What is Local Rain Check?

Local Rain Check is a non-profit initiative to help small local businesses mitigate the disastrous consequences of Covid-19, by setting up a way for you, their supporters, to buy vouchers from them for future goods or services. Buy the vouchers now, when these merchants really need the cash, and shop later when coronavirus is behind us and your favourite local business has opened its doors again.

We (www.localraincheck.com.au and the people behind it) are acting as the agents - we are helping you to buy vouchers from your favourite local businesses and remitting your payment to them.

How will I receive my rain check? What will it look like?

Once your payment has been approved, you will receive two emails. The first is an order confirmation email. The second, and most important one, is a receipt with a unique order number on it - that becomes your voucher. Print it out, or bring it on your phone to the business you bought it for, when they are back up and running, and redeem it then.

Will a physical voucher be posted to me?

No, this is an e-voucher system. We will not be mailing out paper vouchers. We’re doing our bit to save the planet at the same time!

I purchased a voucher but haven't received a confirmation email with my unique order number!

Please follow these troubleshooting steps:

1. Check your junk folder. If you are using a hotmail address, the email is most likely in your junk folder. If you are using gmail or yahoo, the email may be sitting in your promotions tab or junk folder depending on your spam filters. 

2. Did you spell your email correctly at checkout? 

3. If you still can’t find the email, contact us at hello@localraincheck.com.au. 

I want to send a voucher to a friend/family member, how do I do this?

Only one person can redeem the voucher, but we definitely encourage the purchase of Rain Checks as gifts! When you purchase a voucher, you will receive an email with a unique order number - that becomes your voucher. You can simply forward that email to the person you wish to give the voucher to and write them a lovely note at the same time.

How long will the voucher be valid for?

Vouchers are valid for three (3) years from the date of purchase.

What if the business I buy a voucher from goes under?

That is a valid concern. None of us can predict the future so that is a risk you take when buying a voucher (any voucher). We are simply agents for the businesses and it will be up to them to work with you in the event that they cannot fulfil your voucher. Buying a Rain Check is ultimately a good deed. In the unfortunate event that your beloved local goes out of business, your Rain Check may have helped fund someone’s last wages.

Our strong advice is that you should ensure you are happy to take this risk before you complete the transaction. Please refer to our Purchaser Terms and Conditions for more detail.

The business I would like to support is not listed – how can I add them?

There are a couple of ways:

1. You can go to this page and tell us about your favourite local business. We will try to contact them and if they want to get involved, we will add them.

2. You can contact your favourite local business (via their website, facebook or Instagram page) and encourage them to register at www.localraincheck.com.au so that you can buy a Rain Check and support them. 

How much of the money goes to the businesses?

All of the money, less transaction processing fees, goes to the merchant. Funds are transferred via PayPal to the merchant on the same or next business day.

We (www.localraincheck.com.au and the people behind it) are not here to make money, we are just trying to save struggling local businesses. As mentioned above, we are agents working on their behalf.

Transaction processing fees are listed below:

{PayPal (payment processor): 2.6% + AUD 30c

or

STRIPE (payment processor): 2.9% + AUD 30c}

and

Opticard (voucher issuer): USD 35c

How do I know this is legitimate?

This is an altruistic initiative that has been set up by a few concerned people in the community who, frankly, don’t want to see their own favourite local merchants go under. We have the support of Federal Member for Parliament, The Honourable Zali Steggall, and Wallabies rugby legend, Phil Kearns – watch them talk about Local Rain Check here. You can also find us on The Project, in The Daily Telegraph, and on ABC radio.

Importantly, no credit card details are held by us. All transactions are processed through PayPal and/or your credit card issuer. 

Are you a charity?

No, we are not a registered charity. We are a small team of people who have come together to create a not-for-profit initiative – all proceeds (net of transaction fees, as outlined above) go directly to the merchants. All the overheads and other costs are being covered by us. Local Rain Check is the trading name of Mackbron Pty Limited, a family-owned registered company.

Did we answer your question?

If not, please contact us at hello@localraincheck.com.au and we do our best to help you.

Other links:

Click here for our Purchaser Terms and Conditions.

Click here for our Merchant Terms and Conditions.

Click Here to know your rights as a consumer according to the ACCC.