How to stop client's using expired gift vouchers

[emily]

We write off our gift vouchers once they have expired but recently I seem to have an influx of people finding their vouchers months after they have expired and wanting to still use them.  Does this happen to anyone else and how do you stop it or at least minimise it from happening?

[LucyD]

Keep a log of the gift voucher recipient contact details and when it was purchased. That way you could call them one month before expiry to remind them.  It would just take a bit of your time and would give an excellent customer care approach and hopefully minimise the expired vouchers returned.

[Lee Harper]

To echo LucyD 's response.  Making the effort to contact clients with expiring gift certificates removes or diminishes the clients claim to reinstate that certificate. Basically, your client AND you won't feel bad about declining or being declined.

I am involved with supplying technology to salons and spas throughout Europe and one of the biggest challenges we come up against are owners that feel happy to have clients with amounts that expire.  Reaching out to these clients is a great service story and another step towards creating "fiercly loyal" clients rather than "merely satisfied" clients. 

You can't just make efforts to reach out to clients when its in YOUR interest! (appt confirmations, promotions etc) you need to show you also have their interests in mind as well.

Expired amounts are really bad for business!  Those clients will think twice about every additional pound they spend with you - IF they spend with you at all.