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More free items for your orders? Tell us what you'd like! — Parallax Forums

More free items for your orders? Tell us what you'd like!

Ken GraceyKen Gracey Posts: 7,392
edited 2015-02-02 19:19 in General Discussion
Hello,

During November and December we handed out around 10,000 free WS2812B LEDs with your orders.

Now that it's over, we'd like to have another surprise for you. What else would you like us to hand out? Share your ideas on this thread!

Prototyping boards
Sensors
LEDs of any type
. . .

Be specific - any ideas are welcome!

Ken Gracey
«1

Comments

  • ercoerco Posts: 20,256
    edited 2015-01-07 12:21
    Perfect timing on this request, Boss! Free Parallax hats with every $100 order while they last! Only 9 left!

    attachment.php?attachmentid=112454&d=1419295597
  • PublisonPublison Posts: 12,366
    edited 2015-01-07 12:39
    (Twins not included) :)
  • PublisonPublison Posts: 12,366
    edited 2015-01-07 12:45
    Of course there is always the Screwdriver, the Parallax Hat Decal, but I think a lot of people would like the QuickStart Proto Board:

    http://www.parallax.com/product/300-40010

    I didn't think much of it until I read the manual and found the versatility of this products.

    DANG. You only have one left! Oh well.
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,256
    edited 2015-01-07 13:02
    C'mon Jim, the hat is cheaper than the QS Protoboard and they have more of them in stock!

    Seriously, I just mailed 9 hats to Ken yesterday. My price was just $4 each from the vendor after paying the one-time setup charge. IMO, it's the perfect premium. Postage to mail a single hat would be more than it costs. But it would probably ship for free with a large $100 order. A win-win!

    Ken, if you like the hats, contact my vendor. Info at http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php/143951-Why-No-Parallax-Hats?p=1307795&viewfull=1#post1307795 Note that his description says "We also do beanies..." Propeller beanies?

    Of course, there are a hundred hat vendors closer to you, maybe even local to Rocklin.
  • Hal AlbachHal Albach Posts: 747
    edited 2015-01-07 13:07
    Maybe when an order reaches a certain threshold a DIP Propeller chip may find its way into the box. http://www.parallax.com/product/p8x32a-d40
    With the P2 coming out shortly(?) this may help reduce the inventory of over 1800 of these chips. With a slightly higher threshold also throw in the DIP sticker http://www.parallax.com/product/120-00003.
  • rogersydrogersyd Posts: 223
    edited 2015-01-07 13:28
    Hal Albach wrote: »
    ...a DIP Propeller chip may find its way into the box..

    Yes please!

    I can do without another sticker, screwdriver, or usb cable. It seems I always could use just one more micro sd card, four more standoffs, a Propeller Proto Board, 4 cell battery holder .... :)

    Personally, I don't expect anything for free but we all do appreciate the generosity. Polaroids from the shop showing the goods being made or packaged would be a nice touch... I did something similar for a product I sold many years ago and it was well received. Another hobby supplier I purchase from includes a cracker-jack box type of prize with each order.
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,256
    edited 2015-01-07 13:55
    @Hal & rogersyd: Did you guys buy the Mystery Bags and/or Christmas stockings a few years back with the Prop DIP chips (and a lot of other good stuff)?
  • W9GFOW9GFO Posts: 4,010
    edited 2015-01-07 14:22
    Something that I think would be good to add is a set of those colored jumper wires that come with the Boe-Bot. Maybe a couple IR LEDs, detectors and resistors too if just the wires aren't enough.
  • Hal AlbachHal Albach Posts: 747
    edited 2015-01-07 14:34
    @Hal & rogersyd: Did you guys buy the Mystery Bags and/or Christmas stockings a few years back with the Prop DIP chips (and a lot of other good stuff)?

    Erco;
    I wish I would have, but I only "discovered" the Propeller about two years ago. Was heavy into 8052 stuff but got put off by the high price C compilers and the "free" ones that would only allow 2k of code.
  • zappmanzappman Posts: 418
    edited 2015-01-07 14:41
    Ken Gracey wrote: »
    Hello,
    ...What else would you like us to hand out? ....
    Be specific - any ideas are welcome!

    Ken Gracey

    I think a six pack of "3-Pin Single Row Header (long)" Product ID 451-00303 http://www.parallax.com/product/451-00303 would be great to include with each order.

    attachment.php?attachmentid=112708&d=1420669795

    I seem to always be short on these when prototyping on a plug-in breadboard.

    They are needed plug in servo style extension cables, into the breadboard.
    451-00303_six_pack.png
    150 x 100 - 37K
  • RDL2004RDL2004 Posts: 2,554
    edited 2015-01-07 15:07
    Those 3 wire cables (red/black/white) with plugs on the end are always useful. Apparently you can't buy just a single cable anymore, they're only available in a 30 piece kit (http://parallax.com/product/751-00010, which is actually a pretty good deal). Also, while I'm on the subject, it would be great if you could sell just the wire alone by the foot.
  • electromanjelectromanj Posts: 270
    edited 2015-01-07 15:37
    I think a six pack of "3-Pin Single Row Header (long)" Product ID 451-00303 http://www.parallax.com/product/451-00303 would be great to include with each order.

    I second that. Something I always forget to include in an order, and too expensive to order by themselves....
  • W9GFOW9GFO Posts: 4,010
    edited 2015-01-07 17:19
    I think the best thing would be to give the customer an option of which freebie to get (or none) at the end of checkout. That way Parallax is not wasting items on people that will never use them and they can cycle items in an out based upon their availability. Business customers especially may wish to decline the freebie.
  • NWCCTVNWCCTV Posts: 3,629
    edited 2015-01-07 18:45
    I knew I should have waited to place my order. I placed a small order last night. I guess I will wait and see now!!!!
  • Buck RogersBuck Rogers Posts: 2,185
    edited 2015-01-07 21:06
    Ken Gracey wrote: »
    Hello,

    During November and December we handed out around 10,000 free WS2812B LEDs with your orders.

    Now that it's over, we'd like to have another surprise for you. What else would you like us to hand out? Share your ideas on this thread!

    Prototyping boards
    Sensors
    LEDs of any type
    . . .

    Be specific - any ideas are welcome!

    Ken Gracey

    Hello!
    Me? BASIC Stamp prototyping boards. Both styles.

    But that's just me.
  • LoopyBytelooseLoopyByteloose Posts: 12,537
    edited 2015-01-08 08:17
    IMHO, hats are a waste of money. I guess that is because I never wear one.

    On the other hand, an ADC chip... the MCP3204 just might get a lot more interesting projects started.

    These are quite wonderful as they work both with the Propeller at 3.3VDC and the BS2 at 5.0VDC. And let's face the reality that Arduinos do come with built-in ADC. So this would level the playing field in terms of perceived value.
  • banjobanjo Posts: 447
    edited 2015-01-08 08:56
    W9GFO wrote: »
    I think the best thing would be to give the customer an option of which freebie to get (or none) at the end of checkout. That way Parallax is not wasting items on people that will never use them and they can cycle items in an out based upon their availability. Business customers especially may wish to decline the freebie.

    +1
    In addition perhaps an option to donate to a charity chosen by the Forumistas or Parallax staff?
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,256
    edited 2015-01-08 11:09
    NWCCTV wrote: »
    I knew I should have waited to place my order. I placed a small order last night. I guess I will wait and see now!!!!

    Always put off until tomorrow what you might order today, said the hoarder.
  • JDatJDat Posts: 103
    edited 2015-01-08 15:40
    DIP propeller chip would be great.

    Another idea: Random stuff. WS2812B leds, DIP chip, proto boards, LM7805, cables, propeller programmin plug, other. It should depend on guy, who is packing. Simply 
    gift:=randomize(cnt)[byte][list of available gifts]
    :-)
  • David BetzDavid Betz Posts: 14,516
    edited 2015-01-08 15:42
    I'd like a QuadRover thrown in with my next order. :-)
  • W9GFOW9GFO Posts: 4,010
    edited 2015-01-08 16:37
    Whatever is decided I strongly believe there should be a way to opt out of the freebie. There are at least some people that do not like the idea of including things that will just end up in a landfill.
  • Oldbitcollector (Jeff)Oldbitcollector (Jeff) Posts: 8,091
    edited 2015-01-08 16:57
    Stuff I'd always love to find in my orders...
    Randomize so that my Parallax orders become like opening Cracker Jack.

    1) Propeller DIP40 chips
    2) Those little jumper wire packs.
    3) Three wire cables and extended pins for breadboard use
    4) Random non-stock stuff
    5) Parallax screwdrivers
    6) Parallax "Hat" Stickers
  • Cluso99Cluso99 Posts: 18,069
    edited 2015-01-08 17:50
    We packed a small box of smarties (like M&Ms) with our modems years ago. I guess there might be issues shipping internationally though as Australia requires all food items to be declared.
  • Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi)Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi) Posts: 23,514
    edited 2015-01-08 17:54
    With an S3 robot in the wings, maybe it's time to dump those 500,000 red S2 "Learn to Solder" kits! :)

    -Phil
  • kwinnkwinn Posts: 8,697
    edited 2015-01-08 19:56
    I,m with W9FGO. Give the customer a choice based on the order size. No freebie or a donation to a charity could also be a choice.
  • David BetzDavid Betz Posts: 14,516
    edited 2015-01-10 18:11
    Ken Gracey wrote: »
    During November and December we handed out around 10,000 free WS2812B LEDs with your orders.
    Wow! You only shipped one free LED with each order, right? I had no idea that Parallax processed 10K orders in November and December. Is that what you normally do? Sounds great!
  • 4x5n4x5n Posts: 745
    edited 2015-01-10 18:18
    banjo wrote: »
    +1
    In addition perhaps an option to donate to a charity chosen by the Forumistas or Parallax staff?

    +1
  • wasswass Posts: 151
    edited 2015-01-10 18:35
    David Betz wrote: »
    Wow! You only shipped one free LED with each order, right? I had no idea that Parallax processed 10K orders in November and December. Is that what you normally do? Sounds great!

    It does seem like a lot but not when you consider how big Parallax is:

    http://www.whereorg.com/parallax-inc-2530537

    You've got to ship a lot of orders to get to $26M in sales. I'm amazed at the small company feel this big company projects.
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,256
    edited 2015-01-11 12:31
    zappman wrote: »
    I think a six pack of "3-Pin Single Row Header (long)" Product ID 451-00303 http://www.parallax.com/product/451-00303 would be great to include with each order.

    attachment.php?attachmentid=112708&d=1420669795

    I seem to always be short on these when prototyping on a plug-in breadboard.

    They are needed plug in servo style extension cables, into the breadboard.

    I avoid plugging those into breadboards. The large pins stretch out the internal contacts inside the breadboards and give less reliable contact when you plug in a component afterwards.

    But solder-on headers (short/long) are very useful and also quite cheap. 10x 40 pin headers for a buck: http://www.ebay.com/itm/371101767185
  • SRLMSRLM Posts: 5,045
    edited 2015-01-11 12:52
    I like gifts that have an educational component. I'd like a reference page or poster useful values to the electronics enthusiast. Things like resistor color codes. SMD codes, and so on. If it's page size then it should be laminated.

    resistor-color-chart.jpg?la=en-US

    A full size Parallax poster would be cool. I'd especially like a print of the Propeller die. In fact, I would pay quite a bit for a high quality print of that. More if you and Chip and Beau sign it.
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