Gift givers’ dilemma solved

News Release
October 31, 2000

Gift givers’ dilemma solved

Buying gifts can be a time consuming duty and isn’t there always the niggling doubt that you may have chosen the wrong thing?

And while vouchers have always been a great gift-giver’s stand-by, there’s still the problem of having to trudge all over town to find the appropriate voucher.

Enter NZVouchers.co.nz. It’s an internet-based gift coupon company that brings together online shoppers and traditional bricks and mortar retailers such as Bendon, Marbecks, Bennett & Bain and Servilles among others.

NZVouchers.co.nz founder Rodney Morton says it’s “the fast and easy way to buy the perfect gift”.

“When you present a gift and get the comment, ‘oh, you shouldn’t have’, you can be left wondering whether or not the sentiment is more fact than an expression of modesty,” Mr Morton explains.

“NZVouchers.co.nz eliminates not only those doubts but also the need to trudge from store to store,” he says. “It’s a one-stop shop of gift vouchers issued by a wide range of leading retailers.”

And with the Christmas gift-buying season about to get into full swing, the launch of NZVouchers.co.nz could not be more timely, Mr Morton says.

The company is locally owned and specialises in New Zealand retailers. Mr Morton says just visiting the site can help people decide on a suitable gift.

From an Internet-connected computer, visitors to NZVouchers.co.nz can browse and select the retailer from whom they want to purchase a gift voucher. Then they can add a message if they wish and pay for the voucher using any one of the major credit cards.

The voucher is despatched by the designated retailer to the recipient who simply presents it back at the store. To redeem it, the voucher must be signed off and suitable ID presented.

Mr Morton says there’s anecdotal evidence from shopkeepers that suggests there are more than a few gift recipients who don’t like the things they are given.

“It’s is not only frustrating and time-consuming for the person receiving the gift — it’s also a hassle and a cost to retailers who have to exchange items, re-package them and put them back into stock.

“There’s a person I know who keeps a drawer full of unwanted gifts and recycles them at Christmas and birthday time. But now there’s no need to receive a bad gift ever again.”

Retail partners already signed up with NZVouchers.co.nz range from health and beauty companies such as Servilles, Belle Image, Balanced Bodies to clothing retailers Bendon on Broadway, George, The PJ Company and Bennett & Bain.

Music retailer Marbecks is part of the service as are homeware and gardening companies, Garden Party and Greenacres.

Bendon country manager Howard George said he saw two major benefits of the NZVouchers.co.nz system.

“Of course, there’s the time savings of not having to visit the store to purchase a voucher. Also, the vouchers are ideal at Christmas or other gift giving times.

“Using NZVouchers.co.nz people who are overseas or in another area of the country can confidently buy a gift brand or label they trust and one they know the recipient will appreciate,” Mr George said.

“It’s a proven business model and we believe it will go well.”

The NZVouchers.co.nz business is based on similar successful international Internet voucher sites such as GiftCertificates.com and VoucherExpress.co.uk.

Mr Morton says the web site is equipped with the very latest sophisticated security systems as well as an automated e-mail system that notifies the relevant retailer of an approved sale.

“It’s a simple, proven way of avoiding the bad gift,” he says.

ends

Contacts

e-mail rmorton@nzvouchers.co.nz

© Scoop Media