What did I do?!? Help!!!

[Bexalicious]

I put an add in the local penny saver that is comming out on Tues.  They are having a specail section for mom's called Mommy's Corner.  They called me to put in an ad wich I did they are doing a 2x2 inch for $12 wich is almost 30% off the normal price.  So far I have been getting a few clients from word of mouth (I only have 4) so I thought this would be a good oppertunity to put something out there.  Then today it hit me.  IM MOBLE! I dont have an office since Im just starting.  How am I supposed to sell G.Cert if I dont have anywhere for people to come and buy them!!! What did I get myself into!?!?!?       Any sugestions on how to fix my delema???

 

[Twitch]

What did I do?!? Help!!!

If people call and are interested in buying a GC from you you could mail them one. It shouldn't be too much of a pain hopefully? Do you take credit cards? You could offer to stop by and bring them their GC as well. Good Luck!!

 

[Jabroni]

Almost all of my gift certificate sales are done by email. I let them print their own certificates. I've posted 2, delivered one, existing clients collect at their next appointment about 10, and emailed a LOT, to people I will never see and to existing clients.Just today (Mother's Day is next weekend in Australia) I've done a bit over $300 in emailed gift certificates.  They pay online, either direct into bank account, use PayPal, or send cheque or money order.

 

[ViktoriaXVicious]

What did I do?!? Help!!!

I number each of my gift certificates and fill out a record of the gift certificate with the same number. Then, when someone calls me for a gift certificate, I send it to them in the mail and tell them that the certificate will be activated after I receive their check in the mail. When I receive the check, I mark on the record that it has been activated and I file it away until it is redeemed.-Melody

 

[G S]

I have an office but I'm only there when I have appointments, so it's often times not that convenient for clients to just stop by whenever they have the time to pick up g.c.s.   Of course, many do come when I tell them when I'll be there.  But for the others, I will sometimes drop them off at their home if they are local (a nice personal service) or I will mail them.  I have in the past mailed some out before getting the check and then had to call several times to get the check and would get aggravated at that.  I then adopted a policy that I would not mail out the g.c. until the check had been received.  Never did think of telling them that I'd mail the g.c. and then "activate" it when I received the money, but I will start doing that.  Thanks for the idea.  It certainly does help those folks who are waiting until the last minute.  

 

[Lith]

What did I do?!? Help!!!

i'm strictly mobile & deliver gc's to locals as an added convenience. out-of-towners will get mail service if they order in advance.

 

[Barb Outhere]

Melb,   Do you have a website you do this from? Im probbly one of the last ppl out there who dont have a website.I realy like the paypal idea.Melody,   I like the activate idea too.  Do you ever have ppl make a fuss over it? Thank you everyone for your suggestions.  Im new to all of this and am nervous yet excited! lol

 

[Corrie]

What did I do?!? Help!!!

I made friends with a woman that owns a floral shop,  they sell my certificates for me since I am only in that office 2-3 days a week.    I have a sign on my door that says where people can purchase certificates, its super close to my office.  she has a packet for all the records and stuff.   After her really busy holidays (when my certificates are really popular too, mothersday, valentine and xmas) I give her and her main helper a gift certificate for a supper out, a massage, a relaxation cd or something else to show appreciation for taking the time to help me out.She is a friend so i trust her completely, I had another business do this for me and i got ripped off - my fault.   lesson learned.  Just really stay on top of money recevied and how many gc they have.I also offer free delivery - people like that.doriPS - Dont worry - I dont have a website either!!  

 

[white rabbit]

the activate idea

No one makes a fuss over it. It makes perfect sense to them. And they are just happy that they don't have to wait for the gift certificate to be mailed.-Melody

 

[Steve the Fob]

What did I do?!? Help!!!

Melb, Do you have a website you do this from? Im probbly one of the last ppl out there who dont have a website.

I realy like the paypal idea.

Yes, my only advertising is my website and it appearing in search results, I don't pay for placement (well I have tried a couple of paid listing services, but have found the results from my own web site are much better, so won't continue with them)

I don't actually have a PayPal link on the web site, I send them one when they are unable to use one of the other options (the PayPal fees make the other options cheaper, PayPal has finally got an Australian dollar option now, so I might rethink that, before it was USD and the exchange rates were a bit unpredictable.  Thanks for reminding me I'm in Australian obviously) In the past I've only let overseas people use PayPal (I've sold quite a few gift certificates to people in UK, US, Canada, Singapore, etc for their friends or family in Sydney)

 

[xocassandranicolexo]

Well I created a paypal account.  The add is suposed to run today.  It is in a very good spot and I am the only massage therapist there so thats cool! Ive decided to give anyone who calls the options you all suggested to me.1.  If they live local I will offer to meet them at home and drop it off.2.  They can use the paypal account and I will email them the g.cert after their payment has been made.3.  I will snail mail them the g.cert along with a verafication tab and they have to mail me a check along with the tab to activate the g.cert.   My only question with this...is it legal?  Could they some how make a big fuss and make me do it without paying me because after all they do have the g.cert.Thanks!

 

[Pompal 09.]

What did I do?!? Help!!!

My only question with this...is it legal?  Could they some how make a big fuss and make me do it without paying me because after all they do have the g.cert.

I wouldn't think so....afterall, it's like getting one of those gift cards from the store - you have to have it activated before it'll work.  And since you're sending a note along with the GC explaining how it works, it shouldn't be a problem.

Hey Melody - do you call the person if you don't receive a check?  I'm wondering about the "check got lost in the mail" scenario.  Have you ever had that happen?

 

[jvjonster]

Things could prove to be a bit embarrassing if the client never pays for the gift certificate, but gives it to the birthday girl or whoever.  Then the recipient comes in to redeem it and you have to explain that their friend is a deadbeat who never paid for the gift certificate.  I would absolutely call the person if the check didn't arrive.  In fact, I did have to do that once.  It was around Christmas and the office was giving the g.c. to the boss at the party, which was coming up soon.  I decided to go ahead and mail the g.c. before receiving the check, just to be nice.  Well, the check didn't arrive and I called.  She said she had gotten delayed getting in the mail and said it had gone out that day.  When I finally recieved it, which was 3 days after the Xmas party, it had been postmarked 2 days after I spoke with the woman on the phone.  It was also $5 short, which I notified her about and she said she was sending the money, but never did.   I honored the g.c. anyway, as it was for an existing client of mine.  Now, I am not quite as willing to send the g.c. ahead of time.  I will only do it in an extreme emergency.

 

[Acts 17:11 guy]

What did I do?!? Help!!!

Take the money and RUN!!! Hehe, j/k.If you're strictly mobile, I'd REALLY suggest getting a website, as sort of an "online office" for things such as gift certificates, etc. If you don't want any of the wrong kind of business that can come with websites, maybe do not make the website public (as in, don't advertise it) except for your existing clients, and those who receive future coupons (make sure to put the website URL on the coupons!). Other than that, I really don't think I'd mail the gift certificate until the check came in AND CLEARED THROUGH THE BANK. However, easiest way to do it would be through a website via PayPal, IMO.

 

[greendaylover7]

knead-u, re: unreceived check

I've never actually had anyone not send the check. When I send out the gift certificate, I send a self addressed stamped envelope with directions to send the check for activation.I have however, considered the fact that someone might forget to send the check. In which case, I would definitely call them. If per chance they turned out to be a "dead beat" then I would take pity on their friend or relative and hope to get a new client out of the deal.I find that it is easier for me to trust people rather than not. If a person betrays that trust, I simple won't do business with them again. That is my motto.-Melody

 

[Sticky toffee pudding]

What did I do?!? Help!!!

Do you think it would be tacky to wait for payment BEFORE you send the GC out in the mail? Just wondering. I've never had to mail any, as of yet.

 

[looby]

What did I do?!? Help!!!

Do you think it would be tacky to wait for payment BEFORE you send the GC out in the mail? Just wondering. I've never had to mail any, as of yet.

I don't think that's tacky at all. I think that whatever you are comfortable with is fine. People will understand. However, you will not be able to accommodate procrastinators.

-Melody

 

[The man with the plan]

What did I do?!? Help!!!

On one hand, if you order something on line, they won't ship until they're paid. On the other hand, you want to foster as much good will as possible. It's 'six vs half a dozen'.