Gift Certificates?

[TheSSSeamstress]

Hi all,

I am thinking about adding gift certificates to my shop, but I'm not entirely sure how they would work. I've seen them around Etsy more and more lately, so I know it's possible. Do any of you offer these in your shop? How did you set it up?

Thanks!
Dana

[Former_Member]

I started offering gift certificates last year around the holidays. Thinking late shoppers might find them helpful, I create a downloadable PDF file with a unique redemption number that they can print themselves. If someone wants me to print it for them and mail it I'll do that as well but obviously, it will take longer to reach them.

I have the "Other" payment option activated and when someone uses a gift certificate they select that payment method and include their redemption code in the 'Message to Seller" box. If there is money left on the GC I track that and they can use it until the money is used up. If they owe, I send them an invoice via PayPal.

I also created business card size instructions that go along with any printed GC and that can be included with the printed GC as well.

[TheSSSeamstress]

Thanks, Katrina! How do you set up the "Other" payment option?

[PrintablesByPhanie]

Hi Dana!

You can find it via Your Shop > Shipping and Payment > Payment Options

Cheers!

[Former_Member]

This is a great thread topic! I have a gift certificate set up in my shop, but have never actually used one through Etsy. I sure wish there was a better way to do it!

[HopeAndGracePens]

This is a great idea! I'm doing this.

[Former_Member]

I've also wanted to offer gift certificates in my shop. I see how this works now.
thanks

[Former_Member]

Hey Team,
Just wanted to highlight the new Etsy giftcards that launched today...it may be worth considering, in addition to your own shop gift certificates, if you want to offer gift certificates in your shop: http://www.etsy.com/blog/news/?ref=si_blog_news

Cheers!
Sara

[CraftyWoolFelt]

Hello,

I do have direct payment option ... but I can not find anywhere in my settings or options how to offer gift cards... =/

Can someone help me please?

Thank You

[TheDorothyDays]

The Etsy gift card sounds really good but its not avaliable for the U.K. Wish that Etsy would do direct checkout and gift cards for us too .

I think I am going to do my own shop gift cards over the christmas holidays :)

[Former_Member]

Sara -
Will we be able to sell the gift cards in our stores?
How would that work since they can be used in any store on Etsy?
Thanks!

[Former_Member]

TheDorothyDays, I know. I'm sorry about that! We hear your, and the rest of the international market, request for this and are doing our best.

Claudia, at this point it is just the announcement that in September Etsy Gift Cards will be available for purchase and to be used for any and all shops that have direct checkout set up on their account. If you offer direct checkout, you'll be able to accept Etsy Gift Cards, you don't have to do anything more...You can read more details in this forum discussion by Etsy admin: https://www.etsy.com/teams/7718/site-help/discuss/10841610/page/1.

-Sara

[Former_Member]

I think people would buy the gift cards directly from Etsy and then be able to use the code on the gift card at any store that has DC.

[Former_Member]

oops didn't see Sara's post...but that definitely makes it more clear. I turned on DC for this because if there's anything I learned from holidays working at a certain brick and mortar book store, it's that people looove to spend giftcards! A lot of time they spend even more than the giftcard amount too.

[Former_Member]

I'm so excited about the Etsy gift cards and free credit card processing for September! I feel like the GC's are going to change Etsy for the better. Let's say someone received a gift card as a gift and has never been on Etsy before. They log on, browse around, and end up finding endless things that they love! They end up buying more than what the gift card is worth, and we all win. Yay. I'm very happy about this. The way gift cards have been done by individual shop owners has sometimes been confusing or difficult. I feel like this makes it so much more easy and LEGIT. I don't mean that to sound bad, it's just that Etsy branding on a gift card earns a little more respect, in my opinion.

Hooray for gift cards!

[TheDorothyDays]

@sara- Thanks :) It is good to hear that Etsy are listening. I know that most sellers and buyers are from America which sometimes means its quite difficult to compete and when they can also offer their buyers different options like gift cards and direct checkout it adds to that. Will be interested to know how the American sellers find gift cards and if they think it helps bring in sales :). Hopefully we will get it over here in the U.K soon! Thanks again for your reply.

[Former_Member]

I'm debating what I think. I actually turned my DC off because I didn't care for it. But this may make me turn it back on. Hmm. I don't know.

[CraftyWoolFelt]

Thanks you Sara for the info =D