Book Sense Announces a Lower Minimum for Gift Cards

In response to feedback from booksellers, and in an effort to give more bookstores the opportunity to participate in the Book Sense Gift Card program, Book Sense has reached an agreement with Givex, the program’s transaction processor, which lowers the minimum for generic gift card orders. Previously, the minimum was 250 cards per design and per order; now, it is just 100 cards per design and per order to get started in the program. Importantly, since generic cards ship within five to seven working days, booksellers still have time to launch a program prior to the holidays.

The program has not changed for booksellers wishing to add a logo or type treatment to a card design. In that case, there is still a 250 card minimum, a $25 set-up fee, an additional charge of 9 cents per card, and 10 to 15 working days production time to receive cards. In either case, once the minimum has been met per design and order, booksellers can increase each card quantity by increments of 50. A new order form has been developed that reflects this change. Please be sure to use version 2.2 when ordering. (Click here for the order form.)

The coordinating presenter/backer for each card design has room for booksellers to add an address sticker. The approximate available space on both the front (under where the card fits into the die-cut) and the back (where the Book Sense logo is) of the presenter is 2.5 inches wide and 2.5 inches high. Stickers are a better alternative to stamps -- due to the glossy finish of the presenter, a stamp’s ink could smudge.

Booksellers may also consider creating a clear sticker with black ink for the front of the gift card; however, it is possible that the customer may try to remove the sticker.

In order to better serve the booksellers who have been early adopters of the Book Sense Gift card program, Book Sense will be initiating a moratorium on all new orders. Orders placed with Givex by the end of the business day (5:00 p.m. EST) on Wednesday, December 3, will receive their cards and be set up prior to Christmas. Any orders received after December 3 will be fulfilled in January.

Please visit www.bookweb.org/read/6303 to place an order and to find the latest Book Sense Gift Cards news.