For #local Partners
Partner help
Everything from the FAQ in your welcome kit, plus the questions that didn't fit on it. Tap a question to see the answer.
Say it in 15 seconds
"Shopping local shouldn't cost you extra. Insider Membership is $100 a year plus HST, and $50 of it comes straight back as a gift card to a local business like ours. You also get member-only offers, sweepstakes, and a Lucky Six number for a shot at a $1 million local shopping spree. You can join by scanning the code on the handout or counter display."
Gift cards at the till
You don't need to know every rule. If you're unsure, send the customer to #local.
A customer wants to spend a gift card. What happens?
It takes a few seconds, and it all happens on their phone:
- They scan your gift card redemption QR code with their phone camera and sign in to their #local account.
- They tap "Use this card now".
- A green Valid screen appears showing the amount, the business name, their name, the card code and the time it was used.
The green screen is what you need to see. Nothing to print, nothing to look up.
Which QR code do customers scan to spend a gift card?
Your gift card redemption QR code. It is not the same as the sign-up QR code on your postcards: the redemption code spends a gift card, the sign-up code signs people up.
Download it from the Gift Cards page in your #local business portal and put it at your till, big enough to scan from the customer's side of the counter. It is unique to your business and it does not change, so print it once.
The amount isn't $50. Is that right?
Yes. Cards come in $10, $25 and $50, and a member can split their credit across more than one business. Serve whatever the green screen says.
Can they scan it again?
Yes. For 30 minutes after they use it, scanning again shows the same green screen. It does not get spent twice. After 30 minutes the screen turns red and shows the date and time it was used.
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 says they have not spent it, send them to #local.
Someone shows me a picture of a green screen.
Look at the clock. On a real screen it ticks every second and shows the time right now. A screenshot is frozen.
The customer's phone is dead, or there's 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.
Want to see a scan step by step? How #local gift cards work
What customers ask
What is Insider Membership?
A yearly membership that rewards people for shopping local. It costs $100 plus HST and runs for one year from the day someone joins.
What do members get?
Each Insider gets:
- A $50 gift card to a participating local business
- 50 Insider credits for unlocking Exclusive Offers
- Automatic entry in every sweepstakes
- The Daily Update and The Weekender emails
- Their Lucky Six for the Million Dollar Vault
Why is our business part of it?
It brings paying customers through our door. #local pays us the full value of every gift card spent here, and it costs us nothing to take part.
What is the Lucky Six?
Every member picks six numbers that are theirs for the year. Those numbers are their entry for the Million Dollar Vault and every other #local sweepstakes.
What is the Million Dollar Vault?
A vault is sealed with a secret six number combination. If a member's Lucky Six matches it, they win a million dollar local shopping spree.
Who picks the combination?
It's chosen and secured independently as part of an insured promotion. Nobody at #local knows it, and neither do we.
Do I have to buy a membership to enter?
No. There's a free way to enter. Eligibility details and the Official Rules are available from #local.
Are there other prizes?
Yes. Members are entered in every sweepstakes automatically, plus other promotions during the year, like the Daily Spins when they're running.
Does the gift card expire when the membership ends?
The membership lasts one year. The gift card doesn't expire.
Can I buy more than one membership?
Each membership is for one person. You can buy one as a gift in someone else's name, and other people in your household can have their own.
Running #local at your business
How can someone join through us?
They scan the sign-up QR code on your postcards or use your sharing link. When they join that way, their $50 gift card is set to your business, so that first $50 gets spent with you.
Where do we find our sign-up link and QR codes?
Your gift card redemption QR code is on the Gift Cards page in your #local business portal. Your sharing link and its QR code are in the Sharing Centre. Your sharing link is also in the welcome email we sent when you signed up.
When do we get paid?
On the 10th of the month, for the gift cards claimed at your business the month before. The first payout is November 10, 2026.
How do we know a customer is coming with a gift card?
When an Insider's gift card is set to your business, we email you the amount, their name and the card's code, so you know they're coming before they arrive.
When to send them to #local
You're not expected to be the expert. Point customers to #local for:
- Official Rules and eligibility
- Account, login or payment problems
- A card that shows as already used when they say they haven't spent it
- Anything you're not sure about
Customers and businesses can both reach us at support@hashtaglocal.com.
Question not here?
Email support@hashtaglocal.com and we'll answer it, and add it to this page.
