Increase Price of Gift Cert

[Raquel]

When I was in school, they were very ademant about keeping records, of both the people who purchased the gift and who it was intended for.  Expiration dates were expected, and to be good for 6 months. Have it numbered and dated.  If it has not been redeemed we were instructed to call the intended to remind them to schedule.  If they don't call us, then the purchaser has the right to redeem the gift.  And most definitely have to turn the certificate back in once redeemed!Yes, I know some laws have changed but truthfully, who knows if I will still be in this business in 2 years for someone to redeem a gift certificate that they really didn't care about to obviously forget about.  So I stick to the 6 month agreement, especially since I give a few out a year for raffles, so it is my free time that I don't want to have to redeem 2 years or so down the road.  I would also give the option of the purchaser to include tip.  But truthfully, I doubt I would charge an extra fee, unless it has expired and my rates have increased, then they will be informed of the extra charge.

 

[Anthony H]

Increase Price of Gift Cert

When I was in school, they were very ademant about keeping records, of both the people who purchased the gift and who it was intended for.  Expiration dates were expected, and to be good for 6 months. Have it numbered and dated.  If it has not been redeemed we were instructed to call the intended to remind them to schedule.  If they don't call us, then the purchaser has the right to redeem the gift.  And most definitely have to turn the certificate back in once redeemed!

Yes, I know some laws have changed but truthfully, who knows if I will still be in this business in 2 years for someone to redeem a gift certificate that they really didn't care about to obviously forget about.  So I stick to the 6 month agreement, especially since I give a few out a year for raffles, so it is my free time that I don't want to have to redeem 2 years or so down the road.  

I would also give the option of the purchaser to include tip.  But truthfully, I doubt I would charge an extra fee, unless it has expired and my rates have increased, then they will be informed of the extra charge.

Well,

Obviously, the majority is against the idea of increasing the price of a g/c over the cost of the standard hourly rate.  But, the above response does make a good case for the extra cost.

I dont know how long I will be in business but as long as I am in business, California doesnt want to see an expiration date on a g/c, period.   Chances are, I am in it for the long hall since I have already invested 13yrs.  

I have decided to roll the dice and increase the current rate on g/c.  I already include hot/cold pacs, special hand made butters and oils, and aromatherapy at no extra cost.  I consider the above, part of doing business and doing massage, but that's just me.

One item I neglected to mention is that I pay a commission to the merchants who sell g/c for me.  

PS: Merry Christmas

 

[flingebunt]

I would like to hear more on protocol for gift certificate redemptions after a price increase

 

[WilliamGreenn]

If I thought it was for a "specific service", I'd honor that. For the ones with an "amount" (non-specific service), I'd probably tack on an approximate dollar value of what I increased my fees to. Example: someone bought $100 g.c. and I raised my prices by $10. Then, I'd give them $110 in services.

 

[Haung Pnong]

I have thus far only sold GCs for session length (almost all for 60 minuntes). I have a pretty high redemption rate and 2 rate increases in the last 13 months, so for me it has been easiest to just redeem for session length regardless of price paid for GC. Also there is not really an add-on fee for any service at my place, so dollar-amount certs haven't come up -- but if I do sell $-amt GCs at any point, I would just provide services at the rates at time of redemption. When I buy a GC at a store and the prices go up before I use it, they don't give me the purchase-time prices, so apparently this is legally OK.

I wonder whatever happened with the original poster?