Frequently Asked Questions

What makes this program a profitable sales tool?

It creates a direct link between individuals, community-based organizations and your business. Organizations are motivated to bring you the business of their members and supporters from within the community.

It gives you complete marketing flexibility to select the timing or amount of your rebate, customized to match revenue and margin goals and community events.

Viral marketing works for you. Beneficiary organizations including schools and nonprofit organizations acquire and promote and distribute program cards, and these organizations encourage parents, supporters and members to shop at your stores because you are a participating merchant.

How does this program drive more traffic to my business?

It gives consumers compelling reasons to make your company a business of choice.

Cause related purchasing behavior is an increasing factor affecting sales growth and store traffic. This program is designed to modify purchasing behavior of both new and repeat traffic by offering customers cash donations to schools and nonprofit organizations they support in the community.

Every time consumers use a program card in your store, a cash rebate is collected for their school or nonprofit organization of their choice.

The Cone/Roper report has tracked public opinion regarding Corporate Citizenship and Cause Branding for the past 15 years. The reports state,

"Today, more than ever, Americans are forming opinions of a company's reputation based on its corporate citizenship and community impacts."

Specific Cone/Roper 2002 and 2003 research results of American consumers surveyed:

  • 92% say they have a more positive image of companies and products that  support causes.
  • 84% say they would likely switch brands to one associated with a good cause, if price and quality are similar.
  • 66% agree they are more loyal to companies and products that support social issues.
  • 62% said they would switch retail stores to support a cause.
  • 64% believe that cause related marketing should be a standard part of a company's activities.
  • 78% of adults said they would be more likely to buy a product associated with a cause they cared about.

What is required in order to participate?

Participating merchants need only:

  • honor all program cards for qualifying purchases at the point of sale
  • establish a rebate percentage or amount, and pay the rebates monthly on all qualifying purchases
  • swipe the program card at your existing POS terminals
  • support the active promotion of the program through prominent public display of program signage at the point of sale

Has the program been tested?

Northern California pilot results already show:

  • Increased average ticket size
  • Increased store traffic
  • Surge of grass-roots, word-of-mouth advertising and PR support from schools and nonprofits that benefit from this program, and active promotion to students, parents and constituents, directing all to participating merchants
  • Enthusiastic merchant sign-up and ease of use at the point of sale
  • Validation of the program's complete marketing flexibility to select timing, percentage or amount of rebate, customized to match revenue and margin goals
  • Positive merchant feedback on the concept of paying rebates after a transaction is completed, vs. fielding high priced advertising and discount promotions

How does this program affect operations at the point of sale?

It doesn't.

Transactions are electronic, and transmitted by swiping the customer's program card through your existing POS terminal. The program's administrative system handles all payment processing, accounting and reporting of rebates, providing you, your customers and beneficiary organizations accurate and timely results accessible through this website.

What is the cost?

Program costs for participating merchant partners are:

  • No set-up fee
  • A minimal monthly administration fee (based only on rebate amounts incurred from program sales)
  • The cash rebate itself, set by you. This funds the cash contribution, which is based on your margins and type of business

What is my administrative overhead?

There is none. All billing is automatic and executed monthly via ACH transactions. Rebates are collected and administered by Nietech Corporation. Secure online account information may be accessed on this website.

Merchants fund the cash donations from program transactions. How does this benefit my business?

Designed to add dollars to your net sales and operating income, your minimum purchase threshold for a qualifying purchase encourages a higher average transaction size, and the rebates themselves drive repeat business. The consumer views the value offered by your participation in the program as a market differentiator and a compelling reason to make your business their "business of choice."

The rebate percentage set by you is accountable as advertising/marketing expense linked directly to revenue realization.

It is the very best use of advertising and marketing dollars, because no expense is incurred until the consumer makes a purchase at your store, again making the program a highly accountable promotional expense linked directly to revenue recognition. You manage the program for your business needs by defining the minimum transaction size for qualifying purchases. Participating merchants have experienced increased in-store traffic and increased spending among a larger base of loyal cash-paying and card-paying customers. References are available upon request.

How is the rebate structured?

The rebate is flexible, is determined by each participating merchant, and is based on your company's specific revenue strategy. The amount of the rebate can be:

  • a flat dollar amount,
  • a fixed percentage of the purchase amount,
  • a tiered percentage of the purchase amount,
  • an amount or percentage based on a minimum purchase amount with an optional capped amount on each rebate,
  • an amount that is available on certain shopping days or promotional periods.
  • a special percentage or amount (to override a normal percentage or amount) on certain shopping days or promotional periods.

What is the process to implement this program at my location(s)?

The program requires no additional equipment, integration or special software for your point of sale system. Minimal cashier instruction includes a brief reference card telling the cashier to process program cards exactly the same as any credit card. We send store signage directly to each of your store locations. The signage is professionally printed, modest in size (similar to credit card signage) and is unobtrusive at the point of sale. It does serve to notify the customer that program cards are welcomed by your business.

How is the program managed?

The program is managed and administered by Nietech Corporation.

  • The administrator collects and maintains, in segregated accounts, rebate funds collected from merchants, on behalf of consumers.
  • Administrator applies the specific merchant rebate rules to the transaction data.
  • Your business is billed for rebates on qualified purchases.
  • The program website provides secure and comprehensive reporting to merchants, program customers and program beneficiary organizations.
  • The program system provides account segregation and reporting transparency. The program's systems have security standards consistent with the U.S. banking and payment services industry.

How does my business benefit by making cash contributions to my customers' beneficiaries?

Benefits are two-fold:

  • It has been demonstrated that the program will attract favorable behavior from both new and existing customers, retain and up-tier existing profitable customers, and generate profitable incremental revenues from both. You can tailor this program to company-specific sales promotions.
  • You will be able to promote your major community support that is directly linked to the customer and revenue generation.