Yes, I Do

➤ We used Marsden Brothers for our moving sale. We would highly recommend using a professional. We learned techniques and strategies that we still used today. — Natasha Henderson, Saxon’s Fine Jewelers, Bend, OR

➤ We used Stephen Singer Estate jewelry sales events and it was very sucessful the first time, not so much the second time. Will do it again. It’s a unique event and brings a new crowd of customers. — Mark Kasuba, M. Edward Jewelers, Pittsfield, MA

➤ Profit Plus, inventory reduction, remodeling sale. It went great, accomplished our goals, good company. — David Fiske, Gerald’s Jewelry, Oak Harbor, WA

➤ We have used Silverman for a number of promotions including store closing and anniversary sales since 1992 and have been thrilled with their professionalism and expertise. — Rex Solomon, Houston Jewelry, Houston, TX

➤ I used The Gordon Company for a store closing four years ago. They were great. — Steven B. Goldfarb, Alvin Goldfarb Jeweler, Bellevue, WA

➤ Tried a few times. Never been happy, not even close to estimates. And it was expensive for what sales we did get. The sale company I think is the only one who made money and maybe my ad reps. — Tim Bodis, Diamond Designs by Bodis, Rice Lake, WI

➤ We brought in a company to facilitate a huge inventory reduction event. The financial bottom line came out pretty good, but it just about killed my employees. I promised not to do another event this extreme again. — Kent Bagnall, Kent Jewelry, Rolla MO

➤ I had an experience where we were buying a store and they ran a very successful retirement sale which was great for them, but crushed the deal as it too was viewed as a GOB and left us in a start-up position versus a change of management. — Dave Meadows, Art Jewelers, Woodstock, GA

➤ It was a huge promo sale at a new location that was a lot of effort. I’d say it was probably worth it, but having a big-screen TV and other non-jewelry items as prizes is not something I’d recommend. We went far outside the boundaries of who we were to pull the sale off. — Shannon Murphey, Murphey the Jeweler, Tyler, TX

No, I Don’t

➤ I have felt that they come in for their benefit, not necessarily for mine. Also, a competitor tried it once, on a small scale and people thought they were going out of business. Not really the message I want to send. — Randy Martin, Martin’s Jewelry, Ada, OK

➤ Why should I since we can do everything they can except supply extra staff? — Newton Starnes, Newtons Fine Jewelry, Flowood, MS

This article originally appeared in the February 2016 edition of INSTORE.