Gift Certificate Sales

[hvn_fun2]

With the holiday season right around the corner, I am getting ready for my gift certificate sales to rev up.One problem that I have is that I run an independent office (myself and a couple other LMT's) and all sessions are by appointment only.I often have clients/non-clients just stop in to pick up gift certificates and it is not unusual for me to be in session when someone stops in.  I feel bad that no one is at the front desk to help them, so I am looking for ways to make a gift certificate purchase easier for people.One thought that I have had is to work with another local business (there are a couple very near by that I have a good business relationship with) and offer them either a % of the sale, or a flat fee per certificate for their effort in selling my certs...I was wondering if there are other businesses out there that have similar deals set up w/local businesses & if so, how do you compensate these people for the sale?Thanks!

 

[Volleyballcutie2009]

Thanks for the suggestion.  I already have a sign at the counter and have mailed out certs (I offer free shipping for my certs) for client's convenience.  I also have a voicemail box set up for gift certificate info when people call in.However, I find that there are MANY people who are stopping in last minute because they need the cert the same day (for birthdays, last minute aniversary presents, etc...)

 

[Riley]

Gift Certificate Sales

Im in the same boat, and have seriously considered hiring someone to "man the boat" so to speak. at least while I'm in session, & when Im out of the office. I like the banner idea for CG! I dont have any arrangements woth other businesses as far as CG are concerned, but I do offer monthly specials, & often include a service from another business.

 

[john313181]

I'm not really sure what the answer is here. آ Perhaps, a counter card in your office could direct them to your website where they could buy the cert. آ And for those with technical expertise, could a PC be set up in the lobby somehow to work as a gift cert kiosk. آ I might invest in that if it didn't cost a million dollars. آ Now I'm going to go off point a little. آ For those of you who rent private space (without reception). آ What do you do when people stop in (like to buy a gift cert) and begin the Hello, Hello call while you're in session? آ I assume the door needs to remain unlocked during business hours as most city regs require that for all businesses. آ What do you do? آ Do you come out, stop your session, hope they go away? آ Also, how do you prevent (or are you concerned) that someone will come in and steal what might be in that open area? آ Desk, computer, a plant anything. آ I've always been curious about this as I never knew anyone with this sort of setup. Apparently, it's quite popular and I've been thinking about it myself but can't seem to understand how all the kinks work out. آ Thanks all. آ Joe E. آ P.S. آ Please feel free to send me a private message as I have gone out on a tangent here. آ It's not my intention to hijack the original post.  Thanks.  Joe E.

 

[Law Man]

I have delt with this situation for a long time...As far as people walking in while in session...I have had to interupt sessions many time to sell GC's. especially durring the holiday season.  I am fortunate in that my clients encourage me to take care of the sale, as they want to see me prosper, However, I felt it basically ruined the flow of my treatment and that it gave the impression that my future business was more imprtant than my current (ie: client on the table).I have a receptionist now, but I found a FABULOUS solution that I am happy to share with you all...Of course this all depends on your location, so it may not work for you.I really wanted to grab as many GC sales as I could, and being a procrastinator myself, I knew that there had to be others that waited until the last minute to buy gifts.  So I set up my "After Hours Gift Certificate Sales", and it works wonders!First I bought a white metal mailbox that has a flip lid top and mounts to the wall.  I put a sign on the out side that says "Gift Certificates" in HUGE letters.  I screwed it into the exterior of my office wall, to the left of my door. I take 2 GC's, one for male, one for female.  I put special # series on them, and keep a log for after hour GC's separate from normal sale GC's.  I put one GC, with it's envelope - BLANK for them to fill out- and another plain env. for them to leave payment.  In the envelope I put a form for them to fill out...who the GC is for, who bought it, how much, the date it was bought, and a number where they can be reached.  I put it in a zip-lock baggie, and mark it with BOLD MARKER Female GC (or male, whatever) and put them back in the mailbox.  On the underside of the lid of the mailbox, I put very explicit directions on what they do to fill out the GC,  the form that goes with it (to be enclosed with payment)  Who to make the check out to, the number for them to call the next business day if they would rather pay with credit card, and in BIG, BOLD LETTERS I state that GC'S WILL NOT be honored until they are paid for-no exceptions.  I also state that I cannot guarantee GC's will be there at all times.I am currently looking for a lock box type of thing for my cash paying clients to feel secure with leaving payment as well.I have been doing this for a little over a year now, and my clients LOVE it!  It is great for people that are stuck for last minute gifts, or if they can't get to the office before I close, or if I am in session and my door is locked.I am sure I didn't explain this very well, but if you would like me to send you the forms I have made (simple!) or the directions I have for the clients, I will be happy to.Sorry for my ramble!  But I hope it helps somebody!

 

[Steve Uk]

Your original post mentioned doing business with other vendors.   What I have done is arranged for the local gym and a salon to sell gift cert for me.  I provide the gift certs, a letter to enclose/g/c stating "what to expect, making an appt, etc." , a book to record g/c sales info and table top or window display advertising.  The vendor gets a % and hands me a check for the balance of g/c sold once a month.My outgoing phone message includes the vendors name and location.  

 

[Rikku]

Gift Certificate Sales

Sell them "by appointment" aka, your down times.Tell people when they can stop by - or buy PDF producer from a software reseller, make a PDF of y our GC and just email them to everyone - that is about as last minute as it gets!

 

[Hey you]

Gift Certificate Sales

Kneadfulthings, good idea. Thank you for being willing to share and for taking the time to write all that down.