A NEW gift card has been launched and you will be able to spend it at 9,000 shops across the UK – but there’s a catch.
The Charity Shop Gift Card is, as you might have guessed, only redeemable in charity shops.
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Like any other gift card, you can buy one for a friend or family member and load it up with money for them to start spending.
The only difference is that they’ll have to stick to the charity shops on the high street.
They’ll have plenty of choice though – the card was created in association with the Charity Retail Association (CRA), which oversees 9,000 stores and 450 members.
It is the first card scheme of its kind and offers buyers the chance to grab something thrifty without impacting the environment.
The arrival of the card comes as millions of households grapple with a cost of living crisis and families look for ways to make their money go further as bills soar.
The Charity Shop Gift Card allows shoppers to save money on clothing by being thrifty – and it’s also made from recyclable board and is compostable.
It’s also available as an e-card and you can buy it either from major high street retailers or online at: www.thecharityshopgiftcard.co.uk
We recently spoke to one charity shop expert who revealed where exactly in shops you need to look for the best buys.
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To find out where you can use the card, use the CRA’s store locator.
Robin Osterley, CRA chief executive, said: “There is an ever-growing number of environmentally aware people who are keen to buy from charity shops and want to encourage their family and friends to do the same.
“Our members are enthusiastic about being able to tap into this zeitgeist via a thriving gift card market. This is a gift card for good.”
How long does the gift card last?
Martin Lewis has previously warned shoppers about the dangers of buying gift cards as presents.
He told ITV’s This Morning in October 2020: “If the company goes bust, they are worthless.”
He added: “Some of them date, so if someone buys them for you and you don’t use them in two years they’re not worth anything.”
However, the Charity Shop Gift Card has an expiry of 24 months so you’ll have plenty of time to use it up.
But be careful, as if you don’t, at expiry the remaining balance on the card will be forfeited and retained by Gift Card CIC.
Customers will not be given any notice before this happens.
Be sure to check out the card’s Terms and Conditions.
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