What i've read is you can do "coupon codes" on the back of cards and send them out with items that go to your customers to help generate return business or whatever you choose to do.  From what I understand you can set it up to have the person convo you before they purchase and you can adjust the price accordingly, or you can just let them purchase and do an adjusted invoice through paypal. in that instance they would need to leave something in the message to seller saying they're taking advantage of your coupon. does that make any sense?

thats what i do Christy.  i offer the buyer a discount with their next purchase through convo after the transacton when i thank them for their order, and then on the little note i send with the package.  I have one customer who has returned and now is wanting more! 

i have also offered extra discoutns for any customers who introduce a friend to my store.  i have a lsit of all the people whove bought from me, so all the new customer has to do is give me the name of the person who referrred them and i give them a discount.

I adjust the price of my items and reserve the listing for that buyer.

I send a coupon code with every order.  Mine are referral coupons.  If you refer someone, and they buy something, you get $3 or $5 off your next purchase.  Try to bring new business and repeat business.

Just an idea I came up with, as you can tell from my shop I haven't been able to see it in action, I too have started passing out coupons (business cards) and leaving them at various places.  On the back I write a code word for the buyer to enter in the special instructions at the time of sale( "Enter 'FRIENDS' in the special instructions to receive 15% off your entire order").  I have a different code word for each area I am trying to target (like FACEBOOK for my facebook page, FRIENDS for my friends, etc).  This helps me see, well, will help me see, where the sale is coming from.  Just wanted to share.  Sounds like a good idea, but as I mentioned, don't really have the proof yet.   

amy

I have left cards at my full-time job.  We actually have a great place for people to leave business cards, services, etc.  I plan on leaving some behind in bathrooms.     Reading material as you wash your hands... I haven't done this yet, but plan to.  I like the REPEAT and REFERRAL code words, Christy.  Good thinking!

Coupons!  What a great idea!  How do you actually go about changing the invoice amount in paypal to offer the discount?

The only thing I can think of is sending them the money back.  You can invoice them through paypal and just put in the discounted amount I guess.  When you create the invoice on paypal you put in the amount, so you can technically put in any price you want.  But then I don't know if it will come out right on etsy's side.

Nicole- I don't really think Etsy tracks things like that. The only way you could have it be different on their end is if the person convo'd you pre-purchase, then you could adjust the price. If you do it post-purchase you're eating the Etsy fee difference...crap. I wish they would come up with a way to do coupon codes and each shop could control which codes they use through "your etsy"

Could we start a basic coupon code for team Dlisters? We could compile a list of team member that want to offer discounts to other members!

I'd love to offer 20% off all purchases to Dlist members.

-Tuffy

tuffyt.etsy.com
www.twitter.com/TuffyTwofists

If they convo you first, you could put the intem in special order for them at the discounted price and then let it go thru etsy couldn't you???  For trades I saw somewhere where they just list other as method of payment for paypal and then the seller marks it paid and shipped on their own.  That was in the forums somewhere today.  I'm open to 20% off for D listers only.  Just thought I'd throw that in for you guys!!!!Night.

I have bought from shops offering a discount and they have always refunded the discount through PayPal after the item is purchased...I have also done this in my shop and the refunding part was easy.

I was thinking that must people request that you convo them before making the purchase. Then you can alter the price  before they click to buy and check out. This is not fee avoidance which would be illegal and unethical. Fees are assessed on sales price and if you reduce the price because of a coupon then the new price is the amount the fee should be assessed on. Do not pay all the fees on the full price then refund it!