Option to add additional identifier to Gift Vouchers
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Info
The new/current Gift Voucher set up works very well however, I've never been satisfied with the idea that you print a piece of paper to hand to somebody picking up a Gift Voucher in store. It doesn't come across as very professional.
I can't speak for anyone else but the majority of the vouchers we sell are used in store, so I'd really like to see the option to be able to add an alternative number to the voucher in addition to the auto generated number created at the time of purchase. This would allow us to use a proper credit card sized Gift Voucher with a pre printed sequential barcode on the rear.
My idea would be that once the voucher is created, you could choose to add another additional number which could be from the pre-printed Gift Voucher Cards. When the voucher is to be redeemed in store, the scanning of the barcode would identify the correct voucher. If the voucher is to be used online then the auto generated number would still be used as it is now.
I have requested this before but I am told that it's for security but I think that is down to the shop to decide the correct security measures and they can chose to use the feature or not.
This post was marked as
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Will (RA)
Is this complete as an additional identifier? Or complete as ‘closed’
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Stacey
Hi all,
I'm happy to say that we have implemented two new features to improve the gift voucher process.
1) The ability to print Gift Vouchers as 40-Col receipts. This will be available on Cloud Printers and will print out a 40-Col receipt with a scannable barcode. This will include Voucher Number, Expiry, Starting and Remaining balance. This option will be available on tender of a gift voucher and on the Customer Card. It will also be available when checking the balance of a voucher so you can provide customers with up-to-date information on their vouchers.
2) The ability print a label for a Gift Voucher. This will be available on Cloud Label Printers and will print a label with a scannable barcode. This will be available when tendering a gift voucher and also on the Customer Card.
These features will appear in the next Cloud POS release.
Many thanks,
Stacey
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Will (RA)
Stacey: Will the voucher details be available on calls from the API? currently they are not.
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Stacey
Will (RA):
Hi Will,
This isn't something that this update covers, so will not be implemented in the next release. I have, however, raised a request on your behalf on the API board. The more people who vote on it, the easier it will be for us to prioritise the feature.
Many thanks,
Stacey
Rebecca Clarke
Hi All,
To keep you updated:This work is still planned but will not be in the March 2021 release. Remote working due to lockdown added extra obstacles to this development plan, our hope is this will be in the June release. Kind regards. Rebecca
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COLNE
Rebecca Clarke: Hi Rebecca,
i don't suppose there is any update on this? We are about to start getting busy with voucher requests in the run up to christmas and i've got to be honest the gift vouchers are a bit of a disappointment to our customers. they've always had beautiful old fashioned vouchers in the past and are now a bit disappointed to get an a4 piece of paper.
We'd love the idea of being able to issue an actual gift card perhaps or anything which would improve on the current setup.
thanks!
Rebecca Clarke
COLNE: Hi, this specific piece of work is not scheduled currently, however we have progressed a similar post in order to enable added personalisation to gift vouchers. The October 2021 release will include an option to print gift vouchers onto a labels, allowing them to be placed on cards or booklets. This post will be updated once scheduled. Kind regards, Rebecca
Rebecca Clarke
Hi All,
Just to update you on work we will be looking to implement ahead of the March 2021 release. Unfortunately at this time we cannot progress assigning your own codes, we will however keep this under review. We do want to make improvements, so are implementing suggestions made on this post and another:
- we will be looking to print the codes and a barcode onto labels that could then be placed onto cards
- Full voucher information including a barcode printed on 40 col receipt, this will allow for vouchers to be placed in a booklet for safekeeping and better presentation.
Thanks for your Feedback,
Rebecca
Jenna Lees - Head of Customer Support
Info C Pearce Dave Astin Dave Cassidy Paul Info:-
Hi All
Myself and a couple of members of the Development Team had a meeting yesterday to go through all feedback and look at the popular requests.
Consequently, this request has now been added to the February 2020 Sprint, which means that this work will be included in the February release.
Thank you for your contribution, it is really helpful in allowing us to understand where to focus our attentions.
Many Thanks, Jenna
Support Team Leader
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Steve Taylor
Jenna Lees - Head of Customer Support: Is this still going to be delivered in a sprint?
Suzy Weightman
Steve Taylor: Hi Steve,
Unfortunately work on this was delayed, this is still on our backlog of development work. When I have a better idea of an ETA I will make sure we give you an update on here.
Thanks for your patience,
Suzy
Dave Astin
Agree paper vouchers don't look/feel very proffesional.
Alternative used by other retailers is very similar to what is available in Cloud POS, but using plastic gift cards instead:
- Scan unique bar code of card being sold
- Enter Gift Card value
- Take payment through till
- Gift card is now active
Redeeming the car/checking balance would work exactly the same as it does at present in Cloud POS
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Info
Dave Astin: I think the problem with this is that if you want the customer to be able to use the card on your website, it needs to have a secure number to stop possible fraud. My take on it is that for in store use, the security doesn't need to be quite so tight as they will be presenting you with one of your printed gift cards.
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Will (RA)
Dave Astin: In previous Systems, the implementation worked on this basis:
A batch of Plastic cards was ordered with sequential barcodes (code39) on the back. along with a scratch off panel under which was a pre-specified unique 12 digit code. (the mapping between the 'visible' barcode and the hidden 'voucher code' was only know to the retailer and imported into the system via .csv).
When a customer purchases the voucher, the cashier verifies the scratch off panel is intact, and as part of the selling process advises the customer that to use 'online' they need to scratch off the panel to reveal the code.
This gives a nice secure and professional looking system.
The alternative is to allow the alteration of a gift voucher number at the point of sale so a 'paper' voucher can be converted to a plastic card.
The real fall back at the moment would be a separate small till receipt and a folio card.
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Pete
Will (RA): We spent a couple of years talking to CL before we migrated to them. This was definitely a "benefit" that was being offered earlier in that conversation and like some other services, disappeared from what was available to us when we finally committed.
Suzy Weightman
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Paul
Suzy Weightman: Its cheaper to use paper, but Info card is much more professional looking option, unfortunately we binned all our preprinted cards a year ago as they could not be used with the current system. this planned fix should work for everybody. We look forward to this fix.
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Ben
Hi Steven,
We also requested this. The other alternative to the current setup though (and one that I would be very happy with) is for the Gift Vouchers to print on a 40col receipt (with all the info and barcode on that is on the current A4 receipt). There are many stores that operate this way and the receipt can be stapled in a nice booklet.
It is also far cheaper to print standard booklets than have a printing company print a run of sequential coded vouchers or cards. We currently use these booklets, but have to print an A4 receipt and fold it inside which is more time consuming and less slick than just having the till pop the receipt and stapling inside.
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Info
Ben: Yeah, that would work too I guess. How about having both Suzy Weightman and then the store can choose the method that works best for them.
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Pete
Ben: We've just printed cards ahead of Gift Voucher Season. Could the code be printed on the label printer and stuck inside the presentation card??
Harder to lose then as you're looking for a 99 x 210 mm folding card rather than the thermal paper that was stapled into it?
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Ben
Pete: Yes, that is a good idea also. I was thinking that a piece of 40 col is the cheapest and attached to each POS lane, but the barcode printer is always within reach so shouldn't be a problem either.