 |
|
|
|
Services >>
Gift Loyalty Cards
FAQ
MERCHANT FAQS
What are Gift & Loyalty Cards?
A gift card is a plastic card that is electronically loaded with
a stored value [any amount] and issued at the point of sales as a form of
tender. A gift card [also known as a ‘stored-value card] is similar to a debit
card in form and function. It can be thought of as a pre-paid debit card. Gift
cards replace paper gift certificates, in-store merchandise credits, coupons,
and cash substitutes.
Why should I switch from paper certificates to
plastic cards?
The electronic gift card concept is quickly becoming the medium
of choice for retailers across the country. Among the significant reasons are:
No Cash Back (value remaining after partial redemption stays on the card,
ensuring additional opportunities to solidify the customer relationship or
retain funds) and real time Data Capture (virtually eliminates both the losses
associated with paper gift certificates and costly tracking and accounting).
Will it have our company name and logo on it?
Pre-Designed Cards are available to print up to 5 text lines of
your choice with standard colors and backgrounds. Custom cards are available
if you want to have a logo or unique design in colors of your preference.
Is theft a problem if they are displayed at the
point of sale?
TenderCard™ produces cards without value on them. Merchants
activate cards by issuing value at the point of sale at time of purchase.
What if a customer loses their gift card?
Cards do not have to be replaced by merchant. Gift cards are
values just as a cash replacement, therefore are treated as cash.
Is the TenderCard™ program difficult to operate?
Will your company train my employees? Included in the Merchant
Starter Kit with your cards is a Quick Reference Guide. This guide is
terminal-specific and details every transaction procedure needed. If
additional training is needed, any merchant can dial TenderCard™ for further
education.
How long does it take to get the TenderCard™
Program setup?
A proof is generated for merchant approval within five day from
date of application submission and payment. Cards are generated within five
days from proof approval. If a proof is unsatisfactory, revisions will be made
in order to obtain a proof approval. All starter kits are shipped via ground
delivery.
How may I submit my artwork/ logo?
In order to produce the best possible card the following criteria
must be met. It is important to note staples, folds, tape, paperclips,
wrinkled paper, etc., will have a negative effect on the quality of your
proof. Please do not write on the art work. Make notes on a separate piece of
paper. Keep in mind in many situations the artwork may be available through a
local print shop or another source that may have produced a graphic for an
advertisement, business card, napkin, signage etc...There’s a good opportunity
they will still have the digital artwork. It’s worth the call. Please be very
specific with your preference for upper and lower case letters. This will
expedite the proofing process by limiting the opportunity that your card may
need to be sent out for reproofing. (There may be a fee associated in the
reproofing process.) Custom Requirements for digital artwork are:• PC Platform
(no MAC) • Adobe Illustrator 10.0 or lower, Photoshop 7.0 or lower, Quark 5.0
or lower (please include or outline all fonts and support materials, such as
placed and imported images) • Image Data Files (jpeg, tiff, bmp, etc.) must be
at least 300dpi (dots per inch) resolution and can be no smaller than 3.5’ x
2.25’ in size. • Artwork taken from the internet can not be used. Custom
requirements for camera ready Artwork are: • Supplied artwork must be no
smaller than 3.5’ x 2.25’ in size. • It must be on smooth paper (otherwise the
paper texture will scan as part of the image) • Artwork cannot have any
writing on it. (Please make notes on a separated piece of paper) • Business
cards can be used as artwork but may not yield the highest quality. The print
shop where they were produced will probably have that original artwork.
What are the benefits of this program to a
merchant?
Electronic gift/stored value cards are convenient (carried in
wallet with other plastics), secure (cannot be photocopied) and as a branded
“billboard in a wallet” establishes the merchant as the destination. With this
product, a merchant will gain more name recognition and exposure in the
marketplace, further widening its existing customer base.
What is the difference between a Gift Card and a
Stored Value Card?
There is no difference in the functionality of the cards, both
are pre-paid value cards. With the gift card, the customer is excited about a
slick, state of the art gift-giving solution that allows the receiver to
actually choose the gift. The merchant benefits from replacing an obsolete
paper gift certificate program with today’s technology, electronic processing.
With the stored value card, an emphasis is placed on enhancing the individual
customer relationship through the use of incentives and an optional associated
rewards program.
How does the TenderCard™ Gift Card work?
A customer enters the merchant’s business and requests to
purchase a gift card. The merchant takes a card from inventory and activates
it for the dollar amount desired by swiping the card through the POS terminal
and adding the desired value. The card is now active and ready to be redeemed
at any participating store location(s).
Will I be able to utilize my existing equipment?
TenderCard™ can be utilized on an array of terminals. The
certified terminal matrix details every terminal capable of utilizing the gift
card program. Different features and restrictions are detailed on this matrix-
click here to view.
What type of reporting will I receive with this
program?
TenderCard™ offers every merchant online reporting at time of set
up. These reports are accessible at the merchant’s convenience. All
transactions are calculated in ‘real-time’, thus reporting is always
up-to-date and accurate. By logging in with a unique username and password,
merchants can view daily reports, monthly reports, and all accounts
outstanding for the gift and/ or the loyalty programs. The Daily Batch report
from the point-of-sale device produces a chronological list of all
transactions, a total count and total dollar amounts by transaction type
occurring since the terminal was previously settled. TenderCard™ also provides
the merchant with a monthly statement, which details all transactions
performed, a summary of activity, and total fees billed for the month.
View online reporting demo - userid = test and password = test
How soon can the card be redeemed at a
participating store location after value has been added to the card?
Any TenderCard™ may be used immediately after activation. All
transactions are processed in real time.
When should cards be reordered?
Merchants should always be aware of their card supply so as not
to deplete their inventory during peak seasons. It is recommended that
merchants call TenderCard™ direct to reorder their current card stock. When
reordering, please note the process will take 5 days from time of order plus
shipping.
How do I get the customer with an existing card to
add more value?
This is a very important revenue generator and can be very
profitable for your business. The use of incentives with the program will
entice consumers to add value to the card. For example, if a customer adds $50
to his existing card, offer to give that customer $55 worth of value or offer
discounts or additional services specific to gift card users. The
“added-value” feature of this card program offers non-restrictive marketing
opportunities to enhance customer relationships, increase purchase frequency,
and build brand awareness.
How should I motivate my customers and employees
to use the TenderCard™ Program?
A great way to motivate employees to sell and market the gift
card program is through incentives. Offer employees a discount or bonus for
selling the most gift cards. Rewarding your employees for their hard efforts
in marketing the program and your business is a great way to build a team of
employees. Enticing your customers to utilize the program can be conducted in
similar way. Offer incentives such as bonus dollars for prepaying, or give
points to customers at time of purchase. Points could accumulate to win prizes
in your store.
How will I know my good customers?
Not only can merchants track cardholder activity via the
MyAccount™ online reporting, but they can utilize the online program to
maintain contact information for mailers, emails announcements, and other
marketing methods to target frequent shoppers. Merchants can also utilize the
loyalty program to track points for customers that can turn into rewards for
purchases.
If I join TenderCard™, will I need new equipment?
Probably not. We can reprogram most terminal types and software
to work with our applications. If you don't currently have a terminal, our
sales agents offer many types of equipment and competitive purchase or lease
options.
When are monthly statements mailed?
Merchant accounts are debited on the 10th of each month, for the
previous month’s activity. Statements are then mailed on or around the
eleventh day of the month. If you have questions regarding your statement,
contact TenderCard™ customer services at 800-383-8280.
How do I change account information, such as DBA
name, physical location, mailing address, or bank account?
A signed letter may be emailed via
services@imatts.com or faxed via (508) 495-0088 to TenderCard™ indicating
such changes.
Does TenderCard™ provide technical support?
TenderCard™ has a technical support desk available 24/7. In
addition to having telephone assistance, all quick reference guides are
available via www.tendercard.net.
These user guides are terminal-specific, detailing every transaction procedure
for a gift card.
What is the difference between closed loop and
open loop?
Closed loop ‘private label’ for gift and loyalty cards is where
the POS device dials directly to TenderCard™. Open loop products utilize the
infrastructure and network of a branded card company, such as MasterCard,
Discover, Star, and American Express, etc. to service the mall and resort
markets. The resort market utilizes both open and closed loop products.
|