FTD is helping you...
- Thread starter BOSS
- Start date
No reason why any of us can't offer the same to our own customers. 
bootcampguy
Well-Known Member
anytimeflowers
Linda
Us too. A $10 gift card is going out with everything. It was not planned for this, it was just going to go out with every order with a note to come back for their floral needs.
I don't have the refer a friend thing for them to sign up on, but I'll think of something! Too good of an idea to pass up. Thanks, FTD!
Mikey the Flower Guy
It's a GREAT DAY to live, and love!
- Nov 10, 2002
- 9,206
- 3,792
- 113
- 72
- State / Prov
- Ontario
I caught that when I saw it, and boy, i thought, what a great idea...me too thanks that wire service....
If you guys want some great Ideas for marketing you should send an arrangement through FTD.com. When I bought this shop that is oneof the first things I did(to see how the process worked). They have been marketing to me ever since. It is well worth the $50-60 you'll spend on the arrangment for a chance to look at the millions they have probably spent on market research, email timing, price points, and ad design. That was almost 3 years ago, but apparently I am still on the hot list. If you really don't want to spend the money, you could probably cancel the order after you place it and still get tagged.
Flowermomma
Well-Known Member
I did that at Christmas with a" limited cash it in by date of the end of march". I saw way less of them brought back in then i had hoped.
I know the senders where thrilled to be told a 10 gift card was going with their flowers at no extra charge. BUT they just were not brought back in.
I don't know the exact number but there is a pretty large percentage of gift cards that never get redeemed. I also know that there are legal issues you can run into, so you will want to check with an attorney before you start messing with them. For example, a few years ago the state of Maine pursued collection of all unclaimed GC moneys that was more than 2 years old under some unclaimed freight statute. I don't know what the outcome of that was, but I do know that legally "Gift Cards" are not treated the same way as coupons. It boils down to semantics. However, as states get more and more strapped for cash they will get creative about generating revenue, and small businesses can't afford large legal battles so we get the shaft most of the time.
Although we're not in Maine, for example, that's some good advice, just to be safe. Lawyers and politicans LOVE semantics - as to the w*nkers at wire services.
Flowermomma
Well-Known Member
I called the gov here in ontario and asked about what I could and could not put on my cards. They were very helpful.
Rhonda
Well-Known Member
Well, I am in Maine and yes, they will go for any money they can try to find.... (from consumers as well as businesses). Just had this discussion at our Spring Design Show regarding "gift certificates VS gift cards". Supposedly gift cards have NO expiration date, if I utilize gift certificates with an expiration date, they shouldn't come back 5 years later trying to use it. I think "Coupon" is the way to go if that is such....
But what do I know (our governor is an a$$ who can't keep his mouth shut and they (state house/senate) just spent two months on making the Whoopee Pie the state "treat") as our paper mills are now both closed with no signs of being purchased, reopened, or anything... another 450 out of jobs, no large employers here at all, younger generation will now be leaving if they haven't already. sorry, shouldn't rant
But what do I know (our governor is an a$$ who can't keep his mouth shut and they (state house/senate) just spent two months on making the Whoopee Pie the state "treat") as our paper mills are now both closed with no signs of being purchased, reopened, or anything... another 450 out of jobs, no large employers here at all, younger generation will now be leaving if they haven't already. sorry, shouldn't rant
anytimeflowers
Linda
I should not have used that term. Here is a picture of the cards I used for promotions. It is a pure and simple give-away. I have found that I receive far more of them back than the previous ones that specified a spend to get amount.
I know a lot won't agree with me, and I think it completely depends upon the area you serve. There are a few who have completely taken advantage of it, come and "spend" their $10 and I never hear from them again. I don't think I do, anyway. But they must come into my store and the majority of them have the built-in guilt factor and will spend more. The best part of it is, they come back again when they next need something because they came and saw what I have. I'm not wire service so I have to generate my own new customers. Once they are in here and meet me, they are mine.
Now let's see if I can make this attachment work.......
I know a lot won't agree with me, and I think it completely depends upon the area you serve. There are a few who have completely taken advantage of it, come and "spend" their $10 and I never hear from them again. I don't think I do, anyway. But they must come into my store and the majority of them have the built-in guilt factor and will spend more. The best part of it is, they come back again when they next need something because they came and saw what I have. I'm not wire service so I have to generate my own new customers. Once they are in here and meet me, they are mine.
Now let's see if I can make this attachment work.......
secretgarden
Well-Known Member
I like the term Reward Card, that is nice. We still have paper gift certificates, yes this store is trapped in 1989 but I'm working on it. I was thinking a card like Any-Time's would be perfect for us. We may just have to head over to staples with our memory stick =)
anytimeflowers
Linda
We have these cards as well as real gift cards. Swipable. I signed with a new company for cc processing last fall because I needed new processors to be PCI. They also had this program available, it cost IIRC $35/mo plus the different cards, pretty inexpensive but I don't remember anymore, maybe $100-$200 per 1000 cards. I have a totally different style for my gift cards so we know which ones get money put back. These rewards cards don't get a balance left on them, once they are used, they are used.
Now I just have to figure out how to use that FTD thing to my advantage. HMMMMMMM......thinking....
Gift Card / Gift Certificate Laws
Federal Gift Card Law Summary link includes state laws ve federal laws
Plastic Gift Cards vs Paper Gift Certificates
California Rules , you should be able to find your states laws easily in the first link, although some states, like Michigan does not maintain a web page detailing the rules, there are links in the Federal list, that outline some information link this page for Michigan
Different strokes for different folks... "Gift Cards" can have maintenance fees attached to them thus you can deduct money from them for inactivity. "Gift Certificates" "may" never expire, often they are treated like cash.
Federal Gift Card Law Summary link includes state laws ve federal laws
Plastic Gift Cards vs Paper Gift Certificates
California Rules , you should be able to find your states laws easily in the first link, although some states, like Michigan does not maintain a web page detailing the rules, there are links in the Federal list, that outline some information link this page for Michigan
Different strokes for different folks... "Gift Cards" can have maintenance fees attached to them thus you can deduct money from them for inactivity. "Gift Certificates" "may" never expire, often they are treated like cash.
Thanks for the gift card vs certificate info...VERY useful.
Looks like I can start a "Frequent Flowers" rewards card progrram. Now, just get off my backside and do it!
Looks like I can start a "Frequent Flowers" rewards card progrram. Now, just get off my backside and do it!
Mikey the Flower Guy
It's a GREAT DAY to live, and love!
- Nov 10, 2002
- 9,206
- 3,792
- 113
- 72
- State / Prov
- Ontario
bootcampguy
Well-Known Member
Don't beat yourself up, you're mainstream marketing. The term reward card is coming back. Customers today put alot of value in "rewards" program rather than a gift card.
lori042499
Well-Known Member
- May 3, 2006
- 6,457
- 4,226
- 113
- 53
- State / Prov
- MA
Everyone who purchases in my store the first time gets a "reward card"...it is a business card with a punch system on the back 7 purchases and the 8th is free...I also have business cards with $5 of $10 on first shopping experience for my driver to hand out in elevators or office buildings, he is instructed to hand one out to anyone that says nice flowers...a nurse, a receptionist, an elevator guest, etc....I get them printed at vista print and usually just pay shipping when they run free promos...they are great to have on hand to pass out to anyone, waitresses as tips, subshops as tips...whoever, they are chep enough that you can let it rain coupons that scream come on in a try us...
