An alternative to SendOutCards? - Virtual Assistant Forums

#1 (**permalink**) 07-08-2008

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

#2 (**permalink**) 07-08-2008

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.

#3 (**permalink**) 07-08-2008

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.

#4 (**permalink**) 07-08-2008

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

#5 (**permalink**) 07-08-2008

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.

#6 (**permalink**) 07-09-2008

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.

#7 (**permalink**) 07-09-2008

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.

#8 (**permalink**) 07-09-2008

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.

#9 (**permalink**) 07-09-2008

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...

#10 (**permalink**) 07-09-2008

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?

#11 (**permalink**) 07-09-2008

Ahhh

Thanks for the clarification Tess. GREAT to know. I thought they were strictly eCards/eNewsletters -which is what I was orginally looking to them for a few months back. So, what do they charge for printing and postage, as I don't know anything about that service? Can you send gift cards with them as well? I should compare the two. Funny that didn't come up in my online searches for comparative card sending programs. It pays to check with virtualassistantforums.com first. I'm going to check out their site again.

Still. I'm pretty happy with my $0.61-$0.78 per card with my own handwriting and signature. It's made a pretty big impact on my business just in the last 2 months.

#12 (**permalink**) 07-09-2008

Hi Tanya

The pricing is per-unit but is very reasonable - since it's a postcard though and not a bi-fold card it would have to function as both the card and the gift card (front/back, perhaps?)

Their pricelist for postcards is here. (no monthly fees, etc. - better price for larger quantities)

I do agree that Send Out Cards or similar would be the ideal solution for this kind of thing, but VR might be a good 'budget option' and is great for postcard mailings of a general nature...

#13 (**permalink**) 07-09-2008

Thanks for the information Tess.
I'll do a little comparison between VR, SOC, ExpressCopy and Vistaprint for standard postcard mailings. Right off the top, VR's postcard pricing is higher than the postcard or greeting card pricing per single mailing through SOC... however if you're not doing a lot of mailings each month then you may save some dough at VerticleResponse because there are no reoccuring monthly fees. I know that there are no monthly fees at Vistaprint or ExpressCopy either, but once I have all of the options: apples to apples, I would be willing to report back here with a comparison chart for everyone if it helps.

#14 (**permalink**) 07-09-2008

Another option with SOC is a the retail plan, which is what I have. I'm not a distributor. I just purchased the retail plan and can send cards when I want. There are no monthly/annual fees as long as you make additional point purchases (at least once a year). I think the point cost might be a little higher (which is why I have a different single card cost than you do) but it works for me and my needs. Still $0.98 is a great price for a nice card. (FYI...you buy points and redeem them to get a card...I think it's 1 point for a postcard, 2 for a greeting card but I could be wrong.)

VR looks like a great option too, just a little different idea.

#15 (**permalink**) 07-10-2008

Hello All and thank you for the suggestions and alternatives.

I did contact SOC customer support and was told the $2.00 is the fee they are charged for purchasing the cards. I can confirm that if you order gift cards online there is a minimum of $1.50 per card ordered. I also had checked w/SOC to see if I could have the cards sent to me so I could place the gc's in the envelopes myself. They said we could place a bulk order of 250 cards (minimum) but there would be no personalization in the cards and no picture could be included.

At this point, it looks like I will have the cards printed and all shipped to my address to be re-enveloped and then place the gift cards into the new envelopes. The cards will still be personalized, just not the envelopes. It is a bit more work for me, but my client was happy with the suggestion and 'out of the box' thinking.

I am placing the order for the cards tomorrow and will see if they will send out that many cards to the same address without it getting kicked to tech support since the names will all be different, just not the addresses - a way to get around the bulk order of 250 cards that they would not be able to personalize. I'll keep you all posted.

Thanks again for all of your assistance. I am so grateful for this forum and the supportive group you all are.

Michelle