Apple just continues to do cool stuff. The other day I was at my local Apple retail store buying a (ridiculously overpriced) case for my iPhone. Its checkout process is nifty. I was most impressed when the “genius” behind the counter hit me with a question I’d never heard before: “Would you like your receipt printed or emailed?” I was a little bit stunned, since I’d never had to consider this option before. But it didn’t take me long to figure out my preference: “Emailed please.” Apple already had my email address paired with my credit card (presumably through my iTunes account), so all it had to do was confirm my email address and voila–receipt sent.
Like the curious gadget-carrier that I am, I was able to check that email account on my iPhone as I was leaving the store, and sure enough … the receipt was in my inbox. Awesome!
This transactional email offering is great in so many ways it’s hard to list all of the benefits, but here are a few:
- For Me: I get a receipt, but I don’t have to stuff it in my pocket, wallet or the bag. I can wait ’till I get home to my computer and organize it, ignore it forever or just search for it if I ever need it for any reason.
- For Apple: reduced paper cost, increased coolness, increased green-ness and one more way to amaze (and engage) customers with its innovativeness.
- For Mother Earth: fewer trees sacrificed for paper receipts.
It’s a win-win-win. Kudos Apple!
Yet as cool as Apple is, there’s still room to do it better. Why not take advantage of the fact that transactional messages can include some promotional content? When Apple sends the receipt for my iPhone case, it should include a coupon for some cutting-edge earbuds or a cool new application in the app store. Since transactional emails are the most likely type to be opened, why not take advantage of that captive audience and show them something else they might be interested in? A number of Silverpop clients send branded Transactional emails that entice shoppers back.
In the end, though, it’s a big success for Apple. Color me impressed and thoroughly engaged thanks to Apple’s cutting-edge use of transactional email.
Good Post. I searched the entire internet for something like “Apple Retail Stores Go Green(er) with Transactional Email Receipts | Engagement Marketing Blog”. Thanks very much, it had helped.
I just would like to thanks for the blog. Like it. Thanks A friend is sweet when its new….but it is sweeter when its TRUE! But u know what? Its sweetest when its you.
I’ve got to make the comment that it’s quite a novelty to check out a relatively original blog like yours, good effort. I look forward to visiting frequently and I look forward to reading your next post when I do.
I really have to state it’s rather stimulating to check out a relatively ‘different’ blog such as this one, excellent work. I expect I’ll be dropping by fairly soon and I look forward to reading your next post when I do.
I really must say it’s quite pleasing to come across a rather ‘different’ blog like this, good effort. I look forward to dropping by frequently to see if you have uploaded another comment.
I really must state it’s rather refreshing to check out a somewhat unique blog like yours, good job. I look forward to visiting frequently. BTW I’ll be looking out for your next comment then.
I really must state it’s quite refreshing to check out a somewhat original blog like yours, excellent job. I look forward to coming back fairly soon to see if you have uploaded another comment.
I’m left without words. This is often a very good web site as well as alluring very. Awesome function! That’s certainly not a classic ton coming from an inexperienced owner much like me, yet it’s all of I possibly could claim following scuba diving in your discussions. Good syntax and also language. No longer including different weblogs. You truly recognize whatever you?regarding communicating approximately very. Such a lot that you simply taught me to be want to discover extra. Your blog possesses improve any stepping stone to me, my pal.
Thanks loads for display somewhat helpful informations. Your web page is great.I am impressed by the information that you’ve got on this blog. It reveals how very effectively you realize this subject. Bookmarked this course of net page, will arrive back once more for lots more. You, my buddy, amazing! I found just the information I previously appeared for everywhere and just could not come across. What a perfect web site. Much like this internet website your web site is considered one of my new favorite.I corresponding to this info shown and it has given me some type of motivation to have accomplishment for some trigger, so preserve up the useful work!
Page looks fine in IE but looks really weird with broken images on my Macbook that uses Konqueror – Otherwise, steallar blog theme.