Configuring and Selling Gift Cards – Hippos 2.0

Configuring and Selling Gift Cards – Hippos 2.0

Overview

This article guides merchants through configuring gift cards in the Cloud Portal—both for flexible custom values and specific preset amounts (e.g., $50 or $100 cards)—and processing gift card sales on the POS app terminal.

🔗 Quick Navigation:

⚠️ Important Note on Card Types: There are two types of gift cards supported by the system: Manual Gift Cards / Gift Certificates and Integrated Gift Cards. Integrated Cards require an active integration configuration completed by a technician first before proceeding. If you require information onintegrated and supported gift card provider(s), please contact your Hippos Sales Representative or email Hippos Sales at sales@hipposhq.com. This integration allows you to electronically activate and redeem gift cards directly on the POS software.

Setting Up Hippos/Valuto Gift Card & Loyalty Functionality

If you have recently subscribed to the Hippos or Valuto Gift Card and Loyalty Program, you will need to complete the setup in the Cloud Portal before the functionality can be used.

1. Log in to the Cloud Portal

Sign in to your Cloud Portal account.

2. Open Store Settings

  1. Navigate to Stores.
  2. Locate your store.
  3. Click the Store Settings action button for the desired store.

3. Access Gift Card and Loyalty Settings

On the Store Settings page, you will find configuration options for both the Gift Card and Loyalty Program.

  • To configure Gift Cards, click Gift Card.
  • To configure the Loyalty Program, click Loyalty Program.

4. Select a Provider and Activate the Service

Choose the provider you would like to use:

  • Hippos
  • Valuto

After selecting the provider, toggle the Active switch to ON.

Gift Card Settings

Loyalty Program Settings

5. Configure the Required Credentials

Hippos Gift Card & Loyalty

  • The Token and Device ID fields will be populated automatically.
  • No additional configuration is required.

Valuto Gift Card & Loyalty

  • You must manually enter the Token, Device ID, and any other credentials provided by Valuto.

6. Access the Gift/Loyalty Console

For Hippos Gift Cards and Loyalty Programs:

  1. Click the Gift/Loyalty module from the left navigation menu in the Cloud Portal.
  2. You will be automatically logged into the Gift/Loyalty Console, where you can manage cards, balances, transactions, and loyalty settings.

Part 1: Back-Office Cloud Portal Configuration

Before you can sell gift cards at your store, the gift card items must be created in your database. You can set these up in two ways depending on your store operations: Option A (Custom Pricing) or Option B (Preset Amounts).

Option A: Setting Up a Flexible "Custom Price" Gift Card

Use this method if you want a single button on your POS that prompts the cashier to manually enter any specific amount the customer requests at the register.

  1. Log into your account in the Cloud Portal.
  2. From the navigation menu on the left side of your screen, go to Items & Categories > Items.
  3. Click the + ADD NEW button.

  4. Configure the parameters using these exact details:


    • SKU: GIFTCARD
    • Item Name: Gift Card (or any custom name you prefer)
    • Tax Rule: Choose a tax-exempt status rule (e.g., Zero Rated HST, No Tax, or Zero...). Note: Taxes are only applied when the gift card is spent on final merchandise, not when the card itself is sold.
    • Item Type: Set this drop-down menu to Other Goods & Services.
    • Item Price: 0.00
    • Item Cost: 0.00
    • Allow Custom Pricing: Toggle this setting to ON. This setting ensures the POS prompts your cashier to input a custom dollar value when adding the card to the transaction.
    • Click SAVE at the bottom right to commit the record.

Option B: Setting Up Preset Gift Card Amounts (e.g., $50 Gift Card)

Use this method if you sell physical cards pre-loaded or pre-marked with fixed values (like $25, $50, or $100) and want unique dedicated buttons on your register for each amount.

  1. From the Cloud Portal navigation menu, go to Items & Categories > Items.
  2. Click the + ADD NEW button.
  3. Configure the parameters using these exact details:

    • SKU: GIFTCARD50
    • Item Name: Enter a descriptive name highlighting the value, such as $50 Gift Card.
    • Tax Rule: Choose a tax-exempt status rule (e.g., Zero Rated HST, No Tax, or Zero...).
    • Item Type: Set this drop-down menu to Other Goods & Services.
    • Item Price: Input the exact fixed value of the card (e.g., 50.00).
    • Item Cost: 0.00
    • Allow Custom Pricing: Toggle this setting to OFF. Because the price is fixed, the terminal does not need to prompt the cashier for a manual amount input.
    • Click SAVE at the bottom right to commit the record.
    • Repeat these steps for any other fixed denominations you need to offer (e.g., $25, $100).

Part 2: POS Terminal – Selling a Gift Card

When a customer comes to the counter to purchase or load a gift card, follow these steps:

  1. Go to the Hippos App Order Entry screen.
  2. Locate or search for your gift card item card and tap it.

  3. Based on your setup option:
    • If using the Custom Price Card (Option A): An on-screen number pad pop-up labeled "Enter Custom Item Price" will instantly appear. Punch in the exact dollar value the customer wishes to load onto the card (e.g., 10.00) and select the green OK button.


    • If using a Preset Card (Option B): Tap the specific fixed card button (e.g., $50 Gift Card). The item will load directly into the cart at its pre-configured fixed price without prompting for a manual amount entry.

  4. The line item will generate within the open order showcasing your targeted sale price.
  5. Complete checkout by clicking CASHOUT and taking payment (Cash, Credit/Debit) like a normal sale transaction.


How to Load Multiple Gift Cards in a Single Transaction

Overview

The POS system allows you to load multiple gift cards within a single transaction. Each gift card amount added to the order will be assigned to a separate gift card number during checkout.


Steps

1. Add the First Gift Card

From Order Entry, add the gift card load amount for the first card.

·        Select a preset amount (e.g., $50 or $100), or

·        Enter a custom amount.

2. Add Additional Gift Cards

Add another gift card load amount for each additional card you wish to load.

Example:

·        Gift Card Load - $50

·      Gift Card Load - $10

 

3. Proceed to Checkout

Click Cash Out to begin the payment process.

4. Complete Payment

Select the desired payment method and complete the transaction.

5. Assign the First Gift Card Number

After payment is processed, the system will prompt for a gift card number.

Enter or scan the gift card number that should receive the first gift card load amount.

 

6. Assign Additional Gift Card Numbers

The system will continue prompting for gift card numbers based on the number of gift card loads included in the transaction.

 

Enter or scan the corresponding gift card number for each gift card load amount.

Example

If the order contains:

After payment:

1.     Enter the first gift card number to receive the $50 load.

2.     Enter the second gift card number to receive the $100 load.

 




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