Why I Am a Fan of Gift Cards - Page 5

Lucky Charm · ‎03-09-2010

I buy a lot of gift cards. They are usually *gas point deals* so I make it work for me. Example: Last week, my grocery store had 10 times the points if you bought Lowe's gift cards (there were 2 other ones, but not interested). We're getting ready to do a major home project, so I bought 4 $50 Lowe's gift cards---one a day/4 days in a row and got $1 off/gal at Exxon for two fill-ups. 25 gallons of gas each time. Win/Win.

One of my Chase cards is really *weak* with the gift card points/rewards. We're ready to drop them anyway. But I do have $250 in Lululemon gift cards for a granddaughter for Christmas.

I love gift cards. When I used to work, we had a holiday exchange and your could put down what you wanted for a gift up to $20, three choices. I always put Macy's gift card Macy's gift card Macy's gift card as my 3 choices. I figured $20 offset the price of something I could use by $20. Win/Win.

I only exchange gifts with people who know me--and they know that I love gift cards to my favorite places. One is an online place that I buy all my organic makeup, body care and hair care and one is the only restaurant I eat at.

Franklinbell · ‎01-04-2015

I agree that they are convenient! I give them to a few little ones I shop for. I have a cousin that has a daughter that loved going to Starbucks. She so enjoyed going and whipping out her card to pay for her purchases.

This year I have some friends in need so I will be giving gas cards and grocery cards for Christmas gifts. I know that they will be appreciated and used.

AuntMame · ‎10-16-2010

I have mixed feelings about gift cards. I think sometimes they can be a hassle for recipients to use especially if the restaurant or store is not one they frequent.

The family of a friend who suffers chronic financial problems was telling friends and relatives to give her gas and food gift cards. When they helped her clean out her messy home they found dozens of unused gift cards. I suspect this gal simply lacked the capacity to plan ahead enough to use her gift cards. Some people are that way.

Whenever I've considered gifting a gift card I peruse the rack of gift cards at the grocery store. I never spot cards for businesses in the area or ones I think the recipient will find convenient to use. Sometimes I call local restaurants but then I'd have to drive out there to buy the gift card. I usually end up putting cash in an envelope.

Sooner · ‎03-10-2010

@AuntG wrote:
Love them! I think of them as being a personal gift because I'm saying "I know you love this store, but I don't know what you want at the moment". There are very few people who do a great job when gift giving (I'm one of them).

@AuntG That's exactly how I feel about it. And sometimes I''ve gotten a gift and thought how I wished it was something else in a different size or color instead. . . Gift giving also is hard for those of us who obsess too much about what to give.

AuntMame · ‎10-16-2010

@Sooner wrote:
@AuntG wrote:
Love them! I think of them as being a personal gift because I'm saying "I know you love this store, but I don't know what you want at the moment". There are very few people who do a great job when gift giving (I'm one of them).
@AuntG That's exactly how I feel about it. And sometimes I''ve gotten a gift and thought how I wished it was something else in a different size or color instead. . . Gift giving also is hard for those of us who obsess too much about what to give.

Very true.

For my birthday one year, my family gave me an abundance of Amazon gift cards. I bought cooking utensils and sewing items I normally wouldn't have splurged on but really wanted. It was wonderful! Best gifts ever. Of course they knew that I often buy things on Amazon.

Kachina624 · ‎03-10-2010

@Sooner I've bought one gift card, which was very convenient. When my grandson was in the Navy stationed on a ship in Japan with access to nothing, I sent him an Amazon gift card and he could use it for anything they sold and they shipped it to him. I think he bought a lot of snacks and toiletries. The whole transaction was done by computer, easy-peasy. They notified him by email.

New Mexico☀️Land Of Enchantment

eadu4 · ‎06-14-2011

@Sooner I have to laugh with all the online shoppers here, why wouldn't you like a "gift card"? Unless you have no clue how to use it, you basically got a chance to get what you have on your "wish list" that you would have never spluged on. If it's a generic VISA/Mastercard then you can go to any online store and use it. It's not that hard. Use it for your online groceries or gas. It IS money and since I've seen a lot of commentators saying they don't like to go to stores anymore it's the easiest to use online.

I love gift cards. My husband doesn't have a clue how to use one so he gives them to me. I keep telling him it's not complicated. The little blank that says "enter gift code" or "enter gift card" is where you enter it. The card has easy instructions how to use it when you get it. Again if you have family member that hates going to stores, that's the nicest thing they can get. Many people don't like telling people what they want for fear it might be too expensive a gift to ask for. I'm not sure why people think this is a horrible gift, or it didn't show the person "thought" about them. Good grief. They know you shop online, you don't like going to stores, this is money to actually do that with. They cant use cash online they have to go to the bank and deposit it. Which is more of a hassle than anything.

I think many people think its so "complicated" they don't want to bother with them. It really is easy. People lose them? Seriously? Do you lose your credit cards that easy? These are money. Treat them as such. You say it isn't personal enough?? Good grief, they get to buy what they want online (no stores, or hassles) and get it delivered to them. Unless you REALLY know what that person wants, a gift is always a toss up. Unless you know a person likes, mugs, candles, blankets etc a gift card they can use online and have their gift DELIVERED to them I think is far better. You may think you gave them a "thoughtful and wonderful gift" but most times it's re-gifted, donated or trashed. I get a gift card, I say "YES" and go to my wish list and find something I wanted and thank that person for the perfect gift for me.

teganslaw · ‎03-11-2010

I like receiving and getting gift cards. Many times a person doesn't like a chosen gift and will donate it or toss it. I don't understand why anyone would be offended receiving a gift card; they must think differently than I do.

I'm referring to general gift cards. For example, if one gets a card to a certain restaurant they don't care about that would be different.

"The more I learn about people, the more I like my dog."

Mark Twain

occasionalrain · ‎03-10-2010

@eadu4

Giving a gift card is no different from paying a bill. It's a friend's or relative's birthday, so you owe them a gift, just put a gift card in with a birthday card. Sometimes you can even buy gift cards at a discount, stock up and keep them on hand in your gift card drawer. What could be easier then that?

J Town Girl · ‎06-13-2011

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.