Free Gift Certificates?

by Mormo
6 replies
I'm thinking of putting a big sign in the window of my used bookstore that says "Free Gift Certificates" and giving a coupon for one free paperback book to everyone who comes into my bookstore until Christmas. You could only redeem the coupon after Xmas and I would also sell extras for one dollar a piece. Does this sound like a good idea?
#certificates #free #gift
  • Profile picture of the author Magicalidea
    Very nice idea. Discount and give free gift are 2 good way to attractive and encourage people to buy more. You should start from this week.
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  • Profile picture of the author DABK
    Depends on your buyers. How many books/items do people buy in your store at once?

    How are you giving away the gift certificate? Do you collect any info from them, something that allows you to inform them of other events in the future?

    What kind of strings do you attach? (One thing to have no strings, another to say, free paperback with the purchase of 3 books, yet another to say, free paperback if you spend $101.37?

    When they come to redeem their certificate, what do you have in store for them? Are you giving them a 37% off your next purchase? Are you entering them in a contest to win a FREE, FREE, FREE 42 inch Vizio TV? Or are you just giving them their free paperback?

    Originally Posted by Mormo View Post

    I'm thinking of putting a big sign in the window of my used bookstore that says "Free Gift Certificates" and giving a coupon for one free paperback book to everyone who comes into my bookstore until Christmas. You could only redeem the coupon after Xmas and I would also sell extras for one dollar a piece. Does this sound like a good idea?
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    • Profile picture of the author Mormo
      Thank you magical idea! I plan on starting Tuesday!

      DABK, I never even thought about trying to capture information! I should start a list for the bookshop!! Thanks so much!!
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    • Profile picture of the author misterme
      Originally Posted by DABK View Post

      What kind of strings do you attach? (One thing to have no strings, another to say, free paperback with the purchase of 3 books, yet another to say, free paperback if you spend $101.37
      ...or choose from selected paperbacks. Giving them a reasonable assortment but saving the more popular, choice goodies for pay, once they're inside the store.
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      • Profile picture of the author NewParadigm
        Originally Posted by misterme View Post

        ...or choose from selected paperbacks. Giving them a reasonable assortment but saving the more popular, choice goodies for pay, once they're inside the store.

        Macy's has overplayed this selective sleight of hand coupon game that does nothing but piss off customers. They mail out some big discount coupons that are on top of sales, but have recently played games with 'eligible' merch. That's the only time to really shop those retailers when they have stacked discounts off their high list prices. My mother found nothing that qualified and challenged a manager to find one item that qualified. The manager couldn't. To the manager's credit, she told my mother to buy anything she wanted and she would be granted the stacked discounts on all merchandise.

        Whatever your offer, make it clear and easy to understand. Remember to underpromise and overdeliver. Customers do not read the fine print. It's better to be rich(sell them something) than be right(argue and piss them off over fine print).
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  • Profile picture of the author vndnbrgj
    Ron Rule (WF Member) has a WSO on something like this that may help.
    It has to do with 158k visitors or $ in 3 days.... something like that.

    It is all about how to get massive traffic by giving away free gift certificates.
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