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10 Back-to-School Gift Card Deals
July 21, 2010 | Add a comment
Photo by Timothy Valentine
Economists predict families with students plan on spending about $55.1 billion on back-to-school supplies, an increase of 16-percent over 2009.
Whether you're planning on spending 16-percent or .16-percent more than last year, you can still get the best bang for your buck by combining discount gift cards and back-to-school deals.
We've compiled a list of the 10 best offers out there. Just don't blow that whole $55.1 billion in one place.
1. HP
Buy an HP Pavilion dv4-2173nr laptop from Amazon for $749.99 and receive a $75 Amazon gift card applied to your purchase at check out. The 14.1-inch laptop comes with an Intel Core i5 processor. Click here for terms and conditions.World Cup Savings with World Class Gift Cards
June 22, 2010 | Add a comment
An astonishing estimated one in 10 people worldwide will tune in for the final World Cup game. With just one week remaining until bracket play begins, everyone from soccer fanatics to last-minute bandwagonners are eager to get outfitted and show some team pride.
Shopping online with these sporting goods gift cards is probably your best bet to do so, but discounted cards are going faster than team jerseys for Spain and Argentina. In soccer lingo, these cards will vanish quickly, kind of like North Korea's hopes of advancing beyond group play following Monday's routing.
Many of these gift cards sell for 15 to 30 percent off and range in price from $25 to $400. Remember, you don't have to give gift cards as gifts. Use them to save an equivalent amount on everything you purchase, from soccer balls to rock 'm sock 'm robots.Check Merchants Financial Pulse Before Buying Gift Cards
June 15, 2010 | Add a comment
Thousands of consumers were left out in the cold in 2008 when a storm of merchant bankruptcies turned roughly $100 million worth of gift cards into little more than tiny windshield scrapers. (See Granny's holiday post on 16 creative uses for useless gift cards.)
Mervyn's, Sharper Image and Linens 'N Things, among many others, reneged on gift card deals, leaving consumers with no recourse but to get in line behind much larger and powerful creditors.
While chains are getting all the attention, gift cards from mom and pop shops and local eateries can be just as iffy, although the creditor line-up may be a bit shorter. So how do you know which gift cards are safe and which should be avoided like Buffalo in January?
First: Avoid small-time merchants or restaurants that have recently opened and show little traffic.
Second: If your gift card has 19 digits and a pin, it may expire in one year or less. Look for cards that are good for the long haul.
Third: Frequent merchants with solid financial records. For example, you can tell Best Buy and iTunes gift cards are fairly safe because Forbes reports both companies are showing higher profits and a steadily improving market value.Gift Card Granny Featured on Netted
June 10, 2010 | Add a comment
Gift Card Granny is honored to have been selected as site of the day from Netted by the Webbys.
For those who are not familiar with Netted by the Webbys, it is a site of the day website with the winners choosen by the same crew that decides which website wins the webs annual Webby award. If you are interested in reading about Netted's site of the day everyday you can sign up for a daily newsletter on thier homepage. They feature a broad array of different websites, so it's a great way to broaden your website viewing horizons.Gift Card Bonuses from 19 Merchants
May 28, 2010 | Add a comment
Gift cards are still wildly popular, but many Americans are rethinking how they use them.
While gift cards still make great presents, consumers are also using them to save on everyday items. For example, you can use a gift card to save on everything from groceries and clothing to home furnishings and automotive products.
Merchants have caught on to this growing trend and have begun advertising gift cards as inducements to become loyal customers. The following 19 merchants offer special gift card deals that can help cut your everyday costs while keeping you apprised of sales, introductory offers and birthday gifts.
1. Academy Sports + Outdoors
The sporting goods retailer gives you a free $5 gift card when you sign up for the Academy Birthday Club.
2. AMC Entertainment
AMC Theaters Movie Bundle gift cards include two unrestricted show tickets with two popcorn and drink vouchers for $24. That's a savings of up to 35 percent. Bundles are only sold in quantities of 25, so they're best for frequent movie goers, fundraising efforts and corporate gifts.
3. Applebee's
Free $10 Bonus Card when you buy $50 in Applebee's Gift Cards (at participating locations). This limited time offer is only available with in-store purchase.Great Gift Card Deal from Sports Authority
May 25, 2010 | Add a comment
Sports Authority is running a great gift card deal through May 29, 2010. If you spend $100 or more and bring in the cash card ticket (pictured above), you will receive a $25 cash card for your next purchase. The deal gets even better for those who have a lot of sporting goods to purchase, when you spend $200 or more the cash card doubles to $50.
These Sports Authority cash cards spend just like like gift cards. The only catch is you will have to use the card by May 29th.14 Tips to Finding Free Gift Cards
May 10, 2010 | 1 Comment
Free gift card promotions are great, but some can require more work than the cards are worth.
The trick is to pick the offers that provide the best value on products you already want with the least amount of time and effort. While it's true you'll have to look at several offers before you find the right one, the pay off in savings is worth the effort.
Old Dog, New Tricks: 7 Facebook and Email Gift Card Scams to Avoid
April 29, 2010 | Add a comment
Gift card scams have circulated via e-mail for years but scammers now are flocking to Facebook to perpetrate their dirty deeds. In recent months, Facebook groups with too-good-to-be-true gift card offers have popped up all over the social networking site.
Many of these pages have fake posts recommending the giveaways, but the sites typically lead to affiliate marketing websites that try to collect your data and generate Web traffic for advertisers. The best defense against these scammers is a good offense. Check Snopes.com or Scambusters.com before you click on anything. Here are the top seven types of Facebook and email frauds currently circulating.13 Sure-Fire Gift Cards for Mother's Day 2010
April 23, 2010 | Add a comment
Mother's Day is May 9 and you still haven't the faintest idea what to buy your ever-patient, ever-loving and ever-the-best mom. She gave you life: The least you can do is get her a decent gift.
Some moms are just impossible when it comes to finding the right gift and living at a distance can make it even more difficult. Here's a tip: Gift cards for your mother's favorite stores make a great gift but discount gift cards from Gift Card Granny can save up to 30 percent if you want purchase the perfect gift yourself. Wouldn't mom be so proud of your frugal ways?
Here are 13 discount gift card suggestions that will save you money while giving your mother everything she deserves.
1. Barnes and Noble
Mom will appreciate a discount Barnes and Noble gift card even if she doesn't have time to read. B&N also sells games, movies, music, magazines and merchandise for the home. At BarnesAndNoble.com he'll find product descriptions, reviews and recommendations. Tip: Barnes and Noble's Nook book reader is available for $259 guaranteed for free delivery by Mother's Day.
2. Best Buy
We tend to think of Best Buy in terms of computers and high-tech toys but BB offers so much more. In addition to audio equipment, televisions, cameras, camcorders and phones, mom could use her discount Best Buy gift card to buy movies, music, books or small and large appliances. Tip: BestBuy.com and all Best Buy stores are presently selling the Avatar Blu-ray disc for just $22.99 and the DVD for $15.99. Gamester mom's might prefer James Cameron's Avatar Game for just $19.99.
3. Macy's
Whether mom shops via Macys.com or at one of their more than 800 department stores, she'll have a hard time deciding what to buy with her discount Macy's gift card. In addition to trendy and classic clothes and accessories, Macy's sells cosmetics, perfume, jewelry, purses and products for the home. Moms who love to cook should check out online sales of Macy's kitchen supplies. Check out the Macy's coupons page on Coupon Sherpa to save even more for mom.New Rules Limit Unfair Gift Card Fees and Restrictions
March 24, 2010 | Add a comment
The Federal Reserve issued new gift card rules March 23 that, beginning Aug. 22, will help shelter American consumers from a flurry of unexpected fees and restrictions that have gradually turned into a financial snowstorm.
Gift cards have become so popular in recent years -- particularly with the advent of discount gift cards -- more than 95 percent of Americans have received and/or purchased them.
With increased usage have come increased complaints from consumers surprised by fees that devour the value of the cards and restrict how long they may be used. Public concern had grown to such an extent that the Fed received more than 230 letters weighing in on the proposal, originally unveiled in November. Many urged the banning of all fees and the elimination of expiration dates.
The Board's proposed rules generally cover retail gift cards, used to buy goods or services at a single merchant or affiliated group of merchants, as well as network-branded gift cards redeemable at any merchant that accepts the card brand.
According to the Associated Press, Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., who championed the gift card crackdown in Congress, wants faster implementation of the rules.
"Now that the new rules are finalized, we will work with the Fed to speed up the effective date rather than keep consumers at risk of being ripped off until next summer," Schumer said.
Here's what you need to know about the new rules.15 Ways to Avoid Gift card Fraud
February 24, 2010 | 1 Comment
1. If it looks like too incredible a deal, it probably is: Consider how the above-detailed site could afford to sell $1,000 worth of product for $149.95. Why would a seller take such a loss?
2. Verify the merchant: If you’re not familiar with the merchant selling a gift card, verify it is a valid business. Call the phone number listed on the site and ask detailed questions about their policies. You also can check with the BBB or visit Snopes.com for verification.
3. Don’t trust all positive feedback for eBay sellers: Purchasing from an eBay seller with positive feedback isn’t necessarily a fail safe. It can take a credit-card owner several days to realize his card has been stolen and report it. In the meantime, other gift card buyers may have left positive feedback for the fraudulent eBay seller. A seller also can build a strong feedback history by having other fraudulent sellers buy $0.01 items and register positive feedback. This is a very quick and inexpensive way for them to build up credibility. In some instances, the buyer and seller are the same person.13 Tips to Safely Buy Gift Cards on eBay
January 5, 2010 | 1 Comment
You may wonder why people buy gift cards on eBay when they can pick them up at stores or order them online. The fact is you can save 5 percent, 15 percent or more than 50% through the popular online auction site. However, safely purchasing cards on eBay requires a bit of knowledge as to how the process works. We've compiled 13 answers to the most commonly asked questions about buying gift cards on eBay.
1. How can people afford to sell gift cards for less than face value?
Some sellers receive cards they can't use or don't want and would prefer the cash. Others buy gift cards in bulk to receive a discount, so if they buy a $100 gift card for $80 and sell it for $90, they make a $10 profit. Others are professional eBay sellers who handle transactions for people who have one or two cards to sell.
2. What information should be listed in the ad?
Sellers should indicate the gift card's value, expiration date, merchant name and web site (for researching where the card can be used) and any restrictions or fees. The ad should NOT list the card numberas this allows many cards to be used online. Scammers who see that number will deplete the balance in a flash and you'll end up with an empty card.Paper or Plastic: 15 Hot Gift Card Trends for 2010
December 29, 2009 | Add a comment
Both women and men said they wanted gift cards more than any other gift for Christmas, which explains why experts anticipated the little plastic cards would be the number-one present for the sixth consecutive year, with 64 percent of consumers saying they'll give or receive them. Yet many consumers fail to cash in their cards, creating a windfall for many merchants. How gift cards are used, not used and expected to change make for some anticipating trends in this growing industry.
Here are the 15 hottest gift-card trends of 2010.
HOW GIFT CARDS ARE USED
1. While consumers are purchasing more gift cards, for a total of nearly $80 billion a year, the average value of cards is down by $6 to $46.
2. Nearly one-third of consumers are redeeming gift cards for necessities, as opposed to discretionary items.
3. Many state and national parks now offer gift cards you can purchase online and use for campground fees, accommodations in lodges, concessions or park admission.
4. Most customers who use gift cards spend some of their own money to buy merchandise that is more expensive than the value of the card.
5. Gift cards for the upscale department stores Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus are redeemed faster than big-box store cards.Amazon.com Offers Special Holiday Price on Gift Cards
December 8, 2009 | Add a comment
Amazon.com sells millions of items in every category, from automotive to watches, so when they offer a holiday deal on gift cards, consumers really sit up and take notice.
The e-commerce web site recently announced a holiday offer of $5 off with every purchase of one or more Amazon gift cards totaling $50. Best of all, Amazon gift cards have no fees and no expiration date.
You can order Amazon.com gift cards via e-mail, printed on your home computer or mailed to the recipient with a free, personalized greeting card. E-mail orders can be delivered immediately or on your scheduled date.16 Creative Uses for Gift Cards
December 1, 2009 | Add a comment
They're called “gift cards" so it’s logical to think the main function of these little plastic darlings is to give as presents. But what do you do with gift cards once they've been spent? Gift Card Granny has 16 off-beat ways to use your gift cards after the holidays.
1. Ninja star: These puppies really fly when you fling them. Sharpen one up and whip it out next time you're faced by a herd of Bruce Lee wannabees; which happens every day, of course.
2. Haut couture: Costume designer Lizzie Gardiner wore a dress made entirely of American Express cards to the Academy Awards in 1994. Not only did Lizzie win the Oscar but she was the most photographed C-list celebrity on the red carpet that night. Be the talk of your own town with home-made jewelry and fashion couture made entirely of gift cards.
3. Prison shank: You've just been falsely arrested and tossed in the slammer overnight. Your cellmate is making Mongo grunts in your direction. What do you do? With the panache of James Bond you sharpen a gift card on the cell bars and defend yourself pronto.5 Important Facts about California's Gift Card Laws
November 30, 2009 | Add a comment
As usual, California just has to be different.
The rash of bankruptcies and other difficulties facing the state have led to changes and reinforcements of laws applying to gift cards in California. Since this is the season when the majority of gift cards are purchased, Gift Card Granny thought it a good time to examine these laws for California's shoppers.
For a state-by-state detailing of gift-card consumer protection laws visit the Consumer Union web site.
1. Gift Cards: California law protects those who give and receive gift-cards from fees related to expiration dates and dormancy, but it's important to understand when such protections apply and when they don't. Consumer protections vary depending on both the type of business from which the card was purchased and on the type of merchandise or service for which the card is used. Both Californian and federal law prohibit the sale of gift cards and certificates in a deceptive manner, so the company or person selling the card can't conceal fees, conditions or restrictions.5 Tips to Using Gift Cards for E-book Purchases
November 20, 2009 | Add a comment
After a bumpy start, major booksellers are now allowing e-book owners to use gift cards for content purchases. While such gift cards make great presents, e-book readers also buy gift cards themselves to make purchases of less than $1, which can clutter credit cards.
Perhaps in response to complaints throughout e-book forums and on blogs, Barnes & Noble announced on Nov. 16 that gift cards may be used to purchase Barnes & Noble e-books for its digital book reader the Nook. Beginning in mid-December, both physical and online B&N gift cards will be accepted online, as well as through the Nook and other wireless devices compatible with the B&N eReader software.
Amazon.com originally didn't allow Kindle Reader users to download Kindle e-books with Amazon.com gift cards but also changed its policy in response to public discussion.How to Check Your Visa Gift Card Balance
November 13, 2009 | 1 Comment
Visa gift cards can be used at most stores or to even pay your bills. But they're different from store gift cards in that a cashier can't check the balance before you make a purchase. It's important to know the balance before making a purchase or you may be stuck paying out-of-pocket to cover the remaining balance on a transaction. Unfortunately, there's no one-size-fits all answer, as the method of checking your balance depends on who issued the gift card. Fortunately, you can check your balance in several ways.
Where to Start: First look at the back of the gift card for information on how to check the balance for that particular card. Visa gift cards are issued by many different banks and entities, so you'll have to follow instructions specific to that card. Many have Web sites or toll-free phone numbers you can call for detailed information. You'll need both the PIN that came with the gift-card packet and the number of your account. If you've lost your PIN, check with the vendor from whom the card was purchased. A representative can look up your account number and tell you the balance.21 Easy Gift Card Holder Ideas
November 6, 2009 | 1 Comment
Does the idea of simply handing over a gift card to a friend leave you cold? Statistics show people love receiving gift cards for Christmas, but you can warm up this simplest-of-all gifts by personalizing the gift-card holder.
For those without time, a glue gun and dedicated craft room, we've assembled the following 21 ideas for dressing up your gift cards. Some are so easy you should already have the makings on hand or can buy them at your local thrift or dollar store.
1. Sock it to 'em: Wrap a gift card inside a pair of socks, gloves or slippers that can either be re-purposed or are so hideous they'll be recycled for next year's gift cards.
2. Knit one--pearl two: It only takes a few stitches to knit or crochet a small "sock" to hold each of your gift cards.How to Avoid Buying a Fraudulent iTunes Gift Card on eBay
November 5, 2009 | Add a comment
It sounds fairly innocent. Grandma gives her grandson an iTunes gift card for Christmas but he doesn't have an iPod, so he re-sells it on eBay. Being a sweet young thing (or just stupid), he's selling the gift card for $10 off its face value.
It's difficult to pass up such a deals when we seem them, but it turns out iTunes gift cards are one of the most heavily stolen gift cards sold on eBay, and this is the most commonly used come on. Reports indicate many iTunes gift cards sold on eBay in bulk were bought with a stolen credit card and are being sold through hacked eBay accounts.
iTunes apparently doesn't think these sales are as harmless as it appears at first blush and is cracking down not on the sellers but on those who use fraudulent gift cards. Here's everything you need to know to avoid getting caught up in this iTunes gift card scam: -
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