Using gift certificates to buy gift certificates??

[GirlieGirl]

I am running an online special, a 90 minute session for a reduced price, online only.

Someone called today who had a gift certificate for a dollar amount, which was less than the price of my online special, but not by much. She wanted to know, if she could just pay cash for the extra amount and get a 90 minute massage. We told her no. She asked, "so if I want a 90 minute session, I have to pay $30 extra?" The $30 plus her gift certificate would have equalled the regular price of my 90 minute massage. We told her yes, and that she could buy the gift certificate for herself online as well and then have two certificates. One would be the online one for a discounted 90 minute session, and then she would still have her other certificate to use at a later date. She wasn't happy when she hung up.

The ads for my special are clear. This is an online special only. If you want the special, then you have to BUY the special. It does not say you can just ad a few bucks to a gift certificate you already have.

Has anyone else ever had this or a similar problem? Have you had someone want to buy a gift certificate with another gift certificate??

 

[Mackay]

Some people will try anything......it's just amazing. We've even had people walk in with 10-$5 off coupons to try to get a free massage.

:shock:

Everytime we think we have enough legalese-small print at the bottom of all our promotions, someone else tries something else new. Sheesh.

Angie

 

[shyshay87]

If you state on your GCs they have no cash value, then it prevents them from trying this.

 

[NYlisa]

Thanks RandR.

They do say that.

 

[Karen H]

Like a very funny man says, "you can't fix stupid"

 

[Cookie_Cohen]

I would have done the same thing as you did in handling this one ! I've actually had people hold on to a gift certificate for well over a year, (saying they misplaced them or whatever ). I hate having people wait so long, and feel that 3 months is plenty of time to make an appointment.
Otherwise it feels as though you're doing the session for free by the time they redeem the certificate.

Mine clearly state they expire in 3 months, (which I tell everyone who purchases one for anyone else) I also have a clear statement on the certificate that a prorated fee will be applied to any appointments scheduled after the expiration date. I don't have any issue with them being fully transferable or if the original purchaser wants to use them because the person they gave it to doesn't want to use the certificate.

In the past I even had a place I was working at, (where I could take private clients in addition to the ones they paid me to work on.) who tried to insist I should refund money to the purchaser because the person he had gotten it for was to ill to use it. I called the person it was for and they told me they just weren't interested in using it. I then told the purchaser they were welcome to use it themselves or pass it on to another person, but I stood my ground about my no refund policy.

I have even told people who get ticked off to think of it like any other gift: Just because you give something to someone doesn't mean they are going to like it or use it, that doesn't mean that you can expect to get a refund on it yourself. They don't like it any better, but it makes a point, a gift is a gift you give someone, and then its theirs to do with as they so choose.

 

[Pompal 09.]

Ron is funny, I agree.

I've had people ask if they can buy a 90 min and then use it in 15 min increments. Sure....there WILL be a balance due, however...

 

[Eddie H]

riversinger, in Pennsylvania, you are legally obligated for the face value or service of your certificate for 2 years past the expiration date. (5 years from issuance if there is no expiration date.)

If people are unsure about the legalities of GCs in their area, they can reference this: Gift Certificate Expirations by State

 

[Me.]

Ron is funny, I agree.

I've had people ask if they can buy a 90 min and then use it in 15 min increments. Sure....there WILL be a balance due, however...

Stresssolutions,

I do let people use part of their gift certificates, but they must use it as a dollar amount then. For instance, I had a woman on Friday who had been given a gift cert for 90 minutes, but she didnt want to use it for 90. She had a 30 minute session. I subtracted the value of a 30 minute session from the certificate and wrote the balance of what was left on the certificate. In this particular case, the certificate was worth $70, so I subracted the half hour ($30) and she has $40 left. I would not give her 3 30 minute sessions for the 90 however.

I have had person A buy a 60 minute session for person B, and then 6 months later, person A calls and wants to know if person A and B can both come in for 2 half hours with the certificate. In these cases, I tell them yes and no. Yes, you can both come in, but there will be a balance due because 2 separate half hours cost more than one single 60 minute session. This particular certificate is still unused. :|