Five Great Reasons to Consider Gift Checks

Transcription

1 Gift Checks Online Press Kit Five Great Reasons to Consider Gift Checks Let s face it there s only so many ways to give someone a gift, and those options haven t changed much in decades. But Gift Checks are indeed something new, and with the benefits they provide to both the sender and the recipient, we are confident they will be a popular choice this holiday season and beyond. Why? 1. Saving Time Perhaps there was a time when going to the mall for holiday shopping was fun. But these days it s a frantic, chaotic experience marred by crowds and long lines and less than helpful store personnel. Plus, we re all working longer hours than ever before who has the time? With Gift Checks Online, you visit our website at your convenience, choose a card and a check amount, write a brief message to the check recipient, and Gift Checks Online does the rest. And since a Gift Check is the same as cash, you know your recipient will be able to buy exactly what they want with your present. 2. That Personal Touch Sure, you could just write a check from your checkbook and send that to someone, but that can seem rather impersonal just like a gift card. They re nice and convenient, but everyone likes to feel special when they receive a gift, and gift cards and bank checks really don t have that effect. With a Gift Check you select a design that fits your recipient s personality. You can then add a personalized message, so he or she will know that you re thinking of them when you send it. It s a greeting card and a check all in one.

2 3. No Hidden Fees or Fine Print Gift Checks Online charges a one-time fee of $4.99, which covers the card, the check and the shipping. However, with gift cards there are hidden fees, and some gift cards begin to lose their value over time. Some are never used at all. With a Gift Check, if the recipient doesn t cash it for any reason, you receive a full refund. If you are not satisfied with the Gift Check for whatever reason even if your recipient cashed the check, we will refund your $4.99 fee. Our only goal is your satisfaction. 4. Last Minute? No Problem! Buy a Gift Check today, and it will probably go out today. If not, it will be sent the following day. Most Gift Checks arrive 1-2 days from the time of purchase. So if you need a last-minute gift idea that won t look last-minute, Gift Checks have got you covered. 5. Never Miss a Special Occasion You can register on our website, and enter a list of birthdays, anniversaries and other special events among your family and friends. Then, we ll send you reminders when one of these events is coming up, so you ll never miss a chance to remember someone you love.

3 A Q&A with Ron Zayas Founder, Gift Checks Online 1. Where did the idea for Gift Checks Online come from? Ron: I was looking for something around the house, and I opened up a drawer and found a gift card inside that I had forgotten I had. And by the time I found it, the store had gone out of business! Later that day I mentioned this to someone, and she said that happens to her all the time. We just never got around to going to the stores where those cards could be redeemed. That got me wondering how often this happened, and I found that 1 in 4 gift cards are never used. That s when I had the idea for a Gift Check. 2. How are Gift Checks better than gift cards? Ron: First, they re the same as cash. You can cash a Gift Check at any bank, and spend the money wherever you like on whatever you like. As we say in the company, everybody digs cash. Also, there are no hidden fees with a Gift Check, and they won t lose their value. There s also a more personalized feel to a Gift Check, because of the many different designs that the buyer can choose from, and the personal message that can be added inside. You really feel like you re getting a special gift from a friend or relative. 3. This will be a very new concept to people. How will they know a Gift Check is safe? Ron: That s a question they should be asking about gift cards! If you mail one you d better insure it, because if it s lost in the mail, you won t get a refund. That s why people often choose to send gift cards via Fed-Ex or a more secure shipping method, which is also more expensive. In contrast, lost or stolen Gift Checks are replaced at no cost. We mail it for you, and if there s a problem we replace it. And we ll even refund the $4.99 fee if someone is unsatisfied with the purchase. Also, it s important to understand that a Gift Check is a real check, just like the checks in your checking account. Underneath all those colorful designs is a genuine check that will be accepted by any bank for deposit or cashing. 4. Gift cards are a $100 billion industry. Why do you think people will embrace something different? Many reasons. First, as I said earlier, 1 in 4 gift cards are never used. So if you bought one of those, the only gift recipient turned out to be the company that sold it to you. Gift Checks never lose their full value, and there are no hidden fees for their use or their replacement. If the recipient of your Gift Check does not deposit or cash their check in 90 days, the amount of the check will be refunded to you. Here s another advantage. When you buy a gift card, a lot of times you ll also buy a greeting card and put the gift card inside. Then, you ll have to add postage and mail it.

4 That costs more and takes more time. A Gift Check is a card and a check in one. We mail it for you and guarantee it s arrival or we issue a replacement at no charge. 5. Why should people consider giving Gift Checks this holiday season? Because everybody is so busy now, and most of us simply do not have the time to go to ten different stores and to find the perfect gift for everyone on our shopping lists. And don t we always get those one or two presents, where we think, Why would someone give me that? A Gift Check is always a welcome present. And if you can get your holiday shopping done faster on Gift Checks Online, that will leave you with time left over for more important things like spending quality time with your friends and relatives. Isn t that what the holiday season should be about?

5 Try the Gift Checks Online Ordering System: Free! If you d like to explore first-hand how the Gift Checks ordering process works, we ve made it easy for you to do so. Just visit our website, and follow the instructions for selecting, personalizing and mailing a Gift Check. When it comes time to pay for the check, enter the following coupon code: PRESS2012 A sample check in the template you selected will be mailed to you, or to the recipient of your choice.

6 Corporate Officer Bios Ron Zayas Founder/CEO In heading up the executive team at Gift Checks Online (GCO), Ron brings decades of expertise in marketing, advertising and ecommerce strategies. Prior to GCO, Ron founded 360 Business Consulting, one of the west coast s most prominent marketing, technology and public relations firms. For ten years he served as the Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for the world s largest franchisor of printing and small business services, Franchise Services, Inc. While at FSI, Ron oversaw the development of the company s national advertising campaigns, marketing implementation and industry-leading websites and ecommerce infrastructure. In addition to his experience in the corporate environment, Ron also founded one of the nation s first full-color digital graphics companies, Expressions Unlimited. Carmen Dorchak Consultant, Community Outreach Carmen has developed key strategic processes to help GCO better serve its nonprofit partners and help them to meet their fundraising goals. Prior to utilizing her skills and creativity to make a positive impact on GCO, Carmen founded CZ Consulting, where she worked with a variety of companies from startups and nonprofits to large corporations. Carmen graduated from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas with B.A.s in Communications and Journalism. She has been certified as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) since In her spare time, she serves on the Board of Directors at the YWCA of Greater Austin, and donates her time as a volunteer for such organizations as the Red Cross and Meals on Wheels.

7 Allan Frank Retail Channel Director Allan brings nearly 30 years of executive experience to Gift Checks Online. As Retail Channel Director he is responsible for securing retail partners and building long-term relationships that add value to our brand. Prior to joining GCO, Allan spent more than ten years with MGM Resorts, where he specialized in revenue building, coordinating new business development, and bringing in high-value partners for the company. Chuck Baron Chief Financial Officer Chuck has more than 25 years of executive experience with finance and accounting for major corporations. He has worked as CFO for startups, especially in the technology space, and helped hundreds of small businesses through his direct consulting and support with financial matters. He holds degrees in accounting and finance.

8 For Immediate Release Editorial Contact: Bridget DiRico , #800 Gift Checks Online Launches New company offers creative, convenient alternative To sending cash or gift cards ORANGE COUNTY, Calif., October 20, 2012 Gift Checks Online, a company that provides a new way to send cash through the mail in the form of a personalized Gift Check, has officially launched its website today, according to founder Ron Zayas. A Gift Check is a personalized greeting card and check in one package for $4.99, which includes shipping. This is a unique way of giving a gift that s the same as cash, without any hidden fees, Zayas said. Our motto is Everybody digs cash. The company was inspired by negative experiences connected to the use of gift cards. Industry surveys have shown that as many as 1 in 4 gift cards are never used. With some gift cards you are limited only to buying something at the place on the card, and those that can be used anywhere are more expensive to buy, Zayas explains. A Gift Check can be cashed at any bank and used anywhere, and it never loses its full value. The Gift Checks Online website offers a wide array of gift check designs to choose from, themed by holiday or event. Gift Checks purchased by 3pm are processed and mailed the same day. Our goal is to make it as easy as possible for someone to send a personalized gift to a friend or family member, and to make it easy for the recipient to spend that gift however they choose, Zayas said. Since Gift Checks are the same as sending cash, we don t expect one-quarter of them to go unused, as with gift cards. But if a Gift Check is unused for any reason, we provide a full refund to the purchaser. The Gift Checks Online website is located at About Gift Checks Online Gift Checks Online is the originator of the Gift Check, which combines the convenience of a check with the personal sentiment of a greeting card. Gift checks are a unique new way to remember special occasions for family and friends, such as birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, and holidays, or just to remind someone you love that they are special. For more information, contact Gift Checks Online at , #800.

9 Sample Check Templates Here are just some of the Gift Check designs now available. New templates are being added all the time. We also have a program that offers artists and designers a chance to contribute their own themed Gift Check creations if we choose one of their designs, they receive a payment each time that design is selected by one of our customers. ADD 6-8 SAMPLE TEMPLATES

10 We're sorry we could not be with you on your birthday, but we wanted you to know that we're always close to us. We hope you will enjoy this gift and know that we love you. -XYZ14* 2012 GiftChecksOnline.com All rights reserved. for dollars CHECK IS VALID FOR 90 DAYS FROM THE ISSUE DATE Pay to the order of $ / Payable at any Union Bank including 400 California Street, San Francisco, CA unionbank.com 2012 GiftChecksOnline.com All rights reserved. for dollars CHECK IS VALID FOR 90 DAYS FROM THE ISSUE DATE Pay to the order of $ Below is your gift check. Simply detach and deposit it in your bank as you would any other check. For more information, visit We hope you will enjoy this gift and know that we love you. GiftChecksOnline.Com Birthday! We're sorry we could not be with you on your birthday, but we wanted you to know that we're always close to us. Below is your gift check. Simply detach and deposit it in your bank as you would any other check. For more information, visit Happy Birthday Child Christmas

11 A gift for your Baby Shower Z14* 2012 GiftChecksOnline.com All rights reserved. We're sorry we could not be with you on your birthday, but we wanted you to know that we're always close to us. We hope you will enjoy this gift and know that we love you / dollars for CHECK IS VALID FOR 90 DAYS FROM THE ISSUE DATE Welcome the new baby! Pay to the order of $ 2012 GiftChecksOnline.com All rights reserved. Payable at any Union Bank including 400 California Street, San Francisco, CA unionbank.com Z14* GiftChecksOnline.Com We hope you will enjoy this gift and know that we love you / Payable at any Union Bank including 400 California Street, San Francisco, CA unionbank.com for dollars CHECK IS VALID FOR 90 DAYS FROM THE ISSUE DATE Pay to the order of $ GiftChecksOnline.Com Below is your gift check. Simply detach and deposit it in your bank as you would any other check. For more information, visit We're sorry we could not be with you on your birthday, but we wanted you to know that we're always close to us. Below is your gift check. Simply detach and deposit it in your bank as you would any other check. For more information, visit Way To Go, Grad! Graduation Baby Shower

12 BIRTHDAY! BIRTHDAY! Z14* 2012 GiftChecksOnline.com All rights reserved. HAPPY We're sorry we could not be with you on your birthday, but we wanted you to know that we're always close to us. We hope you will enjoy this gift and know that we love you / for dollars CHECK IS VALID FOR 90 DAYS FROM THE ISSUE DATE Pay to the order of $ 2013 GiftChecksOnline.com All rights reserved. Payable at any Union Bank including 400 California Street, San Francisco, CA unionbank.com Enjoy this gift and know that we love you / Payable at any Union Bank including 400 California Street, San Francisco, CA unionbank.com for dollars CHECK IS VALID FOR 90 DAYS FROM THE ISSUE DATE Pay to the order of $ GiftChecksOnline.Com Below is your gift check. Simply detach and deposit it in your bank as you would any other check. For more information, visit So happy to hear that you lost a tooth! Wish we could have been there to see it - make sure you send us a picture of your new smile! GiftChecksOnline.Com -XYZ14*...But that puppy was worth WAY more than a quarter... so I sent you this check to cover it! Below is your gift check. Simply detach and deposit it in your bank as you would any other check. For more information, visit Congratulations, You lost a Tooth! Thanks for leaving it under your pillow so I could find it! Tooth Fairy Birthday Adult