Book Sense Gift Card News

It's seven weeks until Mother's Day!

... which gives booksellers plenty of time to establish the Book Sense Gift Card program in their bookstores.

The program continues to grow -- approximately $4.86 million was spent on gift card sales in independent bookstores since the program launched late 2003. Bookstores are reporting increases in sales, savings in time, and a high satisfaction in being able to offer a competitive and sophisticated product that adds to their store's profitability.

New terminals for processing gift cards and new integrated POS systems are now available. BookLog was certified late last year and now offers an integrated Inventory Control System for processing Book Sense Gift Cards. Booksellers can also use Computac/Square One and IBID. As always, processing over the Internet through WebPOS.givex.com and the telephone (IVR) back-up system is included in this unique program designed for independent bookstores with Book Sense.

All supporting materials have been updated with new screen shots and easy-to-follow how-to instructions:

• Updated WebPOS.givex.com user's guide and FAQ (for processing transactions online)
• Updated store.givex.com user's guide (administrative website)
• Updated booksenseorders.givex.com user's guide (card and presenter reorder website)
• Updated Elite 510/ 710 manual (dial-up stand alone terminals)
• New Verifone Omni 3750 manual and quick reference sheet (dual capacity terminal)
• IVR user's guide and quick reference sheet (telephone)

Watch for news in the coming weeks of new publisher-sponsored cards, displays and presenters, a gift card swap at BEA, and other exciting news.

This program is only open to stores with Book Sense. If your store has yet to join Book Sense, please complete a Book Sense marketing program letter of agreement: http://www.bookweb.org/m-bin/hl_read/1844

To join the Book Sense Gift Card program, please complete the gift card program and ACH agreement and the order form: http://www.bookweb.org/graphics/BookSense/giftcards/GivexOrderForm.pdf

If you need help in determining the best method to process gift cards, refer to this PDF that illustrates the variety of communication methods:

http://www.bookweb.org/docs/giftcard/chart_booklog.pdf or call Book Sense for more information. Demos of the WebPOS are available by phone.

Contact: Jill Perlstein at (800) 637-0037, ext 1283, or Linda Ford at ext. 1276.