Should the buy side ever give gifts to the sell side?
I work for a real estate startup that is a major player in a new industry. We are relatively well-funded through Series B with about $100m of capital to date. 

Our business model involves leasing long-term commercial real estate assets from institutions and development firms in which we usually pay market value or even sometimes large premiums. Despite this, we usually get turned down due to the risk and uncertainty involved with a startup. Additionally when we find someone that is willing to do a deal with us, we usually are bidding against our competitors.

Despite being on the "buy side", I have been treating my role of growing our portfolio as more of a sales job. For the holidays, I decided to send several of these firms that are on the fence about working with us gifts. The gift I chose for my contact at one of the firms is a bottle of Dom Perignon and Godiva Chocolates. 

Do you think this is excessive or inappropriate?
[{"id": "faoqvls", "text": "Yes, it\u2019s a sellers market right now.", "replies": [{"id": "faorecz", "text": "Yes, give gifts is good? or Yes, this is excessive or inappropriate?", "replies": [{"id": "faos723", "text": "Yes to the question in your title. It\u2019s a sellers market, we are at the point of the cycle where - as a buyer - you need to do everything you can to be awarded deals. Giving gifts to brokers doesn\u2019t hurt.", "replies": [{"id": "faowqml", "text": "I don't think giving small gifts to brokers is ever a bad idea. This industry is all about relationships, especially on the commercial side.", "replies": [], "depth": 4}], "depth": 3}], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "faoskov", "text": "Just don't do it with government contracts.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "faou499", "text": "Gifts never hurt, and the nice ones are definitely remembered.  Dom might be a little excessive if you're a broker depending on volume (the brokers in my office, agency or landlord, send out about 20-30 bottles in the $50-$100 range during this season), but even if you represented a buyer your thoughtfulness may be remembered by the seller for a different listing in the future.\n\nIt's also pennies compared to what you stand to make if the relationship develops further, so why not (unless you're really struggling)?", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "faowsib", "text": "Wait, isn\u2019t this WeWorks business model? You\u2019re leasing commercial space at FMV and then turning around and subletting it for a premium?", "replies": [{"id": "faqrg0m", "text": "It's probably a domio or Sonder.", "replies": [], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "fap0lfb", "text": "I would take your contacts out for a drink instead, a great opportunity for face time. Experiences are better and a bottle Dom Perignon is a bit tacky. Just my $0.02.\n\n&gt; Our business model involves leasing long-term commercial real estate assets from institutions and development firms in which we usually pay market value or even sometimes large premiums.\n\nWhat you do with the properties once you have them?", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "faqe4hu", "text": "Sonder?", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "far06gz", "text": "I think the whole question is self-serving.  Regardless of what \"side\" you are on, or where in the cycle you are serving your client.  \n\nSend your folks expensive and brand name things if they will appreciate them, not as a sign of your accomplishments on their behalf.  Dom and Godiva just feels like you're trying too hard with people who are frankly probably richer than you.  \n\nInstead, my hokey, small market gift: I donate a percentage of every deal to a charity that means something to me, and send a note to my clients letting them know as much.  'Keeps me focused and centered, fulfilled.  My clients seem to dig it more than a bottle of overpriced champagne, that they will likely give to a subordinate anyways.....", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "fatby9k", "text": "take them out for a nice dinner and drinks. you can u get to actually talk to them and know them because this is all about relationships", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "fb42svz", "text": "Anyone else feel like at this point of the market there\u2019s so much capital flowing around that the sell side is better than the buy side", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "fbfq3on", "text": "Godiva is kind of generic mall chocolate and is big with residential realtors. Dom is more of a congratulatory gift in my opinion.\n\nHere's what we've gotten so far: a wreath delivered boxed from a local farm, local high end chocolate, holiday drink sets, box gift sets of trendy artisanal stuff, Veuve Cliquot in some sort of holiday cloth bag, TONS of local wine (in an area good for it), a branded mug that heats up with an app.\n\nWeWork sent us a box gift set. My GF works in marketing so I can tell you where this all comes from, WeWork used BOXFOX, one firm used Cocktail Couriers (was branded to their firm). Shipping liquor as a corporation is hard (champagne and wine much easier), very few vendors do it and they are one. Gemnote and Clove &amp; Twine are others I have not used yet. Cool local gifts are a hit, she says.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}]