Organizations no longer have to purchase Gift Certificates each week or each month. Now they just purchase one card per supporter.
Supporters can recharge their card and pay for the recharges with cash, check or credit card.
Gift cards are more durable and easier to carry. Supporters can carry the gift card in their wallet like a credit card, and there is no need to worry about accidentally washing and destroying them like paper certificates!!
The supporter only has to purchase one card at ONE time. They don’t need to have constant contact with the organization to help support them. Now they are supporting them on their own time!!
Supporters no longer have to endorse the back of the gift certificate and no identification is required to use a gift card. Supporters can always find the balance of their gift card by looking on their latest receipt (cut this section off and put with your gift card) or by calling the 1-866-822-6252 or go on the internet using the pin number on the card.
The gift card is accepted in all Kroger Stores throughout the U.S. and can be sent to family and friends out of state and still benefit the local organization as long as the card is recharged.
Supporters can recharge their card anytime, at any Kroger store, for any amount up to $500.
Once a card is depleted, be sure your supporters continue to recharge it. Depleted cards ($0 balance) are deleted from the system after 90 days. At that point, the card cannot be re-charged for the organization. A new card will need to be purchased from the organization.
Have your supporters read the back of the gift card when purchased. It is a good idea to copy the gift card information at the top of the next page and give to each supporter. They don’t need to know about the buyers log, statements and payouts. That is for the contact person.
Gift Cards
Your gift card can be used for anything, including fuel and prescriptions, in Kroger stores with the exception of services. Services include: Money Orders, Western Union, Lottery Tickets, Hunting/Fishing License and Ticket Master. You cannot buy Kroger gift cards with a gift card.
If you want to recharge your card and use it for your purchase, you have to pay for the recharge first, then make your purchase. This has to be done in two transactions. Always keep at least a dollar on your card. A card with a zero balance for a period of 90 days will be taken out of the system. A new card will have to be purchased from the organization.
If a gift card cannot be recharged, a new card has to be purchased from the organization. Occasionally a card is demagnetized and cannot be recharged. Things that demagnetize gift cards: magnetic latch on purse or wallet, eel skin wallet or purse, money clip, cell phone, anything with a speaker. Usually recharge problems are due to human error. Have the cashier manually enter the card number and get it to a zero balance until all money is used. Throw that card away and get a new card from the organization. A card purchased in a store CANNOT be linked to your organization. The contact person for the organization should call gift services with any problems with gift cards.
Read the back of the gift card for additional information
Buyer’s Log
Put the supporter’s name next to the card number you give that person. KEEP this log for your records. When you get your statement, use the buyer’s log to compare the recharges. This is your record of who is recharging their card.
Statements
Every cycle (four weeks), we will send out a statement of your account. This statement tells you which cards have been reloaded and the balance in your account. Compare the statement to your buyer’s log. If your supporters have not recharged their card, it is up to you to get in touch with them. It is important we have a correct address to mail your statement.
Payouts
You will be sent a check (with your statement) for 4% of the amount totaling $5000 or more. If you have less than $5000, the amount will roll over to the next cycle for payment. Note: In order for you to make a profit, your supporters have to recharge their card. It is important we have a correct address to mail your check.
Educate your supporters and please pass this information on to your successor.