WillR

I know of someone over here in Australia who is working with some fairly new technology based around delivering mobile coupons.

I thought the idea might give others something to think about.

From what I understand, the way it works is this.

1) Customer opts in to receive a coupon via SMS. The customer then receives a UNIQUE coupon code sent instantly to their mobile. This code is unique so it can only be used once.

2) Customer goes to pay at the store and instead of handing their phone over and showing a coupon code, they actually enter the coupon code right into the EFT/Credit Card terminal and it automatically deducts that amount off the total purchase price. Once that coupon code has been entered in it then becomes invalid so no one else can use it.

3) The shop can then follow up with those customers via SMS. They can even send additional coupon offers to drive people back into the stores during quiet times. All the while they can be confident the coupons are not being abused and shared around.

What do you think? Good idea? Bad idea?

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Aussieguy

Well, I think it's a fantastic idea! Business has to love it as they get control of the coupons, and new customers to follow up (I am assuming here that the customer has opted in via some other advertising material or somesuch).

The only thing is - I didnt know the eftpos machines handled coupon codes!

WillR

They have to optin in to GET the coupon code, of course. So they might be in a bar and on the wall is a big poster that says send an sms to this number and get x amount off your bar tab or dinner or whatever.

It's not to do with the credit card machines I don't think. I believe the coupon codes you get work just the same as a credit card number would if you typed it into the machine or even those gift voucher cards with the codes on them.

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Regional Warrior

Will

If you get the chance have a sqiz at this cupons

Jason

WillR

Jason,

Yeah I know about those sites but that's not what we are talking about here. We are talking about a business offering coupons straight up to their customers, in store or in their advertising, to get them on to a list they can then followup with. This isn't going to hurt business, this is only going to drive more repeat business which is the key these days.

I've never been a believer in those coupon sites because I know a lot of people who use them and they only ever go to that business because of the coupon. They would never go back unless they had another coupon so it doesn't work at increasing business at all. This is why they are all going out of business.

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Big Gee

Wow that sounds interesting. I like the option to use it at the register. Business owners are going to love it for the repeat business. What is it ? or where can I get it ? I wonder if there was a way to make the buying customer double up just as they want to use the code.
For example blockbuster video used to do this. You would be at checkout and before they finalized the rental purchase they would inform you that you could rent another movie for a dollar right now. Well I would almost always go and leave the counter to find another movie because it was a good deal.
So I wonder if when they access the coupon on their phone (before they pay) if it could automatically trigger another text with an even better offer. So now they just bought 2 of the businesses overstocked sale items.
Maybe give a choice on the second text of
1 mildly ok deal (the original offer)
2 a real good deal for a great price (the one we really want them to use)
and
3 a crappy over priced deal making the 2nd deal look good (if they buy this then great, but don't expect too many of these to sell)
I think I learned that method from you Will !?
BTW GREAT job on the bonus WSO. Still going through it, but man talk about over delivering. One of the best WSO's I've purchased.

JToneyUK

It sounds like a good method but I aint sure about this idea of not allowing coupons to be passed around? Obviously it depends what the offer is for, whether its a product in a store, or a free gift etc. But to me, if I was say a restaurant owner and sent out a text to my list that offers say "a free round of drinks to parties of 3 or more", I would not mind if 10 people who receive this list passed it onto 1 of their friends each. This would then potentially bring in more people to the restaurant who wasn't even on the list. I would put a valid to date on these things obviously, but this kind of offer for this kind of business should encourage their list to share these offers to bring in more clients.

When it comes to giving things away, a free gift, a free consultation etc. This is when you'd want to limit the amount of people using the coupons as it is a loss of funds or time.

Mark_Austin

Sounds like a great idea to me and the fact the coupon code can be entered directly into the credit card terminal makes it extremely easy for the business to manage.

The first question that comes to mind is that same as "Aussieguy"....do all credit card terminals already have this facility? Is it easy to set up etc?

If they do and it is then I can't see why this won't take off and be a great service to provide to business owners.

justinc21

On the face it this seems like a great idea, but as a few others have mentioned, is it dependent on the eftpos machine to make this work.

What happens if the customer wants to pay with cash? Is the code entered into the machine to invalidate it, and that then linked to the cash register?

If the logistics can be sorted then I can't really think of any real downside to it, and it could be part of an excellent advertising strategy for the business and there are virtually endless places that could definitely do with advertsing help, to get feet through the door.

JToney also mentioned the one off use, which is fair enough as can't keep giving discounts, but what if the coupon holder is out with friends and they want to get a coupon but he/she can't remember the number they texted to get the coupon and they aren't near the business that is offering the coupon. Is there a way to forward the details to make their friends also get a unique coupon code but also get their details, or are we getting into opt in issues here?

sunburn

What are the additional cost for business owners to install this machine if there's any?

midasman09

Excuse me! You are ALL making this TOO complicated!

One of my Successful Programs (some yrs ago was)....BEE BACK CARDS!

I supplied my customers with Special Cards that they would....GIVE to each customer as the customer paid their bill.

This Card was a combination, "Thank You for Shopping here! and a "Discount" on their next purchase!"

Granted...some of my participating businesses had "Bee-Back" Cards that were only good for $1....but....they WORKED....to get customers BACK into the store!

Now....update to 2011; On the back of my" Bee-Back Cards" was a box for the customers to fill in their Name and Address. And...guess what?...for a measly $1 discount....MOST customers RETURNED....and...with a Filled in "Name & Address Box"!

So....in THIS "Electronic" age... the box on the back of the Cards can NOW be, Name & email addy! And....they hand in the Bee-Back Card, to get the Discount....and...guess what....they get ANOTHER Bee-Back Card handed to them after their purchase.

Whala! And...I've found a source of "16pt Business Cards, full color, glossy, 10.000 for $81 (not including shipping) So...this next month, I'm going to be "Training" some of my "Single Moms" in how to set this up in their area.

KISS! Keep it Simple...Stupid! The merchants pay for the Cards. They give YOU the cards each month. YOU set up a SMS program where YOU can send these consumers...Special Deals from the Merchants!

Whala! No Need for consumers to, "Go to a Website and Sign In!" Consumers simply are HANDED a Bee-Back Card with their receipt....Fill In the Back of the Bee-Back Card (to qualify them for the Discount) and HAND IT IN...when they make their next purchase!

ON the Bee-Back Card is their Name AND email addy!

How simple do you want it!

YOU charge for the Cards and....sending the emails for Additional disounts or Reason to Return!

Don Alm....trying to "KISS"

JToneyUK

Don I quite like this discount card idea with fields to fill in for when they return to the establishment. When they next visit, they hand in their discount card with info name, email and mobile number which is then an opt in.

This could be a great way to get people back to the business and get their details. It isn't as quick as say a waiter offering an immediate discount off their current bill in exchange for their mobile number to opt into future discounts, but it is a less pushy way to get them back and fill out the info.

limecellular

We have this kind of mobile couponing tool on our platform, it's very easy to use and it integrates into any POS system. The barcode is scanned directly from the phone or you can use a promotional code to redeem the coupon. You can send these coupons to an opt-in list of customers or associate it with a particular keyword. The coupons can also be used as a reward for participating in polls, questionnaires, for opting in, and a few others. It helps to get customers coming back, and the coupons are insanely quick to make and implement.

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syncjam

Don, check out partnerprinting.com. 10,000 cards - $65. No aff link, I just like their prices and service!!

Bruce NewMedia

I think it's a good idea.

Also agree with you Will, those big name coupon deals are going to implode..and the the businesses I know who set them up are disappointed. They're NOT seeing a net improvement in LONG TERM business - they got a spike, but that's it.
_____
Bruce

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bryson

I agree 100% with Don. There will always be a "what if" no matter what biz model or marketing tactic you look at. Forget about the glass half full approach and just be thankful you have a glass, then think on all the ways you can fill it. Success doesn't come by focusing on what is wrong with this or that. Take what works and go for it.

ramohr

Thanks Don

Could you send me the source of the business card printer
Ramohr

fapilot

very interesting ramohr, i used bee back cards 25 years ago and worked awesome!!

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