How to pick out gifts for people you barely know, but who have done so much for you?
 

One of these is the nurse practitioner at my doctor's office. She's really the only reason I put up with the doctor. She is so great and helpful, it just melts my sour mood, even if she's sticking a needle in me. Most recently, she gave me about two mos. worth of free samples of scripts I had not refilled while waiting for my new job's insurance to kick in. I thought I might get a few freebie packets, but they handed me a full, large paper lunch sack full of samples, no charge.

The other one is the tech support guy at EMG Pickups. He not only gave me a free pair of pickups when the ones I bought on eBay turned out to be fakes (refused to let me pay him after he mailed me some good ones to test my wiring job). I later asked him how I could buy some more for another guitar such that EMG made the most money off the sale, insisting on no discount, and he had his saleslady call me and insist on selling them to me at dealer cost. Now I'm having trouble with the install and he's mailing me some wires at no charge.

I know the nurse a little, but have only ever dealt with the other guy via email. I need to get them something for Xmas. What to buy?

Gift cards would do the trick along with a personalized hand written note.

I had the same kind of vibe with the guy who helped me fix my coffee machine. I traded maybe 15 emails with him and he was very patient even though he didn't really have an obligation to help me.

I researched the general area around his office and got a localized (not generic) gift card from a cool brewpub near him. He was really psyched about it.

In general I think they recognize when you make a real genuine effort, as opposed to throwing money at it. Like they did for you.

I think if you're you could ask someone in the doctor's office about what the NP really enjoys or something.

Well, EMG is in Santa Rosa, CA and I've been there. But I have no idea if this guy is a drinker or a foodie or what. Maybe I'll run into the doc's office real early one morning and ask the front desk lady. Hey, maybe she's a gun person and a few boxes of ammo would show her the love.

Gift card for the Outback Restaurant might be a winner, if you have them there.

Crikey - who doesn't like the Outback? ;)

A garden variety Visa G/C should do nicely. It reflects on him if you send it to the company HQ as well.

BTW, EMG does have fantastic customer service.

Write a letter to their bosses gushing about how they go above and beyond.

This. As a nurse, we weren't supposed to accept tips and gifts from patients. If they were gifts for the office or unit, we were. But really? The patients who made an effort to write a note to the manager really stood out in my head. Sometimes, if you got mentioned in a card or letter, the hospital I worked for would give us prizes. And it would go in our file so it plays into our annual evaluation and pay raise. And I always kept a copy so that I could use it for reference for future jobs.

And really? It comes from the heart. The best kind of present. :)

Tell their bosses if they have one. Then I like Apple iTunes or App Store or amazon gift cards. Almost nobody doesn't like that.

If this were any other doctor's office, this would be the way to go. But the office mgr. is the one I got pretty snippy with during my Larry David blow up I posted about here a while back. I'd worry about her taking reprisal against the NP for being popular. And the doctor is such a flake, I'd be afraid he'd blow it off. Joe knows this guy. He's a little weird.

I don't know the bosses at EMG, but I don't want to mention to them that their guy gave me free stuff and spent soooo much time on this nobody. And they probably know they're known for super customer service. BTW, I emailed my buddy there this photo of me playing the pickups he gave me at a recent gig.

http://www.fototime.com/178018A1F4C2017/standard.jpg

Mrs. Noah (an NP) responded: If there's a coffee shop in the bldg. or a lunch place nearby, then perhaps a gift card to that establishment. It would be nice to just have a free lunch one day.

Find out if he's going to NAMM. Take him to dinner, if so.

From a nurse friend - send a card to her boss with a check, payee left blank. Tell him what a wonderful job the STAFF has done to make your visits there comfortable, especially Ms. X who takes my blood so painlessly, and you would like them to use this check to make a donation to their favorite charity. Thanking only one person can lead to tension within the staff.

I would suggest an actual letter on a piece of analog paper telling her how you feel about her help.

One of my dad's nurses was over the top great. Dad really liked her and so did I. I wrote her a personal thank you note and she was very touched by it.

Gogar's advice is spot on. I have to deal with finding, purchasing and overnighting props for film. It really helps when you get a hold of someone who goes the extra mile.

I've found that Yelp is a great tool for finding good restaurants, pubs, bakeries, etc in the person's area, and usually get a gift card/certificate or order pizza/cookies/pie and have it sent over. I call them to thank them and give them a 'heads up' on when would be a good day to have lunch sent over on me.