Among Friends

[lynnie61]

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.  

[Marp]

@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.

[lynnie61]

@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.

[We rescue cats]

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!

[Carmie]

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. 

[Shelbelle]

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

[lynnie61]

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

[Sooner]

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?"

[shoptilyadropagain]

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.