The major gas and grocery companies have noticed. We are just beginning to see different marketing programs designed to regain something these companies are losing, brand loyalty.
When we were younger most of us (and our parents) had a favorite brand of gas; Shell, Texaco etc. and that's the kind station we went to. Now we look for pennies on the signs. If a station is 2 or 3 cents less than the last one we saw, and we need gas we pull in. This is creating a dilemma for the gas companies. The station around the corner changes the sign and the cars like lemmings turn into it so the other station has to change its sign, you can see the problem. The same with grocery stores or supermarkets; coupons, fliers, newspaper ads, TV etc. drive us from store to store and brand to brand to find the best deal. Your mother would only shop A&P and buy Tide now your wife shops three or four different stores and buys lowest cost detergent whatever the name.
A new and rapidly growing marketing program designed to help the companies regain brand loyalty is based on $25 free gift cards. Basically you buy something, try something, join a membership program or any other of a number of offers that are beginning to be advertised and for your effort you will receive Rewards Certificates that are redeemable for free gas and more recently free groceries.
You activate the certificates online and redeem vouchers by entering the unique certificate numbers. You must select one brand of gas (all brands are available) and one supermarket. The first vouchers are valid for the first month after you activated your certificates. Buy your gas and groceries from the brand you selected. Once you have $100 in receipts, send them and the voucher into the redemption center as directed. A couple of weeks later you get a $25 gas card for your brand of gas and/or a $25 grocery gift card depending on what type of certificate you received. Do it again the next month and so on.
It's a lot less complicated than it seems and it is a good deal. Presently the value of the certificates range from $100 to $500. You are only allowed one of each type of certificate per household address. Look for offers that have no other fees or requirements. Get the certificate from the merchant or organization, activate the certificate, print the vouchers and buy $100 of the selected gas per month, send the receipts and voucher in as directed.
One club called Gas4America offers $500 of gas and $500 of grocery cards once you join and pay the membership dues you receive the free rewards certificates. Unlike internet incentive programs there are no offers to take, samples to try, or surveys to complete, just join the club, get the certificates and follow the instructions. It's a good deal for the companies because you will spend $100 a month with them to get the $25 card per month and it's a great deal for the consumer who spends $100 a month on gas or groceries.
Glenn has been marketing since 1978. He has worked with many products. With over 30 years in the marketing field, 17 in direct marketing, he has seen about every type of product and has experienced every marketing venue possible to bring a new product directly to the consumer. He has written and produced television, radio, print and mail advertising in every format, size or length available to the direct marketer. Find Gas4America at http://www.gas4america.com
