Groupon: Collective Buying Power

This garden is a MOST amazing place!

Good morning Miami!

As Joyce D. pointed out, Fairchild rocks! Get your Groupon & please let us know if you have any questions!

Stephanie W.
GROUPON STAFF
Follow me on Twitter! @Steph_Groupon

I’ve been a member of Fairchild Tropical Garden for ages. This is a GREAT deal. I used it to extend my current membership. Now…how about a Groupon for the Kampong?

Fairchild Tropical Gardens is one of the best places here in Miami—from beautiful flowers and gardens to their art exhibits, it’s a great place to spend the day just soaking up nature or getting wonderful photographs! And…let’s not forget the chocolate festival!!!!

Good morning, Miami!

Fairchild is happy to offer this great deal to our members and friends. If you have any questions about Fairchild, please post them.

The membership is for two adults, do you have to name them both? Or can it be issued to one adult who can bring a different guest with her throughout the year?

@ Jane- Kampong indeed! I drive by there everyday and soooo want to go :O)

@ Marylynn- the website says associate plus can be one member and their guest http://www.fairchildgarden.org/howyoucanhelp/membership/membershipbenefits/associateplus

Thanks for your question, Marylynn. Yes, the membership is for two adults. You can put either one or two names on the card. One name makes the membership valid for one adult and one guest. Two names make it valid as a Members-only card.

Great! Thanks.

Hi,
How does the extending your current membership work.
My membership doesn’t expire until Jan, 2011 and do plan to extend so this is a great deal.
Just curious as to what I need to do.
thanks!
Ada

Ada, if you purchase the Groupon, your membership would be extended until Jan. 12. If you currently have a higher level of membership, you can upgrade while redeeming your Groupon certificate.

The Fine Print says the deal expires Dec 7 2010 but also says good for one year. Kind of confusing.

Jan W: You have until Dec 7 to visit and activate your membership, which will then last one year from the date of activation.

Great question, Jan. The Fine Print means that the Groupon certificate can be redeemed by 12/7/10. Once the membership is activated, the membership is good for one year.

My Lady and I LOVE Fairchild, so this is a fantastic thing. Thanks for the offer

We’re glad that you are a part of Fairchild, Darrell.

Hey Membership! What other kinds of benefits can I expect from this membership, other than free entry to the garden?

Hey Sheila! This is Marketing at Fairchild. You will receive many exclusive privileges, including but not limited to: free admission to festivals; invitations to members-only lectures; Moonlight Tours of the Garden; access to the Members Day Plant Sale; reduced prices to our non-festival special events (including the famous Mango Brunch, author book signings and much more) and also discounts and specials at Miami businesses in our Branch Out program! http://bit.ly/9uHGoq

Glad that you asked, Sheila. Benefits include daily access to all of Fairchild’s festivals, Moonlight Tours and Members Lectures. Members also receive a 10% discount in the Shop at Fairchild, special rates on adult education classes, a quarterly subscription to The Tropical Garden magazine and library privileges. Please remember that Fairchild also offers free or discounted admission as part of a reciprocity program (contact the organization prior to visiting to review their policy).

I currently have a family and friends membership for $125.00, can the groupon be extended for the same percentage discount?

In other words can I renew my family and friends membership for $61.25.

Thank you

Hi Margie! If you purchase the Groupon today. You can upgrade it for the difference between a Family and Friends membership and Associate Plus, which is an additional $40. It’s a great deal. Please upgrade, when you redeem your certificate.

Hi! This is a great deal but I’m a little confused about the terms regarding special events that occur outside of normal opening hours, such as the Moonlight Tours, Thursday Nights at Fairchild, etc. – is the admission to events like those also free with the groupon, or will a reduced rate be charged? And if so, what is the reduced rate?

Thank you!

thanks for the answer. this is a great deal and have bought it.
we love the garden year round

Hi Stephanie! Great question. You will have free admission to Moonlight Tours (outside of normal hours) and members-only lectures and events (sometimes normal hours, often outside hours).

For ticketed events, such as Mango Brunch and the recent Carl Hiassen book signing, for example, you will receive the reduced member price. The Carl Hiassen event was $10 for FTBG members and $15 for non-members and Mango Brunch was $75 for members, $100 for non-members.

For adult education classes (art, cooking, gardening), you will also receive a discounted price. A recent sushi making class was $40 for FTBG members and $55 for non-members.

Thank you!

I’m a member and this is so worth the price. With your membership you can get admission for free at botanical gardens and parks all across the nation. Including the Bonnet House and Flamingo Garden in Broward. This is a Must have Pass. Enjoy all.

Thanks for the support, Tara. Regarding reciprocity, I recommend calling the organization prior to your visit to find out about their admission policies.

HI, Just to clarify

The FTBG website says that for the Associate Plus Membership you get:

“Membership benefits for 2 adults or 1 adult and 1 guest for 1 year. Member’s children or grandchildren under 18 included. "

So, is it correct that children of the member are included?

thanks!

Hi Francine! Yes, children or grandchildren of the member under 18 are free. For example, you, another adult and all your children or grandchildren under 18 are included in your membership.

Thank you!!

Yes, that is correct my best friend and I bought a membership together a few years and she has 4 children and I have 3 grandchildren and we have all gone together and there has never being a problem with the children.

somehow I was charged three times! Help! I only wanted one. can you help fix this? Victoria

Maybe I should keep them and give as gifts? It is an amazing spot!

Hi Victoria, it is a great idea to share as gifts. Groupon will help you out, if you need a credit. Thanks!

If I am a sustaining level member and renewed in APril, can I get the Groupon and renew now for another year?

Hi Daniel! Yes, you can purchase the Groupon now. When you redeem your certificate at Fairchild, you can upgrade to the Sustaining level. Theadditional price ($90) is the difference between the value of an Associate Plus and Sustaining level. It’s still a great deal.

I forgot to mention that we will add another year onto your current membership, which make it valid through 4/12.

Hi Victoria!

Groupons make great gifts! However, if you need a refund, our customer service will be happy to issue it.

Thanks & enjoy today’s Groupon!

Stephanie W.
GROUPON STAFF
Follow me on Twitter! @Steph_Groupon

Please feel free to continue posting questions to the Board. I’ll keep an eye on the discussion throughout the weekend.

Do I get the membership card via mail or during my first visit to the garden?

Good morning, Giselle! Your membership card will arrive via the mail within 10 days. As soon as we receive your redemption certificate and contact information, our Membership department will add you to our database. This way, you can visit Fairchild sooner.

Thanks!
Membership

What a great deal! :)

I just joined Groupon a few weeks ago because I saw a deal for Flamingo Gardens. Unfortunately, I had just missed it due to the expiration of the Groupon. Then, this deal came along which includes the Flamingo Gardens! Plus, with my two little girls, we can also visit Miami and Ft Lauderdale Science Museums AND the Marie Selby Gardens and Science Museum in Sarasota where we visit every year! :D

We surely lucked out with this deal! Thank you Groupon and thank you Fairchild for the offer!

I just bought this because I’ve wanted to visit Fairchild for years and I am really happy about this. I want to know how the link works when I share this with my friends. I followed the link myself and got to the deal page. If one of my friends purchases the groupon, how do I get credit for that?

Fairchild is so happy to have you as part of the membership community. The benefits are fantastic. If you ever have any questions, please give us a call.

Regarding reciprocal organizations, please call them prior to visiting to review their admissions policies.

Aud – Groupon will get back to you regarding your question.

Thank you!

Hi Aud,

From Groupon’s FAQ page:

Q: I just sent a referral to my friend – now what?

A: If your friend makes their first Groupon purchase within 72 hours from the time they click on the referral link you send them, we’ll send you an email to tell you that we’ve put $10 worth of credits in your account.

Thanks for telling your friends about Groupon!

Stephanie W.
GROUPON STAFF
Follow me on Twitter! @Steph_Groupon

Please feel free to continue posting questions regarding membership at Fairchild.

I just refered this to someone who bought it within minutes. I have not received any credit. How long will it take?

Spread the word, Miami! Everyone should have the opportunity to make Fairchild their backyard for a year.

Vern – Groupon is great! They’ll get back to you regarding your question.

Thanks!

Hi! Thank you for answering my previous question, but now I have a few more:

1) With the upgrade to Friends and Family membership – does this also include free admission to Moonlight tours and reduced admission to special events? (In other words, is it exactly like the associate plus membership in that respect?)

2) With reciprocal admission to other parks/garden/etc – if you have the associate plus (or family and friends) membership, can the member also bring a guest into a park/garden/etc that allows Fairchild members to enter for free?

Thank you so much again!

Hi Stephanie,

1. Yes, the benefits of the Family and Friends membership are exactly like the Associate Plus membership. In addition, both memberships allow the members’ children and grandchildren (under 18 yo). The only difference is that the Associate Plus membership gives complimentary admission for up to 2 adults. You can choose between 2 members or 1 member and 1 guest. The Family and Friends membership gives complimentary daily admission for up to 4 adults – either 1 member and 3 guests or 2 members and 2 guests. As mentioned earlier, the benefits are the same.

2. Regarding reciprocal admission, each organization has a distinct policy that offers complimentary admission. I highly recommend calling the organization prior to visiting, especially organizations within 90 miles of Fairchild. Some organizations only allow the 2 members whose names appear on the card.

Do we bring the redemption certificate to the garden, or is the information sent to Fairchild from Groupon?

Hi Sandi,

Please bring the redemption certificate to Fairchild. You can also use the link that the certificate provides to give your contact info. Your membership cards will arrive within 10 days.

Enjoy your membership!

Thank you so much!

This is my last question, I promise!

With the Friends and Family membership with 2 people designated as members – do both members have to be present for the 2 guests to come? Or can only one of the members go and still bring the 2 guests that are included with the membership?

Sorry I’m just deciding which option is best for me – this is a fantastic place and a great deal no matter what! Thank you so much for offering it and for answering everyone’s questions : )

No problem, Stephanie! It’s my pleasure to answer your questions.

Regarding the Family and Friends membership, you can designate 2 members on the card. Both members don’t have to be present to bring 2 guests. For example, if you would like to visit by yourself, you can. If you would like to visit by yourself and a guest (or 2), you can.

Family and Friends is the best option, if you entertain friends. Fairchild is a wonderful place to bring friends and family.

If you would like to upgrade to a Family and Friends membership, please feel free to call the Membership Department tomorrow. We simply need to confirm your Groupon purchase.

Please feel free to send more questions, I am happy to assist you until the deal ends at midnight.

Thank you!

If we order the cards via the Groupon form on the site, does that mean that the membership is active as of the day that I receive or order the cards? Or, upon my first visit to Fairchild Tropical Gardens?

Also, can I use the cards at one of the partner gardens or museums before going to Fairchild Tropical Gardens?

Great questions, Arnold!

If you ordered the cards via the site, your membership will be active within three days. If you would like to visit Fairchild, please come and bring your Groupon redemption certificate.

Also, you can definitely use your cards at the partner gardens prior to visiting Fairchild. If you would like Fairchild to expedite your cards, please call the Membership office tomorrow morning. We can help you out.

Please remember to call reciprocal organizations prior to visiting. Some are very strict regarding their admissions policies. Most nonprofits within 90 miles honor the complimentary or discounted fee, but it’s still important to call ahead of time.

I hope that you enjoy your Fairchild membership! Please feel free to contact the Membership Department, if you need any further help.

Thank you!

My question is about the ASTC Passport Program. I joined Fairchild, but live out of state, less than 90 miles from another venue. Will I be able to use my membership near my home? Also, does Fairchild have an agreement with the Science Museum in Miami or Ft. Lauderdale?

I haven’t redeemed my Groupon yet (am already a FTBG member) and would like to give it as a gift. Even though my name is on the Groupon, can anyone can redeem it?

Thanks,
Dan