How Do Gift Certificates Work?

Buying Gift Certificates

• How does the recipient receive a gift certificate I purchase for them?
  When buying a gift certificate, you will be given the option to print the gift certificate and deliver it to the recipient yourself, or to have the gift certificate automatically emailed to the recipient. (If you choose to have us email the gift certificate, you can indicate whether it should be emailed immediately upon purchase, or you can enter a future date if you want it sent later (e.g., if you want it sent on someone's birthday, etc.)
• What is on the gift certificate?
  Whether you print or email the gift certificate, it will include a detailed description of the activity, which you can customize to include your name, the recipient's name, and/or a personal message from you to them. (You also have the option to leave off any of these three pieces of information.)
• Will the recipient see how much I spent on their gift certificate?
  No. The gift certificate will only display the number of tickets you purchased; it will NOT display the dollar amount you paid. The recipient will be able to redeem the gift certificate for the activity and tickets you selected, even if the ticket price increases in the future.

Using Gift Certificates

• What do I need to do to redeem my gift certificate?
  To use a gift certificate, you simply need to redeem it for a specific date and time, so that you have guaranteed tickets to attend that date and time.
• Can I redeem my gift certificate online? Over the phone?
  Yes, whichever is easier for you – gift certificates can be redeemed online or over the phone. To reedeem online, simply go to the activity's page on Zerve's website, select the desired date and time, and click the ‘Redeem’ link.
• What will I receive when I redeem my gift certificate?
  Once the gift certificate is redeemed, you will receive an e-ticket for the date and time selected, which is required to be able to attend the activity, and which will include the exact meeting location.
• Can value be put back on my gift certificate if I redeem it and then don't show up?
  No. After a gift certificate is redeemed for tickets, its value is permanently reduced, and it cannot be used again if you do not show up for the time selected.
• What if I want more or fewer tickets than my gift certificate contains?
  If you redeem a gift certificate partially, so that only some of the tickets are redeemed, your gift certificate will have a remainder value which you can use at a later time. If you choose to buy more tickets than are available on your gift certificate, you will need to pay for the balance using a credit card.

How do Gift Cards technically work?

This is with respect to the magnetic strip on the back, the security code, and the transaction of funds happening in the background.

Technically work or work technically?

Depends on the software system driving the platform.  There are many variants to the answer but I can give you a rough idea of how it works.  

The mag stripe contains magnetically recorded account data.  Just like credit and debit cards.  There are different tracks of data, generally track1, 2, 3.  Each has a standard message format layout and is sometimes dependent on the industry or geographical deployment.  A lot of the gift cards are similar because their card programs are being driven by companies like Black Hawk and such.

A lot of closed loop gift card programs (non-bugged with Visa/MC/Amex logos) don't implement the security code.  If it is a bugged card (visa, mc, amex, etc..) then the 3 digit code is just the standard CSC code.  That number is generated with an algorithm when they generate the batch of card numbers and mount them into their platform.

Transaction of funds can run the gamut.  I assume you already understand the transaction processing flows.  I have seen systems where the balance of funds sit with the business/merchant and other systems where it sits with the processor.  Generally, if the card can only be used at one business/merchant then the funds should stay with them and it sits as a liability on their books dependent on their Nation/State laws relative to gift cards and other forms of stored value.  If it is a multi-merchant business (pooled or open loop) then usually the money sits with the card program or the processor and not the merchants.  I have seen rare cases in pooled and open loop systems where the merchants individually retain the loaded funds and the processor does net-settlement between all participants at EOD.  I find that last model a bit risky and it is like trying to create V/MC all over again.

As an experiment go buy a cheap USB mag stripe reader and swipe your credit, debit and gift cards directly into a text editor like notepad.  The encoded data will be dumped in plain text for you to view.    

If you want to have even more fun you can get your hands on a card encoder and you can write the mag stripe data from any of your cards onto blank white card stock.  In fact, you can do this with many credit cards.  I have done it dozens of times.  It can be a particularly amusing and interesting social experiment to go shopping with a blank white credit card or a gift card.  Sales clerks tend to get a bit flustered but when the authorization prints out there isn't much they can do.  Occasionally I have been refused service and have to pull out the original card.

If you have any more questions, msg me.  I wrote our gift card issuing/acquiring platform.  Drives the standard issue plastic mag strip gift card applications and other derivatives.

Gift Certificates

Gift card is substitute for currency, which cannot be used as a legal tender and are often a form of prepayment at a particular business or a store. Gift Cards are essentially the same as Gift Certificates except that the cards automate the checkout and accounting processes. Cards usually have a barcode or magnetic strip, which can be processed through a standard electronic POS terminal or credit card machine. Cards do not have any value until they are sold, at which time the cashier enters the amount that the customer wishes to put on the card. This amount is not stored on the card, but is instead noted in the stores orcredit/gift card processor's database and cross-linked to the card ID.

*Example of transactions. Gift Card purchase 1. A customer comes up to a cashier and asks to buy a Gift Card. 2. The cashier enters the amount of the Gift Card into a POS terminal or credit card terminal, swipes the gift card for activation and selects an appropriate function key. 3. The POS terminal or credit card terminal sends the command to the store's database over the internet to the credit/gift card processor's server to activate the card for the purchased value amount. The purchased value of the card is stored on a database at the store or a database that is located on the processor's site. 4. If no problems are detected the processor sends a command back to the POS terminal or the credit card terminal that the transaction is approved and it is ready for payment. 5. The customer pays cash or with a credit card for the purchase of the Gift Card. Gift Card redemption 1. A customer buys merchandise and presents a Gift Card as a payment. 2. The cashier selects an appropriate function key at the credit card terminal or POS terminal and swipes the gift card. 3. The credit card terminal or POS terminal sends the command to the store's database or over the internet to the credit/gift card processor's database to redeem the gift card. 4. If no problems are detected the processor sends command back to the POS terminal or credit card terminal that the transaction is approved as payment. The value of the card is reduced at the database. 5. If the value on the Gift Card is more then the amount of purchase then the POS terminal or credit card terminal will print the remaining balance on a receipt and completes the transaction. 6. If the value on the Gift Card is less than the amount of purchase then the POS terminal or credit card terminal will prompt the balance due. The customer may pay the balance due with cash or a credit card.

Freelancing Mistakes

Freelancing Mistakes You Don’t Need To Make

WE RARELY LIKE TO ADMIT OUR MISTAKES, BUT IF WE FAIL TO ADMIT THEM AND LEARN FROM THEM THEN THEY’RE LIKELY TO BE REPEATED. IN THIS ARTICLE I WANT TO ADMIT SOME OF MY MISTAKES TO YOU, AND SHARE MY EXPERIENCE SO THAT YOU CAN AVOID MAKING THEM.

My journey has taken me from the highs of doing what I love every day to the lows of chasing monthly payments and then back again. To say that my journey has followed the typical freelance roller coaster would be an understatement.

Making mistakes along the way is a big part of freelancing, though, and I’m sure many of you can relate when I say that these failures and mistakes help to make your business successful and teach you a lot along the way. if you like to learn more CLICK HERE.

Today I want to share four that I’ve personally had to learn to avoid, and it is my hope that in sharing these you can avoid them yourself without having to go through them first.

MBA Without Bachelor

Twitter's Buzzing With Complaints Over Botched 1-800-Flowers Mother's Day Deliveries

Looks like 1-800-Flowers* didn't learn much from the beating it took on Twitter and Facebook for botching countless Valentines' Day deliveries earlier this year.

We spotted dozens of furious tweets and Facebook postings from frustrated Mother's Days customers over the last 24 hours, from complaints about erroneous cards to moms still waiting for bouquets to arrive.
The company is pretty transparent when it comes to complaints (plenty of others block consumer postings altogether), enlisting a trio of social media responders to intromit messages with promises to follow up. But this time around they called on a new tactic for crowd control: Cash.

Customers were offered $25 1-800-Flowers gift cards as compensation for failed deliveries, along with promises they'd be delivered by Tuesday, the 15th. If you like to learn more CLICK HERE. 

But the offer didn't appease people who spent many times that on arrangements – and expected them to arrive Sunday.

*UPDATE: Per spokesperson Yanique Woodall, the company will redeliver or refund purchases as well.
"This year’s Mother’s Day, as with all peak holiday seasons, we are able to help the vast majority of our customers deliver a smile for the holiday period," Woodall said. "In addition, we believe in the use of social media; therefore, our customers will use Facebook and Twitter to contact us. As always, our goal is to help our customers express themselves perfectly to the important people in their lives.”
Check out more complaints below:

There were at least a few happy customers: 

Mama and Grandma got my roses I sent from 1800flowers and loved em. That made my weekend a lot better

My Top 5 Biggest Freelancing Mistakes

It is often said we learn more from mistakes than successes. Sometimes it is nice to learn from another persons goofs rather than your own!

Every freelancer will have their own stories to tell, here are mine. I hope you find them useful and maybe you will share your own in the comments.

1. Under-pricing

Most of us will have done this at some point, many of us still do. Money is a difficult subject for a lot of people. While I am better at talking about money now than I was, I still find it an uncomfortable topic. Problem is, while you might not find it easy it is absolutely critical.
You have a right to earn a fair price for your work, and doubly so when you are good at your job and have excellent experience. How do you know if you are underpricing? If you do good work but you never lose a bid then your prices are too low.

Also be careful about charging by the hour when you don’t have to. When you charge by the hour you are actually penalizing yourself for getting faster at your work! Also some jobs require considerable experience and expertise while taking little time to execute. As the old carpenter said when his customer complained at the price for fixing a creaky floor board, “That’s $1 for the nail, $999 for knowing where to put it”.

2. Over-committing

No one client has the right to monopolize your time, even if they do think they are paying well. When one client takes all your time that is a boss and you have a job, not a client and freelancer relationship. Remember as well as the job at hand you need time to market and network to bring in future work. Allowing one customer to dictate my hours was the worst mistake I ever made as when that contract was over I had nothing to fall back on. You ideally want to have four or five overlapping contracts plus some breathing room so the loss of one doesn’t set you back too far.

 

3. Failing to sell

After money I am guessing the next worst part of freelancing for most people is the thought of selling yourself and your services. Fact is though many times a client will know they want your help but will not know exactly what they want. Selling need not be about snake oil and ripping people off. If you can truly help someone out then offer your services in a way they will respond to. Make it all about them, their needs, what they will get out of it. Most importantly, listen more than you talk.

4. Always saying ‘yes’

Fear can cause us to do many stupid things. It took a lot before I started turning down requests. Some were easier than others. Requests to work for free still come but I am better at saying no now, turning work down is still tough but I can do it. You have to remember that a bad deal or bad client can damage you far more than the loss of the work. Be prepared to not agree to everything that comes your way and know that you can be nice and friendly without agreeing all the time!

5. Not following up

Past, happy clients can be your biggest source of new work, both with repeat business and referrals. Always get at least a testimonial when they say how happy they are. Even better if you can get them to recommend you. It doesn’t hurt to ask! Also it can be nice to send birthday cards, etc. You never know.
Like the rest of us, I am still learning about this freelancing lark, but having a great deal of fun doing it, mistakes and all. What lessons have you learned the hard way? Please do share in the comments.
Chris G.
******
Chris Garrett is a freelance blogger and internet marketing consultant from the UK. You can follow Chris on his blog where he shares his experiences, insights, and writes a ton of useful posts about blogging, freelancing, new media, networking and marketing.
Related posts:

1. What Are Your Biggest Challenges In Your Freelance Career?

About the author: Chris Garrett is a freelance blogger and internet marketing consultant from the UK. You can follow Chris on his blog where he shares his experiences, insights, and writes a ton of useful posts about blogging, freelancing, new media, networking and marketing.

Four Freelancing Mistakes You Don’t Need To Make

We rarely like to admit our mistakes, but if we fail to admit them and learn from them then they’re likely to be repeated. In this article I want to admit some of my mistakes to you, and share my experience so that you can avoid making them.

My journey has taken me from the highs of doing what I love every day to the lows of chasing monthly payments and then back again. To say that my journey has followed the typical freelance rollercoaster would be an understatement.
Making mistakes along the way is a big part of freelancing, though, and I’m sure many of you can relate when I say that these failures and mistakes help to make your business successful and teach you a lot along the way.
Today I want to share four that I’ve personally had to learn to avoid, and it is my hope that in sharing these you can avoid them yourself without having to go through them first.

Mistake #1 — Giving Away Too Much Information

In many areas of freelancing there is the potential to give away too much information. On my path, as an internet marketer, I started out by telling clients exactly what I would do to increase their search engine rankings or get them more social media traffic.
There was a slight dilemma with this situation. Some clients loved the approach, understood that I knew what I was talking about, and requested more of my services. Others, however, took my outline and implemented it themselves or hired someone cheaper to follow it as best as they could. In the end, I decided to give prospects a similar outline, but included far less of the details I had previously been handing out.
If you overstretch to land the client, you might end up giving them all they needed in the first place. This could include sample logos, website templates, scripts, or anything else you’re creating. Definitely give them a taste of what you’re about, but don’t give too much before you land the deal.

Mistake #2 — Leaving Jobs Until the Last Minute

I was 17 when I first started freelancing and, just like I did with my school and college work, I ended up leaving a lot of my jobs until the last possible minute. It’s not that I disliked what I did (unlike college and school work) but more that I didn’t need to do things yet so I didn’t see why I should.
Eventually, of course, this caught up with me. The first place I ran into a problem was when I wanted to go to a party or do something else that happened to be at the end of the month. The second place was when I received extra work from other clients where they offered to pay double to have the work done quickly. If you have the free time to do your work, get on with it. As I’m sure you know, or will quickly find out, it’s far better to have things out of the way than to waste your free time and have a huge backlog to work through later.

Mistake #3 — Wasting Time on Unproductive Work

Just like I would waste my spare time and leave things until the end of the month, I would often spend time working on business activities that just didn’t help my bottom line. I realize now, as I type this, that I’m not painting the best picture of myself (I did change – honest).
I first started doing this because my initial marketing plan was simply to be everywhere at all times. I wanted to cover as much of the relevant web space as possible to try and land new clients. Only later did I realize a lot of these marketing ‘opportunities’ gave me little chance to land my ideal client.
I find it’s a good idea to record every action you take on a typical day (just once) and then review it. You’ll soon find what is working for you and what isn’t.

Mistake #4 — Acting Like Someone I Wasn’t

When I first started out, I never thought anyone would want to hire a 17-year old who was working from their bedroom. Therefore, I kept my age private and I put on what I can only describe as a front. For some reason, I acted and communicated with clients as if I was working in a large corporation.
Of course, I never lied to prospects and said this, but that is the way I was coming across. This front hindered me far more than it helped. It put a wall between myself and the client and we couldn’t really connect. Yet, as soon as I started communicating through my natural voice and in my usual way, I started creating great connections and building my network.
Strong connections are crucial to gaining trust and closing the deal, and pretending to be someone I wasn’t hurt those connections.
Open for Discussion: Let’s be honest, we’ve all made mistakes. What things have you done ‘wrong’ along the way on your freelancing journey? I would love to hear them, and I’m sure your experiences will help other freelancers.