Community Chat

[brii]

On 11/20/2014 gidgetgoeshawaiian said:

On 11/20/2014 brii said:

I have never forgotten to use one. LOL

Me either. Not a penny wasted on any gift card I've ever received.

I finished up one at Chick Fil A about a month ago. It had 10 cents left on it.

Good for you!

[occasionalrain]

There is also the issue of having to add money to a gift card to use it. A $25 gift card to a store where most merchandise is over $25 is a gift that is going to either cost the recipient to get something they actually like, to settle for something that's nothing special, to never use it, or to list it with thousands of other unwanted gift cards hoping they can sell it for $10.

I agree that for some, college students and teenagers, money can be the best gift but just give them cash not a card that can get lost or only partially used or a check that needs cashed and maybe a check cashing fee paid. Gift cards are wonderful for merchants since a good portion of them are never used or only partly used which is free money to add to their bottom line.

[shesallthat]

On 11/20/2014 brii said:

I have never forgotten to use one. LOL

neither have i brii!!

[occasionalrain]

No one I know gives gift cards, at least not to me, but I have received them as a thank you from businesses. I had one to a store where I don't shop and had to drive their twice to use it and finally bought something I didn't really want to avoid a third trip.

It's no secret that buying gift cards at Giant Eagle will give the buyer fuel perks and that at other stores the buyer gets a discount on them, like the Target promo. Last year people received cards that had no value, somehow the cash wasn't added to them. While some would let the giver know others would just let it go and never mention it and maybe change their opinion of the giver.

[colliegirls]

On 11/20/2014 Shaunac said:

Speaking of gift cards.....Target will have them 10% off on Black Friday from 6 a.m. to noon. I've never seen them do this before. Even if you don't gift them and shop Target, good idea to get one for yourself. Up to $300 and redemption begins November 29.

Great, I love giving Target gift cards to my teen's teachers!

[Mominohio]

On 11/20/2014 occasional rain said:

No one I know gives gift cards, at least not to me, but I have received them as a thank you from businesses. I had one to a store where I don't shop and had to drive their twice to use it and finally bought something I didn't really want to avoid a third trip.

It's no secret that buying gift cards at Giant Eagle will give the buyer fuel perks and that at other stores the buyer gets a discount on them, like the Target promo. Last year people received cards that had no value, somehow the cash wasn't added to them. While some would let the giver know others would just let it go and never mention it and maybe change their opinion of the giver.

That last couple of sentences of your post is something that is always in the back of my mind as well. If the company goes out of business, or if the gift cards don't activate, or if there is some big computer glitch (don't say it won't ever happen), there could be trouble using the card, you could be out the money, and the recipient could be out the gift.

Back in the day, when they were paper gift certificates, mostly from smaller local stores, people would get left holding the bag when the store closed up before you got the certificate used. Could still happen I suppose.

[Lipstickdiva]

I thought there were regulations put in place a few years back on gift cards and charging people a fee if not used was no longer allowed? I don't remember.

I love gift cards. I've never forgotten to use one either. It might not get used right away but they always get used. A Starbucks or Sephora gift card would never be lost on me.

The only gift cards I hesitate to give are ones to restaurants because I've had those up and close and the person is out their gift.

[Jannabelle]

I love giving and receiving them....it is important to know the details and always give the receipt for proof.......I especially love restaurant ones ( when people care enought to find out where I love to go) I can go out for a free meal,....or several lunches!......and I never, ever, ever forget them or lose them.

[brii]

I always include the receipt with a gift card. In case there is a problem, there is proof that the gift card was paid for.

[muttmom]

On 11/20/2014 brii said:

I always include the receipt with a gift card. In case there is a problem, there is proof that the gift card was paid for.

I do the same.