Gift Cards: How They Work, Buying & Redeeming

Can someone please explain how they work.... How they are bought, when can they be redeemed(how long does it take from day ordered till they can use them) and where can they use them? When do we make money of them.... sold or redeemed?

Here's the info from the Policies&Procedures manual:

GIFT CERTIFICATES
Pampered Chef® Gift Certificates are available starting at $20 and then in increasing increments of $5. Consultants should not charge the customer shipping and handling or sales tax on the purchase of gift certificates.
Gift certificates are purchased using a special order form. Gift certificate order forms can be ordered on the supply order form. Instructions for completing the gift certificate order form are on the back side of the form.
Attach the gift certificate order form to the Show order form when the order is submitted to the Home Office. Gift certificates will be listed on the packing slip sent to the host, but will mail separately to the purchaser or recipient
as requested.
(Note: See instructions in PamperedPartner® or PamperedPartner® Plus for ordering gift certificates electronically.)
The gift certificate is sent to the person indicated, with a catalog, edemption form, a personalized message from the purchaser and an envelope addressed to the Home Office to make redemption easy. Each certificate is numbered.
Recipients of gift certificates must redeem them through the Home Office, either by mail or on the Web site.
They are not redeemable at a Show, through a Consultant, through PamperedPartner® or through PamperedPartner® Plus. They may not be purchased or redeemed through the Wedding Registry. Hosts may not
apply their past host discount when redeeming gift certificates. Terms and conditions are referenced on the gift certificates.
Details
• Shipping and handling will be charged when the certificate is redeemed based upon the individual shipping schedule. Sales tax will be charged upon
redemption at applicable local rates.
• Commissions and host benefits will be paid and awarded on the total amount of gift certificates purchased at a Show.
• Each gift certificate order (including host purchases of gift certificates) counts as a separate guest order.
• Hosts cannot purchase a gift certificate using their Free Product Value, at a discount or at half-price.
• Gift certificates cannot be purchased by guests using a past host discount.
• Consultants may not purchase gift certificates on a Show, but can purchase them on a personal order, applying their Consultant discount.
• The Solution Center will handle any lost or stolen certificates

Good info to have. I had a few folks at the festival last week asking about them. Thanks.