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Gift cards: Love 'em or hate 'em?

post #1 of 41
9/22/08 at 7:24am
Thread Starter 
Do you like to give gift cards? Receive gift cards? If you get one, do you always spend it?

(I hear a fairly high number don't ever get around to using the ones they've received.)

I personally love them but not as an 'only' gift. I wouldn't only want to get a gift card for a birthday or for Christmas but I like them as a thank-you gift or as an extra along with a small gift. I always spend them, usually within the same week! I consider it money outside the budget which is purely fun money for something I normally wouldn't spend money on.
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post #2 of 41
9/22/08 at 7:35am
i don't mind getting gift cards for any occasion, though it gets a little dull if that's what i always get.

i try to hold back and not spend them till i find something i really,really want.
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post #3 of 41
9/22/08 at 7:35am
love them love them. Like you said it is fun money I get to spend on me (or dd/dh) that is not in the budget--such fun
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post #4 of 41
9/22/08 at 7:47am
I LOVE getting gift cards. My family either loves it or hates it. Loves getting gift cards for me because it's easy, but some hate it because they don't think it seems personal enough. But, for me, it's guilt free spending - so it's the best gift.

There are sites where you can buy, sell, and exchange gift cards - Gift Certificates, Gift Cards and Swapagift.com - buy, sell or swap gift cards.
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post #5 of 41
9/22/08 at 7:53am
I LOVE getting gift cards, because its the only time I will buy what I truly want without worrying about the price.
If I got money as a gift, I'd buy something practical. But a gift card feels different in my mind, so I spend it on something that makes me happy and I don't spend the next couple of weeks worrying over whether or not that was the best use for that money.....
I like to give them to my older nieces as gifts because they are so hrd to buy for these days!
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post #6 of 41
9/22/08 at 7:59am
I love getting them, but I try to ask people not to get me cards to stores like Target because I usually end up buying stuff for the household with those. I love clothing store or bookstore cards as gifts because I won't usually buy those things for myself.

I didn't used to like to give them as gifts, but as our nieces and nephews get older that is really what they prefer. I don't like to give cash because at least one of my nephews is a hoarder, and he never spends it - I would rather they spend the gift card and have something to show for it.
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post #7 of 41
9/22/08 at 7:59am
Quote:
Originally Posted by djevans3 View Post

I LOVE getting gift cards, because its the only time I will buy what I truly want without worrying about the price.
If I got money as a gift, I'd buy something practical. But a gift card feels different in my mind, so I spend it on something that makes me happy and I don't spend the next couple of weeks worrying over whether or not that was the best use for that money.....


I have been known to save them until I find something I really want, which I guess can be mistaken for me not liking them, but I do!
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post #8 of 41
9/22/08 at 8:09am
I think they are a great solution when you don't know what to get. I like buying/receiving a gift for intermediate family.
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post #9 of 41
9/22/08 at 8:10am
Put me in the category of people who can't stand gift cards. DD just received one yesterday. The giver never did indicate how much the card is worth. What a hassle!

I have a restaurant gift card sitting in my purse right now. At one time it was worth $100. There is no way I'm spending $100 or more at a restaurant in one sitting so I don't remember if there is any cash value on the card still or not. To make matters worse, we have eaten meals at that restaurant twice with the intention of using the card and completely forgot both time!

I especially hate WalMart gift card because there is inevitably a line behind me when I'm trying to check out. Usually the clerk has to transact the gift card to see how much is on it, but if it doesn't cover the entire purchase the transaction fails. So they have to transact it again for the exact dollar amount (this is especially important if one a portion of the card has been used and you're trying to use the rest) then they have to transact the second form of payment.
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post #10 of 41
9/22/08 at 8:22am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cookie2 View Post

I especially hate WalMart gift card because there is inevitably a line behind me when I'm trying to check out. Usually the clerk has to transact the gift card to see how much is on it, but if it doesn't cover the entire purchase the transaction fails. So they have to transact it again for the exact dollar amount (this is especially important if one a portion of the card has been used and you're trying to use the rest) then they have to transact the second form of payment.

I've never had a problem with Wal-Mart gifts cards. They run the gift card through and if it doesn't cover the purchase amount, they tell me what is still due and I pay it with with my credit card. If it more than covers it, they give me a receipt with the amount left. Never been a hold-up or a problem for me and Wal-Mart gift cards are my favorite as that's where we do the majority of our grocery shopping.

As for the gift card your DD received this weekend, call the number on the card and you can find out how much is on it.
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