Re: Why I Am a Fan of Gift Cards

LavernLuvsShoes · ‎07-13-2021

@teganslaw wrote:
... I don't understand why anyone would be offended receiving a gift card; they must think differently than I do.

Ditto!

I just don't understand how someone showing kindness by giving a "gift" would be considered tacky or offensive.

eadu4 · ‎06-14-2011

@occasionalrain I'm with you there. I mean anyone that shops online can use it. I will admit to wish lists on various sites lol. But they are just that wish lists. But give me a gift card and then I can actually feel good about spending the money to buy something off it. Win - Win. I get something I really secretly wanted and you got it for me :-)

SouthernBee · ‎09-16-2010

@Sooner : I love giving and receiving gift cards. I am handicapped and don't drive but do 99 % of my shopping on line. My friends that I exchange gifts with and they prefer gift cards just responded to my email asking if they needed to make changes to their list of favorite gift cards.

This year for me my list included gift cards for delivery services like Instacart or gift cards for my favorite grocery store.

Three years ago sent letters to my girlfriends suggesting we stop exchanging gifts : closet over flowing with manicure sets, ( various books in small print and I need large print), stacks of water bottles, coffee mugs etc. I gave them options to do something different like gift cards or get together once a month for lunch. They refused but they continue to give me so many of the items already stated. I don't feel guilty and stopped giving them anything.

Sooner · ‎03-10-2010

@SouthernBee wrote:
@Sooner : I love giving and receiving gift cards. I am handicapped and don't drive but do 99 % of my shopping on line. My friends that I exchange gifts with and they prefer gift cards just responded to my email asking if they needed to make changes to their list of favorite gift cards.
This year for me my list included gift cards for delivery services like Instacart or gift cards for my favorite grocery store.
Three years ago sent letters to my girlfriends suggesting we stop exchanging gifts : closet over flowing with manicure sets, ( various books in small print and I need large print), stacks of water bottles, coffee mugs etc. I gave them options to do something different like gift cards or get together once a month for lunch. They refused but they continue to give me so many of the items already stated. I don't feel guilty and stopped giving them anything.

@SouthernBee Oh I agree with all you said. Most of us are trying to get rid of stuff, and there's no point in giving people stuff they don't need or want.

\We have on our schedule to get rid of lots of throws we have been given. Candles we don't burn, etc. All the usual suspects for gifts that "need" to be given.

I asked a friend last year that we not exchange gifts and she hasn't spoken to me since. I know that she was regifting items that were receiced for favors for others, and making a big deal about it. It was throws, food items, cups, etc. none of which we wanted or used.

In this case, it was something that made her feel good apparently while me buying for her was a real struggle to come up with something I thought she'd like.

So she is getting her satisfaction from gifting someone else I suppose. So much for that relationship. Sometimes you can't win. . .

SouthernBee · ‎09-16-2010

@Sooner : Everything you mentioned has happened to me. I am struggling with so many health issues and no energy an would really prefer to stop all gift giving but not going to happen. I have reduced my gift giving by 30 percent.

Sil stated she prefers to open a real gift and loves a lot of gifts. I really believe she is regifting what I give her. So this year she will receive a gift card from her favorite grocery store. Last year after Christmas, I asked her about one gift and if she was using it and received no response. Of course DH always gives his sister cash and I have no problem with that. I asked SIL last year before Christmas to stop the gift exchange between the two of us and she said no. If I am still living next year, probably will not give her anything. I normally bake her a cake for Christmas but will not continue.

AuntMame · ‎10-16-2010

@J Town Girl wrote:
After reading all of the responses about gift cards I turned on the news last evening and there was a story about three people who purchased gift cards from reputable places only to discover that the cards had been used and there was nothing left on them.

One gentleman had purchased one for $500.00. When they interviewed him he said I just lost that money. The store where purchased won't do anything.

Our local consumer advocate is doing a investigation on this. Apparently this sort of thing has been happening in various states.

I can only assume that the cards are being made fraudulently and given to the stores without them being aware that the cards are useless.

I don't know how you can protect yourself from being taken by this scam. When you purchase one of these gift cards for either a gift or for your own use you just assume that they are good cards.

Until I watched this story I never knew something like this could even happen.

Thank you for the heads up, J Town Girl.

When purchasing a gift card one should always check the balance right away.

When I've received gift cards, especially ones for large amounts, the givers usually include a copy of the receipt which includes the purchase date, the balance, and the place of purchase. If the card has been drained prior to the purchase date then I think it would be obvious that the retailer sold a bad card or failed to activate it properly at checkout.

When I receive a Visa gift card I usually load it right away into my Amazon account by purchasing an "Amazon reload."