The moment we’ve all been waiting for has arrived. Finally there will be real gift certificates posted on Facebook from retailers like the Gap, Sephora, and H&M. Ok, just like me, you’re probably feeling very skeptical when you read this. We’ve all read about far too many Facebook scams like the Costco gift card scams, free Southwest Airlines tickets, and free iPads just to name a few.
But hang on to your seats. This free offer is real. A new start-up called Wrapp is launching a gift certificate program. How does it work? Instead of posting Happy Birthday comments, simply post a gift card – as long as your friend meets the target demographic. Redemption is easy with your Android or iPhone app to show your gift card’s bar code at the store checkout.
Even better, gift recipients are more likely to use them since they card has come from a trusted ‘friend’. This approach is much more targeted than paying for Facebook ads or online banners. The beauty of this social gifting idea is that brands only pay when cards are redeemed and shoppers will spend a lot more than the coupon is worth, making it a win-win.
In their pilot program in just six months 1.4 million gift cards were given on Facebook by 165,000 Facebook users. After discovering this huge success in Sweden, Wrapp is going live in the US today. It’s a big day for Facebook users who can now finally enjoy some legitimate gift cards. But be wary still, as Facebook scams are still as hot as ever. As a good rule of thumb, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
