Gift cards are a powerful tool for businesses of all sizes, driving sales, enhancing customer loyalty, and boosting brand awareness. Clover’s integrated gift card system offers a seamless solution for managing your gift card program directly from your Clover POS system. If you’re considering implementing or are already using Clover gift cards, you likely have questions about how they work. Here are answers to some frequently asked questions to help you understand your Clover Gift Card Balance and the overall functionality of the program.
Scanning and Transferring Gift Card Balances to Clover
Q: How do I scan eCard gift cards into Clover?
Clover gift cards are designed for ease of use. Each card comes with a unique QR code printed on the back. This QR code is quickly and effortlessly scanned using the built-in forward-facing camera scanner on your Clover device. This streamlined scanning process ensures quick transactions and minimizes wait times for your customers. Furthermore, the same QR code empowers your customers to conveniently check their gift card balance anytime using any standard QR code scanning application on their smartphones, enhancing their experience and providing self-service balance inquiries.
Q: Can I transfer existing gift card numbers and balances from my previous program to Clover?
In many instances, transferring your current gift card program to Clover is indeed possible. The compatibility depends primarily on the format of your existing gift card numbers. If your current gift cards utilize at least a 12-digit card number and you can obtain a comprehensive and up-to-date card balance report from your previous POS system or payment processor, the transfer is generally feasible. However, if your existing cards use a magnetic stripe, manual entry of card numbers will be necessary, as Clover’s encrypted magstripe reader is not compatible with scanning these older formats for balance transfers. For a detailed assessment of your specific situation and to explore the transfer process, it’s best to contact our support team who can provide tailored guidance.
Selling and Managing Clover Gift Cards
Q: What is the process for selling a gift card through Clover?
Selling a gift card using your Clover system is as straightforward as processing any other customer purchase. Within your Clover Register app, simply initiate the gift card sale. You have the flexibility to select from preset card value options for common denominations or manually enter a custom value based on the customer’s request. Once the payment is received through the Clover Register, the system will prompt you to activate the gift card. This involves scanning the gift card and processing an “Add Value” transaction for the purchased amount. Upon successful completion of the “Add Value” transaction, you’ll be prompted to finalize the sale and print a receipt for the customer. The gift card is then immediately activated and ready for use at any of your participating store locations.
Q: What distinguishes Clover Gift Cards from Promotional Cards?
While both Gift Cards and Promotional Cards function identically in terms of tracking dollar value within the Clover system, a significant distinction exists from an accounting and legal perspective. Promotional cards represent complimentary funds that you provide to customers without direct payment from them, often used for marketing incentives or rewards. Conversely, prepaid gift cards are purchased value and are subject to specific regulations. Generally, prepaid gift card values must remain valid for a minimum period, often 5 years from the date of issuance, ensuring consumer protection. Promotional cards, however, offer more flexibility, allowing you to set expiration dates as per your promotional strategy. Furthermore, the sale of a prepaid gift card is recorded as revenue upon purchase but is not recognized as income until the card’s value is redeemed for an actual purchase in the future, impacting your revenue recognition practices.
Q: Can Clover gift cards be accepted at multiple store locations?
Yes, Clover gift card programs are designed to be highly adaptable to businesses with varying structures. Whether you operate a single store or a large chain with 1,000 or more locations, the Clover system can be configured to accommodate your needs. For businesses with multiple owners, franchises, or chain locations, the system provides robust tracking of gift cards purchased at one location and redeemed at another. This feature is crucial for accurate financial reconciliation, enabling funds to be transferred between locations (typically on a monthly basis) to offset cross-location redemptions and ensure each location is properly credited for their sales.
Q: Are Clover gift cards reloadable?
Absolutely. Clover gift cards are designed to be reloadable, offering a valuable feature for customer engagement and repeat business. Gift cards can be reloaded with additional value as many times as you desire. This reloadable functionality is particularly advantageous for establishing prepaid card programs, where customers can continually add value to their cards for ongoing use. To incentivize card reloading, consider implementing creative marketing promotions. For instance, you might offer a bonus value, such as providing $55 worth of purchasing power for a $50 reload, or offer a complimentary product or service with every reload. The “add-value” feature within the Clover gift card system presents numerous marketing opportunities to strengthen customer relationships, encourage frequent purchases, and build stronger brand recognition.
Reporting and Monitoring Your Clover Gift Card Balance
Q: What kind of reporting is available for Clover gift card programs?
Clover provides merchants with comprehensive and readily accessible reporting tools to effectively manage their gift card program. Merchants gain 24/7 online administrative access to their dedicated card account. This secure online portal allows you to log in at any time and generate a variety of detailed transaction reports. These reports include transaction summaries, in-depth transaction details, and importantly, card balance reports. Card balance reports are crucial for understanding your outstanding liability and managing your clover gift card balance obligations. These reports provide real-time insights into card activity, helping you monitor sales trends, track redemption patterns, and maintain accurate financial records related to your gift card program and overall clover gift card balance liabilities.
Q: When is the appropriate time to reorder gift cards?
Planning ahead for gift card reorders is essential to ensure you maintain an adequate supply, especially during peak seasons. For standard laminate-finished cards, typical production time is approximately 12 to 14 business days from artwork proof approval to the shipment date during the months of January through September. However, during the peak pre-holiday shopping period from October through Christmas, production times can extend to 2.5 to 3.5 weeks due to increased demand. To accommodate tighter timelines, faster production options like “QuickCards” with a 3-5 day turnaround are available. For larger, multi-location businesses, proactively managing card inventory is even more critical. Consider producing a larger quantity of cards in advance, which can be warehoused for immediate dispatch as individual locations place orders, ensuring a consistent supply and avoiding potential stockouts.
By understanding these key aspects of the Clover gift card program, you can effectively leverage its features to enhance your business operations, improve customer satisfaction, and drive revenue growth. The ease of use, comprehensive reporting, and flexible program options make Clover gift cards a valuable asset for any modern business.
