Low Cost Company Gift Cards

Kenny K

sounds good. DO you think it will work with bigger ticket item average sale of $7000. Probably have to increase denomination of card? What about passing them out at home shows to intersted ho's?

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fez-head

I sure will.

Pressure washing went good , deck staining was non-existent. Thinking about using a small HVLP sprayer this year in order to get our rates down on those decks.

Your web site is outstanding ....looks like some of Kieth's work on there as well?

Thanks,
Jesse

fez-head

Passing them out at Home shows is a MUST DO.

I will probably make some with higher denominations (maybe a $50 and $100) but will not get to carried away since our average project cost is $200-$5,000

Kenny K

thanks. can't make it too unrealistic. good advice. Wherever you can get your name out in front of prospects

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Dale S.

Jesse, thank you for correcting my thinking about gift cards. I was thinking of them as something to give current customers to obtain "repeat" business from them. Now I see that these would be great for handing out (better than business cards) to potential customers and also giving to current customers so they can give them to others. Ahhhhh...my eyes have been opened...

To follow up on the question for the amount of the card. What is the general thinking on how much these cards should be worth? I am thinking in the 3-5% of the job range. I get this from our general budget of this much for advertising/marketing in general. I am thinking that if I am going to spend that much to get new customers, why not make the cards that much?

Does this track with anyone? How do you come up with the amount of the gift cards?

dale

fez-head

Lets say you wanted to run a special promotion only to targeted group of buyers and past clients (or really anyone else for that matter).

How much could/would you knock off for your special? The beauty is you name the terms on the back of the gift card as we did. You could even get rid of the dollar amount and replace it with a free service on inspection instead. Whatever you are using in other venues will work even better on these..... in my personal opinion that is.

These are nothing but "fancy coupons" that everyone has been conditioned to cherish because they are in "Gift Card" form. You can run the same exact same coupon (same graphics and all) in the Penny Saver or other cheap advertising medium and not get any results.

In my opinion it is simply because it does not have that same "feeling" (for lack of a better word) attached to it. The retail stores and restaurants have really branded Gift Cards and given us a tremendous marketing tool that people will keep - unlike an everyday-average paper coupon.

Or maybe these will be a big flop and another waste of money who knows. It sure sounds good though and my gut is telling me this will will work out nicely..

Greg Di

Jesse,

I like your idea. A lot.

For your Handyman biz, you are giving out a $35 GC. What's your first hour on the job billed at? Surely more than $35, right?

I'm just trying to figure out the math in case I deploy a program like this.

In other words, do people get upset that you didn't give them enough to even cover the trip charge? If someone gives me a gift card to place I do use a lot, I'll usually look for something in the store that the GC will cover 100%. Know what I mean?

What was the printing outfit you used?

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Ed the Roofer

Greg,

Here is the link directly to the company used.

http://kbkgraphx.com/

Everyone always mentions dealing with Kieth, over there.

Here is a Google Search, which has other threads from Contractor Talk listed where contractors discussed his printing and logo making capabilities.

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=kbk+graphics



I also would like to mention, (Not to take the thunder and credit away from Jesse), that PCplumber had mentioned a similar concept, except for he called them Credit Carsds in his thread. If you find that thread he started, it also might be very useful for additional ideas.

Ed

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Ed the Roofer

I think these cards have great potential, not only for the immediate cliet, but for referrals also. I don't mean just for the one job, but on all jobs.

You will find out, no matter what your pricing is, whether you charge $500.00 less or $500.00 more, that you will still get the same objections, but now you will close more deals on the spot.

On occasion, at the last negotiating process, you could state that you get a rebate from a certain supplier if you use up all of your gift cards that they gave you, and you happen to have just one left that MUST be used before the end of the month.

Whoever winds up deciding first, will be the beneficiary of that gift card.

Now Sir and Ma'am,

Please sign your acceptance of this gift card right here and press down hard as there are 2 copies.

Thank you for allowing me to improve your exterior enjoyment and enhancing the value of your home.

Ed



PS
You can also use a smaller increment card, like a $ 100.00 offer, for them providing you any referrals that turn into signed projects. So, it could be something that they get to pass out to their friends, or even keep themselves for that extra $ 100.00 discount.

Ed

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fez-head

...

Roof Cleaner

Thanks Jesse. The only thing on the website that is Keiths work is the logo. The rest of it was by another company, and I am adding content to it on a semi normal basis.

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WarriorWithWood

I wonder what the price would be to get them in a plastic format.

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www.bowmanch.com

fez-head

I'm ready for another St. Louis Round Table.........gas is cheap enough what do you think?

Also are you doing any Retail Store Handyman Work around there? It is just out of my service area but I hate giving up the work. Shoot me an email if you want email@midmohandyman.com

Thanks
Jesse

Ed the Roofer

Jesse, someone else mentioned and asked if these were available on a plastic, more similar to an actual retail stores gift card or common credit card.

Would you feel that mode would be recieved more openly from customers, since they are used to getting those types of gift cards?

What is the heaviest and glossiest paper version of the gift card product?

Ed

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fez-head

I saw that about the plastic as well. In my own opinion I think heavy card stock with the gloss finish is plenty good. Stores like target have started to put their "return merchandise gift cards" on light weight card stock and a printed bar code instead of a magnetic strip and due to the cost I think others will do or are doing the same (for returns anyway).

I'm not sure what the heaviest version would be. I'm pretty happy with these for the one time use.

Thanks

Ed the Roofer

Well, your opinion means as much as gold to me, so if you say they are good enough, then it is.

Thanks,

Ed

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We Fix Houses

I've looked into the plastic gift cards, various thickness, etc. Suppliers are all over the internet. Us guys who may do 500 - 1000 I think it ran about $1.50 ea. more or less.

More legit or effective ? Not sure. Sure wouldn't want to expend the effort with the wrong card may be a legit concern. I can be in for a couple of hundred bucks with these and give it a try. I'm likely loosing work thinking about what card / analysis etc than by doing it. This shoe may fit.

Also btw, a unique barcode for any run whether you really use them or not can be added. It's a simple graphic.

EPD

This is genius, hope it goes well for you,
any thoughts on $500 off a min $2500 purchase?
obv wouldnt get the same response numbers but would likely help bring some spring deck deals and such?

fez-head

If I was looking for a contractor to build my deck and someone handed me a gift card for $500 OFF I would be very pleased both with the gift card itself and with the person that just gave that gift card to me.

I just don't think that a coupon out of the Sunday paper has the same impact. We keep an excell data base on where clients found us and if they used a coupon so we will soon find out if it was worth it or not within the next few months.

Good luck,
Jesse

fez-head

Ed,

I noticed in your "yellow page letter thread" that you where using a gift card as well. How does yours look? I did a quick search but did not see it posted anywhere.

Thanks
Jesse