Over on Facebook, there’s been a discussion amongst consignment, resale, and thrift shopkeepers about Frequent Buyer Cards and electronic loyalty programs. I was particularly struck by Patty’s remark:
We use old fashioned punch cards…one punch for every $25 spent. When they have ten punches, or have spent $250, they receive $25 store credit. With their first punch they get a little ‘punch card packet’ that I make from fabric scraps and old buttons. The packets have been a big hit.
I’ve been daydreaming about her little gift of a “punch card packet” given as a gift. I’m dreaming custom-created fabric with your shop logo (see http://spoonflower.com) or simply a vintage print involving whatever type of merchandise you sell.
I’ve also been imagining farming this seamstress magic out: a client making these up for the shop in exchange for store credit. (Mainly because put a needle and thread in my hands and whoa Nellie!)
Patty also mentions how recipients use her cases for all their credit cards, and how
the case makes for great WOM
when pulled out for purchases elsewhere. Where’s she get the cute case? Why, at the cutest consignment shop over by…
Lots more ideas about Frequent Buyer Cards and loyalty programs, including a club and premium FBC programs, in Your Frequent Buyer Card, a Too Good to be Threw Product for the Professional Resaler.
Patty owns Wandering Wardrobe in Utah. Visit her listing on HowToConsign.com.
Thank you, Kate. I love it when these little pouches ‘re-visit’. It’s fun to remember all the different fabric scraps, and to see who picked which pouch. Lots of customers tell me they use the pouches when they travel – or just don’t want to carry a large wallet – very handy for their ID and credit cards. We’re snowed in today, so I guess I’ll make some more.
And what a great way to keep your shop in their minds… I do hope one of your loving family members gifted you with “Made with love by Wandering Wardrobe” sew-in labels!
OMG! I have to make the little punch pouches…genius! I actually sell little pillow case dresses and headbands from recycled clothing and they’re a huge hit at my maternity store….this is another awesome thing I can use the scraps for!!!!!!! Thank you thank you!!!
Be sure to thank Patty whose idea it was… I am but the conduit 😉
I’ve been putting little “Thank You Credits” at the bottom of tickets. (I print them off the computer.) They’re only equal to about 1% of the price, but some of my ladies love them. As they put it, “They add up.” and “I never have to pay sales tax.” Good buzz for less than $0.05 per a sale!!
Eileen, I need a little more info on the Thank You Credits. Is it like come back bucks or is it something they can redeem at the time of the sale? Thanks
They have to be used at their next visit. I also have a requirement that they be stamped and initialed to be valid, so people can’t just rip a tag off another item and use it to pay for what they want.
So it is on the item tag. Now I get it. Thanks.