Unused Gift Cards - Page 2

Annie · 01-14-2008, 12:42 PM

I was just about to suggest the same re-gifting idea. My parents like to keep standby gifts on-hand just in case there's an unexpected party or function that requires gift-swapping. Gift cards are a good idea for those occasions.

It's also a good idea to ask a friend if they'd be up for buying a card or two off you. I'm sure you know at least one online shopaholic that was probably going to spend $50 of his or her own money on Amazon anyway.

rstlne · 01-14-2008, 01:21 PM

I've regifted gift cards too. Once, I got a $5 Starbucks card that I knew I wasn't going to use because I don't go to Starbucks anyway. So I slipped it into a Christmas card and gave it to a friend.

gt0163c · 01-15-2008, 05:49 AM

I've found that there's sometimes unexpected uses for gift cards. I don't drink coffee or go to Starbucks but have received Starbucks gift cards at times. But I also found that most Starbucks in airports sell sandwiches and other beverages. So I save my Starbucks cards for when I'm flying now (which is fairly often). Similiarly, many airports have Chili's, Fridays, various juice and ice cream places. The food is expensive, but having the gift cards makes it more palatable.

Similarly, some stores sell things you might not always expect. Best Buy sells some books and magazines, Starbucks sells some music CDs and games. Again, the prices aren't usually the best you can find, but if you're not going to use the gift card anyway, the items can become a pretty good deal.

Gootsy · 01-15-2008, 07:58 AM

Add me to the list who likes the re-gifting idea. Although I've never actually done it, I probably should.

Last year I finally spent a 50 dollar gift certificate that I had been carrying around in my wallet since... 1997! You shoulda seen the look on the cashier when I handed her a paper gift certificate hehe.

I got a starbucks gift certificate for 10 bucks, so I just used it to treat friends to some drinks. Unfortunately it didn't cover it all so I had to pay for some still

.

khorrell · 02-04-2008, 11:23 PM

Ack! Gift cards...what a nuisance.

We seem to get a lot of Starbucks gift cards, which we wouldn't normally use. Sometimes we use it to buy the coffee, and sometimes when we're on a long car trip I'll treat my kids to hot chocolate.

I have also been known to regift, or I'll mention to close friends that I have this card I'll never use if they are planning to make a purchase at that place.

I'll be keeping my eyes on this post for someone's brilliant solution to the small change left on a stack of cards.

Rebecca · 02-05-2008, 03:52 AM

I usually like gift cards

Especially Starbucks, since I am a Starbucks addict (right now the only way I'm supporting my habit is through Starbucks gift cards I've received and earned through MyPoints). Although I have a few that other ones that have been sitting around for a while, I like them when I feel that incredible itch to buy something because then at least I'm not using my credit card. Maybe gift cards only help those of us who have shopping problems.

Xin Lu · 02-05-2008, 06:49 PM

My hubby is actually a big fan of receiving gift cards. The reason is that when we receive cash I would most likely deposit the money and he never sees it again. However when we receive gift cards he has an excuse to buy something and he knows I wouldn't sell the cards since they give less cash back. I actually encourage him to spend gift cards as soon as possible because their value decreases the longer you hold them. We never keep gift cards for long because he usually spends it. However, it is good to be in California where these things don't expire and no fees are taken out of them.

If you do have store cards you don't want. I would suggest trading them for grocery store or gas gift cards because those are things you always need. I was able to trade a sam goody's card for an equal amount of Longs Drugs once on the online-sweepstakes.com forums.

Night Runner · 02-18-2008, 03:04 PM

Keep in mind that you don't have to spend your gift card right away. Personally, I don't rush to the store to spend my GC's unless i actually need something from there. In the worst case scenario, you can always buy something you might use in the future. For example, you can spend the entire GC on postal stamps. The price will go up from 41 to 42 cents in May, so now would be a good time to stock up on those "Forever" stamps whose value will remain the same, well, forever.

rolltimer · 02-28-2008, 12:23 PM

My mom just informed me she has yet to use the gift card she purchased in December at Chick-fil-a. The deal was if you purchased a $20 gift card you got a calendar full of coupons free. When she used her coupon for free chicken soup this month, she bought a drink and chicken salad to go with it but she forgot to use her card. Instead she paid cash. Yow!

Solinvicta · 02-28-2008, 03:04 PM

The idea of splitting a larger gift card into several smaller ones for re-gifting is a great idea...I hadn't heard that one before.

I always try to use my gift cards, but maybe I'll start looking more into selling them. About a year ago, I got a $10 gift card to Applebee's. I think my girlfriend and I were able to split a dessert with it, but that was about it!

02-05-2008, 06:49 PM	#17
Xin Lu Wise Bread Blogger Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 238 Reputation: (40)	My hubby is actually a big fan of receiving gift cards. The reason is that when we receive cash I would most likely deposit the money and he never sees it again. However when we receive gift cards he has an excuse to buy something and he knows I wouldn't sell the cards since they give less cash back. I actually encourage him to spend gift cards as soon as possible because their value decreases the longer you hold them. We never keep gift cards for long because he usually spends it. However, it is good to be in California where these things don't expire and no fees are taken out of them. If you do have store cards you don't want. I would suggest trading them for grocery store or gas gift cards because those are things you always need. I was able to trade a sam goody's card for an equal amount of Longs Drugs once on the online-sweepstakes.com forums. __________________ Blogs I Write: The Baglady @ http://baglady.dreamhosters.com Wise Bread @ http://wisebread.com/xin-lu

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01-14-2008, 12:42 PM	#11
Annie Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 57 Reputation: (10)	I was just about to suggest the same re-gifting idea. My parents like to keep standby gifts on-hand just in case there's an unexpected party or function that requires gift-swapping. Gift cards are a good idea for those occasions. It's also a good idea to ask a friend if they'd be up for buying a card or two off you. I'm sure you know at least one online shopaholic that was probably going to spend $50 of his or her own money on Amazon anyway.

01-14-2008, 01:21 PM	#12
rstlne Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: New Jersey Posts: 364 Reputation: (115)	I've regifted gift cards too. Once, I got a $5 Starbucks card that I knew I wasn't going to use because I don't go to Starbucks anyway. So I slipped it into a Christmas card and gave it to a friend.

01-15-2008, 05:49 AM	#13
gt0163c Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 244 Reputation: (33)	I've found that there's sometimes unexpected uses for gift cards. I don't drink coffee or go to Starbucks but have received Starbucks gift cards at times. But I also found that most Starbucks in airports sell sandwiches and other beverages. So I save my Starbucks cards for when I'm flying now (which is fairly often). Similiarly, many airports have Chili's, Fridays, various juice and ice cream places. The food is expensive, but having the gift cards makes it more palatable. Similarly, some stores sell things you might not always expect. Best Buy sells some books and magazines, Starbucks sells some music CDs and games. Again, the prices aren't usually the best you can find, but if you're not going to use the gift card anyway, the items can become a pretty good deal.

01-15-2008, 07:58 AM	#14
Gootsy Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 252 Reputation: (24)	Add me to the list who likes the re-gifting idea. Although I've never actually done it, I probably should. Last year I finally spent a 50 dollar gift certificate that I had been carrying around in my wallet since... 1997! You shoulda seen the look on the cashier when I handed her a paper gift certificate hehe. I got a starbucks gift certificate for 10 bucks, so I just used it to treat friends to some drinks. Unfortunately it didn't cover it all so I had to pay for some still .

02-04-2008, 11:23 PM	#15
khorrell Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 424 Reputation: (60)	Ack! Gift cards...what a nuisance. We seem to get a lot of Starbucks gift cards, which we wouldn't normally use. Sometimes we use it to buy the coffee, and sometimes when we're on a long car trip I'll treat my kids to hot chocolate. I have also been known to regift, or I'll mention to close friends that I have this card I'll never use if they are planning to make a purchase at that place. I'll be keeping my eyes on this post for someone's brilliant solution to the small change left on a stack of cards.

02-05-2008, 03:52 AM	#16
Rebecca Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 96 Reputation: (32)	I usually like gift cards Especially Starbucks, since I am a Starbucks addict (right now the only way I'm supporting my habit is through Starbucks gift cards I've received and earned through MyPoints). Although I have a few that other ones that have been sitting around for a while, I like them when I feel that incredible itch to buy something because then at least I'm not using my credit card. Maybe gift cards only help those of us who have shopping problems.

02-18-2008, 03:04 PM	#18
Night Runner Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Reno, NV Posts: 27 Reputation: (10)	Keep in mind that you don't have to spend your gift card right away. Personally, I don't rush to the store to spend my GC's unless i actually need something from there. In the worst case scenario, you can always buy something you might use in the future. For example, you can spend the entire GC on postal stamps. The price will go up from 41 to 42 cents in May, so now would be a good time to stock up on those "Forever" stamps whose value will remain the same, well, forever.

02-28-2008, 12:23 PM	#19
rolltimer Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Alabama Posts: 131 Reputation: (24)	My mom just informed me she has yet to use the gift card she purchased in December at Chick-fil-a. The deal was if you purchased a $20 gift card you got a calendar full of coupons free. When she used her coupon for free chicken soup this month, she bought a drink and chicken salad to go with it but she forgot to use her card. Instead she paid cash. Yow!

02-28-2008, 03:04 PM	#20
Solinvicta Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Sandy Hook, CT Posts: 77 Reputation: (12)	The idea of splitting a larger gift card into several smaller ones for re-gifting is a great idea...I hadn't heard that one before. I always try to use my gift cards, but maybe I'll start looking more into selling them. About a year ago, I got a $10 gift card to Applebee's. I think my girlfriend and I were able to split a dessert with it, but that was about it!