topic Re: Gift cards in Among Friends

Gift cards

lynnie61 — Fri, 18 Oct 2024 14:47:11 GMT

So, I'm going through some unused gift cards. (I got many for retirement). Do you use gift cards immediately, or do you, like me, find some that I have not used right away?

I'm sure there are many that do not get redeemed at all. All the gift cards I have will get used. Hopefully still this year. One, unexpectedly has a $100 balance! Just haven't gone to that restaurant yet.

Re: Gift cards

Marp — Fri, 18 Oct 2024 15:01:01 GMT

@lynnie61, no idea when you received the gift cards but while they are likely still valid they may have been accumulating inactivity fees lowering the value of the cards.

When it comes in inactivity fees the decision when to impose them and how much is deducted over what period of time (often monthly) is up to the issuing company.

Re: Gift cards

lynnie61 — Fri, 18 Oct 2024 15:18:59 GMT

@Marp just received this Spring, the unused ones still have the full value. But will work on these, as I know that fees can apply. Thanks for mentioning it though.

Re: Gift cards

We rescue cats — Fri, 18 Oct 2024 15:21:06 GMT

As mentioned, they often lose value as time goes on because of the expense to carry them on the books. If there is a website you can usually check the value. I had a pair of them from Nutrisystem that I found in a drawer, they are almost 10 years old! I had to ask that they be re-issued. Sadly I am not about to pay the membership fee so if anyone is an active member I'm happy to send them as a gift to you to use!

Re: Gift cards

Carmie — Fri, 18 Oct 2024 16:24:52 GMT

I don't really like getting gift cards. I normally carry them around and forget to use them.

I have received cards from places I am not interested in...like Starbucks, Chick fil a and other fast and sit down restaurants.

Some I have tried to use, but they still carry a small balance...for instance $3.02 from target.

I know many US dollars are wasted by the buying of these cards that are never used.

I had two $150 cards to a restaurant that burned down and one for $200 for fine dining at a restaurant out of town. All wasted.

I find gift cards to be a pain the rear. I'd don't buy them or want them. I just don't understand the concept. Just buy someone a gift or give them a cash or a check.

The past several years, I just hand them off to my grandkids. The worse GC, IMO is a $5 Starbucks card.

Last winter, I drove my sister to physical therapy 3 times a week. I stopped at Starbucks, per her request afterwards so she could get coffee. She would give me GC's to pay. (she waited in the car, no drive thru) . I had to use two $5 cards for one coffee, but never used the entire card.

After the first week, What a pain to have to keep handing several cards to the cashier with a few cents left on them to complete the transaction for one coffee.

Carmie — Fri, 18 Oct 2024 22:37:31 GMT

Re: Gift cards

Shelbelle — Fri, 18 Oct 2024 16:36:19 GMT

Only ones I have gotten with exp dates are VISA ones.

Re: Gift cards

lynnie61 — Fri, 18 Oct 2024 16:41:35 GMT

@Carmie My hairdresser got gift cards last year from clients for Christmas that were from closed restaurants. What? Regift. Sad.

Re: Gift cards

Sooner — Fri, 18 Oct 2024 16:49:00 GMT

I love gift cards! It takes the stress out of giving! And people aren't getting things they don't need, don't want, doesn't fit, they have to display or dust!

I love getting them also. One great Christmas gift was a card for a FREE car wash at a nice wash place--not a drive through! I was so happy and my car so clean!

Edited to add: It also avoids the dreaded "a gift they wouldn't buy for themselves" or the "gift they would never think of"--which usually elicits the thought: "oh boy what am I going to do with that thing?"

Re: Gift cards

shoptilyadropagain — Fri, 18 Oct 2024 16:56:54 GMT

I love receiving gift cards and I use them right away. If it's to a place that I don't normally go to, I will give it away to somebody I know that does.

Re: Gift cards

Marp — Fri, 18 Oct 2024 17:05:33 GMT

When I am asked what would you like for ______ my stock answer is a gift card to one of the grocery stores I frequent.

I can either keep them for emergency use when my budget has been unexpectedly busted or to treat myself to something I wouldn't normally purchase.

Re: Gift cards

catter70 — Fri, 18 Oct 2024 17:48:30 GMT

I have some from my local department store, Walmart, Wegman's, $ Tree and a couple of Visa. I've had them awhile, so I'm finally starting to use them.

Re: Gift cards

LindaSal — Fri, 18 Oct 2024 18:05:54 GMT

If we get a gift card we normally use it fairly quickly. We did have the same thing happen to us with a $100 gift card to a nice restaurant locally. They ended up closing for tax evasion and leaving town! Lesson learned. Thankfully though, we don't receive too many. I do give my adult kids an Amazon gift card as part of their Christmas gift. They use them right away, not that Amazon is going anywhere but they already have their "saved for later" list ready!

Re: Gift cards

LavernLuvsShoes — Fri, 18 Oct 2024 18:32:39 GMT

@shoptilyadropagain wrote:
I love receiving gift cards and I use them right away. If it's to a place that I don't normally go to, I will give it away to somebody I know that does.

Me too! - Most people know me well enough to know exactly which places I prefer, and they gift (card) me appropriately.

Re: Gift cards

Mom2Dogs — Fri, 18 Oct 2024 19:13:05 GMT

I do not 'give' gift cards...but have been on the receiving end.

One was from a restaurant not in our area so we sold it thru a gift card website. They took a small portion of the card for the transaction but it was ok with us...otherwise it would have gone to waste.

Re: Gift cards

ninjawife — Fri, 18 Oct 2024 19:37:40 GMT

Last year on my birthday, my co-workers got me 25 dollar gift card to McDonald's because they knew I stopped there almost every morning to get an iced coffee for a dollar. That gift card bought me my morning coffee for well over two months. Great gift!

Re: Gift cards

chrystaltree — Fri, 18 Oct 2024 20:38:59 GMT

I don't get gift cards now but I did when I was working. Way too many gift cards and unfortunately I didn't use most of them. Sometimes I regifted them. Sometimes they languished in my wallet or I tossed them in the kitchen drawer. I suppose I never thought of them as money. I used American Express or Visa gift cards because I could use them anywhere. Unlike store gift cards.

Re: Gift cards

Sakuya — Fri, 18 Oct 2024 20:58:22 GMT

I thought they couldn't do the fee thing anymore. The balance shouldn't decrease until you use it.

Re: Gift cards

Lucky Charm — Fri, 18 Oct 2024 22:19:07 GMT

I like them I use them and I gift them to those who like them. Even my grandchildren ask for them now. (Sephora, Fanatics, Roblox, etc). Just picked up a couple today at the grocery store. We'll be with grandkids and they like Chipotle, so we'll order from there. We get gas points for buying them (sometimes up to 10X) so it's a win/win for us.

Re: Gift cards

haddon9 — Fri, 18 Oct 2024 22:39:00 GMT

When I give gift cards I tend to give Amazon cards. There is something for everyone and you don't have to leave your house to use it.