I have a client that uses SendOutCards but is interested in finding out if there are alternatives out there? Does anyone have any suggestions?

I really appreciate the assistance.

Michelle

Vertical Response is good. I have not used it yet because I have no money but I've looked into them and they seem reasonable. I've not been impressed with SOC because they don't even have a toll free number for customer service. That is not good business in my opinion. I've also registered with http://www.myemma.com/ but I don't know much about that service.

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Administrative Support Group
Jenifer D

MyEmma is an email marketing provider, they don't do actual cards (as far as I know). Vertical Response is also an email marketing provider but it looks like they have direct mail postcards.

Neither of these are really the same as SendOutCards which I've always used as more of a greeting card type service. I use them quite a bit and am very happy with their service. I honestly didn't even know they didn't have an 800# because whenever I have a problem I call my distributor and she handles it. (Although, I've never had a problem....just a question that I could have found out the answer to myself if I'd looked but that's another story.)

I'm always looking for something better so I'm interested if there's another option like SendOutCards available.

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Lanel Taylor, CVA ~ Virtual Bookkeeper
Taylored Office Solutions
Custom fit solutions for all your office needs.

We have been pleased with Customer Service. That is really not the issue. At this point we are looking for an alternative due to wanting to send gift cards to over 150 clients. Just to purchase the gift cards is over $300 due to the $2 processing fee per card. That is a quite a bit more than we are willing to spend. The $2 doesn't include the cost of the actual gift card. I am looking for an alternative for this mailing, we don't intend to abandon SOC, just use an alternative for when we want to send out gift cards.

Thank you all for your suggestions though.

Michelle

Ouch, that would hurt. I'm curious, if you're sending that many gift cards have you tried calling their customer service to see if they could work out a deal so you didn't have to pay the $300 since I'm sure you're sending them all at once on a campaign, right?

Like I said, I've never had to deal with their customer service but it might be worth a shot since you probably already have your addresses in there. Worst they could say is no then you can keep searching.

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Lanel Taylor, CVA ~ Virtual Bookkeeper
Taylored Office Solutions
Custom fit solutions for all your office needs.

I also use SOC and LOVE the service. I did quite a bit of research for similar products and services before I signed up as a distributor with SOC. I have not found ANYONE who offers a personal greeting card service that allows me to use my own handwriting font for personalized messages, while also sending out gifts, setting up campaigns, contact categorizations and special date reminders, gift accounts, etc. So, I would agree with Lanel, I would contact your sponsor or the customer service desk.

The other thing I would look at, since with an order that large the gift cards may/may not go out at the same time the greeting cards do anyway, is check out: www.giftcards.com. They have a bulk purchase service.

Hope that helps.

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Tanya Ericksen-Troska
Executive VA - Member of Kudzu, IVAA, REVA, IREAA

Wow, that *is* expensive for a per-card processing rate!
We use Vertical Response for all of our client email newsletters and have also managed a few postcard campaigns through VR - it's GREAT, inexpensive, and allows you to design to your heart's content. I'd highly recommend checking it out.

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Just to clarify... that per card processing rate she's mentioned is an additional fee when you're sending a gift along with the card. Something you cannot provide through an email. The card itself to customize with your unique message (and possibly in your own handwriting depending on the program you've signed up for), along with the printing and postage fees breaks down to about $.61 - $.78 per card for a traditional bi-fold greeting card in a high gloss finish. Some card designs are a bit more, post card options are a bit less. You also have the option to custom design the entire look and feel of the card through a picture plus program. Again... much more personable than an email. But... don't get me wrong. Email and e-Newsletters, etc., have their place. They're great for mass communication updates and sight links, etc. So I use both in my business. But, for that more personal touch... something that makes you stand out from the rest of the crowd... you cannot beat a personal greeting card.

However... neigher of these help her bulk gift card challenge. I still think going through customer service at SOC is her first best option.

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TRImages, Ink
Tanya Ericksen-Troska
Executive VA - Member of Kudzu, IVAA, REVA, IREAA

Vertical Response sends paper postcards....so they can be designed as both a 'greeting card' style postcard and the back could contain the gift card info, etc.
It's a pretty viable option for someone on a budget.
Not to say the Send Out Cards aren't worth the extra investment (I've never used them personally or for a client) but $2 per card for X number of clients could go a long, long way...

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Tess....the paper postcards with SOC are $0.49 each plus postage. Greeting cards are $0.98 each plus postage. Their cards are very reasonably priced, in my opinion. I did look at Vertical Response and their post cards are reasonably priced also, I just like the actual folded greeting card option for what I send to my client's.

The $2.00 fee is if you want to send a gift card (like a tangible credit card sized $5.00 Blockbuster gift card) with your greeting card. I've sent gift cards a couple of times with my greeting cards but I'm more of a gift person than a gift card person so I usually send an actual purchased gift rather than a GC.

With the VR postcard/gift card option that you mentioned...do they send gift cards? Or are you referring to a digital type GC?

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Lanel Taylor, CVA ~ Virtual Bookkeeper
Taylored Office Solutions
Custom fit solutions for all your office needs.