Unfortunately, free rebate certificate promotions fall into this “too good to be true” category.  If you tell a potential customer that, for example, if they buy a car you’ll give them a certificate for $500 worth of free gas, they are instantly suspicious and on their guard.  Many will ask you what the catch is.  Consequently, if you use free gas and grocery promotions (we offer six categories plus a Combo), you have to know them backwards and forwards. You need to be able to explain to a customer, on a moment’s notice, exactly how the gas and grocery certificates work so thoroughly that they have no doubts left that the offer is indeed legitimate.  To help you in that, this article will explain in detail just exactly how free gas and grocery promotions work. 

First, you (the store owner) purchase a number of these free certificates from a redemption company.  You buy them at a greatly discounted rate, paying “pennies on the dollar”.  You then use these certificates as an incentive to get customers to buy your product or service.

The best analogy that you can use to explain the process to your customer are the mail-in rebates for items at electronics stores like Best Buy.  The customer pays full price for the item, mails in the rebate receipt, and within a few weeks the company mail back a check for the rebate amount.

To use free gas and grocery promotions, the customer must: (for this article I’m referring to Gas and Grocery but we have six categories available – Gas, Grocery, Dining, Pharmacy, Pet and Retail

1. Choose a gas station (for gas certificates) or grocery store (for grocery certificates) that they want to use their certificate with.  They can choose any store they want, but then must always use the same store for the entire certificate redemption period.

2. Activate the free gas or grocery certificate, and state which store they plan to use it at.  They can ONLY do this online.
(Your customer must have access to a computer)

3. The redemption company provides the customer a redemption coupon that is printable from the registration site (much like a mail-in rebate form) with the customer’s name, activation number, and month & year the coupon needs to be sent in on.

4. On the first day of the next month, the customer begins saving receipts of their gas and/or grocery purchases. 

5. At the end of the month, the customer mails in the redemption coupon for that month and their receipts to the redemption company. Receipts must be entered by the end of the month and mailed before the 15th of following month – see “Terms and Conditions” on actual certificates. 

6. If their receipts show they have spent at LEAST $100 on gas or groceries that month at the store they previously selected, the redemption company will mail the customer a $20 VISA gift card or make a “Direct Deposit” on their Visa card which the customer may use anywhere. ( or Option B – 24 hour turn around after approval of physical receipts)

7. They continue this process until the certificate amount is used up.  For example, if they received a certificate for $100 in free gas, they can get $20 in free gas once a month for five months.  If they get a certificate for $500 in free gas, they can get a gift card for $20 worth of gas once a month for 25 months ($20 per month x 25 months = $500.00).

That’s how it works.  The customer does have a few hoops to jump through, and a deadline each month, but nothing unreasonable.  If you explain this clearly enough to them, hopefully they’ll become convinced that your free gas or grocery promotion is legitimate.  That builds customer trust—something worth its weight in gold in a competitive marketplace.

The following is a “Industry Specific” slideshow presentation on HOW the actual system works.
This presentation is for the “Home Security” industry.
http://incentivesgroceryandgas.com/slideshow/security/starrebates

Only the Best,

Michael Goulet – TL
Direct Strategies, Inc.
“The Incentive Pros!”
http://incentivesgroceryandgas.com
http://www.incentivebasedpromotions.com/    (Star Rebates)

Rebate certificates are THE BEST incentives EVER for business owners to get new customers or referrals and to make more sales. I’ve had store owners of major brands in all industries tell me that. And here is a brand new testimonial about how fast they pay out. (Note: this may not be typical but remember, consumers are guaranteed to get their Visa Card within 30 days of having their receipts approved.)

“Thank you for the 2 gas/grocery certificates worth $1000 ($500 each). I registered my $500 fuel and $500 food certificates on January 27, 2010.

For quite some time now, businesses have been catching onto the secret to grow business without a lot of extra advertising money. Through the use of free gas and grocery certificate incentive programs, not only have they seen sales increase, but customer loyalty has been at an all time high through the use of these incentives. By providing a reward that the customer needs these certificates make it possible for them to have products or services previously not possible.

This option is not available just for the businesses now, however. Non-profit groups that need to earn fund-raising dollars can get access to these free certificates also. Now paired with the easily recognizable name of Kidz-IDZ, free grocery and gas certificates are waiting to help your organization earn money.

How you do this is simple. Just offer free groceries or gas in return for a donation to your organization from $20-$30. The purchaser will receive a certificate that needs to be activated, and every month can exchange $100 in grocery receipts for a $25 Visa card. It’s really that simple.

The plan for fundraising has been set up through an established company that knows how to make your marketing plan easy. With an easy to read catalog, customers will be able to select a dollar amount for the donation and see the reward given back to them – either groceries or gas.

Recently we have added a new feature to our free gas rewards. There is now a new type of certificated for your customers. The pharmacy certificate is available to use towards prescription and non-prescription medications. In addition, customers also get a prescription discount card that can save customers up to 60% off prescriptions. Combine that with s $25 reward card, and you are providing customers with a huge benefit in today?s savings with rising medical cost.

If customers have children (or grandchildren), as an additional bonus, they will get a free Kidz-Idz with each certificate purchased. This will provide a safety net in the event there is ever a need to have children?s photos and fingerprints on hand, as well as any other identifying information that may be hard to think of in an emergency situation.

What other program offers you so much for so little? Higher sales or dramatic fundraising results, great value for your customers and loyalty to the program? Get started today with your certificates. Help your customers save money on the things they use everyday while you help stimulate the economy by growing your business.

Only the Best,

Michael Goulet – Team Leader
Direct Strategies, Inc. – “The Incentive Pros!”
http://incentivesgroceryandgas.com (Business Website)
http://fundraisingandincentives.com/ (Non-Profit Website)
w-612-235-6372
Fax-480-304-9095
michaelg@freegrocerycenters.com

Is your business or organization looking for ways to increase profits or raise money? Consider incentives such as a certificate for free groceries, gas, retail or pharmacy certificates. With the struggling economy, consumers are becoming more cautious with spending. Intrinsically, most people want to help organizations they care about, but in order to maximize profits, you must offer them value in addition to knowing they have made a difference.

When deciding to use an incentive program such as a grocery or gas certificates program, not only are you maximizing your profits, you are actually offering your customers a good deal. So, wondering how this works? How do you actually make money by giving away products?

Simply order the certificates for your business, or get a fundraising catalog for your organization, and determine what you want to offer your customers. Whether it?s gas certificates, free groceries,merchandise/retail or pharmacy benefits (or a combination of these), you are appealing to 100% of the potential buyers in your area. Everyone must eat and drive, so the opportunity for free groceries or gas will be a welcome change from the candy tins.

If your business is already established, you can set the requirements in order for customers to receive the certificates. For example, get $200 in free groceries with the purchase of (whatever your product or service is). This will ensure that for your investment, you get guaranteed business. The appeal of your offer will draw in customers that may never have considered your company before.

These certificates have a proven track record of working. Skeptical users are now loyal customers as they have produced amazing results for business. With the struggling economy, how much is a sale worth? Wouldn’t you like to promote customer loyalty and provide a good benefit to your customers at the same time?

In order for your customers to redeem any of these certificates, it?s simple. All they need to do is register the gas certificate number or free grocery certificate online and then send in the receipts for purchases they are already making throughout the month. Customers don?t have to change spending habits, miss out on sales, or shop at special stores – simply redeem the free groceries, gas, retail or pharmacy!

Since gas and groceries aren’t the only things people must have, recently there has been the addition of merchandise and pharmacy certificates as well. These can be used in conjunction with prescription and regular purchases. This will be a real draw for those who take regular medications.

With such an amazing return, you customers are sure to share the good news with friends and family. Imagine the long term growth this can have for your business!

Offer your customers up to $600 in free food or fuel, and keep the economy moving while your business booms.

Dare to make a Difference,

Michael Goulet – Team Leader
Direct Strategies, Inc. – “The Incentive Pros!”
http://incentivesgroceryandgas.com (Business Website)
http://fundraisingandincentives.com/ (Non-Profit Website)
w-612-235-6372
Fax-480-304-9095
michaelg@freegrocerycenters.com

When looking for fund raising opportunities, it is easy to get bombarded with options that offer little to no benefit to the agency that needs the funding. For a strong alternative, keep incentives in mind for your customer. What are you selling that they actually need? With our struggling economy, it is getting more difficult to convince customers to purchase trinkets. By using a fundraising program that offers real value, such as gas certificates or free grocery certificates, you are offering a value that will make your fundraising profits soar.

When deciding to use certificates for your fundraising program, you will be issued a catalog. This is a risk free program for you. Simply present the catalog for friends, neighbors and co-workers to look through. They will have the opportunity to purchase either free gas certificates, free grocery certificates, or gas and groceries.

The denominations in free product increase with the amount of the donation. For example, a donation as low as $20 will get $200 in free gas. A $30 donation gets three times that amount – $600 in gas and groceries.

How does this work? The customers who make the donations redeem certificates for $25 Visa gift cards. The customer simply keeps receipts from regular grocery or gas purchases over a month, and once it totals $100, redeems the receipts via an account to receive the gas or grocery certificates. It?s win-win for everyone.

This type of incentive program has long been in place as a hook for new business. Giving away a product that every person must have anyway appeals to 100% of the customer base. Every person has to eat, and nearly every person has to drive, so by offering gas or grocery certificates you are giving back for something they do anyway.

This program is now paired with the KIDZ-IDZ. This program is designed to help customers save money while not changing spending habits. It eliminates the need for clipping coupons, but still rewards them. What?s even better, they can still cut coupons and bargain shop and STILL receive the rewards.

Why would you want to try to sell something that is going to leave customers feeling they overpaid for a piece of junk? With the KIDZ-IDZ incentive program, your customers will look forward to the new gas and grocery certificates year after year. The draw of this program will make this a fundraising event that actually grows every year instead of becoming the dreaded annual fundraiser.

Gas and grocery certificate programs are the new way to raise funds for your organization, by providing value for your customer and keeping money in your organization?s pocket.

Dare to make a Difference,

Michael Goulet – Team Leader
Direct Strategies, Inc. – “The Incentive Pros!”
http://incentivesgroceryandgas.com (Business Website)
http://fundraisingandincentives.com/ (Non-Profit Website)
w-612-253-6372
Fax-480-304-9095
michaelg@freegrocerycenters.com

• The site is full of information that will help any prospective or current client understand WHAT we do, HOW we do it, and WHY we can continue on the long road
• Pay close attention to the ADVERTISE link (numerous options to our clients) – how about a list option that is growing at close to 50,000 new members per month you could have access to (refined to Zip Code for local impact)
• We are opening dozens of Manufacturer FORUMS over the next 30 days.  We will be connecting the manufacturer with their buyers.  Social Networking is HOT right now and will be for some time to come.  Manufacturers will be able to display audio/video, do surveys, polling, offer specials and coupons all within their own private label forum.  The manufacturer will assign a moderator for the forum.  All users in the forum will be able to communicate with each other as well.  For example if it was the Weight Watchers forum the users could exchange recipes.  And Weight Watchers might be introducing a new meal and offer it FREE for taking a survey or deep discounts.
• We have a FREE discount prescription card coming shortly that will be FREE to every end user that entitles them to up to 60% off prescriptions.  $500 in Rewards Cash that will get them Entertainment coupons that offer 2 for 1 restaurant discounts, and the ability to purchase $25 OFF coupons in restaurants across the USA for ONLY $5.  And the list goes on and on…
• The new Pharmacy/RX certificate is right around the corner.  Stay close!
• If you’re facilitating, sitting on the fence thinking about what you could do improve your business etc…what are you waiting for exactly…
• We have the solution “Incentives That Work“!

You, the retailer, buy a large number of certificates for free gas and groceries at a greatly discounted rate (pennies on the dollar). ( View our Presentation Certificate Program PowerPoint)
You then offer these certificates as an incentive for customers to buy your merchandise.  Historically, these types of incentives have worked well, and the gas and grocery incentives are very popular due to the rising cost of both fuel and food in these tough economic times.  The traditional use of these free gas and grocery vouchers is to offer a customer one of these certificates if they buy a certain dollar amount of merchandise from you.  Although that works quite well, there is so much more you can use these gas and grocery certificates for.  This article will give you a list of ideas.

Use gas and grocery incentive certificates to:

·    in exchange for scheduling in-home sales demonstrations
·    get a customer lead to come in and hear your sales pitch
·    get new customers to sign up for new services
·    to get customers to extend the length of their service agreements
·    get dormant customers to order new or repeat services
·    encourage customers to make big purchases
·    as customer loyalty rewards for repeat business
·    reward customers who refer new customers to you.
·    to get more traffic for seasonal businesses (like landscaping) during off-months
·    to encourage customer spending during economic downturns
·    to attract big crowds for grand opening events
·    to create free advertising through a local media buzz
·    to win out over competitors who normally could undersell you
·    as the prize for employee sales competitions
·    to encourage employees to hit sales goals
·    as employee attendance or safety rewards
·    use a few certificates cards for your company’s vehicle fleet – everyone likes free gas, even you!

For Non-Profit Organizations:

·    to encourage higher donations during fund raising
·    as prizes for raffles or other contests
·    to generate attendance and sell more seats at seminars

As you can see, there are tons of ways to use gas and grocery incentive certificates.  A little creative thinking will take you a long way.  As a general rule of thumb, the trick is to find out what the key is to making a sale, then offer the gas and grocery incentive certificates to get customers to do just that.

Let me give you an example.  In automotive sales, for example, if you can get the customer behind the wheel for a test drive, the chances that they’ll buy the vehicle rises dramatically.  Knowing this, a car dealership in New York ordered 700 gas certificates, and offered them to customers during a weekend event in exchange for just coming in and taking a car for a test drive.  By 5:00 AM the morning of the event, they had people lined up outside the door.  By the end of the first day, they had to place an emergency phone call to order more gas certificates just to make it through the weekend.  The sales campaign worked so well, that dealership now orders 5,000 gas certificates per month on a regular basis.

If you try a gas or grocery incentive-based sales campaign, tinker with different approached and conditions for customers to get the incentive certificates.  Experiment and find the approach that works best for your particular business.

Michael Goulet – Team Leader
Direct Strategies, Inc.
“The Incentive Pros!”
http://incentivesgroceryandgas.com
w-612-377-5262
Fax-480-304-9095
michaelg@freegrocerycenters.com