What If…
you thought of your consignment, resale, or thrift shop just a little differently in 2012? Would your shop be more successful? More fun to run? Would you find unexpected supporters and fervid fans if you just approached things a tiny bit differently?
This week we’ll present a few What Ifs for you to consider. And what if you took the kernel of one of my what ifs and modified it for your business? What if my idea, and your interpretation, and someone else’s version combined… can you see where this is going?
What if you dared to be greater than you already are?
What If? Your Frequent Buyer Cards were good for the calendar year only? Would that give you a reason in November and December to remind folks to fill it up… which just happens to be the time of year you want to encourage them to shop with you?
What If? You used extra punches… or even the Variable Qualifier style of card… as a sales incentive, instead of constant price reductions and ever-changing “coupons” which eat directly into your profits?
What If? You allowed the holders of your FBC cards to donate their filled cards to charity? What do you think that would do to your shop’s reputation? What if you publicized this… and the recipient charities did likewise?
(Another great-minds-think-alike moment. Last week, the NY Times had this article re thrift-store perks and such.)
Photo courtesy of http://www.flickr.com/photos/libraryman/
Auntie Kate The Resale Expert 
I love the idea of the frequent shopper cards being good for one calendar year only (I never thought of putting an expiration date on mine). I really like Carolyn’s idea about switching to a scannable points card. I’m wondering where you get the cards from?
That’s great, Kate, we had our yearly stuff your bag sale in September and considered selling tickets for having a private time ahead like the power hour, we didn’t do it, and now I think I will for sure. I like that: Power Hour!
We sold 600 bags in 4 hours, raising 6,000 for our charity. It was the second year we had held the event.
Expiring the cards is another fantastic option. I am currently rebuilding and relaunching my entire rewards program and will consider this as well.
I have been offering 25.00 in product after achieving a fully punched card (250 worth of punches, but we round down to the nearest 10, so that can take 350 or more to achieve this) and I will now switch to a scannable points card that rewards only .02 on the dollar, but they will get credit for EVERY dollar.