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AD/Request for input - Offering Gift Certificates? Pros and cons...



 
 
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  #1  
Old November 24th 04, 03:26 PM
Tinkster
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Default AD/Request for input - Offering Gift Certificates? Pros and cons...

I've been offering gift certificates for sale (but only to those
who've asked) for the past year now. So far, it seems like a win/win
situation, but I thought I'd ask here if anyone has had a bad
experience, from a seller's standpoint. I'm asking because I am now
promoting the gift certificates on my site instead of just offering
them to those who ask.

Most of my gift certificate sales are to spouses or SOs, and it's
worked out well for all involved: The gift-giver doesn't have to
figure out exactly what to buy, they don't have to try to nab
something before it's sold and the gift recipient has the fun of
shopping for "free".

The one downside I've noticed (and it's not really much of a downside,
just a noticeable thing) is that quite often, the person spending the
gift certificate has a harder time making up their mind than usual. No
biggie, just a noticeable thing.

How about your experience? Pros? Cons? Advice?

Tink
Check here for available work:
http://blackswampglassworks.com/latest.htm
Ads
  #2  
Old November 24th 04, 03:29 PM
Charlie
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Default

I don't know, but I'm thinking about getting one for my mum! She loves all
your stuff!

I'll be following this thread, because I'm thinking about doing gift
certificates too. I've been asked by some people at this party I'm doing.

Charlie.

"Tinkster" wrote in message
...
I've been offering gift certificates for sale (but only to those
who've asked) for the past year now. So far, it seems like a win/win
situation, but I thought I'd ask here if anyone has had a bad
experience, from a seller's standpoint. I'm asking because I am now
promoting the gift certificates on my site instead of just offering
them to those who ask.

Most of my gift certificate sales are to spouses or SOs, and it's
worked out well for all involved: The gift-giver doesn't have to
figure out exactly what to buy, they don't have to try to nab
something before it's sold and the gift recipient has the fun of
shopping for "free".

The one downside I've noticed (and it's not really much of a downside,
just a noticeable thing) is that quite often, the person spending the
gift certificate has a harder time making up their mind than usual. No
biggie, just a noticeable thing.

How about your experience? Pros? Cons? Advice?

Tink
Check here for available work:
http://blackswampglassworks.com/latest.htm



  #3  
Old November 24th 04, 03:51 PM
Tinkster
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Tell Al I said hi :-)

I'm guessing that the general take here on gift certificates will be
that yes, they are a Very Good Thing, and a win/win for everyone. But
it's always the stuff that I *didn't* think of that sinks my boat.

On Wed, 24 Nov 2004 14:29:31 -0000, "Charlie"
wrote:

I don't know, but I'm thinking about getting one for my mum! She loves all
your stuff!

I'll be following this thread, because I'm thinking about doing gift
certificates too. I've been asked by some people at this party I'm doing.



Tink
Check here for available work:
http://blackswampglassworks.com/latest.htm
  #4  
Old November 24th 04, 05:43 PM
Su/Cutworks
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Tink wrote:

Tell Al I said hi :-)

I'm guessing that the general take here on gift certificates will be
that yes, they are a Very Good Thing, and a win/win for everyone. But
it's always the stuff that I *didn't* think of that sinks my boat.


*makes careful note to avoid having Tink visit until she's thought it out
clearly*

-Su


  #5  
Old November 24th 04, 06:59 PM
Cheryl
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Posts: n/a
Default

Tinkster wrote in message . ..
I've been offering gift certificates for sale (but only to those
who've asked) for the past year now. So far, it seems like a win/win
situation, but I thought I'd ask here if anyone has had a bad
experience, ....
How about your experience? Pros? Cons? Advice?

Tink
Check here for available work:
http://blackswampglassworks.com/latest.htm


Tink -
I've offered them for years - -and only ever sold one.
Most people seem more content to purchase the beads they
like or believe the individual will like....

Even men - often email me and say "I want to buy beads -- what do you
recommend?" When I offer a gift certificate - they decline - and say
they prefer the beads...
I think part of it is not having the person knowing exactly how much
the gift was worth in dollars...
and the "impersonal" nature of a gift certificate...
which says to many "I wasn't able to select a gift for you"

Generally -- when they don't know - I ask about the person's favorite
colors, hobbies, interests, style -- and try to help the buyer slect
things from my stock that I believe they will like.
kind of a "personal shopper"- LOL
so far, I appear to have done well... the buyers have always indicated
the recipient loved their beads....

I have the gift certificates -- but they sit unused in my office
drawer....

Cheryl
  #6  
Old November 24th 04, 08:00 PM
Tinkster
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

ROFL! You know, I almost said "apologies to Su" when I posted that.
LOL!

On Wed, 24 Nov 2004 16:43:49 +0000 (UTC), "Su/Cutworks"
wrote:

Tink wrote:

Tell Al I said hi :-)

I'm guessing that the general take here on gift certificates will be
that yes, they are a Very Good Thing, and a win/win for everyone. But
it's always the stuff that I *didn't* think of that sinks my boat.


*makes careful note to avoid having Tink visit until she's thought it out
clearly*

-Su



Tink
Check here for available work:
http://blackswampglassworks.com/latest.htm
  #7  
Old November 24th 04, 09:16 PM
Su/Cutworks
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Tink wrote:

ROFL! You know, I almost said "apologies to Su" when I posted that.
LOL!


LOL. Well, I'm in a very small minority there, when it comes to housing so
it's not often people make comments that apply.

There's a popular phrase in the UK for going all out, which is 'pushing the
boat out'. I love it when people say that, because we feel that's what we
do anyway with our lifestyle.

-Su


  #8  
Old November 24th 04, 09:18 PM
Marisa Cappetta
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From a retial point of view, they work well. We allow customers to spend
less than the value of the certificate, reducing the value over a period of
time. This means they may only have a few dollars left at the end, which
will be credited towards a higher priced item. We record this on the
certificate itself, you may have to keep some other kind of records if you
chose to let customers do this. So far in all my years of retail and gallery
management, they have been a very good thing. A customer with a gift
certificate is usually happy from the start!

--
Marisa (AU/NZ)
http://www.galleryvittoria.com
"She who dies with the biggest stash, wins."


 




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