Notice to consumers:

The ABA Gift Card program was unique in that it allowed independent booksellers to accept gift cards from other participating bookstores. As of June 1, 2010 the program became an in-store program, meaning that the gift cards are only redeemable at the issuing bookstore. You can check the card's balance and find the issuing store by visiting Givex.com to view the transaction history. You can find more information about independent bookstores on IndieBound.org.  In some cases where the bookstore that sold the card has closed, a refund of the remaining balance can be requested from ABA. Mail your gift card to Gift Cards c/o ABA, 200 White Plains Road, Tarrytown, NY 10591. Please include your name, full mailing address and daytime phone number or email along with the Gift Card. If eligible, you will receive a refund within 4-6 weeks.

Notice to booksellers:

As of June 1, 2010, the ABA Gift Card program transitioned to an in-store program. There are a small number of consumers who have valid gift cards from stores that have closed or that they have received as a gift from loved ones in another state.

Here’s what to do in those situations:

• If the card is not imprinted, you can check to see which store activated the card by doing a balance check on givex.com. After you check the balance, click on “view transaction history” to find the name of the issuing bookstore.
• If you need more information about the bookstore, visit indiebound.org.
  
• The consumer can either call the issuing store to place a phone order, or if the store has a website, they may be able to redeem the card online. The issuing store should be sure to collect the card and/or reduce the balance appropriately to reduce liability.
• If the store has closed, in some cases, ABA will reimburse the consumer. See notice to consumers for details.
  
• If booksellers, or consumers need further assistance, please call 1-888-266-5736. This number appears on the back of all ABA and Book Sense gift cards with the powered by Givex logo. An ABA staff member will be happy to help. 

Other reminders:

To reduce consumer confusion, consider placing a sticker to cover the current wording on the back of the card.

Increment (adding value to an already active card) was reinstated on June 1, 2010. In order to use the increment transaction (25 cents per use) the bookstore must have a Givex agreement on file.  Review, sign, and initial all pages of the Givex USA Merchant agreement and return via fax to 1-416-350-9661.

Notice to IndieCommerce users:

Givex gift cards are the only gift cards that are integrated into the IndieCommerce shopping cart. For more information on how to sell and redeem Givex gift cards online, email IndieCommerce customer service. If you are not currently using Givex gift cards, you will need to sign a Givex agreement and purchase cards. Review, sign, and initial all pages of the Givex USA Merchant agreement and return via fax to 1-416-350-9661.  Questions about the Givex agreement can be directed to ABA's Jill Perlstein at (800) 637-0037, ext. 6642

Ordering new cards:

To order custom cards from Givex call the Givex sales team at: 1-877-478-7733, select 2 or use the “Contact Us” form on givex.com.  Refer to the Givex agreement for pricing.

Booksellers looking for a more “off-the-shelf” approach should consider giveXpress.com. Givex offers two bookstore-friendly designs. In order to view all designs, booksellers will need to setup an account on giveXpress.com. There's no obligation. Booksellers who have a Givex agreement on file can increment giveXpress cards. Please speak to Givex Client Services at (800) 962-4935 or email clientservices@givex.com to arrange to increment giveXpress cards.

        

Templates and artwork for custom gift cards and holders (pdfs):

Customer Service, White Papers and more:

Customer Service:
Visit the Givex Client Support Site to find manuals for processing Givex gift cards and for a glossary. You can also contact Givex technical support 24/7 at (800) 962-4935 or email clientservices@givex.com. In addition, http://portal.givex.com provides options to chat and to page a Givex rep.

White Papers:
Accounting For Gift Cards And Liability Reconciliation
The purpose of this white paper is to provide a systematic approach to reconciling the gift card liability generated as a result of operating a gift card program.

Accounting For Breakage
The purpose of this white paper is to discuss the accounting and related circumstances for recognizing unused gift card balances or “breakage,” as it is commonly referred to into the computation of income for the business. The document is meant to provide information to those operating and accounting for gift card programs in determining their financial statement accounting policies.

Information about unclaimed property funds and other gift card laws:
The National Conference of State Legislatures is an organization serving state legislators and their staff. Please note the summaries should be used for general informational purposes and not as a legal reference. NCSL is unable to provide guidance to citizens or businesses regarding gift cards and gift certificate laws and practices. If you have questions regarding issuing or redeeming a gift card or gift certificate or a retailer's practices, please contact the Office of the Attorney General in your state.

• Important information regarding the June 1, 2010 transition to an in-store program.
• Frequently Asked Questions  (updated 5/31/10)
  

Questions?

For technical support and 24/7 customer service contact Givex at (800) 962-4935. Have your Portal User ID (store name and ABA member ID number) ready or email clientservices@givex.com.

For general questions email or call ABA at (800) 637-0037:

Jill Perlstein, ext. 6642 

Linda Ford, ext. 6644.