Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

Heya,  At the request of a television news reporter, I sent 4 samples of products for a Mother`s Day piece that should have aired yesterday.  The piece didn`t run.  Is it inappropriate/unprofessional to offer to send a call tag to pick up the items?  Just asking because it is about $180 worth of merchandise.  It would have been a great investment in PR is the piece had run.  Or do I just shrug it off as a loss and the cost of doing business?  Is there any etiquette for the return of samples?

Hi Renee,

I would never expect to have samples returned, and honestly I don`t think it would be a good idea to ask them to be returned.  You never know, they might use them for something else, that might be great PR for you.  $180 though, is a little costly for samples. I`m not sure what your product is but a sample, usually is just a sample.  Maybe you should have just sent them one. At that cost, I guess you wouldn`t want to send samples too often. 

Renee,

Maybe they will air it on another day.  Did you call them to ask why they didn`t air it?

Jeannie

Hi Renee,

Very good question. I`m sorry to hear that your segment was not used. At this point, I would not ask for the samples back but call and ask the appropriate producer if he/she could use the materials for a future program.

You may want to tell him/her you were disappointed that they were unable to use your materials on air, but you`d really like to be part of a future program.

Use this situation to build a relationship with the producer so that you are the first person they think of for a future story. Stay in touch, and sooner or later, you just may see your products on the program after all.

Melanie

Don`t be too hasty in thinking it was a waste.  You never know whose hands your products may fall into or who may hear about your business as a result. Consider those samples an investment in your business.

Of course, in the future, you may want to consider sending less valuable samples if at all possible.

I do hope that they will be able to air your story in the future.  You never know, right?