A mid-range size turkey (18 lbs) will be sufficient for an average size family gathering. Many companies select larger sizes to show their more generous side and to be sure larger families will have enough.  On the other hand, if your budget is limited the recipient can use a smaller certificate and pay the difference at the cash register if they need a larger turkey.

To see the size and pricing options available click on the "Options & Pricing" menu button at the upper left.

At virtually any supermarket in the U.S.A.

They are good for any brand in any store that does not have Norbest in stock. This is stated clearly on the back of each certificate, along with our telephone number should the store manager have any questions about this policy.

Norbest gift certificates are perfect for your situation! They can be redeemed at any supermarket anywhere in the U.S.A.  If the store doesn't stock Norbest the certificate is good on any other brand.

This is rare, but we can help. Sometimes a cashier unfamiliar with our program will deny the certificate. Asking to talk to the store manager resolves the problem in most cases. But if not, a quick call to us almost always does. (Our phone number is on the back of each certificate.) We will talk to the store manager, resolve his concerns, and hopefully the certificate holder can walk out with his turkey without any embarassment.

To help prevent this problem we extensively pre-sell the program to all major supermarket chains in the U.S.A. each year and provide them written instructions they can use to educate new cashiers. After more than 20 years of experience with our certificates most retailers are very cooperative.

We must use expiration dates to limit our liability under state unclaimed property laws.

However, we try to be very generous with this. Holiday gift certificates will normally expire at the end of the month of Easter, giving the recipient several months and at least two major holidays in which to use the certificate.

Special note for California residents: Although California state law generally prohibits expiration dates on gift certificates, food items are specifically excluded. Our expiration dates are legal and appropriate in every state.

Norbest gift certificates used as employee gifts qualify as de minimus fringe benefits not taxable as income to the employee. You can deduct the cost as a non-wage business expense, and it is not subject to the 50% deduction limit that generally applies to food (meals). This is true because they can be applied only to a limited choice of one type of item.

On the other hand, cash in any amount and other gift certificates redeemable for a significant variety of items (for example, a retailer's own gift certificate) do not qualify for the de minimus exclusion and must be reported as income to the employee.

For more complete details see IRS publication 535 Business Expenses for use in preparing Returns, and the IRS statement published 29 March 2006 FAQs regarding De Minimus Fringe Benefits, located on the IRS website (www.irs.gov/govt/fslg/article/0,,id=155764,00.html).

Also download our free article about tax benefits of gift certificates.

Several factors should be considered when comparing gift certificate pricing with that of actual turkeys:

(1) The gift certificate is a convenience for those who do not have the desire or the facilities to handle actual turkeys. This often outweighs the costs and inconveniences of the logistical and food safety challenges of handling actual birds.

(2) The gift certificate is a convenience for the recipient, who can go to any store at any time and pick out the specific turkey that best meets his needs and preferences.

(3) Supermarkets have special pricing on turkeys during the holidays that often is below their costs. It would be unrealistic to compare our gift certificate pricing with the "loss leader" pricing of retailers.

(4) Many of the certificates will be redeemed after the holidays when retail prices are higher. Others will be redeemed for fresh turkeys, which are priced higher than frozen. Others will be redeemed on very expensive turkeys sold in natural food stores. In order to provide the greatest convenience and flexibility to the holders of the certificates we do not restrict any of this, and we often suffer considerable losses on individual transactions. However, these higher costs are averaged into the whole mix to arrive at the pricing we set.

(5) Even at prices higher than actual birds, our gift certificates are an incredible buy! The real price of turkey (with inflation factored out) has actually declined over time. And turkey carries very high emotional value above its actual market value, especially during the holidays. There are few, if any, so widely appreciated food gifts that can be purchased for the prices we charge.

We can usually process a rush order in time to meet your deadlines. If it was an honest mistake we'll even give you the same quantity discount on your fill-in order (but we may need to charge you for overnight shipping).  If you find yourself in this predicament please give us a phone call.

All sales are final. As a general rule we will not issue credit for unused certificates nor re-issue them with longer expiration dates. If you feel your situation involves unique circumstances that warrant an exception give us a call.

We accept credit cards, checks, and orders on account (with approved credit).

Credit Card: Perhaps the easiest way to buy is to go to our secure online order page and pay with a credit card.  We accept Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover.

Check: You can download our order form, fill it out, and mail it to the address on the form.

On Account: With approved credit we can invoice you. Payment terms are 15 days. You can place the order online and apply for credit, or you can mail or fax our order form and do the same. When ordering, please allow a little extra time for us to clear your credit.

We can normally turn an order around in two or three business days, plus shipping time to deliver it to you (one to ten days, depending on your location and shipping method). However, as we get close to Thanksgiving we may need another day or two.

Please indicate on your order the date by which you need the certificates. We do not guarantee delivery by that date, but will do our very best. If there is any problem meeting your date we will contact you within one business day of receiving the order.

Rush orders for fill-ins (or for procrastinators) can usually be accommodated, but there may be additional shipping charges.

Please get your order in as early as possible!

No. We're sorry, but we are no longer able to accept walk-in or "will call" orders. Please allow us time to mail or ship your order to you.