A scheme is being launched to encourage people to shop more in Ilkeston and Long Eaton.

The Shop Nearbuy loyalty card is being launched this weekend to counter out-of-town shopping centres.

Shoppers will be able to get loyalty card passports stamped when they buy goods worth more than £2.50.

Once 15 stamps have been collected, the shopper can enter a monthly competition for prizes worth up to £60.

The passports are available at 130 outlets.

The scheme, supported by Derbyshire County Council and Erewash Borough Council, starts in Ilkeston on Saturday and Long Eaton a week later.

Coun Geoff Smith, Erewash’s lead member for planning and regeneration, said: “This scheme will bring benefits to shopkeepers and market stall holders and shoppers alike by encouraging a strong customer base.”

For more information and advice on Loyalty Cards contact the UK’s Loyalty Card specialists                              Modulus Card Solutions Ltd on 01298 83131

In the world like we live in today, photo ID badges are no longer a novelty but a necessity seen in businesses across the country. Many of these badges feature full color photos and printing on both sides. Many include smart card chips, magnetic stripes, bar codes and other pieces of technology that allow employees to access buildings, sign in and out of work and more.

Many businesses pay thousands of pounds to have these photo ID badges created.

Could this be done in-house to save money?

As with just about anything done in-house, creating photo IDs on location will save you money. Although a little overwhelming at first, once all the pieces are put together, creating a photo ID is relatively easy and requires little time. ID card printers are now compatible with all PC systems running Windows XP and Vista.

The first thing any business will need to create photo identification badges in-house is a photo ID card printer. There are several models available from a variety of manufacturers including Zebra Card Technologies. Zebra Card printers all print edge-to-edge ID cards in full high-resolution color. A few options that can be selected in the printer range are the ability to print on both sides, encode smart cards and write to magnetic stripes. Printers also vary by printing speed, hopper capacity and other technical variables.

Almost all ID card printers manufactured today use a process called die sublimation, which uses a printer ribbon with four panels. These panels are yellow, magenta, cyan and black (YMCKO). The fifth panel called an overlay (O), places a clear panel over the printed card to extend the life of the image and prevent scratches.

Die sublimation printers use a thermal print head to burn the image onto a plastic PVC ID card. If full color printing is out of your budget, single color monochrome ribbons are available for most printers and are a fraction the cost of a full-color ribbon.

In order to layout, design and create a photo ID, you need to invest in some card creation software. The most popular ID card software is CardFive Vision from NFive which includes an easy-to-use template, making it easy to type text, paste pictures and create a base template for all your ID cards.

Along with the printer, software and ribbons, you will also need cards. Most ID cards used are known as 30 mil CR-80 - the same size and thickness of a standard credit card. The “80″ in CR-80 is the size of the card. Thirty-mil is the thickness of the card. Although less common, some businesses use a thinner 10 mil thickness for cards.

Businesses that use proximity cards will often use a 10 mil CR-80 card with an adhesive back. Once printed, a backing is removed from the pressure-sensitive card where it is then stuck to the proximity card. Many CR-80 PVC cards are also available with smart chips (integrated circuit card) and magnetic stripes.

Once printed, many ID cards are slot punched in order to be used on a lanyard, badge reel or badge strap clip. Many businesses will also use a badge holder, horizontal or vertical, to hold the ID card where it can then be attached to a lanyard or strap clip. Using lanyards, badge reels or strap clips makes it easy to present and access identity cards.

Maintenance on ID card printers is easy. A wide assortment of cleaning cards and ribbons are available, which help keep the thermal print head clean and running at top efficiency. Many printers will let you know when they need to be cleaned. If an older printer is being used, symptoms of a needed cleaning may include blurred text or irregular colors. Regular maintenance will keep the ID card out of the shop and will allow you to print ID cards on a regular and uninterrupted basis.

Whether you need an occasional ID card, replacement cards or need to print 100s of cards for a business, photo ID card printers save money and are convenient to use.

Feel free to contact Modulus Card Printers for more information on ID card printers.

Don’t make it easy for pickpockets. Carry your wallet in an inside pocket, preferably one which can be fastened, not your back pocket. If someone bumps into you in a crowd, see if you still have your wallet or purse. 

Cash is a favourite target for thieves, so try to avoid carrying large amounts. When on holiday abroad, take travellers’ cheques. 

If your credit card is stolen, tell the card company immediately. Keep the number handy. If you delay reporting the loss, it could lead to a crime being committed in your name, as a thief could make fraudulent use of your card. Thieves can use credit cards for over the counter and telephone purchases. 

Never carry the personal identification number (PIN) with your cash dispensing cards. Always memorise your number, and never disclose it, not even to bank staff or close friends. Sign new plastic cards as soon as they arrive, and cut up old ones when they expire. 

The Association for Payment Clearing Services (APACS) offers practical advice on how to look after your plastic cards:

Plastic’s fantastic unless you lose it 

• Guard your cards. Don’t let them out of your sight when making a transaction 
• Don’t carelessly discard receipts from card transactions. 
• Check your receipts against your statements carefully. If you find an unfamiliar transaction, contact your bank or building society immediately. 
• Never write down your PIN and never disclose it to anyone, even if they claim to be from your bank or the police. 
• Report lost or stolen cards to your bank or building society immediately. The 24-hour emergency telephone number is on your last statement or you can call Directory Enquiries. 
• Sign any new cards as soon as they arrive. Ensure that you cut up the old cards immediately the new ones become valid. 
• Don’t keep your cheque book with your cards. 
• If you use a bag, carry it firmly with the clasp towards you. A money belt, bum bag or secure inside pocket is best for valuables. 
• Don’t leave cards unattended in a bag, briefcase or jacket in a public place - and keep your bag or briefcase on your lap. 
• At work, keep your bag and other personal belongings locked in a cupboard or drawer. 
• When on holiday, don’t leave valuables unattended in your accommodation, on the beach or by the pool. Use a hotel safe if available. 
• Consider registering with a card protection scheme - particularly if you have several cards. Contact your card issuer for details.
• Don’t use a cash machine if you notice anyone behaving suspiciously around it or you spot anything suspicious on the cash machine itself - and report your suspicions to the bank concerned or the police. If your card is retained by the cash machine contact your card issuer immediately. 
• When entering your PIN use your free hand or your body to shield the number from prying eyes or hidden cameras.

Well, essentially it’s a free plastic card that you can collect from a retailer. Hand it over every time you make a purchase and points will be added to your account. Collect enough points, and you can use them as money off your shopping.

However, a more lucrative method is to use them to take advantage of one of the many offers available to loyaltycard holders.

For example, points can be used to pay for tickets to theme parks, DVD rental, dry cleaning, furniture, jewellery or meals out, to name but a few. A large number of retailers now offer loyalty schemes, which can differ greatly in their usefulness.

Of course, we all know these schemes aren’t really free - we pay for them through increased prices in store.

For this reason, you may prefer to use shops which can keep their prices low by not offering a loyalty card.

Loyalty cardholders are also subject to having their shopping choices analysed by the supermarkets/retailers, which can be quite annoying.

However, if you can put up with this and regularly use a shop offering a loyalty card anyway, you might as well take advantage of it after all, you’re paying for it anyway! Clever use of the money off shopping vouchers regularly sent out can boost your point totals and reduce the cost of your shopping, too.