Cover Your Assets, Insure Your Gift Basket Business

Tuesday January 15, 2008 • Leave a Comment 

accident.JPGOn an episode of the popular TV show “Crossing Jordan,” a mysterious toxin causes the illness of the medical examiners and even the death of one. The toxin is traced back to a food item that came from a gift basket provided by one of the sales reps.
 
This episode may be fictional, but the possibility that food you place in a gift basket could make someone ill is scary but real. To protect your assets and yourself you must have insurance for your gift basket business.
 
Need more reasons to get insured? 

  • A UPS delivery person slips on your icy driveway while delivering office supplies to you for your home office.

  • A recipient of one of your baskets breaks a tooth while biting down on a biscotti and decides to sue your company.

  • A customer cuts her finger on a sharp piece of wire sticking out of the end of your French-wired bow

  • In addition to protecting yourself in the event of one of these incidents, you may also be required to show proof of insurance when serving some corporate clients and holding events at certain venues.

  • Getting insurance is spending money you can afford (a premium) to cover a risk you can’t afford (being sued or losing your inventory to theft or fire.)

Start your search for business insurance with the same company that provides your homeowner’s insurance. Others have relied on RLI, a specialty insurance company that insures many gift basket businesses. They don’t sell directly to policyholders, but you can use their locator to find an agent near you.
 
Some basket designers have been pleased with the services of other companies such as Nationwide and Zurich.
 
You just can’t count on good luck and good intentions to protect you from unfortunate events. Get insured so you can adequately cover the assets you’ve worked so hard to acquire.

To be on the safe side, it’s a good idea to prevent problems.  Learn how on the audio CD, Legal Tips to Keep Your Company Out of Court.   Get your copy now.

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Many of you have asked me to recommend a website hosting service.  I recommend my host, SiteGround web hosting for websites and blogs.

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How well do you know the gift basket business?
Test your skills with this crossword puzzle, “Gift Basket Wrap Up.”
Click here to get started.
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Ready to design gift baskets? Watch the step by step tutorials and listen to the audio tips on our newest site, www.MakeGiftBasketsNow.com

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Looking for easy gift basket ideas?  Discover what to put in popular themes at  www.EasyGiftBasketIdeas.com . Images and ideas for baby, holidays, celebrations, pamper, real estate and more. You’ll even learn to make diaper cakes from a short video.
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ARE YOU FRUSTRATED WITH YOUR INABILITY TO
ATTRACT MORE CUSTOMERS?
 
Are you struggling to attract new customers to your gift basket business? Do you have a great gift basket service but aren’t sure how to let prospects know about you? You can attract more new customers, sell more to existing customers, and bring back your customers more often. Learn how in the Marketing Bible. 
 
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Have you been asked to create low-cost gift baskets? Learn how to profitably serve this market in our new our free 7-part e-course, “Satisfy Customer Demands for Low-Cost Gifts.” Sign up now . Once you confirm, you’ll begin to receive lessons in your email box.

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Many of you have asked how I send out my newsletter. I have tried several companies over the years, but the best is Tom Kulzer’s service AWeber.
Check it out for yourself at http://www.aweber.com/?284293



Get Answers to Your Gift Basket Questions

Tuesday November 27, 2007 • Leave a Comment 

holiday-basket.jpgNewcomers and veterans ask many questions as they manage their businesses during the holidays. Based on my 16+ years of retail experience I’ve created these answers on websites, my blog and a variety of products. Use this handy guide to direct you to answers to the most frequently asked questions.
 
1. I’m just getting started. Do I need a license or permit?
2. How can I possibly compete with Costco?
3. Where do I sell my gift baskets?
4. Can I add wine to my gift baskets?
5. What are some tips you can give me about holiday orders?
6. How do I make products stand up in a basket without handles?
7. How do I price my baskets?
8. What’s the difference between Kwanzaa and Christmas?
9. Can you show me how to shrinkwrap?
10. Where can I find containers like trays, buckets, drums, etc.?

If your question wasn’t answered, email it to me at flora@giftbasketbusinessworld.com