The Merch Mistake 90% of Companies Make (And How to Fix It)
By Maranda Van Dam, Director at Fancy Inc.
Let’s talk branded merchandise. You’ve seen it—pens that leak, t-shirts that shrink after one wash, keychains that snap before lunch. If you’ve ever ordered promo gear or uniforms on a budget (and who hasn’t?), you’ve probably fallen into the trap I’m about to call out. It’s the mistake 90% of companies make: going cheap. And I don’t mean just the price tag—I mean quality so low it’s practically a brand saboteur. At Fancy Inc., we’ve seen the wreckage, and we’ve got the fix. Spoiler: it’s not about spending more—it’s about spending smarter.
The Cheap Trap: A Cautionary Tale
Picture this: a startup orders 500 branded pens for a big launch. They’re dirt cheap—R3.00 each—because, hey, it’s just swag, right? Day one, half the pens don’t write. Day two, the other half leak ink like a crime scene. Attendees aren’t impressed—they’re annoyed. That logo they were supposed to remember? Now it’s tied to frustration, not fun. We’ve heard this story too many times at Fancy Inc., and it’s the merch mistake that keeps on giving—headaches, that is.
Cheap isn’t just about pens. It’s the t-shirt that pills after one wear, the tote bag that rips under a laptop’s weight, the uniform that fades before the quarter’s out. The pitfall? Companies think “it’s just merch” and skimp on quality to save a buck. But here’s the kicker: bad swag doesn’t just disappear—it lingers, whispering “this brand cuts corners” every time it fails.
Why It Hurts (More Than You Think)
Low-quality merch isn’t a victimless crime. It’s your brand’s first impression—or its last. Studies show 85% of people keep promo items because they’re useful (real stat—Google it). But if that usefulness tanks—like a pen that won’t scribble a grocery list—your brand’s toast. Worse, it’s a missed opportunity. A client once told us they ditched a supplier after getting a flimsy branded mug that cracked on day one. “If they can’t get a cup right, can I trust their service?” Ouch.
At Fancy Inc., we’ve seen the flip side too. Quality gear sticks around—literally and figuratively—keeping your logo top of mind. Cheap stuff? It’s landfill fodder, and your brand’s buried with it.
The Fix: Premium With Purpose
So, how do you dodge this trap? It’s simpler than you’d think—and no, it doesn’t mean breaking the bank. Here’s the Fancy Inc. playbook:
- Prioritize Durability: A pen should write for months, a tee should survive a dozen washes. We source materials that last—like our polos that still look crisp after a year of retail chaos.
- Focus on Utility: Swag’s gotta work. We’ve made water bottles that double as phone stands and tote bags with reinforced straps. Useful = kept = remembered.
- Add a Wow Factor: Cheap’s forgettable; clever’s not. We once designed notebooks with a client’s tagline embossed in foil—people hoarded them. Quality plus personality wins.
- Think Long Game: A R6.00 item that lasts beats a R3.00 dud every time. Our clients’ ROI proves it—fewer reorders, more buzz.
Fancy Inc. to the Rescue
Here’s a quick win from our files: a small business came to us after a “bargain” uniform fiasco—shirts that shrank so fast their team looked like they’d raided the kids’ section. We swapped them for premium polos—soft, stretchy, and fade-proof. Six months later, their staff’s still rocking them, and clients keep asking, “Where’d you get those?” That’s not just merch—that’s a brand ambassador doing overtime.
At Fancy Inc., we don’t do cheap. We do purposeful. We’ve turned logos into legends with gear that’s premium without the pretension—uniforms that hustle, swag that sticks. Avoid the 90% club. Your brand deserves better.
Your Next Step
Next time you’re eyeing that “deal” on merch, pause. Cheap costs more than you think—in reputation, in impact, in headaches. Want gear that works as hard as your team? Fancy Inc.’s got you covered with quality that converts.