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How do you take the most popular gift in America and make it better? How do you enhance the gift-giving experience for both the giver and recipient? A company tackled these questions a year ago and in September launched the answer: Giftly, a service that takes gift cards to the next level.
Recently I spoke with Tim Bentley, the CEO of Giftly, about how he is revolutionizing the gift card industry. According to Bentley, nearly $100 million worth of gift cards will be given this year and 95% of adults have either given or received gift cards. “Gift cards can be an effective connection between two people.”
Giftly has evolved gift cards to become more mobile and social. Bentley notes that just as music went from plastic CD’s to MP3 files, Giftly takes gift cards and transforms them from plastic cards into digital files you can bring with you wherever you go.
Bentley first got the idea for gift cards a year ago when he wanted to send his parents a gift card to their favorite restaurant in their Vermont hometown, but the restaurant didn’t offer gift cards. An idea was born and in September the company began offering Giftly gift cards.
With Giftly, you can give a personal gift and support local businesses at the same time. To give a Giftly gift card, visit giftly.com and enter the location and the type of business, such as restaurant, clothing store, etc. Giftly searches the Yelp! database for the highest rated businesses in the area to offer suggestions.
If you have a friend who is a fan of Indian food and lives in Princeton, NJ, you can go to giftly.com to enter that information and Giftly will suggest the top-ranked Indian restaurants in the Princeton area. When you select one, you see a map showing where the restaurant is located, the contact information and a sample review. The listing also includes a link to the Yelp! site where you can read more reviews.
Giftly suggests a gift amount or you can enter the exact amount you want to give. You can choose up to three locations for one gift card, such as dinner, a movie and a wine bar. You can customize the look of the gift card with a photo and a design.
After you have made your selections, you can choose to notify your friend via email, Facebook and/or regular mail. A fee is charged for Giftly cards: $2 on a $21-40 gift card, $4 on $41-80, $5 on $81-120, and 5% of anything over $120. Cards under $20 have no fee.
When your friend receives the Giftly gift card, he can go to the restaurant and redeem the gift by opening the email on his smartphone and clicking on the link or by going to giftly.com on his smartphone browser and logging in. Giftly uses smartphone GPS technology to determine his location and redeem the gift. The merchant is not involved, your friend pays by credit card and Giftly credits his card with the amount on his gift card.
To redeem a gift, the user must be registered with Giftly, which is done by entering his smartphone number and credit card information. Bentley said that Giftly uses SSL technology and bank level encryption to protect the user’s data. A smartphone isn’t essential — there are ways for a recipient to redeem the gift without one — but having a smartphone allows the recipient to take full advantage of Giftly’s features.
After the gift has been redeemed, Giftly continues to enhance the users’ experience by letting the giver know that the gift was used. Giftly also suggests that the recipient send a thank you note to the giver. If the recipient hasn’t used the card, the giver can send an email gently reminding the recipient that the gift card has not yet been used.
Giftly cards work at any location that accepts credit cards. Giftly can’t be used at stores that are exclusively online, such as Amazon, but Bentley is looking forward to expanding into that area in the future. Giftly gift cards can’t be lost and don’t expire.
Currently, people can buy a Giftly card for people in any country where Yelp works including at this time, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, The Netherlands, and the UK. However, the recipient of a Giftly card must have a US credit card in order to redeem their Giftly card. Presently, Giftly cards are ideal gifts for US ex-pats living abroad who maintain a US bank account, as well as US students studying abroad. Giftly has been on focusing on the development of the product within the US and plans to expand internationally in 2012.
Although the business is brand new, Giftly chose to donate to charity half of the profits it made the week before Thanksgiving.
A Giftly iPhone app is planned for early 2012.
Do you enjoy giving and receiving gift cards? Have you ever lost a gift card before you had a chance to redeem it? Have you ever had a gift card expire? Have you ever given a gift card and wondered whether it was ever use? Let us know in the Comments section below!
Hi Carolyn,
I think it is a great idea to have such a gift card app. Gifting cards online is very active business now . Amazon and ebay are also into it. What I liked about this app is that you can send the money for the restaurant probably where the friends or the family love to spend their time
My parents too like to visit a particular restaurant and thus with this app, it will be possible to send them the exact gift card for e.g. on their anniversary.
I hope they launch in India too( all of the apps you write about are in my wish list LOL 🙂 ).
Thanks for telling us about such a good idea.
Hi Ashvini, I hope this service does come to India as that would be a great gift for your parents! Keep asking, you never know when your wish could come true! 🙂
Hi Carolyn,
I suppose it could work. I’m buying gift vouchers this year because the recipients can choose their own gifts.
I didn’t win the photo contest, but I get to go to the presentation and Christmas Lights switch on next Wednesday. Could this be a networking opportunity? I bought new clothes so I hope to get something out of it!
It’s a hospital, I’ll wear clean underwear in case I get run over on the car park!
The Art coordinator organises exhibitions around the hospital several times a year and I’m in this one; who knows I could get my own exhibition? I’ll think positive.
The car park is a nightmare, that will be a challenge in the dark!
Hi Mike, I’m sorry to hear that you didn’t win the contest, but I’m glad you get to go to the Christmas lighting presentation.
The hospital absolutely should do an exhibition of your photos. They should appreciate your artwork!
Ah, another fabulous app for all smart phone users. Heck, by the time I finally break down and get me a smart phone all these apps will be improved even more. But at least I can always count on you giving me the scoop.
Thanks for sharing this Carolyn. I am a big gift card giver. They tell me their favorite store and it’s done. So much easier that way, especially when it comes to buying clothes.
~Adrienne
Hi Adrienne, Just to clarify, you don’t need to have a smartphone to give a Giftly gift card, but it’s best if the recipient has one. Giftly doesn’t have an app yet, but plans to have an iPhone app by early 2012.
All you need to give a Giftly gift card is a computer (to access their website) and a US credit card.
You’re right, it’s great to be able to give a gift card to someone’s favorite restaurant or store without having to deal with the store. Many small businesses don’t have their own gift cards so Giftly really helps local businesses.
Well that will work even better because even my 86 year old mother has a computer that she can access these with. For those of us still in the dark ages, we still get to participate too. Now that’s what I’m talking about.
Thanks for clarifying that Carolyn. Can you tell this stuff still confuses me? Sorry you always have to straighten me out on all of this. I just really appreciate you.
Hi Adrienne, I’m happy to help, anytime! Yes, it would be great for your mother because she can buy them for her loves ones no matter where they are.
Adrienne, I know exactly what you are saying. Almost every time I read one of Carolyn’s reviews I think “darn, I wish I had an iPhone.”
One of these days, one of these days.
You and me both Janet but at least I’m happy to hear I’m not the ONLY one who is behind the times. 🙂
You’re in the majority, Adrienne. The last I read, only 40% of cell phone owners in the US had smartphones. That number will increase soon though! 🙂
I would have never guess that Carolyn! Not the way technology has exploded and let’s face it. Almost everyone I know has some type of really cool phone. iPhone, Smart phone, Blackberry, the works. I’m the only one of my group who doesn’t. But, I still have a land line too.
Adrienne, I imagine soon that smartphone owners will be in the majority, but you should hold out until you feel as if you need one.
I still have a landline too! 🙂
Hi Janet, I imagine it’s only a matter of time. 😉
Interesting indeed; do you know the amount of gift cards that is sitting out there that were never redeemed? I’ve seen the number somewhere, but it was a pretty staggering number.
This appears to be the next step; everything is getting so digital, online. Sounds pretty cool……..
Hi Bill, $30 billion in unused gift cards are sitting in drawers throughout the US. Giftly gave me another Infographic to use. I just posted it on The Wonder of Tech Facebook page. You would be amazed at all of the other statistics too. Here is the link http://www.facebook.com/WonderofTech
Now that you have a smartphone, you could suggest a Giftly card from your loved ones if they’re stuck thinking of gift ideas for you!
I’ve never heard of Giftly before. And then I went on the site and was so surprised to see how many stores and restaurants in my own neighbourhood (in Canada!) were registered and using Giftly. Haven’t done my holiday shopping yet…this might be the easiest answer yet!
Ahh….just tried to buy a Giftly – only works if you have a US credit card (even in Canada). No luck 🙁
Sorry, Ruth. The company is still quite young, but they plan on expanding internationally next year. Stay tuned to The Wonder of Tech and I will keep you posted when Giftly comes to Canada!
Hi Carolyn,
Sounds like a good idea to me! Christmas, and other major gifting holidays, are always an online affair for me. Amazon and Groupon mostly right now.
This isn’t live in the UK yet (not for us Brits anyway), but I could well imagine using this when it crosses the pond – sooner rather than later let’s hope.
Hi Hamish, Yes, Giftly has plans to expand internationally very soon! Stay tuned to The Wonder of Tech for updates as they occur. 🙂
Carolyn, aloha. Giftly looks terrific. Fortunately, most of my friends have smartphones so I can order on my computer for them.
Gift cards are one of the my favorite gifts–both to give and to receive.
Thanks for introducing me to Giftly. Off to share from the PI. Enjoy a great day. Aloha. Janet
Hi Janet, I’m so glad this article was helpful to you! I agree, gift cards make great gifts, but Giftly gift cards seem much more personal to me.
Thanks for sharing The Inquirer article, Janet! I appreciate you. 🙂
Giftly gift cards can’t be lost and don’t expire.
That caught my eye. We have had a few “rough” experiences around here with lost gift cards and or ones that expired. I have found it to be more than a little frustrating.
I don’t like feeling like I have to run buy something that I may not need just to use a gift card, takes the fun out of it.
Hello Jack, You’re not the only one! I put an Infographic from Giflty on The Wonder of Tech Facebook page showing there are $30 billion of unused gift cards in the US now. (http://www.facebook.com/WonderofTech) I like Giftly’s reminder feature so people don’t forget they have one to use.
I agree, “rush shopping” is no fun. It’s better to use your gift card when you want to!
Really awesome service, I have few friends in US and I’m sure they’re going to enjoy my gifts over there.
But I’m disappointed too as they won’t be able to send gift to me in India. 😉
Enjoyed reading your article, I love to find out new and interesting services which somehow benefit our lives.
Hi Aanchal, Welcome to The Wonder of Tech! Yes, this service is very useful for people who have family in the US. I can understand your disappointment that Giftly cards aren’t available for India yet, but Giftly is still a young company. They have plans to begin to expand internationally next year. Stay tuned to The Wonder of Tech fur updates! 🙂
A gift card app is a sweet idea, although I’m sure that 9 out of 10 people would still prefer cash!
Hi LA SEO Guy, Welcome to The Wonder of Tech. I’m thinking it depends on where the recipient can use the gift card. If she discovers a new store or restaurant, or gets to visit her favorite place, through a gift card, that may be better than cash.
Some people may not treat themselves to a spa massage or a nice dinner out if they had the cash, but with a gift card they can have a nice treat but not feel guilty! 🙂
Totally agree. Great point.
This is great Carolyn,
I’ve been taking your advice and it’s paying off. My family is all using Amazon’s wishlist this year for Christmas.
My boss bought me a Kindle Fire.
Everything tech is going swell. Thanks for the help over the last few months since meeting you.
Bryce
Hi Bryce, Wow, I’m glad everything is going so well for you, you definitely deserve it! Your boss is not only nice but smart to get you the Kindle Fire. He’s showing his appreciation in a very meaningful way.
Using the Amazon Wish List is a very handy way for everyone to keep track of your gifts.
I hope that your holidays are filled with joyous surprises, Bryce! 🙂
Hi Carolyn,
I had never heard of Giftly prior to your post. It sounds awesome. We have something similar in Norway, but their website is very old fashioned, and only static content with links to the various stores where you can use the gift cards. The cards comes in one shape, and it’s not digital. I believe it’s plastic, like a credit card. I hope Giftly will go global, and be available for Norwgians too.
Hi Jens, Giftly does have plans to expand internationally. It’s just getting started and I think they’re wise to start slowly with the US first before they go global.
The service is innovative and exciting. A year ago Giftly was just an idea. A year from now, who knows? 🙂
Hi Carolyn,
The idea seems so good and perfectly goes along with the technology we have around us today.
Hi Faran, You’re right, it’s a great idea and it’s amazing how the concept went from an idea a year ago to reality in September. The story is very inspirational!
What an amazing idea, Carolyn! Thanks so much for sharing this! I *so* wish this was available for Canada. Although gift cards are classier than giving me, I’ve always felt that they are less personalized than buying an item. Giftly seems to take gift-card giving to the next level though! =) Love the idea!
Hi Samantha, I agree, Giftly can be much more personal than cash or a regular gift card. By using highly recommended local businesses, the giver can show that she put a lot of thought into the gift.
I hope Giftly does come to Canada soon! 🙂