What can make receiving goods from a small business extra special?

[GoldPaperStars]

I’m in the process of setting up a small business selling jewellery. I really want the experience of receiving the jewellery through the post to be a lovely one and was wondering what extra touches I could add.

Has anyone received something from a small (or large) business in a way that’s made the whole experience extra special? Notes, packaging, something else?

Nice packaging (compostable mailing bags seem popular among the sellers I buy from) that fits your brand colours. Plus a thank you note. Aliexpress has nice 'thanks for buying from my business' stickers which look good.

One seller I buy from does the Haribo thing which is cute, but I'd go for packaging and note first!

Cheap sweets as mentioned by pp would be a huge no for jewellery. Someone else stated upthread that this would cheapen the impression of your product and I concur. Impression is everything where jewellery is concerned.

Elegant, simple, environmentally friendly/reusable packaging that displays the jewellery beautifully and a hand-written personal message to the recipient on a quality headed notelet would be best imho

I love a little hand written note and lovely, carefully done packaging that us obviously hand finished is lovely too

Also agree with the pp who mentioned the elegant ribbon/knots

A thank you for buying my product on a small flowery business card.

Always thank people for positive reviews and ask to contact those who don't to try to put things right.

I get sweets when I order boring stuff for work and that raises a smile in an otherwise mundane day but
If I've ordered something nice that's not needed.
Jewellery or gifts - nicely wrapped is all you need to do, maybe a short note about the company of the piece.

Lovely recyclable packaging makes me feel treated. I’d be less fussed about a handwritten note unless it was a bespoke item where we’d built up a relationship discussing it. I’ve never had sweets but occasionally I’ll get a small freebie/sample which is fun. But I wouldn’t expect a small business to do that.

An interesting arty postcard.

Oh god. Not Haribo! I'm not three.

I recently spent a Love Dazzle gift voucher, and the items came in lovely little boxes all tied with pink chiffon ribbon.

I really don't expect to order expensive / lovely / classy jewellery and for it to come with trashy sweets like Haribo or Love Hearts.

Which isn't to say I don't sometimes like Haribo etc, but it just isn't the image, is it?

Just wrap it and present it with care.

I ordered a sweater from a natural-fabric-ethical-knitting type company and it arrived with a full sized 100g bar of top quality organic ethical chocolate. That was a nice surprise, but the branding of the choc was in keeping with the image of the sweater company. The cost of the sweater was also a lot compared with the bar of choc . I wouldn't have wanted to add £3 to the cost o the sweater, really. (I bought the sweater in the sale, so it was generous of the company, really) -

It depends what you're selling. A recent delivery from a small company included a business card that you can plant. There are seeds in the card and it's a surprise what grows.

It's an eco-friendly refill company so fits with their ethos. Also agree, packaging that suits the product.

I also ordered a merino jumper from bam clothing and they sent a lovely wooden piling comb. I use it all the time and it left a great impression!

There is a place on Amazon where I bought Irish seaweed and it came with a lovely handwritten note about how it was a family business which encouraged me to write a review. They had lots of lovely reviews and I would prefer to buy from them.

Quick delivery also always leaves a good impression.

I get a monthly subscription of stationary and the woman that owns it always puts in a note with my name. Love it! Also she’s exceptionally good at responding to emails and even put up a pen o wanted in a different colour on her main website so I could order it.

I honestly think for jewellery just nice, simple elegent packaging and a little hand written 'thankyou Dish' is lovely - this can be written on the invoice or business card or whatever.

I don't need sweets, or extras. If I am buying your jewellery its because I like your jewellery

This is all brilliant! Thank you so much. My handwriting isn’t the best, so maybe I need to work on that!

Recent small business orders:

A pair of bespoke ear rings (the length wasn't right for me, so the lady made an adjustment for me at no extra cost) were beautifully packaged and contained a discount voucher.

A shopping bag, arrived with a little foil covered chocolate (A huge winner if their FB page is anything to go by) and also beautifully packaged.

An etsy product, again beautifully wrapped and a discount voucher for a future purchase.

Good luck.

Notes could be really short - maybe on a business card? I've bought books from an independent retailer who wraps in tissue and includes a bookmark with a really short note which is a nice touch.

A hand written card inside an order, a couple were particularly nice cards and I kept them.

A little cat toy with a pet gift.

When I have received sweets I tend to chuck them in the foodbank or in a parcel when I sell something.

I also really appreciate a handwritten note. It makes the purchase feel more meaningful.
I even once got a handwritten note on some holiday currency from Eurochange (not a small business but still) telling me to enjoy my trip and it made my day/week - so a specific/personalised note is lovely!

I order a lot of art off Etsy and I really appreciate a free card or postcard. Not sure if that would work with jewellery though, if you don't have those types of things to hand anyway to pop in.

Handwritten note is lovely. Particularly if it feels personalised/heartfelt. I have returned multiple times to a specific jeweller as she really does seem to see all her customers as individuals

I got a wrap from the Travel Wrap company for Christmas, and it’s the most beautifully packaged item I’ve ever received. The box it came in made me almost as happy as the wrap, and completely influenced another purchase for a gift.
Also, the jeweller that sells tiny porcelain earrings that are packaged in a mini glass test tube hanging from the cork. It turns something fairly ordinary into something much more special, and I’m sure increases sales dramatically.
I’d definitely find a style of packaging and an identifiable way of wrapping for sending that describes your product and keep to it. It should also be transferable identifiable to other ways of selling, ie craft fairs or galleries or whatever you choose. Much more important than free sweets. (Can you tell I don’t like haribo)!!
It sometimes works to give a time limited discount on a thank you card for repeat custom, which can also be passed on by the customer and increase your base.
Good luck! Starting out is the tough bit! Why don’t you post a link or a photo so we can see what you sell??