Guidelines for merchants who accept Solano Avenue Gift Cards:

1. Please treat gift cards as cash (with no minimum purchase) and provide [cash] change to redeemer.
2. Do not harm (deface/destroy) the gift card when submitting for payment. We intend to reuse them.
3. SAA gift cards are heavier; if you are submitting large quantities of cards for payment to the SAA, and you wish to avoid the increased postage associated with the weight of the cards – we will be happy to pick them up. Please contact the SAA for details.
4. We encourage merchants to reuse the cards at neighboring businesses; what a great way to buy your co-workers lunch on the Avenue!
5. Be aware of counterfeit certificates; especially [older] paper style. The paper style certificates (were) printed on a specialized premium quality resume paper and the printing itself is a magenta - not red.
6. The [new] gift cards have a five digit "permanent" number on the back; older style paper certificates should always be "stamped" (with ink) with a seven digit number (using a older-style "wheel stamper").
7. When in doubt, be polite and avoid accepting anything questionable and have [them] contact the SAA.
8. We sell the cards to schools and non-profits at ten percent off we ask that you split that with the SAA / we take five percent from the face value at redemption; the community appreciates your five percent donation.
9. The list on the back of the gift cards may be incomplete. The website is the master list; please alert your staff that your business name may not be listed except for on the site.

 

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Solano Avenue Directory, Berkeley & Albany CA