Book Sense to Discontinue Paper Gift Certificate Program

Due to overall increased consumer demand for electronic gift cards and the continued growing popularity of Book Sense Gift Cards in particular, the American Booksellers Association is announcing the discontinuation of the Book Sense Paper Gift Certificate Program.

To ensure a smooth ending for the program, please note the following:

1. Book Sense will stop selling Book Sense Paper Gift Certificates to stores as of December 31, 2004. Orders to meet bookstores' holiday needs should be placed as soon as possible to ensure timely delivery. Orders can be placed by calling (800) 637-0037, ext. 1292 or 1293, and will be fulfilled as long as supplies last.
   
   
2. As of June 1, 2005, booksellers must stop selling Book Sense Paper Gift Certificates. After that date, the statement on the face of the certificate, "Redeemable at any store with Book Sense nationwide," will no longer be valid. However, in order to protect consumers, booksellers will still be required to accept valid paper gift certificates as per local/state laws and other criteria set forth by Book Sense. Note: The Book Sense Letter of Agreement will be amended to remove participation in the Gift Certificate Program as a requirement. Stores will not be required to participate in the Gift Card Program.
   
   
3. Book Sense will continue to provide reimbursement for all valid Book Sense Paper Gift Certificates in accordance with established reimbursement guidelines for as long as necessary. To review these guidelines, click here. Any Book Sense Paper Gift Certificate sold and dated after June 1, 2005, will not be valid.
   
   
4. Book Sense will pay 10 cents for each Book Sense Paper Gift Certificate returned to ABA via a traceable manner (e.g., UPS). Certificates should be sent to the attention of Peter Reynolds at ABA, 828 South Broadway, Tarrytown, NY 10591, and must be received by June 15, 2005. The minimum reimbursement amount for this buy-back will be $5 regardless of the number of certificates returned.
   

This schedule has been established to allow bookstores ample time before the June 1, 2005, consumer sale cutoff date to either switch to the Book Sense Gift Card Program or to develop a store-specific paper gift certificate. Booksellers are encouraged to sign-up for the Book Sense Gift Card program; however, they are not required to adopt Book Sense Gift Cards in order to remain a Book Sense participant in the overall marketing campaign.

Questions about the Book Sense Gift Certificate and Gift Card programs should be addressed to ABA Marketing Director Jill Perlstein at [email protected] or (800) 637-0037, ext. 1283.