NORWICH – Discounts on wine purchases, spa services, business cards and bowling are just a few of the benefits available to Commerce Chenango members as part of a new Member2Member discount program.

The program allows member companies to offer discounts on their products and services to other members and their employees. According the Commerce Chenango Membership Coordinator Rachel Crandall, the program promotes member to member buying and increases sales. It’s also a great benefit for employees.

“It’s a win-win for everyone,” she said.

A former small business owner herself, Crandall assumed control of Commerce Chenango’s membership and programs departments in September 2007. Since then, she has worked to improve and grow the organization’s membership as well as increase the quality and quantity of services available to member companies. Part of that effort has been to research what other business organizations offer in other communities. The Member2Member program is one of the several new offerings Crandall plans to roll out in 2009.

Terri Slater of M & T Bank is a strong advocate of the new member discount program. She is offering card holders a free set of checks when they open a checking account, as well as a $50 incentive for signing up for direct deposit. She has discovered the discount is not only attracting new customers, but has also helped develop a stronger relationship with existing account holders.

According to Slater, the program also encourages people to shop locally, build relationships and to support other member companies.