Shop Bedminster Property Tax Reward Program (PTR):  You, the merchant (hereinafter “Merchant”), award cash rewards that are applied to your customer’s property tax bill (“Credit” of “Credits”) for purchases where the Shop Bedminster  Property Tax Card (“PTC”) is presented to the Merchant by a Township of Bedminster  property owner or person designated by a Township of Bedminster property owner (hereinafter “Homeowner” or “Cardholder”) and processed together with the normal payment for goods and services at the point of sale or at the time the service is rendered.

The Credit awarded by the Merchant represents a percentage of the sale which is determined hereunder by the Merchant.  

Credits are collected from the Merchant every week, once a week via ACH. Furthermore, a $10 monthly participation fee will be collected once a month. It is the Merchant’s responsibility to keep sufficient funds in the account designated for the weekly collection of the Rebates and the monthly collection of the participation fee.  Insufficient funds may result in penalty fees and/or suspension of the Merchant from the PTR program.

Example:

A Merchant agrees to contribute 20% of its net receipts towards the  Shop Bedminster PTR program. A Cardholder makes a $200 purchase at the Merchant’s place of business. At the point of sale, along with its payment, the Cardholder will present its PTC. The Merchant will process the PTC  by entering the $200 pre-tax sale amount. This results in the sum of  $40 being allocated to the program. On the weekly ACH day, Fincredit Inc. (the “Program Administrator”) will debit the Merchant’s designated bank account for the amount of the Credit. This amount, less program fees, will be credited to Cardholder’s property tax bill.

User story: A Homeowner will obtain his PTC at the card distribution center designated by the Township of Bedminster. After obtaining the card, he will proceed to register the card on www.propertytaxcard.com

Once registered, every time the Cardholder purchases goods and services at participating businesses, he/she will earn property tax credits. The accumulated Credits will be credited to the Cardholder’s property tax bill as specified below:

Credits earned:                                                                                     Applied to tax year starting:

From May 1, yr.1,  through April 30^th, yr.2 (12 months)                  August 1^st tax yr2/yr3

(Example. Credits earned from May 1, 2014 thru April 30^th 2015 will be applied to tax bill 2015/2016 issued Aug.1^st 2015)

The Cardholder will be able to check his accumulated Credits on www.propertytaxcard.com.

FAQ:

Q. How does a Merchant provide tax credits to its customers?

A. A PTC is presented by the customer and is processed through a dedicated card terminal (similar to a credit card machine) or through a web terminal (via the internet). This simple process will be explained by a user guide provided by the Program Administrator upon Merchant’s enrollment in the Shop Bedminster  PTR.

Q. How does a merchant handle returns?

A. Store credit/exchanges can be made without adjustments to Credits earned on the original sale. However, If cash or credit refund is requested, the Merchant will process the PTC to reverse the Credit. 

The cardholder must present the PTC, the sale receipt (which is marked with the Shop Bedminster  stamp) and the reward receipt to reverse its Credit.

PROGRAM SETUP

If Fincredit has already submitted the funds to the Township of Bedminster when the full credit is requested, the program’s terms and conditions accepted by the Cardholder at the time of card registration, clearly indicate that only store credit may be made available. HOWEVER, the merchant will have the option, but not the obligation, to refund the amount of the returned goods less the amount of the rebate already paid to the township by Fincredit for the benefit of the Cardholder.

IF THE PROPERTY TAX CARD AND RECEIPT ARE NOT PRODUCED, ONLY STORE CREDIT WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE TO THE CONSUMER.

Example:

A $200 dress is bought at a store that participates with a 20% property tax reward. The pre-tax amount collected by the Merchant is $200. By swiping PTC,  $40, less the administrationfee, is contributed to the cardholders property tax bill. Later the item is returned. One of the following will occur:

              1. A store credit is requested. In this case the store credit provided is for the full

                 amount of $200.

              2. Cash/credit card refund is requested. When this occurs:

        a.  The merchant reverses the full amount of  the Credit if the transaction can be      retrieved when swiping the PTC. This means that the Rebate on that purchase was not yet remitted to the Township andcan be reversed, OR

      b. If the Credit was already paid to the Township at the time the refund is requested, the Credit cannot be reversed. In this case the merchant is obligated ONLY to provide a store credit. However, if the Merchant, at its sole discretion, decides to refund the amount,  only $160 will be reimbursed ($200less  $40 rebate paid by the  merchant).

Please note that payment of accumulated Credits to the Township of Bedminster will be only once a year. Therefore in most cases Credits are reversible.

THE ABOVE IS SUBJECT TO THE MERCHANT’S RETURN POLICY.

Q.  Does the PTC have an expiration date?

A. No, the PTC does not expire.

Q. What is the cost to participate?

A.   -The cost of the dedicated processing machine. This is a one-time expense. If processing via web terminal, aprocessing machine will not be needed.

      -$10 a month. There are no per swipe fees charged to Township of Bedminster Merchants.

Q. What are my benefits in participating to the Shop Bedminster  property tax program?

A. As a Shop Bedminster participating member, you will enjoy substantial exposure under the Shop Bedminster PTR. The Township and its Economic Development Committee (EDC) will continue to build its Shop Bedminster  brand and will continue encourage its residents to shop in town.

Your business banner, and website link will also appear on www.propertytaxcard.com This is additional branding and exposure for your business. Finally, Merchants will have access to information on who shopped at their  location and used the PTC.

Q. What happens when the property tax card is presented together with other coupons/offers?

A. You, the merchant, are under no obligation to accept multiple offers.

PARTICIPATION INFORMATION:

I agree to participate to the Shop Bedminster  Property Tax Reward Program with the following Credit percentage on pre-tax charge of services and purchases when the Shop Bedminster  PTC is presented by a customer:

    Total Credit (*):

             10%       _____                   net credit to customer         8%

             15%      _____                    net credit to customer        12%

             20%      _____                    net credit to customer        16%

             25%      _____                    net credit to customer        20%

             30%       _____                    net credit to customer       24%

Other (specify %) ____    net rebate to customer 

                                            (multiply by 80%)             _______

Flat $ amount  Option  $______ (multiply by 80%)  net credited to customer  $ _______                                                                 

(*) The difference of total Credit percentage and net to the customer represents program

and management fees. The program fee  percentage may change on 60 days advance

written notice.   However, the total credit percentage will remain unchanged. The Merchant

may change the Credit percentage upon 30 days written notice to Fincredit Inc.

   This Agreement to accept and process Stored-value cards is made between you, the Merchant (also “you” and “your(s)”),

and   Fincredit Inc. and its associates, including, but not limited to Meramak Inc. which is the third party processing

service provider of Fincredit  Inc,  (also “Fincredit”, “we”, “us” and “our”(s)).  Fincredit Inc. is a licensed administrator

of Shop Bedminster  Property Tax Reward Program (the “Program”) in the Township of Bedminster.

According to the terms of this Agreement and any applicable operating procedures, you agree to participate in the Program, honor Stored-value cards, and submit the necessary information and electronic data to us for processing.  We agree to provide processing services.

This Agreement will be binding upon the successors, assignees and legal representatives of the parties.  The terms of this Agreement and the Program it authorizes are subject to all applicable state, local and federal laws.  We reserve the right to cancel this agreement at any time for your failure to comply with any term of this Agreement.  The Merchant may cancel this agreement at anytime upon 30 days written notice to Fincredit Inc.

Glossary of terms

The definitions contained in the Glossary will apply to the defined terms contained in this agreement.

a)      “Stored-value card”: A mag-stripe card or smart card relating to the Program.

b)     “Mag-stripe card”: A card with a magnetic strip on the front or back of the card.

c)     “Merchant”: Any business that accepts Stored-value cards for the purpose of providing a Credit under the Program.

d)     “Credit” A percentage of the sale amount as agreed under Participation Information above.

e)     “Smart Card”: A credit card size plastic card or key tag with an imbedded memory or microprocessor chip that stores data that may be accessed through a contact surface on the card or by wireless a proximity reader.

f)      “POS Terminal”: An electronic point of sale (POS) terminal that is capable of reading mag-stripe or smart cards for the purpose of authorizing transactions.

1.  STORED-VALUE CARD ACCEPTANCE

You agree to be responsible for the actions of your employees while acting in your employ.

2.  TRANSACTION PROCEDURES

You agree to follow the steps for completing transactions as set forth below and the Quick Reference Guide, which may be modified or supplemented by future guides or updates.

PROVIDE A REBATE:

1.     Collect payment, cash or credit, as customary, during your normal course of business.

2.     Swipe the Stored-value card (eg. Shop Bedminster  property tax card) in your dedicated device or via a web-terminal.

3.     Enter the amount of the pre-tax sale. A receipt for the amount of the Credit (eg amount of sale multiplied by the  percentage indicated under Participation Information above-Total Credit column) will print. In the case of web terminal, a receipt prompt will show (please “allow popups”).

4.     Return the Stored-value card and copy of the Credit receipt to the customer.

5.     If your business has a ‘Returns and Exchanges’ policy, stamp the main sale receipt with the Shop Bedminster  stamp provided to you or by writing “Shop Bedminster ” and your initial on the main receipt.

VOID A REBATE:

1.     Obtain the Rebate receipt to be voided from the customer.

2.     Swipe the Stored-value card (eg. Shop Bedminster  property tax card) in your dedicated device.

3.     Choose the command to void transactions

4.     After you enter the required receipt code, a void receipt will print

5.     Return the Stored-value card and customer copy of the void receipt. Write ‘Void’ on  the original receipt and Credit receipt

PARTIAL RETURN ON A SALE RECEIPT WITH MULTIPLE ITEMS

1.     Obtain the sale receipt which has the return item.

2.     Swipe the Stored-value card (eg. Shop Bedminster  property tax card) in your dedicated device.

3.     Choose the command to Return item

4.     After you enter, a return receipt will print

5.     Return the Stored-value card and customer copy of the return receipt. Strike the returned item from the original receipt

3.  RETURNS AND EXCHANGES

A.  You agree to establish and maintain a fair and uniform policy consistent with your existing operation procedures for the exchange and return of merchandise purchased with a Stored-value card.

B.  All disputes involving the goods or services purchased with a Stored-value card will be settled between you and the cardholder.  You agree to indemnify and hold Fincredit Inc., Meramak, Township of Bedminster and Shop Bedminster  harmless from any claim or liability relating to any such dispute.

C. Subject to your refund policy, when a customer returns an item with a receipt stamped with the Shop Bedminster  stamp, you may refund the full amount  by reversing the Credit you had provided on the sale. However, if the Credit was already processed by Fincredit and/or Meramak  at the time of the refund request, the customer is entitled only to store credit. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if you decide to reimburse the customer, you will reimburse only the sale amount less the Credit amount collected from you by Fincredit Inc. (Example: an item that you sold for $200 with a $40 rebate under the PTC will warrant a $160 refund. The full amount of sales taxes would also need to be refunded).

D. The Program has no impact on store credits and exchanges. Therefore credits and exchanges up to the full amount of the sale may be provided at all time. Any internal operating policy regarding non-cash credit is your expressed decision.  You agree to indemnify and hold Fincredit Inc., Meramak, Township of Bedminster and Shop Bedminster harmless for any claim relating to any dispute regarding the Rebates and your non-cash credit policy.

5.  EQUIPMENT           

A.  If you are implementing the Program at your establishment, you agree to obtain from us the electronic terminal(s) and/or any other device you will need, unless you inform us otherwise.

B.  In no event will we be liable to you or your customers for special, collateral, incidental or consequential damages arising out of the operation or failure of the equipment.  You agree to indemnify and hold Fincredit, Meramak, Shop Bedminster  and The Township of Bedminster harmless from any claim or liability relating to the operation of or failure of the equipment.

6.  DESIGNATED AUTOMATIC FUNDS TRANSFER ACCOUNT

A.  You authorize us to initiate and/or transmit automatic credit and/or debit entries to account and depository of your choice identified in this Application or in any subsequent written designation (Designated Automatic Funds Transfer Account).  This authority includes, but is not limited to, the initiation and transmission of such entries, request or orders as may be necessary to:

1)       Debit or charge the Designated Automatic Funds Transfer Account for any fees, or other reimbursements due to us under the terms of this Agreement or our operating procedures,

2)       Reverse or adjust any entries made in error or by mistake however caused, or,

3)       Revoke any provisional credit with respect to any entry or group of entries.

B.  You agree to be bound by all applicable terms and provisions of the rules of the National Automated Clearinghouse Association (NACHA) or other applicable association or network, in effect from time to time.

C.  You agree that we may adopt or use such schedules, facilities, intermediaries and/or means of transmission, or alternatives as we believe suitable and that we accept no undertaking and make not warranty or assurances regarding the date or time at which entries will be received by, credited to or debited from the Designated Automatic Funds Transfer Account.

D.  You acknowledge that we have no control over you, your agents or employees, intermediaries such as NACHA or other facilities involved in the initiation or transmission of entries to and from the Designated Automatic Funds Transfer Account, and that such facilities or intermediaries may be damaged, impaired or otherwise fail to function properly or timely due to circumstances beyond our control.  You agree that we shall have no responsibility or liability for any loss or damage resulting, wholly or partial, from such failures or circumstances beyond our control, and you assume the risk of any such loss or damage.

E.  You acknowledge that we are providing ACH Services at cost and that we would not do this if we were exposed to liability and cost other than those required by law.  Consequently you agree that we shall not be liable to any extent not required by New Jersey Uniform Commercial Code.  You agree that in no event shall we be liable for any indirect or consequential losses or damages, damages to person or property, or any loss of profits notwithstanding notice to us of the possibility of such losses.

7.  AMENDMENTS

A.  You agree that we shall have the right to change the rules, procedures, terms and conditions under this Agreement.  We agree to inform you of the changes at least 10 of our business days before the change becomes effective, unless otherwise specified in this Agreement.

B.  We may change the fees from time to time and will give you notice of the change at least 60 calendar days before the effective date.

C.  This Agreement may not otherwise be amended except by written agreement between the parties.

8.  LEGAL LIABILITY

MERCHANT AND FINCREDIT AGREE AND ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THIS IS A PRIVATE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE PARTIES AND THAT THE TOWNSHIP OF BEDMINSTER IS NOT A PARTY TO THIS AGREEMENT. NEITHER MERCHANT NOR FINCREDIT ARE ASSOCIATED WITH NOR ARE THEY AGENTS, SERVANTS  OR EMPLOYEES OF THE TOWNSHIP OF BEDMINSTER AND THEY HAVE NO AUTHORITY TO BIND OR MAKE REPRESENTATIONS ON BEHALF OF THE TOWNSHIP OF BEDMINSTER.