Short text messages sent to customers’ mobile phones provides a direct path to customers; savvy businesses are providing better service, deeper discounts and more frequent offers to customers. A leading Fort Worth area florist is among the nation’s first to use the service.
Fort Worth, Tex., December 18, 2006 – Bice’s Florist, of suburban Fort Worth, has added TextMe mobile text messaging to provide better service, more frequent bargains and greater discounts to consumers who sign up for the new service.
Text messaging via mobile phones is a favorite way for cell phone users to keep in touch within circles of friends. Bice’s is building on that concept to provide timely information to its extensive list of customers, who are receiving even greater savings than offered in the florist’s popular weekly emails.
Bice’s co-owner Keith Riewe says the text service is hit with customers already. “Text messaging to mobile phones is a logical extension of the technology platform we began installing two years ago,” Riewe said. “Our Website brings in a significant percentage of our business already; now customers don’t even have to go online to get the latest news from Bice’s.”
Riewe says because text messaging to mobile phones is immediate and less expensive to operate, Bice’s is able to pass along greater savings to consumers, including last-minute bargains. Because consumers must opt into the service, the messages go only to those who want to receive them.
“We’re also discovering that customers are forwarding the text messages to others they think would want to know about a particular offering,” Riewe added. “This clearly is a win-win situation for our customers and for us.”
The service is available free to anyone with a text-enabled mobile phone, although normal mobile phone carrier message charges will apply. To opt in, consumers need only call toll-free 877-769-5154, then say or enter keyword “847,” or text “VIP” to number 77812.
To reward customers who signed up in the first few days of the TextMe program, Bice’s held a special drawing for an Apple iPod Nano MP3 player, won by Loretta Schoonover, of Fort Worth. Riewe said because of the popularity of that event, he expects to do more promotions soon.
About Bice’s Florist
Bice’s Florist, a landmark in the suburban Fort Worth area since 1974, has been recognized as a Top 100 Florist in the United States for 18 consecutive years. Our commitment to the highest standards of quality in product, design, service and presentation deliver enduring value to our customers. For more information, call Bice’s at 800-848-0209 or visit us at http://www.bicesflorist.com.
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