Booksellers Tokens remain the trusted gift currency

Media Release: Tuesday 1 March 2011

Booksellers Tokens remain the trusted gift currency of choice for generations of Kiwi readers

Amidst recent confusion surrounding the validity of book vouchers, Booksellers NZ, the trade association for bookshops nationwide, reassures customers their Booksellers Book Tokens are secure and guaranteed.

For over 48 years Booksellers NZ has administered the national Book Tokens service, which enables a bookshop customer to purchase tokens at member stores nationwide. These tokens can then be gifted and then redeemed at any one of over 350 member bookshops throughout New Zealand.

“It’s a very simple and fail-safe system”, says Booksellers NZ Chief Executive Lincoln Gould. “We hold all cash used to purchase the Book Token centrally in a secure fund, until that Token is redeemed – which means there will always be money in the kitty to honour our Tokens.”

It’s a system that’s been in operation since 1963. Booksellers NZ has a long history
of representing some of New Zealand’s best-loved bookshops – from the smaller independent and regional stores, to specialist children’s bookshops, larger national franchise stores such as PaperPlus and Dymocks, and chain stores, including Whitcoulls and Borders.

“This is a very challenging time for our members and with mounting confusion surrounding the redemption of Whitcoulls and Borders vouchers, and the recent rewards points counter-offer by Dymocks, we felt it was important to provide some clarity for our very loyal reading public,” said Gould.

“A Booksellers Book Token will be welcomed and honoured at any of our 350 member stores, including all Whitcoulls, Borders and Dymocks stores, without any of the additional cash spend currently required by some store-specific vouchers and gift cards” confirmed Gould.

“Whitcoulls is an incredibly important part of New Zealand bookselling history, and we are doing everything we can to support owners REDGroup in their bid to save and reinvigorate the chain,” said Gould.

“At the end of the day, we just want Kiwis to keep buying, reading and recommending great books. It’s essential that booklovers support their local retailers, and can continue to have confidence in the Book Tokens they have always enjoyed buying as a gift for friends, family and colleagues. “
Booksellers Tokens are available in denominations of $5, $10, $20, $25, $50 and $100. They are valid for 2 years from date of purchase. A full list of Booksellers NZ member stores where Tokens can be bought and redeemed is available at www.booksellers.co.nz.

ENDS

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