Gift certificates-Part 2

[Former_Member]

You all always have 'the answers'...so once again I've come to you with a question. I'm in the process of listing gift certificates, probably in $25, $50 and $100 increments. Do I need to include coupon codes? Should I have the certificates both emailed and sent via snail mail? Any other suggestions?

[Former_Member]

I'm not sure, I've never done them before. I'm marking this for holiday shopping info. :-)

[Former_Member]

I love this idea! Will be watching for responses! I'm with Diana, just in learning mode. :)

[Former_Member]

It's a great idea I think for the holidays. Many things listed on Etsy (like jewelry, artwork, clothing) are very personal items. You don't always know someone's taste...so I thought it would be a good idea! Just waiting for some advice from those who have done it!
XXOO, Jujubeader:)

[Former_Member]

Here is how I do gift certificates:

Someone purchases one for $25. I create a coupon code just for that person, email it to them, and make note of it on a spreadsheet. The coupon code is good for one use (any remaining balances are made note of and a new code is generated for them for the remaining balance off their next purchase).

It is almost like a gift card you use in stores.

[Former_Member]

That makes sense, Tiffany. Thank you. Oh...and do you email AND snail-mail the certificate?

[Former_Member]

I have it so the code will be placed on the certificate itself, and mailed either to the buyer or the person it's for. They then have to select "other" as payment method and quote the code, which I'll have in a spreadsheet with the dollar amount. Then they are told of any owing amount (via paypal invoice) or remaining amount on the GC.

My GCs are made to be given, not e-mailed, but you can have the option to send them a PDF if they are in a rush.

Etsy requires that they receive something for the purchase, whether it's a card by mail or a PDF GC.

[Former_Member]

Judy,

I only email, but it is in a printable format. I customize each gift certificate to have the To recipient listed plus their unique code on the certificate so it can be printed.

I also ask if the gift certificate should be emailed to the buyer or the To recipient.

Here's an example:

http://www.etsy.com/listing/84450986/gift-certificate-25-dollars-valid-on-all

[Former_Member]

Natalie,

How do you actually make the code so it works? When I go to the Etsy Coupon Codes, it only allows me to do free shipping or a percentage amount off. So, if I wanted to make a gift certificate for $25, do I make it through paypal? Or when they click "other" for payment and send the code, you cancel the price out? This is the only part I am confused about.

[Former_Member]

So you include the code at the time of purchase, then? I have a friend designing these certificates for me because I'm TERRIBLE with graphic stuff. So should I create the codes NOW and put them on prior to printing?? Sorry, I'm just a little "slow" with this stuff. Lol. I appreciate your help!!

[Former_Member]

I just realized that WearTheCanvas... Deactivated mine so I can edit really quick.

Instruct them to choose "other" for payment option, enter the code into message to seller at checkout and send any remaining balance through Paypal.

I designed mine with Logo Designer and Picnik.

[Former_Member]

This is my GC: http://www.etsy.com/listing/84180407/25-dollar-gift-certificate

I put the code on when it's purchased, and write it in my spreadsheet.

Etsy doesn't allow you to do to dollar amount 'coupon codes' so the person has to select "other" as their payment option when checking out their cart.
(I dont have it enabled at the moment cuz I haven't sold one yet, but to enable "other" as a payment option you go into 'shipping & payments' => 'payment method').
Then in the message to seller, they put the code that is on their gift certificate.
With the "other" payment option, they don't pay anything so if there is a balance owing on the order (say they bought $35 worth of stuff including shipping but their GC was for $25, so they still owe you $10), then you just send them a paypal invoice for that $10.

Does my explaining make sense? lol

[Former_Member]

yes makes perfect sense! Thanks soooo much! I'm trying to make gift certificates for the holiday season and was so confused for a couple of days there! Thanks again.

[Former_Member]

It does make sense. I just have to read it over a few times for it to penetrate. Trust me .... it's ME, it's not you. Lol. Sometimes I have real bad "brain fog". This is one of those moments! Thanks so much for responding. XXOO.

[Former_Member]

This is where I get all my info for the GC's. I keep it bookmarked for quick reference :)

http://www.etsy.com/blog/en/2010/how-to-offer-gift-certificates-in-your-etsy-shop/

[Former_Member]

Hope we'll be able to list GC's as a category and that the purchase will generate automatically a code for the customer, so you don't get charged for 2 purchases or you don't have the customer's life complicated with tons of explanations... or else.

I designed my GC a year ago and have used a few, but I'm always reluctant to keep these listings active as the procedure on how to use them here is not very clear to me. (I actually have the feeling that I'm doing something wrong, as in - not allowed, which makes me feel uncomfortable)

I used to send a the printable PDF-s and offered to send a printed copy too, the code was in the PDF and also sent via convo.

Wish to see some clear guidelines on the matter, or better - solved by programmers.

[Former_Member]

Like Natalie said, the guidelines are here: http://www.etsy.com/blog/en/2010/how-to-offer-gift-certificates-in-your-etsy-shop/

They say not to send a digital file, as you must be selling an actual, tangible product. So, you've got to print, and mail it.

The folks at Etsy suggest using a new code for every certificate, and keep track of each one individually. Handwriting a new code as you sell certificates seems like the easiest idea. Otherwise, people are bound to share codes, reuse them, and try to trick you out of $ and products.

[Former_Member]

Awesome! Thanks for this info. I'm a graphic designer so the opportunity to also design a cute GC that can be emailed or sent hard copy sounds like fun!

I think I will do this for the holidays. Thanks so much!

[Former_Member]

@Kat - from the link: "A digital file, like a .pdf, is also acceptable."

So, a digitali file IS acceptable.

+ as I get it (and as I was charged for mine by following the same advice as in the article) you pay Etsy fees the first time when you sell the GC, and then when the giftee select the item and mark it as "other for payment" (you can then proceed to cancel the transaction, but I'm not sure if that's OK... I've not done it as it seemed as... kind of cheating.) That's why I asked fro a better system.

[Former_Member]

Goodness, I missed the part about the PDF! Sorry about that.

It says at the end of the article that you are responsible for the Etsy fees for both transactions. So, I'm guessing it's against the rules to cancel one so you only pay fees once:

"A final point of consideration for Etsy sellers who offer gift certificates is the associated Etsy fees. Two separate transactions occur with Etsy shop gift certificates: one when the gift certificate is purchased by the gift-giver, and one when the gift certificate is redeemed by the recipient. Applicable listing and transaction fees will be reflected on your Etsy bill for both of these transactions."

[Former_Member]

Exactly! And it doesn't seem fair at all, right?

The only reason (honest) sellers tolerate a double fee is that currently there are no other options offered.
But we all know that is actually one transaction, not two.

Well, I'm quite sure Etsy will program GC's sooner or later.
Keeping fingers crossed for sooner. GC's are indispensable during the holidays period.

[Former_Member]

Awesome, Natalie!! This is exactly what I needed. Thanks so much. And thanks to everyone else who answered!!

[Former_Member]

Ummmm....how much are they charging for these transactions?? Are we also charged the usual 20 cents when we list the item?? Boy, they certainly have us by the ****s ... and we don't have much choice about it, do we!?! Lol...

[cutterstone]

Thanks girls! I had setup a gift certificate for the holidays....but totally missed the part about double charges! Oh well, it's not that much, and then you always have the chance that the buyer won't use it! Although I would rather have the sale and the exposure...

[IslandPicnic]

Wow, great info! I wish I had come across that article sooner, as I spent an entire day this week looking up other shops' gift certificates, trying to get an idea of how to do them, lol!!!

But now I know I'm on the right track, yay! :)