One-Time Usable SMS Coupons

lirikh · 24th Jun 2012, 03:16 PM

Hi,

I was thinking of doing business with restaurants, and offering them SMS marketing services. One thing that blocked me was the issue of one-time usable SMS coupons.

The thing is most people do not have Internet on their phone, so I do not want to concentrate on mobile coupons that are opened through the browser.

I am with LIME and they have a coupon text redeeming system where the customer receives a text with the promotion code. However, what would stop the customer from going back to the store and showing the same text to get the same special again?

Looking for any input. Thanks.

biz2mob · 24th Jun 2012, 03:33 PM

Usually you'll make the coupon active for 24 hrs so the system won't get abused like that too much.

lirikh · 24th Jun 2012, 03:49 PM

Originally Posted by biz2mob

Usually you'll make the coupon active for 24 hrs so the system won't get abused like that too much.

So I should change the promotion code of the coupon every day? Note, the coupon is there as a freebie to make people opt-in.

If I change the promotion code every day, it would be alot of work on my part, and I will always have to alert the restaurants of the new promotion codes.

What if the customer receives the coupon, but wants to redeem it the next day? By making the coupon active only for 24 hrs, some people might get pissed.

Tsnyder · 24th Jun 2012, 04:54 PM

24 hours isn't long enough for obvious reasons. Set the expiration
date farther out and put the exp date right on the coupon so it's clear
to the customer as well as the merchant.

The length of time is up to the merchant. I always recommend 60-90 days.

Rymico · 24th Jun 2012, 06:16 PM

When you build your Lime coupon, there is an option for redemption by SMS. That option is on page two of your coupon build. It is up to your customers staff to make sure that their customer sends the redemption code by SMS. This keeps the coupon from being used again. So, there is no need to keep updating the expiration date.

The Lime coupon itself has a expiration date on it.

I change my clients opt in coupons once a month and put a 30 day expiration on it. So, day 1 opt ins get a coupon good for 30 days and day 30 optins have one good for one day.. If you make it too long, there is no sense of urgency to redeem it.

You can contact me if this does not make sense too you. I may have worded it badly.

Rymico · 25th Jun 2012, 05:54 PM

Another thing to consider is exactly what your customer wants.

There is actually no difference to your customers bottom line between 5 customers redeeming a coupon and one person redeeming it 5 times. So, talk with your customer and find out what their expectations are.

The biggest problem I see with not limiting it is the people they bring with them. That collateral income can not be tracked by you, but your customer might be able to.

philboy uk · 26th Jun 2012, 02:44 AM

You could link the sms campaign with foursquare, they offer a variety of loyalty schemes - for free.

TrumpiaTim · 2nd Jul 2012, 03:23 PM

Different providers beyond Lime may have a solution for this issue, I'd recommend that you sign up for trials with them to see their platforms.

24th Jun 2012, 03:16 PM	#1
lirikh HyperActive Warrior Join Date: 2010 Posts: 314 Thanks: 61 Thanked 12 Times in 11 Posts	One-Time Usable SMS Coupons Share on: Hi, I was thinking of doing business with restaurants, and offering them SMS marketing services. One thing that blocked me was the issue of one-time usable SMS coupons. The thing is most people do not have Internet on their phone, so I do not want to concentrate on mobile coupons that are opened through the browser. I am with LIME and they have a coupon text redeeming system where the customer receives a text with the promotion code. However, what would stop the customer from going back to the store and showing the same text to get the same special again? Looking for any input. Thanks.

24th Jun 2012, 03:33 PM	#2
biz2mob Active Warrior Join Date: 2012 Posts: 95 Thanks: 57 Thanked 28 Times in 17 Posts	Re: One-Time Usable SMS Coupons Share on: Usually you'll make the coupon active for 24 hrs so the system won't get abused like that too much.

24th Jun 2012, 04:54 PM	#4
Tsnyder Wordsmith War Room Member Join Date: 2003 Location: , , USA. Posts: 2,642 Thanks: 814 Thanked 1,739 Times in 834 Posts	Re: One-Time Usable SMS Coupons Share on: 24 hours isn't long enough for obvious reasons. Set the expiration date farther out and put the exp date right on the coupon so it's clear to the customer as well as the merchant. The length of time is up to the merchant. I always recommend 60-90 days.
	If you knew what I know you'd be doing what I do...

24th Jun 2012, 06:16 PM	#5
Rymico Active Warrior War Room Member Join Date: 2012 Location: Texas Posts: 82 Thanks: 2 Thanked 23 Times in 15 Posts	Re: One-Time Usable SMS Coupons Share on: When you build your Lime coupon, there is an option for redemption by SMS. That option is on page two of your coupon build. It is up to your customers staff to make sure that their customer sends the redemption code by SMS. This keeps the coupon from being used again. So, there is no need to keep updating the expiration date. The Lime coupon itself has a expiration date on it. I change my clients opt in coupons once a month and put a 30 day expiration on it. So, day 1 opt ins get a coupon good for 30 days and day 30 optins have one good for one day.. If you make it too long, there is no sense of urgency to redeem it. You can contact me if this does not make sense too you. I may have worded it badly.
	Contact me at sales@rymico.com

25th Jun 2012, 05:54 PM	#6
Rymico Active Warrior War Room Member Join Date: 2012 Location: Texas Posts: 82 Thanks: 2 Thanked 23 Times in 15 Posts	Re: One-Time Usable SMS Coupons Share on: Another thing to consider is exactly what your customer wants. There is actually no difference to your customers bottom line between 5 customers redeeming a coupon and one person redeeming it 5 times. So, talk with your customer and find out what their expectations are. The biggest problem I see with not limiting it is the people they bring with them. That collateral income can not be tracked by you, but your customer might be able to.
	Contact me at sales@rymico.com

26th Jun 2012, 02:44 AM	#7
philboy uk HyperActive Warrior Join Date: 2010 Location: Berkshire UK Posts: 367 Thanks: 68 Thanked 101 Times in 76 Posts	Re: One-Time Usable SMS Coupons Share on: You could link the sms campaign with foursquare, they offer a variety of loyalty schemes - for free.

2nd Jul 2012, 03:23 PM	#8
TrumpiaTim www.trumpia.com War Room Member Join Date: 2011 Posts: 824 Thanks: 2 Thanked 65 Times in 58 Posts	Re: One-Time Usable SMS Coupons Share on: Different providers beyond Lime may have a solution for this issue, I'd recommend that you sign up for trials with them to see their platforms.
	[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] www.Trumpia.com Trumpia: The Most Completed SMS Text Messaging Software & API Solution.