Affinity Programs

American Booksellers Association members participating in the Constant Contact affinity program will begin receiving rebate checks this week. The checks are being sent to current bookstore members that paid for Constant Contact e-mail marketing services between April 30, 2006, and April 30, 2007.

A bookstore's rebate is equivalent to an average of the monthly fee paid to Constant Contact over the 12-month period. The monthly fee is based on the number of unique addresses on a bookstore's list.

American Booksellers Association members saved an average of $3,300 each on shipping costs last year, simply by participating in PartnerShip, a free member benefit.

MasterCard and Visa have announced an increase in interchange rates effective April 1.

According to American Booksellers Association affinity partner Bank of America Merchant Services, the overall rate increase amounts to .04 percent. Credit card processors are now adjusting and/or increasing their rates to accommodate this change.

AAA Label, the exclusive supplier of low-tack book stickers for American Booksellers Association members, has launched an easy-to-use online ordering system at www.aaalabelinc.net. Through this secure website, AAA Label offers a variety of designs at low minimums and prices. Simple black and white designs that promote Staff Pick, Autographed Copy, and Local Author are just a few bookstore favorites.

As the U.S. Postal Service contemplates sweeping changes to its International Mail services, which might have serious effects on overseas book sales, PartnerShip wants to remind ABA members that the ABA Discount Shipping Program remains a viable alternative for all of their international shipping needs.

A special offer from Bank of America Merchant Services, which waives the $75 set-up fee on credit card applications from ABA member bookstores that are new customers, and from existing customers that add locations, will come to an end on December 31.

Bank of America, an ABA affinity partner, offers competitive rates -- which can be as low as 1.91 percent for swipe transactions and 1.60 percent for check cards.

FedEx Corp. and UPS, Inc. have announced standard list rate increases for 2007. According to ABA affinity partner PartnerShip, both carriers are instituting an average 4.9 percent rate increase on ground shipping. UPS is also instituting a 4.9 percent rate increase for its air and international shipments, and FedEx Express is instituting a rate increase of 3.5 percent for similar services. The new rates and surcharge changes will go into effect on January 1.

American Booksellers Association affinity partner Bank of America Merchant Services is offering a special promotion for member bookstores that sign up for its credit card processing program through the end of the year. Bank of America will waive the $75 set-up fee on applications received by December 31, 2006, from new customers and from existing customers who add locations.

By Keith Korhely

Shipping costs are an often-overlooked contributor to rising business expenses. With annual carrier rate increases, skyrocketing fuel costs, and accessorial charges that may increase 30 percent or more year-over-year, finding ways to reduce shipping expenses can significantly affect a bookstore's overall balance sheet.

American Booksellers Association members participating in the association's Discount Shipping Program through PartnerShip may notice a change in the name of their freight carrier in the coming months. Freight, which was previously handled by either Yellow Transportation or Overnite Transportation, will now be handled by Yellow Transportation or UPS Freight.

Members of the American Booksellers Association participating in the Constant Contact affinity program will soon be receiving rebate checks. The checks are being sent to bookstores that signed up to use Constant Contact's suite of tools to create and send compelling e-mail newsletters during the first year of the program, which began in April 2005.

American Booksellers Association affinity partner AAA Label has announced that its newly expanded facilities now allows it to offer ABA members a wider range of low-tack book stickers in simple black-and-white designs. In addition, AAA Label has begun accepting payment via Visa or MasterCard. The company also notes that booksellers can save up to 80 percent off custom-sticker rolls.

ABA affinity partner Bank of America Merchant Services will waive the $75 application fee for booksellers who sign up for its credit card processing program during the week of BookExpo America through the end of May (May 15 to May 31).

ABA affinity partner Atlas Paper Company has issued a new price list, effective May 5. The Woburn, Massachusetts, company is the supplier for Book Sense branded paper or plastic bags, and it also can supply ABA member booksellers with custom-designed merchandise bags and book-themed wrapping paper.

New ABA members now receive 20 percent off their initial order from Atlas. Just mention that you're a new member when you contact Atlas' Dave Cohen at [email protected] or (800) 874-8873 or (781) 729-8750, ext. 119 or 130.

Beginning with this month's statement, ABA member booksellers participating in the association's credit card affinity program with Bank of America will see a rate increase of .02 percent for swipe transactions. The increase, which Bank of America announced to customers in their February statements, reflects an increase in the interchange rate by Visa and MasterCard. There is no rate increase for key-entered transactions.