Mobile Coupons Have Arrived
Cingular customers will now have the option to download a free service offered by Cellfire, which allows users to receive mobile coupons from local and national retailers directly to their cell phones. Companies such as TGI Friday's, 1-800-Flowers and Pizz'a Chicago and other local chains are signed on and Cellfire promises many more companies are on the way with deals not offered elsewhere.
The process to get started sounds simple, even for someone such as myself who is cell phone challenged. Cellfire has step-by-step instructions (with pictures!) on how to download the application, which is the same process one uses when downloading games or ringtones.
The coupons you receive are based on your ZIP code and are stored in your handset, making it unnecessary for you to get on the Internet to obtain them. You then scroll to the coupon you want to use, press "Use Now" and show the coupon to the cashier. That's it.
You can get this service by going to Cellfire.com or text to 22888 on your phone.
The Future of Coupons?
The mobile coupons will definitely add a new leg to the coupon world. People who are reluctant to fumble around with coupons will be more prone to using them with the clean, fast coupon retrieval process. For those who have been embarrassed to present coupons at restaurants, this new technology will allow for a more subtle transaction to take place. The guy out on a first date may actually look rather tech-savvy using his mobile phone coupon instead of like an overly frugal tightwad.Will It Replace Paper Coupons?
That's debatable. Cutting back on wasting money making and distributing paper coupons will certainly be something merchants will investigate. Such a small percentage of paper coupons actually get redeemed and the cost of handling the coupons has to factored into the equation.The theory of 'out of sight - out of mind' may come into play. Even if a coupon isn't used, seeing it in the paper, on the back of a grocery receipt and inside a package reminds the consumer that the product exists. Storing it inside a cell phone may not offer the same product awareness to the consumer.
Certain retail segments will find their target customer by using the mobile coupons. Trendy fashion outlets, music retailers, popular national restaurants will be able to target their customer with ease.
There is also a large group who will be left out of the mobile coupon loop. People who use their mobile phones selectively and own one primarily for emergencies will not be prone to use mobile coupons. There are also those who actually elect not to own a cell phone and many who cannot afford the extra expense. Retailers, such as the grocery stores, department stores and family-geared restaurants will not want to lose this group's business.
Hopefully mobile coupons will move into our society like Internet coupons by adding more choices to consumers without limiting what is now available to all consumers. That is what paper coupons offer; everyone can use them.
Is this just an advert for CellFire?! There are dozens of companies that are light years ahead of CellFire, both in the US and in Europe and Japan. Cellfire seem to have a fantastic marketing machine, but the product is neither unique, or something they have invented!
You are right Neil, there are many companies who are privately owned doing well in the mobile couponning business with solid traction and has a wider reach than cellfire. With Cellfire, users need broadband internet access and need to download a brew application. A no no for many people. With our company for instance, we send coupons by text message which you can redeem in your local stores. Very simple.
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The new concept of mobile coupon ticketing and pass for event sport is live and kicking
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Live Events by Digimo system mobil tickets completely enhance the gig-going experience by offering a speedy entry and practically eliminate touting or scalping.
Sports Events by Digimo mobile tickets enable sports fans to skip the ticket collection queues and can potentially double up as a coupon or voucher at concession stands or stadium shops.
Airlines By Digimo mobile pass system represents a huge advance in boarding and check-in effciency and versatility. An IATA compliant barcode and boarding information is sent to the passenger’s phone for speedy, worry-free check-in.
Trains Digimo System means that there is nothing to leave behind and no need to queue at ticket machines or ticket counters.
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The dynamic for mobile discount coupons seems to come in two models, accessed image coupons used by Celfire and Gopons.com, or Push Code coupons used by 8cupons and yardaway.
The push code model requires the vendor to send an SMS text message. It will be interesting to see which method takes off in the US fastest.
Thanks to the increased usage of the iPhone and smartphones, accessed image usage is on the rise.
Another mobile coupon service worth checking out is Dizgo (discounts on-the go). Dizgo takes a slightly different approach to mobile coupons giving retailers a self-service mobile advertising platform to generate real-time demand for their products and services. Consumers may opt-in to receive offers from specific local retailers, or search for relevant discounts/coupons from nearby retailers by SMSing keywords (i.e., Sushi, Happy Hour, Italian, Ice Cream, Lunch). More info at: http://www.dizgo.com
CellFire is one of many and has had some success. But look a little deeper and you’ll find services that have thought more about the customer experience and how a merchant can do a continuous program. We offer a great self-service platform for regularly scheduled offers, discounts, and product release announcements. Discounts are Qpons. And announcements are Evntz. We offer a good bit of support early and find our merchants are quickly up-to-speed on the reach that text messaging provides. Putting the marketing into the merchant’s hands is a whole new level of control of their conversations with their customers.
I find Cellfire very hard to use. On my iPhone, I use Yowza!! getyowza.com