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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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How to Check Your Visa Gift Card Balance

November 13, 2009 | Add a 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.

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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.

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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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