Is this an advertising con?

benjacksmum

Hello, I am new to this board so apologies if something similar has been posted before.

In April we bought an existing Sandwich Shop business and I am pleased to say that ever since we seem to be gradually getting busier and busier.

I had a phonecall from a lady at the local NHS Trust asking if we do outside catering to which I replied that it was something we could do as we have a strong pub restaurant background. She then started to offer me some sort of opportunity to be a provider for the 'Staff membership discount scheme' or something, as long as we could offer a discount to members (which we could do if it guaranteed business). Then she went on to say that we would be included in the website and that there would be a charge (but couldn't tell me how much). It almost immediately put my partner off and he is now reluctant to even see this guy who is coming tomorrow afternoon as he thinks that all he is doing is raising funds through advertising.

Is this genuine and has anybody else had anything similar?

skippy64

I always get synical with these sorts of tele-sales for drumming up business. We got stung many years ago with a 'loyalty' card scheme that we put a deposit of £250 against & the firm went bust before it got the scheme operational in area ( Select Card I think it was called ).

Before the t'internet the other style of advertising they used to sell via hospitals was going on the big hospital ward maps you see dotted around hospitals with firms adverts printed around the edge of the poster. To be honest I've always shyed away from advertising that way and I always found it was best to spend the money focussing on giving offers to existing customers & let them generate leads for you that way. You could do something similar to the stamps that subway do or do something that gets a customer to pass on an offer to a friend. The beauty of it these days with personal computers you can quickly make your own leaflets/flyers/posters & do seasonal offers and change it quickly if its not working or print some more if its a success.

I'm only passing on my own thoughts but for me I wouldn't be personally interested in the deal that you have mentioned.

sarahlouise210

I would say that you are prepared to offer the discount (it could be lucrative for you) but you do not want to pay for advertising and will rely on word of mouth. Where I work we get % off at a few eateries and sandwich shops - it is not advertised anywhere ..we just pass it around.

Slinky

Is it this?

https://www.medicarenhs.co.uk

I have no knowledge of it other than I stumbled across it when looking for something else.

joggyb

I'd say 'don't do it!'

There are lots of scams or semi-scams like this, and you don't need them! Your business is thriving,:T so stick with what's working for you.

If they are the people who Slinky has flagged up, then their website rings a lot of alarm bells. :eek: They're not actually anything to do with the NHS (despite a name that suggests a formal connection), they don't list any of their company details (reg. no, VAT no, etc) for starters, and it's just a massive advertising site.

General rule: if advertising companies seek you out and start wanting to arrange meetings with you, and don't reveal their charges, there's usually something wrong.

I'd phone and cancel the meeting. If they get at all aggro, you'll know for sure it's not for you.

ukbill69

con, someone called me and told them to !!!!!! they wanted £2500 lol

Lindsay100

I have 12 years experience in Marketing.

My best advice if you have this money to spend, is for YOU to decide how to spend it. You know your customers best, who they are, what they want.

For example you could print vouchers/leaflets and mailshot/leaflet drop all of the local offices including hospitals. Have a professional discount card printed, or I like it when I get those, buy 6 sarnies get your 6th Free.

I like vistaprint.co.uk they do this kind of stuff cheap but great quality. Happy to help more if you need help with design etc.

Lindsay