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VacHunter Gallery - Toys
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I
would love to have met the advertising strategist who conceived the
plan to give a customer's child a free toy or trinket only if the parents
purchased a new vacuum cleaner. Here is how the trick works. A
young family walks into the vac shop looking to buy a new cleaner.
The salesperson greets them and notices the small children hanging from
their sides. A toy is given to the kids to occupy them long enough
to make the sales pitch. After a time, the customers will either buy
a machine or depart to comparison shop. Before they leave, the toy
is taken from the kids. The small tikes, of course, ask, "May I have
that toy?" The salesperson regrettably tells the family that they
are not for sale. "They are only given to the kids as a small token
of appreciation for the sale." If the people leave the store empty
handed, at that point, a merciless barrage of whining and screaming
usually ensues until the sale is made and the toy is finally awarded to
the store's newest salesmen....the kids. It must be said that this
strategy works equally well for the door to door vacuum
salesman.
Of course, this was not the only purpose for having small advertising objects. Many advertising items were handed out to get the company name into the field, to encourage a customer to return to the shop, or as a genuine token of thanks. The variety of items that can still be found is staggering. Many handouts were utilitarian as well. There were pins, pens, sewing kits, banks, tape measures, and ashtrays, just to name a few. After all. adults need their toys too. Some companies continue the tradition today. Enjoy the
sampling of silent salesman who have helped to increase the sale of vacuum
cleaners throughout the years. Always remember, when you go shopping
for that high ticket item in the future, DON'T TAKE THE
KIDS.
Bissell Fans. The fans illustrated above date from 1909-10. They are made of bamboo and paper. One side is beautifully decorated and the other side touts the benefits of Bissell's "Cyco" Ball Bearing Sweeper. Post Card From the Bissell Company.
This colorful announcement was sent to the dealers. The front
side of the card pictures a Japanese woman holding a delicate paper
fan. On the opposite side is a letter that tells the retailers that
they will receive one hundred free fans for every dozen sweepers that are
ordered. The dealer would give this "toy" to the customer just in
time for the warm summer days ahead. The post card is dated July 1,
1909.
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Robert Kautzman
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vachunter@vachunter.com
