Cardyard: Giftcard Technology Company Pivots from Plastic in COVID-19
The UK’s number one gift-card exchange platform, Exeter-based Cardyard, has used the COVID-19 crisis to push ahead on major changes to support near-instant delivery, consumer safety, and less handling of plastic cards.
The company, that buys and sells second-user giftcards at discounted rates, has now launched their service so supplies of physical plastic cards are switched into digital vouchers for use online and in-store when trading gift cards online
This was a planned upgrade for 2021/2, and the safety implications for handling plastic (where COVID-19 virus may reside for up to 72 hours), means that the company has decided to invest early and make it safer for all of us when selling or buying giftcards.
This initiative comes as part of an effort to reduce the amount of physical handling that cards go through before they get to the customer. It has the added benefit for the customer and retailer, that they no longer have to handle plastic cards back and forth. They can use their digital vouchers for online and in-store shopping where accepted. And they will receive their digital vouchers with barcode safely by email, instead of via the post.
By cutting down physical contact with cards for customers, it also means Cardyard is eliminating many possible contact points - any of which might be the source of unnecessary risk in the current COVID-19 Pandemic.
Cardyard works by buying unwanted or unused gift-cards either for cash or Cardyard credit. After running the cards through rigorous security checks, the cards are sold to people looking to bag a bargain or swap out an unwanted birthday present for something more useful.
Using an e-gift builder the card exchange can convert physical gift-cards into digital formats, available to use across a range of online retailers and services. Digital cards can be used with Amazon, Netflix, Tesco, Asda, and a wide range of other retailers, including mainstream fashion brands such as Next and New Look.
Mike Hayman, founder and managing director of Cardyard, said: “This is a tricky time for everyone. Cardyard has always helped people to save money, whether that is getting cash off the weekly grocery shop, or a more unique purchase like shoes or jewellery.
“Now, more than ever before, money is tight. We wanted to continue to provide our service but in a way that was sensible and safe. Digital vouchers mean that we can keep saving people money without putting anyone at risk.”
For more information please visit: www.cardyard.co.uk
