Chamber’s Kosciusko Cash Encourages People To Shop Local
October 3, 2020 at 2:12 a.m.
Chamber’s Kosciusko Cash Encourages People To Shop Local
By David [email protected]
“The purpose (of Kosciusko Cash) is to have a gift certificate program that is good in our community and rewards our members,” explained Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Rob Parker. “Anybody can participate in Kosciusko Cash, but they do need to be a member of the Kosciusko Chamber.”
The program came about because of the COVID pandemic.
“We, as a board and an entity, had a strategic planning session and we wanted to find what some solutions the Chamber could do to give back into our community. So this is one of a couple of things that we’re working on and trying to implement,” he said. “As part of a convenient way to have a gift certificate for multiple entities within our county, the Chamber board decided to give $50,000 in a buy-one-get-one offering.”
As soon as the Kosciusko Cash program goes live, individuals who buy a gift card – for $20, for example – will get a $10 gift card for free.
“And we can get adjust that at any time, but that’s what we’re going to initially start with, is $20 denominations and then $10 will be given away for free until $50,000 is gone,” Parker said.
The Chamber anticipates that the full $50,000 will be used by year’s end.
“The nice thing about it is that it’s virtually fraud proof. So when a customer comes in and spends it at the merchant, they can scan it with their Smart device – with a phone, with an iPad or you can put in a unique 12-16 digit number at the bottom of the picture – and it’s a one-time use only. And immediately it is associated with that merchant and it can’t be used anywhere else. So it’s dead. It’s a one-time use gift certificate,” Parker said.
If the full amount of the gift certificate isn’t used, the change goes back to the customer. But each merchant has the right – and Parker encourages them – to put in a practice that makes sense for them, like requiring a minimum purchase.
“It’s good for five years, by state law. It doesn’t reduce in the amount. ... We just want to encourage people to spend their money on the numerous merchants we have within Kosciusko County,” he said.
The gift certificates will be available through the Chamber at kchamber.com. As of this week, there were about 20 merchants participating, with more all the time.
“The nice thing is, as soon as we get that report of that gift card being used at a merchant, we can very quickly turn around and give them the money into their bank account,” Parker said. “It’s very seamless. We’re not writing checks. We’re not waiting long periods of time.”
He said the merchants won’t have to hold on to the gift certificates and turn them back into the Chamber for the Chamber to write them a check.
“It’s all automated. It’s very slick and very simple,” Parker said.
As for a benefit to the participating merchants, he said something like a VISA gift card can be used anywhere. “So by participating, we’re helping to keep the money local. We’re helping people to shop small, to shop local. And that’s really why we’re doing this. And, then, obviously, we want to give back to our members by giving the $50,000,” Parker said.
A person can also buy gift cards to particular stores, but the recipient may not need anything from that particular store and may end up waiting to use the store’s gift card until sometime down the road, if they don’t forget they have it.
With Kosciusko Cash, “if you’re hungry, you can go use it for food. If you’re needing clothes, you can go use it for clothes. If you’re needing an oil change, you can go use it for an oil change. If you need new furniture, you can go get new furniture with it. So, again, it really helps to keep the money local,” Parker said.
When the money is kept local, it stays in the local economy.
“And that’s really what we’re trying to do more than anything, just to give back. To make sure our businesses can continue to thrive,” he said.
Parker doesn’t see the program ever stopping. Any merchants can be added into the program at any time. The list of participating merchants will be available and on the certificate at the time of purchase.
“I’m really hopeful that we have hundreds of people on this program here before too much longer,” he said.
Latest News
E-Editions
“The purpose (of Kosciusko Cash) is to have a gift certificate program that is good in our community and rewards our members,” explained Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Rob Parker. “Anybody can participate in Kosciusko Cash, but they do need to be a member of the Kosciusko Chamber.”
The program came about because of the COVID pandemic.
“We, as a board and an entity, had a strategic planning session and we wanted to find what some solutions the Chamber could do to give back into our community. So this is one of a couple of things that we’re working on and trying to implement,” he said. “As part of a convenient way to have a gift certificate for multiple entities within our county, the Chamber board decided to give $50,000 in a buy-one-get-one offering.”
As soon as the Kosciusko Cash program goes live, individuals who buy a gift card – for $20, for example – will get a $10 gift card for free.
“And we can get adjust that at any time, but that’s what we’re going to initially start with, is $20 denominations and then $10 will be given away for free until $50,000 is gone,” Parker said.
The Chamber anticipates that the full $50,000 will be used by year’s end.
“The nice thing about it is that it’s virtually fraud proof. So when a customer comes in and spends it at the merchant, they can scan it with their Smart device – with a phone, with an iPad or you can put in a unique 12-16 digit number at the bottom of the picture – and it’s a one-time use only. And immediately it is associated with that merchant and it can’t be used anywhere else. So it’s dead. It’s a one-time use gift certificate,” Parker said.
If the full amount of the gift certificate isn’t used, the change goes back to the customer. But each merchant has the right – and Parker encourages them – to put in a practice that makes sense for them, like requiring a minimum purchase.
“It’s good for five years, by state law. It doesn’t reduce in the amount. ... We just want to encourage people to spend their money on the numerous merchants we have within Kosciusko County,” he said.
The gift certificates will be available through the Chamber at kchamber.com. As of this week, there were about 20 merchants participating, with more all the time.
“The nice thing is, as soon as we get that report of that gift card being used at a merchant, we can very quickly turn around and give them the money into their bank account,” Parker said. “It’s very seamless. We’re not writing checks. We’re not waiting long periods of time.”
He said the merchants won’t have to hold on to the gift certificates and turn them back into the Chamber for the Chamber to write them a check.
“It’s all automated. It’s very slick and very simple,” Parker said.
As for a benefit to the participating merchants, he said something like a VISA gift card can be used anywhere. “So by participating, we’re helping to keep the money local. We’re helping people to shop small, to shop local. And that’s really why we’re doing this. And, then, obviously, we want to give back to our members by giving the $50,000,” Parker said.
A person can also buy gift cards to particular stores, but the recipient may not need anything from that particular store and may end up waiting to use the store’s gift card until sometime down the road, if they don’t forget they have it.
With Kosciusko Cash, “if you’re hungry, you can go use it for food. If you’re needing clothes, you can go use it for clothes. If you’re needing an oil change, you can go use it for an oil change. If you need new furniture, you can go get new furniture with it. So, again, it really helps to keep the money local,” Parker said.
When the money is kept local, it stays in the local economy.
“And that’s really what we’re trying to do more than anything, just to give back. To make sure our businesses can continue to thrive,” he said.
Parker doesn’t see the program ever stopping. Any merchants can be added into the program at any time. The list of participating merchants will be available and on the certificate at the time of purchase.
“I’m really hopeful that we have hundreds of people on this program here before too much longer,” he said.
Have a news tip? Email [email protected] or Call/Text 360-922-3092