The Green Industry's Resource Center

Mr.Mow-It-All · #1 03-05-2007, 01:01 AM

I am going to donate some gift certificates for my daughters school auction fundraiser and was wondering if anybody has ever done this? and how was the outcome. Going to offer up to $40 free mow, hoping to get a customer or two out of it, and of course it helps the school out.

Also was wondering if anybody had any samples I could look at, having a hard time getting it together (writers block, lol).

cpel2004 · #2 03-05-2007, 01:06 AM

It cant hurt, if you get one customer, well it was a great idea. Go big or go home!

JeffW0011 · #3 03-05-2007, 10:21 AM

That's a hell of an idea. My kid(s) little league has like a family fun night and the various teams put together various baskets/packages etc. Which are raffled off over the course of the evening. To support the league. Local businesses and corporations also offer goods and services as part of the fund raiser. I have never seen anything like a lawncare service. Hundreds of people attend this. Hundreds of people from the very niche market I want to build my business on....high end residential, right in my own community......I think I am going to offer a donation this year....Maybe a handful of vacation cuts to be raffled off or maybe like a months free service....will have to think on this.....I would be able to stand there and pass out business cards the whole time...

stumpslawncare · #4 03-05-2007, 10:34 AM

Sounds like a great idea. Cheap advertising too.

CLARK LAWN · #5 03-05-2007, 11:03 AM

i do it with a couple of events around here. however i wouldnt give a free mowing or you may end up with a real shi&y yard that hasnt been cut in a while and full of crap. i give something like free delivery on up to 5 yards of mulch (all truck will hold) within a certian mile radius of town. something else i do for one event in the fall is 10% off a leaf removal.

Jake's Lawn Service · #6 03-05-2007, 04:52 PM

I have done it for my school, but no one has ever called me about it.

Mr.Mow-It-All · #7 03-05-2007, 06:43 PM

Ok, thanks guys

I think I will offer upto $40 of mowing, but you guys have any ideas on how to make the certificate.

grandview (2006) · #8 03-05-2007, 09:16 PM

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CutNLawns · #9 03-05-2007, 10:18 PM

I do gift cards (not certificates) for donations and also sell quite a few where customer buys them for family members or who ever for clean-ups, mowing or what ever. I do not have them for free this or free that. i do them for a dollar value. Just like you would at Applebees for food. People buy them, say $25-$50, and give them as a gift. The person uses them towards services which are almost 100% of the time more than the GC amount. Basically it is a win/win situation because they feel that have to use them or they lose them. If they use them you will most likely make more $$$ on the job and if they don't...well then you sold a $.05 plastic card for $50!!!!!!!!!!