Poll: Do you offer small presents to your favorite clients during the holidays? Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
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This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "Do you offer small presents to your favorite clients during the holidays?".
This poll was originally submitted by Nicole Blanc. View the poll results »
| | | | neilmac
Spain
Local time: 03:55
Spanish to English
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They are clients, after all, not friends, family or otherwise deserving causes. I do however remain largely available for my best clients during holiday periods, which I think is enough.
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neilmac wrote:
They are clients, after all, not friends, family or otherwise deserving causes. I do however remain largely available for my best clients during holiday periods, which I think is enough.
Is this whole client gifting thing even a good idea in the first place?
| | | | Diana Coada (X) 
United Kingdom
Local time: 02:55
Portuguese to English
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A short and friendly email is enough.
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Mario Chavez (X)
Local time: 21:55
English to Spanish
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| I thought we were friends! | Dec 21, 2013 |
Diana Coada, BA DPSI RPSI ACIL wrote:
A short and friendly email is enough.
Remind me not to be your client ever (hahahahah)
| | | | | Only greetings | Dec 21, 2013 |
I do send greetings by mail. Some used to send 'real' Christmas cards, and I did too if I had time, but I inevitably missed some out.
Now I keep a list, but I can always get another mail off at the last minute!
It is a good opportunity to remind some clients 'I am still here' -- or will be in the New Year -- and remind others that I also have a life away from the computer, and am NOT here until the New Year  ... See more I do send greetings by mail. Some used to send 'real' Christmas cards, and I did too if I had time, but I inevitably missed some out.
Now I keep a list, but I can always get another mail off at the last minute!
It is a good opportunity to remind some clients 'I am still here' -- or will be in the New Year -- and remind others that I also have a life away from the computer, and am NOT here until the New Year 
Greetings to everyone!
[Edited at 2013-12-21 10:43 GMT] ▲ Collapse
| | | | | Send greetings for keeping in touch with clients | Dec 21, 2013 |
Christine Andersen wrote: I do send greetings by mail. ... It is a good opportunity to remind some clients 'I am still here' -- or will be in the New Year -- and remind others that I also have a life away from the computer, and am NOT here until the New Year
Same here. Just to add on: Experience so far has also been that some clients who have not contacted me for a long time would actually reply to my greetings emails with job requests. It makes me think that they have been reminded of my existence...
[Edited at 2013-12-21 11:50 GMT]
| | | | Thayenga
Germany
Local time: 03:55
Member (2009)
English to German
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I only send personalized, individual e-cards. Yes, no mass-mailing.
This serves 2 purposes, for one it will make them smile (I hope), and secondly, it will remind them that I'm still hear and ready to work with them in the new year.
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Michael Harris
Germany
Local time: 03:55
Member (2006)
German to English
| Yes, to some | Dec 21, 2013 |
For my customers that have a really good relationship, I just send wine, I know their taste, otherwise I get pocket calenders printed and a pen to go along with it for all the others
| | | | Jeff Whittaker
United States
Local time: 21:55
Member (2002)
Spanish to English
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| I remember back in the 1990s when... | Dec 21, 2013 |
translation agencies used to send translators gifts such as candies and treats from countries around the world, fruit baskets, mugs, pens and calenders with the company's logo, magazine subscriptions, etc.
Now we are just "Dear Linguist number 354:"
| | | | Jean Chao
United States
Local time: 18:55
English to Chinese
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| Hear, hear--just did that | Dec 21, 2013 |
Thayenga wrote: I only send personalized, individual e-cards. Yes, no mass-mailing. This serves 2 purposes, for one it will make them smile (I hope), and secondly, it will remind them that I'm still hear and ready to work with them in the new year.
I just sent out some individualized "thank you/holiday spirit" ecards to clients I'm looking forward to working with in the next year.
Thank you, Thayenga, for a great reminder.
Happy holidays.
| | | | Teresa Reinhardt
United States
Local time: 18:55
Member (2002)
German to English
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| Conflict of interest | Dec 21, 2013 |
Cards/greetings are fine, but in the US, (accepting) gifts might create a conflict of interest, and most companies have rules against that…
Now I want everyone to know that I don't have any such rules Esp. against nice stuff (remember the Janis Joplin song about a certain German car….?)
Season's Greetings to All!
Teresa
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Mario Chavez (X)
Local time: 21:55
English to Spanish
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| Conflict of interest II | Dec 22, 2013 |
Teresa Reinhardt wrote: Cards/greetings are fine, but in the US, (accepting) gifts might create a conflict of interest, and most companies have rules against that… Now I want everyone to know that I don't have any such rules Esp. against nice stuff (remember the Janis Joplin song about a certain German car….?) Season's Greetings to All! Teresa
That's quite a generalization with which facts disagree. Large U.S. corporations are subject to certain gift-accepting regulations, such as medical device makers giving gifts to doctors or surgeons, and U.S. government officials here and abroad are also subject to limits (US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, http://www.justice.gov/criminal/fraud/fcpa/guide.pdf).
But the usual business gift (a nice card or a box of cookies) has to reach a maximum of $25 to be subject to IRS business gift regulations, and only if the company tries to make a tax deduction of such business gifts (IRS Publication 463 http://www.irs.gov/publications/p463/ch03.html).
As recently as early this year, I was receiving special gifts from a translation company after a particularly important project. So I think the small presents are a nice policy to have but varies from company to company.
| | | | | Holidays are a good excuse for touching base | Dec 23, 2013 |
Sharon Toh wrote: Same here. Just to add on: Experience so far has also been that some clients who have not contacted me for a long time would actually reply to my greetings emails with job requests. It makes me think that they have been reminded of my existence... [Edited at 2013-12-21 11:50 GMT]
Agreed. It's a good excuse to contact them and let them know you're still interested. I send cards in the mail with a few of my business cards tucked in there.
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