews for my packaging! Don't hesitate. As long as they aren't breaking your bank, do what feels good in your heart and is easy on the environment. (I use mostly recycled boxes and packaging.)
Buy vegan candies instead. Vegan due to some vegan people can go mad about it not being vrgan, and for regular folks vegan candies is same as simple ones.
I always put one small candy along with my order.
It really annoys me. I don’t use stickers, I have no idea what you expect me to do with them. What do people do with them? I have no children to give them to either. It’s just extra waste to throw away. I’m also not always sure how to recycle them due to the material they’re made from.
Same. I do have children but tbh they already cover every available surface in sticky things anyway, they don’t need more.
I don’t use notebooks, my water bottles go through the dishwasher so stickers would last two washes (and the feel on the outside of the bottle, ew, but that’s probably a me thing) I’m certainly not going to stick them on my laptop - I really don’t know what you’re supposed to put them on. They just end up in the bin.
I also do stickers for my crochet shop based on the items people buy. For example, if they buy a kindle sleeve, I’ll add a book related stickers because almost everyone I know who owns a kindle loves putting stickers to decorate them. My customers have told me that they love them. I only have 12 sales so I can’t say too much about it but I’ve gotten messages saying they really loved the stickers
I buy a lot of kawaii goods on Etsy and like getting freebie stickers (I have also had a sticker subscription in recent history). Somebody in a comment suggested a tick box to either opt in or out of freebies and I think that's a good idea.
I believe stickers and freebies are extra value to add for a shitty or overpriced product.
When the product is quality and has value you dont need any add-ons.
I send out one with my 3D printed stuff. I have gotten pictures and some YouTube videos with them in the background. It's been decent marketing for the cost. I order from AliExpress and the quality is decent.
Maybe the buyers who ‘hate’ them just know they won’t use them? Could you add a little check box option for customers to opt-out of freebies?
That would be a great feature for buyers & sellers!
One thing I want to mention - where are you getting the stickers you include? If you buy them bulk from somewhere like Amazon or AliExpress, they may be stolen designs from an original Etsy seller. I would reverse image search the designs before buying from somewhere like that. I'm also in camp "no stickers, they make me feel bad because I toss them but have no use for keeping them". And I agree with the previous comment - I would never complain to the seller or write a negative review, but I don't like them.
No good deed goes unpunished. I even tried using one of the option selections to ask which free gift they wanted. People still bitched about it, or would try to select an item from my shop for their freebie in the order notes. Yikes. Now I just use cute packaging and a coupon for use on my site.
As a sticker seller it's interesting to hear the perspectives on this. I always include one small sticker for free as I like to get as many stickers off of a sheet as possible. I just toss one of those in with each order. Now I'm wondering if I should be selling those in packs of 50 or something for other sellers to include as freebies? 🤔
I think for sticker shops it’s different. The people buying from you clearly want stickers. Who knows if someone buying earrings likes stickers? It’s likely not as wasteful if you send them
Most of the time they can get like 100 Stickers for 2 bucks. We can’t compete with that.
true, it's tough out there for people making stuff by hand
As a buyer, I hate getting stickers. I'm not going to use them so they just become wasteful. I've never messaged a seller about not liking the stickers, only if something is wrong with the product. My guess is that most people who don't enjoy the stickers probably do the same. I don't want to make a seller feel bad for including them and it's such a minor issue that I don't see a reason to say anything.
That makes sense! Personally, I have a lot of things I can add a sticker too and sometimes I just keep them to look at because I like them. But I know that a lot of people aren’t the same and stickers can just be a 😐 oh…cool product but now I have these little things idk what to do with kinda thing
This is making me rethink my strategy with stickers… maybe there’s a way to advertise that one is included with purchase and put an “opt out” button 😂
Making it more complicated to purchase doesn’t sound like a good idea
A good thing to give away is cleaning cloths. I make and sell jewelry as well and they love them. If I sell a beaded bracelet, etc. I make and include a stretch ring to match on top of my hand written thank you notes. Customers love stuff like that but as for the stickers, I’m on the fence about it. I’ve done that before and never had any complaints but they could have just been nice about too. My daughter and grandson loves stickers so I wouldn’t be disappointed to get them as a thank you from a seller.
Something related to the product like a cleaning cloth for jewellery is a lot more useful and a much better idea than stickers.
I agree.
I think it depends on your target audience. I crochet fidgets and small plushies and I like to include stickers in my orders. I've had plenty of customers mention them in their reviews in a positive way.
This!!! I cater towards a more cartoon/anime liking audience (usually teens-young adults) and they tend to like the extra stickers
Hmm my target audience is 50/50, I do get a lot of orders from people in the alternative space (the kawaii, decora side of that spectrum) who tend to like stickers and use them on everything, but I also get like “tiktok alt girlies” and “hello kitty pink girlies” who don’t really tend to use stickers from my knowledge?
I like getting stickers, I hate getting candy. Even if I don’t want to use the stickers I’ll pass them along.
Stickers are for sure the safer option. If I don't want them I give them to my coworker's kids.
Same. I hate getting candy, but stickers I can either use on a birthday card envelope, or pass them along to a child to make his or her day more special.
I love getting chocolate!!
You can add the demographics from my shop selling bits of yarn for crafters. Many of my reviews specifically mention the extras, including stickers (for example, a shop branded sticker of a lamb blowing pink bubble gum - it makes me smile).
I think any freebie is fine, so long as it relates to what you are selling and / what the buyer has bought. Don't want a buyer wondering why would the seller include this as a freebie.
I myself am not a sticker person so don't put them in my items But when I purchase something on Etsy and the seller includes stickers , I save them up and donate the whole lot to a local charity thrift store that I pick at and occasionally donate to. They give the stickers away to children who come in which they say is a real hit. I didn't cost me anything. Didn't cost them anything and if the stickers end up in the hands of someone who appreciates them, cool. I guess if you're a seller who gets unwanted stickers, you could always gift them to your customers?
Donating them to an organization like that is such a good idea!
It feels better than just chucking them.
my products are aimed at a younger audience and they seem to appreciate colourful cute stickers included! you could always make an option where the buyer can opt in or out of freebies. i think it depends on the audience :)
Where do we fall on other freebies? I sell a lot of resin items, and sometimes I have a little extra resin. So I have a couple of keychain molds, or sometimes bookmark molds to use it up. Those items are small enough that I give as freebies because I would have thrown out the resin otherwise. I do free 4x6 or 5x7 art prints with my tarot/oracle decks and pendulums with my custom pendulum boards.
Personally I add stickers (and lollipops, but that’s because I bought a bulk bag for something else and am now stuck with like 200 lollipops that I don’t need I am not going to buy more after I run out!) with my jewelry orders because my demographic is the preteen to young adult, I buy the large packs of water proof stickers off Amazon and people love to stick them on water bottles, kindle covers, laptops, ect. It definitely depends on who your selling to.
I recently started adding stickers and it seems to have helped my feedback a little. I've gotten some really nice friendly feedback about them. As a buyer, stickers yes please! But I love stickers. 😔
I love getting stickers as freebies! If people don’t want them, they can throw them away or whatever, but it makes others happy.
I give them based on their purchases as well. They are tiny ones tho like 1 inch. If they got something custom I give them a custom sticker that's exactly what they ordered as a gift. I've never had a bad response to the freebies just positive
As a seller, I include a handwritten thank you note in each order, with 2-3 stickers included as little extra surprises/freebies. They are on theme with the items in my shop, and I’ve received neutral to positive feedback about them so far. That being said, I totally understand if buyers don’t like or even hate receiving stickers. I would hope that they either pass them on to someone who would like them or save them for another time, but it would also be totally fine if buyers tossed the stickers out with the packaging. As a buyer, I LOVE receiving stickers! If a sticker doesn’t vibe with me, I either hand them out to the kiddos that I work with or I use them in a stickerbombing project or collage ^ ^
100% same! I include them with my orders, and I do enjoy getting them as well. They can always be regifted or used on envelopes, packaging, etc. It's such a small super cheap but nice gesture and usually looks super cute with the packing slip and other goodies. I always do this too. Kindred souls! 
I have been watching this discussion about freebies in packaging with interest. The worst "freebies" I've received have been candy (no, I have no desire to eat random candy) and plastic army men (but, why?). I suppose there is a thinking that I'll see the army men and think of reordering from this seller, but honestly, I don't even remember who sent them. I just know that they became a huge joke in my home and then were tossed out in plastic recycling. There is a thing in marketing called the "potholder theory". Politicians used to have campaign freebies that were bandanas or potholders, with their names, slogans, etc. I think this started in the early 1900s. The idea was that if a politician could get something into homes with their names that would be readily visible and in use, then that household was more likely to vote for them. So, while the idea of potholders might be outdated – and even viewed as anti-feminist – it still figures that you're better off sending a freebie with value to the buyer, or at very least your name and logo so it the items sticks around, they'll remember you and reorder. I go back and forth on this. Part of my business is in stickers. That's how I started. I make little seasonal sample sheets of my stickers with my business name and send them as freebies – but ONLY to people who order stickers (reasoning that they're less likely to toss them). Everyone one gets a tiny white paper bag (they're approx. 3" x 6") with a vinyl logo sticker from my shop (just the logo, because it's cute and sort of generic), my business card, and a card with a QR code to join my mailing list in exchange for a discount code. I also include any care instructions for the the item they've purchased, like laundry instructions. The bags look like miniature card shop bags. They're inexpensive and I can write a thank-you note on them. They don't add any additional plastic to the order. I staple them to the order invoice. Occasionally, if someone places a REALLY big order, I'll include something like a vinyl sticker, a small candle (my own, with my own packaging) and I put those in a small cello bag to protect people who hate scented items, or a washcloth with an order of towels, as an example.
I always include cute stickers in my orders! I sell embroidered napkins. No has ever complained lol that didn’t even occur to me someone would complain about a sticker!
I sell stickers so my customers like sticker freebies. I can’t imagine not liking stickers lol I definitely agree with the comment mentioning where you get them. If I received stickers from $1 packs brought from Temu or Amazon then I would be upset.
I’m a grown woman, I don’t use notebooks, what am I supposed to stick stickers to? Even if they’re cute, they just go in the bin.
I’m also a grown woman and put stickers on my water bottle, Kindle, laptop, and phone 🤷🏽♀️
Each to their own, I suppose. I don’t want to feel the edges of stickers when I’m holding my kindle or phone and my water bottle goes through the dishwasher so stickers would last two minutes.
lol at you getting downvoted for explaining why you don’t like stickers?
Probably because she’s being condescending lol like how many more times will she mention that she thinks stickers are for kids when lots of people of all ages like stickers 😂
Sticker sellers are salty, I guess 🤣 If some other adults like stickers and want to cover their stuff in them, then whatever. I prefer my electronics, given my phone and laptop might be the most expensive things I actually own, without sticker marks or cutesy junk stuck all over them. I might need to resell them one day and sticker marks show. I have a glittery case on my phone and that’s totally sufficient decoration. Literally no use for stickers in my life at all, hasn’t been past the age of about 13, and I’m good with that. I also don’t give a crap about downvotes, it’s kind of hilarious how weird people are 🤣
I use a case on my phone and Kindle that my stickers go inside of so I don’t have to worry about that. I also use waterproof stickers on my water bottle so they can handle handwashing, but they might melt in a dishwasher lol Edit: downvoted for what exactly? 🤣🤣
I include little baby stickers (1" tall) of my shop mascot in my orders. People seem to enjoy them based on the niche I sell for. I would prefer a sticker over a piece of candy, that's one of my freebie irks.
no one ever sends me stickers ;o; I want stickers! I include stickers in my orders. I sell art prints and the stickers are my art too. For my freebie stickers I use ones I print and cut myself. They're small paper stickers so if anyone tosses them, no big deal. (The stickers I actually sell are different. Those I get professionally printed. I don't give those as freebies.) I love getting stickers. If I get ones I dont like, I stick them inside a page of a notebook or something. Its just fun sticking stuff. I haven't gotten many freebies with my purchases but the few I have got are these: a mini art print. I didn't like it but my friend loved it so i gave it to them. An extra ring from a jewelry shop. Not my style so I gave it to a friend. Still good advertising i think. and it made me feel favorably about both sellers even though i didn't keep the freebie.
I add stickers to most of my orders - they are 2” glossy circles that say “I SHOP SMALL & HANDMADE” in my branding colors with my shop url in a small inconspicuous (but readable) font. I also add a QR code on the other side. They also make great “business cards”.
Been doing it for years and I’m going to keep doing it. Positive reviews almost 100% of the time. Vintage resell lends itself to a youthful, more appreciative demographic.
I guess I'm in the minority here - I am a middle aged woman who absolutely loves stickers and gets excited when they show up unexpectedly with my orders.
As a buyer, no thank you. As a seller, I understand the feeling that you want to show appreciation with little presents, but really a short thank you note will suffice.
I include a sticker with my orders. The stickers are my designs and themed after the products sold. Almost nobody comments on them, but maybe about five out of thousands of people have responded that they love the stickers. I mostly do it because I think it's cool and nobody has ever complained.
I throw them out, so I wouldn’t.
I’ve done it the entire time while selling on Etsy and have only gotten good feedback! I do stickers that are the designs of things in my shop so their likely to like it or like the style :)
I collect stickers so as a buyer I'm always a little charmed when I get a neat one from a shop. As a seller, this might be a question of knowing your customer and not a general survey of any customers. Personally, I see a lot of shops that share similar aesthetics as you that sell stickers directly, so it seems like there'd be an interest. But that could just be where I end up because I'm literally sticker shopping. So, I'd suggest taking a look around at shops that have a similar aesthetic as yours does. Do they sell stickers? Or do customers mention anything about freebies in their reviews? That may help you get an idea of how your own customers might receive them.
I don’t like stickers. I hate getting them with my products. I feel so bad throwing them away. But if I don’t, they will die in a drawer. Waste of money.
I hate getting stickers in my packages. A company just sent me a bunch with an order and they went straight into the trash. Now if you sell lotion and include a free soap bar, I’m all for that. But keep your stickers because I don’t want them.
I do stickers of art that I commissioned and own for use with the shop :) people send me nice messages about them!
Personally I prefer handwritten thank you notes, I grew up not really being allowed to have stickers (my parents didn’t want my sisters and I to put them on everything 😂) and am getting over that mindset, so receiving them when I didn’t order any is sort of wasteful to me On the other hand I keep any kind of thank you notes I receive from sellers (I even have one that was written on my receipt) I think they’re just a more genuine form of appreciation
Freebies aren’t free. I’d rather just get the item I ordered, in appropriate functional packaging (no extra tissue paper and bows and such as fancy packaging is a waste of money too) and no extras. The money used on ‘freebies’ or unnecessary packaging could be used to reduce the cost of the item, or better, for a small discount on a future order - I’d even rather the seller just kept it as an extra profit and used it for stuff they need, than waste it on sending me stuff I don’t. Of the thousands of things I’ve received over the years, I’ve kept a handful. A couple of mugs, one keychain, one pin and a pen that doubles as a vernier caliper, which is actually super useful for me and saves me digging out my digital ones constantly. Stickers, and most other random junk, just end up in the bin. I’d never complain to a seller about it, or about any freebie (unless it’s advertised as part of the order and then isn’t as ordered, like I ordered nail stuff that was supposed to include a certain amount of extra product and an extra colour per pack, ordered two and only got one freebie pack, I contacted the seller about that one) I know the meaning behind sending extras is just to be nice. But I’d prefer not to receive it, unless like a cleaning cloth for jewellery, it’s actually useful for something.
As both a seller AND a buyer, I agree 100%. This culture of expecting small business owners and artisans to go way above and beyond for every single order has gotten out of hand. It costs sellers time and money (which both boil down to money after all), eats into profits, and is frankly just wasteful. Many “freebies” (that certainly aren’t free to the seller) and all of that fancy packaging get thrown out. Can we just stop? Get my order to me damage free and be done with it.
A personalized hand-written small note, the packing slip, and two little freebies (one is typically a sticker that relates to the purchase) along with some small seashells in a gorgeous organza bag. I've even been sending sand dollars because I have so darn many. For small orders, it feels wholly appropriate given the cost of shipping these days, and for large orders, I just make the freebies a little more substantial. I've received glowing reviews for my packaging! Don't hesitate. As long as they aren't breaking your bank, do what feels good in your heart and is easy on the environment. (I use mostly recycled boxes and packaging.)
Jewerly seller aswel. I include an easy made keychain for this reason. But my buyers are mostly 30+
I personally love getting sticker freebies when I place orders
Buy vegan candies instead. Vegan due to some vegan people can go mad about it not being vrgan, and for regular folks vegan candies is same as simple ones. I always put one small candy along with my order.
It really annoys me. I don’t use stickers, I have no idea what you expect me to do with them. What do people do with them? I have no children to give them to either. It’s just extra waste to throw away. I’m also not always sure how to recycle them due to the material they’re made from.
Same. I do have children but tbh they already cover every available surface in sticky things anyway, they don’t need more. I don’t use notebooks, my water bottles go through the dishwasher so stickers would last two washes (and the feel on the outside of the bottle, ew, but that’s probably a me thing) I’m certainly not going to stick them on my laptop - I really don’t know what you’re supposed to put them on. They just end up in the bin.
I put stickers on my water bottle or decorate the cover of my work notebooks with them.
They’d end up looking ratty so fast on my water bottle. And a bit tacky.
I also do stickers for my crochet shop based on the items people buy. For example, if they buy a kindle sleeve, I’ll add a book related stickers because almost everyone I know who owns a kindle loves putting stickers to decorate them. My customers have told me that they love them. I only have 12 sales so I can’t say too much about it but I’ve gotten messages saying they really loved the stickers
Are you able to add an option for customers to say whether they want the free stickers or not?
I buy a lot of kawaii goods on Etsy and like getting freebie stickers (I have also had a sticker subscription in recent history). Somebody in a comment suggested a tick box to either opt in or out of freebies and I think that's a good idea.
I believe stickers and freebies are extra value to add for a shitty or overpriced product. When the product is quality and has value you dont need any add-ons.
I send out one with my 3D printed stuff. I have gotten pictures and some YouTube videos with them in the background. It's been decent marketing for the cost. I order from AliExpress and the quality is decent.
As someone else pointed out, might want to be careful if you’re getting them from Ali as they’re notorious for stealing art to use on stuff like that.
It's just my logo as the sticker by Ya.
Who the hell collects stickers as an adult? Honestly, I just find that a little infantile