How Do Gift Certificates Work?

[Former_Member]

I noticed in some shops that they offer dollar-amount gift certificates at a certain price (ie: $25 Gift Certificate as a listing). Once a customer purchases a gift certificate, gives it to someone, how does that someone use the gift certificate to pay for a product in the shop? I am not seeing paying options for this type of form. Am I just overlooking something?

[Former_Member]

This is how I handle gift certificates in my shop. You can click on this listing for more info:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/104803491/gift-certificate-50-dollars-good-on-any

HOW THE GIFT CERTIFICATES ARE REDEEMED AT THE MERRY MAENAD:
(instructions will be sent along with the certificate)
• Each Gift Certificate comes with a unique validation code.
• When the Recipient makes a purchase, s/he would click on “Other” as the payment method and enter the validation code into the Note to Seller section
• I would then send a separate invoice from Paypal with any remaining balance after the certificate is applied to the total due. The remaining balance could then be paid from the Recipient’s Paypal account or by credit card via Paypal.
• If the certificate is worth more than the total, the remaining balance would be issued as store credit for future use (redeemable with the same validation code and in the same manner as the Gift Certificate)

[Former_Member]

Thank you Raven! I will give the gift certificate idea a shot for the holidays. :)

[ForgedMettleJewelry]

Here is the link to the blog post about gift certificates. I actually had them in my shop for about a year and a half with 2 holiday seasons and never sold one...
http://www.etsy.com/blog/en/2010/how-to-offer-gift-certificates-in-your-etsy-shop/

[Former_Member]

Ooo good question, I've been wondering about how gift certificates worked! Thanks Raven for the breakdown!

[Former_Member]

Amy D., thanks for the Etsy blog post on gift certificates. This is very helpful too!