I'll tell ya a little story about those custom pens. In town here a buddy of mine Vinny runs a wrecker service, he's got a half-way decent word of mouth business going but he's too cheap to advertise in the paper or yellow pages. Somewhere along the line someone must of talked him into ordering custom pens. Knowing Vinny I'm guessing it was the sexy sales rep from the print shop
Anyways I was BS'in with him one day and he said that he couldn't give them way. I suggested that he started just leaving them in random places, at the checkout counter when he writes a check forget to pick up his pen, at the post office when he signs for certified mail, leave them on the bar when your out drinking just leave them anywhere around town.
We all know people are kleptos when it comes to pens, most don't even realize it an out of habit just put the pen in their pocket when they're done writing.
For what ever reason Vinny decided to listen to me about six months later I couldn't go anywhere around town and pick up a pen without it being one of his. The funniest thing was when I got into my car accident the cop handed me a paper to sign and handed me one of Vinny's pens to sign with. I joked with Vinny and said who did you strong arm to get everyone to distribute your pens.
Vinny's a nice guy but he looks like someone who'd kneecap ya just for looking at him funny.
Anyways I thought it was pretty cool, I never asked him if it got him any extra business by 'forgetting' pens around town. It is a great way to raise consciousness of your business though.
