If you weren't familiar with a company but you liked the product they offered...

yes i would. it's like trying something new, why not? bye bye

I don't see why not. I go to the little stores in our historical part of the city and buy things from there.

I don't read testimonials, but a lot of people do and make decisions based on what they read. I would make a small purchase from an unknown company just to test it out if I really liked their products. It's hard to get people to visit unknown wesbsites. Try putting a signature line in all of your emails that include your website address-include a small advertisment. (I don't think you can do that here) Also look into doing online vendor shows that have little or no cost. Especailly this time of year.

I have always judged a product on it's own merit and not by the trade name that is attached to it. There will always be people who look for a designer name and believe that it makes a difference, but fortunately the trend is fading a little.
As for testimonials, there are of little value because it is impossible to tell if they are genuine or not and therefore most people would ignore them.

If I saw a site online with products which I was looking to buy, I would go by the price, the look of the thing, presentation, shipping costs etc., and if all those were reasonable, then I would try it without any recommendation from anybody else. Something one person recommends is not always what another wants. If it wasn't as good as it looked to be online, I wouldn't buy from the manufacturer again, but if it turned out to be the perfect item for me, then I would buy from them over and over.

I would buy it if it was something I liked.

if i like the product i will surely buy.. may be this company may be future branded company:)

I do most of my shopping on line and I base a lot of my buying on testimonials. If it is written in a exciting way - for example - instead of saying for home decor "the vases are pretty" say something like "I am going to buy more than one of these vases and hand them out as gifts. They are beautifully designed and of great quality. The way the sun catches the etching in the glass is magical and can light up even the darkest room. And,if you buy within the next 4 hours, you will receive a gift certificate for a free bouquet of flowers to show off your new vase".

related resource: flowers gifts

Like you said, testimonials from other buyers will definitely help. I usually prefer word of mouth from a known person and then I'll definitely try the product (ofcouse, not blindly, it will depend on my need).

The same is true for movies. I prefer reading reviews for most of the movies. For movies I prefer First Day, First Show. So, it all depends on quality, company's previous market standing etc.

Incentives don't attract me frankly, including discounts etc. I have found that I have never found to like any product that has been put under the tag sale, discount. I prefer New Releases.

Its the quality in the end that will bring me back to the company again for my second sale and not the benefit I made in the sale.

i think i will go for that product irrespective of the company.i like to try new things.