Getting Credit For The Sale

[Deverill]

Here's one that's been bothering me for awhile I hope someone can give me some suggestions for.

 

I have a client (and friend) that is a fishing charter boat captain. He is unwilling to give discount coupons because his prices are rock bottom, and that's fair enough.

 

My problem is in tracking how many customers he actually gets from the web. He nor I know unless they volunteer it... although he does ask.

 

Here's the questions:

1. If we offer the customer no incentive to tell us he found it on the web then why should he?

 

2. Other than a discount coupon, what else could we do to encourage the exchange of this info?

 

3. What about my clients who are not as honest as my friend? For instance, I may have a shot at 5% commission on the selling price for another person's boat which would sell at around $100K... how can I be sure whether or not the purchaser found it by my website or by other means?

 

It all comes down to either incentive or honesty (which seems in short supply when dealing with money nowadays) the way I see it so help me out with any ideas you may have on this... I'd be totally grateful and would have to send you a hug or something! :hug:

 

Thanks!

[TCH-Don]

Jim, a couple of ideas.

For the charter captain, who I would imagine would like to know how effective the web site is. You could have a printable coupon for a free item that in bulk would cost very little like a free sun visor, sun glasses or such. While its value is almost nothing, compared to the cost of the charter, everyone likes a freebee no matter how cheep or cheesy. Or a fishing riddle or question that would make a customer want to ask for the answer.

 

For selling a boat or ship from a web site, as you point out there is no incentive for the seller to let you know the sale is from the web site. So offer the buyer something. As the commission can be hefty, it might be worth setting up a nautical domain name with a photo gallery for the new buyer to show off their proud purchase. They can point their friends to the site to brag about the boat. And you can offer them free email at the domain.

[Deverill]

Turtle,

I am so sorry for not replying sooner. I was just reminded about this post and it had fallen through the cracks, so to speak, and I missed your reply until just now.

 

Good idea about the freebie. If I can't get the Captain to do it maybe I'll get the trinket myself and put the website address or my own info and tell them to send pictures so we can feature them on the boat's website - we have a section for "recent catches". That way they know they will be plastered on the internet with the pic of their big catch to show all their buddies, we get more traffic on the site from them and said buddies, and I get my name out there too. Excellent!

 

I love the website idea! Even a dishonest boat captain would be shy to lie to me about the sale if the new owner will have an ongoing business relationship with me, however short-term or long-term. It's a good selling point for us both too. The captain could use it to add perceived value to the sale and I can possibly get one or more customers from the word-of-mouth it generates.

 

I'm sure glad I came back upon this post - Turtle, you're the best!

[TCH-Don]

Jim, glad you like the ideas,

hope it works out.