Click here to visit the Wednesday Journal's rapid-check system to see if you are holding a winning ticket.
Got a question (or two) about "Shop the Village"? You're in the right place.
Below is a 90-second video that tackles some of the most common questions. And below the video are those, and other questions, that have surfaced since the program's inception.
Q & A For Businesses
Q: What do I need to do in order to be a participating business in the program?
A: Five easy pieces:
1. Provide two $25 gifts (a common way is in the form of gift certificates) to the program coordinator, Matt Baron. Contact him at Matt@InsideEdgePR.com to make arrangements.
2. Display a Shop The Village poster in your business and give customers postcards about the program.
3. Give one or more tickets when customers make a minimum $25 purchase (one ticket for every $25 increment).
4. Keep your duplicate tickets in a secure spot throughout each week. (You will be provided manila envelopes for this purpose.)
5. Drop off those duplicate tickets to your business district's designated drop spot each week.
Q: So if someone makes a $150 purchase, they get six tickets?
A: Yes. And if they spend $1,000, they get 40 tickets. The more customers spend, the more opportunity they will have to win gifts from any of the 110-plus businesses participating in Shop The Village.
Q: Where do I get all the promotional materials, such as the posters and post cards?
A: From your "Shop the Village" business district representative. If you don't know who that is, contact Matt Baron, Shop the Village program coordinator, at Matt@InsideEdgePR.com or 888-713-6589.
Q: Can I become a participating business even after the Nov. 28 launch date?
A: Yes, you can. We are excited to build on the strong base of businesses that were onboard at the program's start.
Q & A For Customers
Q: How do I find out if I'm holding a winning ticket?
A: Visit the section Weekly Winners, which lists winning numbers for each week. In addition, you can watch videos of the weekly drawings, and see business leaders on video from throughout the community, and check both the Wednesday Journal and Oak Leaves/Forest Leaves.
Q: Where do I go to redeem my winnings?
A: For those details, go to "Weekly Winners and How to Redeem Your Gifts."
Q: May I write my name and phone number on the ticket, so that if it is picked in a drawing, you will be able to contact me directly?
A: Yes. Though it's not required, we encourage you to do so. If your ticket is drawn, this is one additional avenue to hook you up with your winnings.
Q: Why do we have to check the website and local papers to see if our ticket number has been picked--why not require everyone write their names and phone numbers on each ticket?
A: If there was a limit of one ticket per purchase, then that idea may be feasible. But when some purchases will result in 10, 20 or even more tickets, it's simply not reasonable to require customers--or merchants, for that matter--to fill out each and every ticket.
Q: What if a participating merchant failed to issue me a ticket, or multiple tickets, and I realize the oversight days or weeks later?
A: We encourage you to return to that shop and politely ask for the appropriate number of tickets. Even if you return weeks after the purchase, your new ticket(s) will simply be included in the later week's drawing. Note: we suggest you bring a receipt or other proof of that prior purchase when you return to the shop.
Q: What if this list of questions doesn't include the one that I have?
A: Please contact Matt Baron, Shop The Village coordinator, at 888-713-6589 or Matt@InsideEdgePR.com
Click here to return to Shop the Village's home page.
