#local gift cards

How #local gift cards work

A #local gift card is spent at one local business. At the counter you scan that business's QR code, tap once, and show staff a green check. That's the whole thing.

I have a gift card I run a business

What a successful scan looks like

About ten seconds at the counter, start to finish.

Illustration, not a real card.

Use your #local gift card

Your business

hashtaglocal.com

For members

Using your gift card

Find it. Sign in to #local and open Gift Cards in your account. Each card shows the business, the amount and its code.
Ask to pay with #local. At the business, tell staff you have a #local gift card. They have a #local QR code at the till.
Scan and tap. Scan the code with your phone camera, sign in if asked, and tap "Use this card now" while staff can see.
Show the green check. Hold up your phone. Once you've tapped, the card has been used. It can't be used again, and nobody else can use it either.

Exclusive Offers work the same way. Scan the same code, tap "See this offer" to read what it covers, then "Use this offer now" when staff are ready.

Good to know

Do #local gift cards expire?: No. Gift cards issued through #local do not expire.
Do I have to spend it all in one visit?: No. Under Canadian law a gift card is good for its remaining balance until it reaches zero. After it has been scanned, the business keeps track of what's left and honours the rest on your next visit.
Can I use it at a different business?: No. A gift card is for the business named on it, and it only shows up when you scan that business's code.
I scanned and it says I have no gift card there.: Check you're signed in with the email your gift card is on. The screen tells you which email you're signed in as. Sign in with the other one and scan again.
I closed the green check by accident.: Scan the code again within 30 minutes and the green check comes back with the current time. It will not use the card a second time.
My phone died, or there is no signal.: Give staff the code for your card. It is in your #local account under Gift Cards, and in the email you got with the card. They can mark it used from their side.
I won a gift card in a sweepstakes.: Prize gift cards cannot be checked by scan yet. Scanning shows you your code instead: read it out to staff.

For businesses

Taking a #local gift card

You get an email. When someone gets a gift card for your business, we email you the amount, their name and the card's code. You know they're coming before they arrive.
Keep your QR code at the till. Print your gift card QR code from the Sharing Centre and put it where customers can reach it. One code covers every card.
The customer scans it and taps. They scan your code with their phone and tap "Use this card now". That is what uses the card, so nothing else to do on your side.
Check the green screen. Three things: it is green, it names your business, and the clock is ticking with the time right now.
Hand over the goods. Same as any gift card.

Getting paid

Partners are paid for the gift cards claimed at their business on the 10th of the following month. The first payout is November 10, 2026.

When something's not right

The screen is red and says "Already used".: That card has been used before, and the screen shows the date and time. Do not hand anything over for it. If the customer disagrees, email support@hashtaglocal.com.
The screen is grey and says "Verification window closed".: The card was used more than 30 minutes ago. If it was just now at your counter, ask them to scan your code again: it shows the green check with the current time. Otherwise treat it as used.
Someone shows me a picture of a green check.: Look at the clock. On a real screen it ticks every second and shows the time right now. A screenshot is frozen.
They have no phone, or no signal.: Ask for their name and the code for their card. In your #local business portal, go to Gift Cards, find the card by its code and press Redeem.
What if they spend less than the card is worth?: Canadian law says a gift card is good for its remaining balance until it's used up. Note what's left on the card or in your POS and honour it on their next visit.
Where do I get my QR code?: Partners download it from the Sharing Centre in the #local business portal. It is unique to your business and it does not change, so print it once and keep it at the till.

Still stuck?

Email support@hashtaglocal.com and tell us the business and the card's code. We'll sort it out.

Run a local business and not taking #local gift cards yet? Become a Partner