Selling gift cards

Gift cards are preloaded debit cards that can be used to purchase goods or services. The POS application sells gift cards to customers and loads the gift cards with specific amounts. Customers can use the gift cards to pay for items until the gift card balance is fully consumed.

When integrated with the Verifone Point payment solution, the POS application can be configured to skip the balance inquiry when purchasing a gift card. When the transaction is completed, the POS sends a request to the authorizer to activate the gift card.

When integrated with the NCR Common Client Interface, the POS application validates the gift card through a balance inquiry request. If the gift card is valid, it is added to the transaction. If the gift card is no longer valid, an information message is displayed and prompts the associate to try another gift card.

Configurable features

The POS application can be configured with the following features:

• Enable gift card item entry. Refer to the following options:
  • General > Enable Gift Card Sale Button
  • General > Enable Manual Entry on PIN Pad Button for Gift Cards
• Accept specific gift card entry methods. Refer to the following options:
  • Gift Card Setup > Enable Keyed Entry
  • Gift Card Setup > Enable MSR Entry
  • Gift Card Setup > Enable Scanned Entry
•  Reload existing gift cards and limit the gift card load amounts. Refer to the following options:
  • Gift Card Setup > Maximum Gift Card Balance Amount
  • Gift Card Setup > Minimum Gift Card Load Amount
•  Print a note identifying the non-returnable gift card in the receipt. Refer to the following options:
  • Gift Card Setup > Returnable Card
• Specify whether the gift card can be reloaded or can be issued only once. Refer to the following options:
  • Gift Card Setup > Gift Card Provisioning Type
• Specify the gift card item code then capture the specified data in the POSLog. Refer to the following options:
  • Gift Card Setup > Item Code
• Specify the type of pre-authorization used for gift card activation. Refer to the following options:
  • Gift Card Setup > Gift Card Preauthorization Type
• Specify whether to complete the transaction or mid-void the transaction when gift card activation fails. Refer to the following options:
  • Gift Card Setup > Gift Card Issuance Failure Handling

• Enable manual entry during gift card sales, tendering, balance inquiry, and gift card swaps when the POS is integrated with the Verifone Point payment solution. Refer to the following option:
  • General > Enable Manual Entry for Stored Value Card Issuance at PIN Pad
• Disable the Use Card button on the House Account Lookup Results screen during tendering. Refer to the following options:
  • Tender Setup > Gift Card Setup
• Disable the use of a new house card account as tender, if the house account was created through a credit application in the same transaction. During tendering, the application displays a message instructing the associate to change the tender option or void the gift card item in the sale transaction. Refer to the following option:
  • Tender Setup > Gift Card Setup
• Disable entry of a gift card account number when initiating a gift card sale from the Sale Main Menu. Refer to the following options:
  • Gift Card Setup > Disable account number entry to begin selling card

Gift cards can be sold as part of a regular sales transaction. To sell gift cards, follow these steps:

1. On the Sale Main Menu screen, do one of the following:
   • Swipe a gift card through the magnetic stripe reader (MSR).
   • Scan the gift card bar code.
   • Enter the gift card account number on the keypad, and then select Enter.

   The application displays the Gift Card Amount screen.

   

   1. Scan the gift card SKU or product code. The application displays the Gift Card Account Number screen. Then, enter or scan the gift card account number.

      

      Note

      When the POS is configured to disable entry of a gift card account number from the Sales Main Menu, an information message is displayed. Select OK. The application remains on the Sale Main Menu.

2. Enter the amount specified by the customer, and then select Enter. The application displays the purchased gift card on the Sale Main Menu screen.

After completing the transaction, the POS application activates the cards and displays the Card Activation Progress screen. When the activation progress is completed, the application displays the Sign On screen.

When the POS is integrated with the Payment Services Hub, the POS can be configured to mid-void the transaction when a gift card fails to activate. A configurable information message displays. Select Mid Void to cancel the entire transaction. Begin another transaction with a different gift card. For more information about configuring error messages, refer to Customizing error messages for the Payment Services Hub.

When the POS is integrated with the Common Client payment solution, an information message is displayed when the card fails to activate. When the transaction times out, associates can choose to retry or select a new payment method through the POS.

Selling gift cards while offline

Depending on the payment solution, the POS application can sell gift cards when offline. For more information about payment solutions, consult with an NCR Representative.

When integrated with the Verifone Point payment solution, the POS displays an information message if the POS is offline to the payment solution or the PIN pad when the gift card is initially swiped.

Retailers can use Valuelink to validate authorization codes for gift card sales when the payment solution is offline. For more information, refer to Gift Card Setup.

Configurable features

The POS application can be configured with the following feature:

• Prevent the POS application from displaying the Call Credit Department screen when authorization is needed. Refer to the following option:
  • Tender Definitions > Authorization Phone Number

To sell gift cards while offline, follow these steps:

1. On the Sale Main Menu screen, do one of the following:
   • Swipe a gift card through the magnetic stripe reader (MSR).
   • Scan the gift card bar code.
   • Enter the gift card account number on the keypad, and then select Enter.

   The application displays the Gift Card Amount screen.

2. Enter the amount specified by the customer, and then select Enter. The application displays a message indicating that the POS is offline to the authorizer and instructing the associate to call for authorization during tendering.

   

3. Select Ok to continue with the gift card purchase. The application adds the gift card to the Sale Main Menu screen.
4. Select Pay. The application displays the Tender Menu screen.
5. Select a payment method.
   Note

   If cash is selected and the Change Due amount is greater than the cash in the drawer, the application displays the Insufficient Cash Funds in Drawer screen. Select Continue to proceed with the transaction; otherwise, select Cancel.

6. Complete the tender transaction. The application displays the Receipt Preference screen.
7. Select a receipt type:
   • Printed
   • Digital
   • Both
   Note

   For details on printing a sales receipt, refer to Totaling a Customer’s Purchases.

   The application displays the Call Credit Department screen.

   

8. Call the Credit Department, then enter the Authorization Number on the keypad and select Accept. The application prints the receipt.
9. Close the cash drawer.

Sample receipts

The POS application prints the value added to the purchased gift card and its updated balance of a purchased or reloaded gift card on a sales receipt.

Gift card sales receipt with configurable note

Gift cards are not returnable in the POS application. To print a note identifying non-returnable gift cards in the receipt, refer to Gift Card Setup.