Giving gift cards is certainly easier than shopping for other gifts, but there are still things to consider. For instance, is it ok to give someone a discounted gift card or will it look cheap? Is it ok to give them a card that has already been used and has a strange balance like $22.22 (short answer: Yes, but only for their 22nd birthday)?
These articles will help you navigate the world of discount gift card shopping by providing tips on which new gift cards might be best suited for your friends, co-workers and loved-ones, and advice on saving the most money when shopping FOR gift cards, or shopping WITH gift cards.
July 11, 2011 | 1 Comment
Say goodbye to forced smiles and fake enthusiasm. Forget about gushing over gifts like personalized beach towels and spice racks. Card Avenue is a novel new way for you to get the things you really want using its free gift card registry.
What's a Gift Card Registry?
Instead of asking for small gifts you can combine small gift cards denominations to make one big purchase. Goodbye toaster-oven, hello new television! Gift cards can also be exchanged for cash, and are easily mailed.
May 6, 2011 | Add a Comment
As with any good thing, somebody has to ruin it. Bogus gift cards are spreading on the Internet like bed bugs in New York City. According to PC World, con artists earlier this year convinced more than 40,000 Facebook fans to sign up for a free trial offer to receive a $1,000 Ikea card. Naturally, the cards never existed but the fans became susceptible to identity theft, computer hacking and other financial consequences. Previous rackets invited fake gift cards of $250 and $500 for Target and Best Buy.
"The best way to protect yourself is to trust your own good sense," said Gift Card Granny founder Luke Knowles. "You know Macy's isn't going to sell an $80 gift card on Craigslist for $15. Companies do promote themselves, but they're not going to take a huge loss to do so."
How can you avoid being taken in by these schemes? Follow Granny's four tips and never be conned again.
1. Know the Source
If you're buying a gift card from a discount seller, research their reputation. You can depend on such legitimate sellers as Plastic Jungle, ABC Gift Cards, Cardpool, GiftCards.com and Gift Card Castle. Many cards also are sold on eBay but, again, you should keep an eye out for deals that are too good to be true.
January 3, 2011 | Add a Comment
Just about everyone in America age 10 and up received a gift card for Christmas this year. While most consumers listed cards as their number-one gift, it's sometimes easier to give than receive. There are tricks to getting the most out of those handy pieces of plastic.
Merchants consider gift cards the same as cash, and so should you. While you can't pay your electric bill with a gift card -- yet -- you might consider it found money and use it as wisely as possible. Read on for 4 tips to making the most of your holiday gift card.
1. Is The Card Good At Multiple Stores?
That gift card from The Gap may also be good at the corporation's other brand stores, including Banana Republic, Old Navy, Piperlime and Athleta. With the merging of so many merchants, you needn't be restricted to just one retailer. Examine the back of your gift card or look for more details at the company's online site.
2. Buy Sale Items
Use your gift card cash wisely and shop the after-holiday sales. You'll often find the best bargains of the year in the two weeks following New Year's, both online and in brick-and-mortar stores. Before you reach checkout, however, make sure your card applies to deeply discounted items, particularly online.
December 10, 2010 | Add a Comment
Photo by mitopencourseware
Very few people would argue against giving gift cards. Whether plastic, virtual or mobile, gift cards have been the number one item on Americans' holiday wish lists since 2007, and this year is shaping up better than ever.
With more than two-thirds of merchants now offering gift cards, there's very little they can't buy. Technology has caught up with the trend, with 42 percent of merchants providing an e-card option.
So what are you waiting for? Do you still have reservations? If so, I recommend you read the following arguments for giving gift cards this Christmas.
1. They're Desirable
See that statistic at the beginning of this blog post: The one that says Americans want gift cards more than anything else in their Christmas stockings? Pay heed, particularly when it comes to people who are notoriously difficult to shop for.
2. Save Money
Too few people know you can buy gift cards for less than face value. (You can also sell and trade them, but that's another story.) Check out the cards on Gift Card Granny and you'll find all are sold for dollars off the face value. Even if you just use a card to buy groceries and other basic necessities, you can't help but save money.
November 16, 2010 | Add a Comment
It's easy to check your Visa gift card balance online, making these handy-dandy pieces of plastic most attractive. But what you may not know is the single most popular gift card can also be purchased in person at a wide variety of locations.
Here's a list of supermarkets, drug stores, retail stores, gas stations, banks, and payday loan and check cashing businesses around the country where you can walk in and purchase a Visa gift card.
Read MoreSeptember 24, 2010 | Add a Comment
Photo by lucias clay
On the heels of Blockbuster Video's Chapter 11 filing on Thursday, gift card holders once again are wondering whether they'll be left out in the cold. Consumers fear a sad repetition of the scenario seen when Linens 'N Things, Sharper Image and Mervyn's reneged on gift card deals at the beginning of the Recession.
So what can you do to avoid your gift cards turning into little more than pricey bookmarks? Granny offers the following seven tips.
1. Go Mobile
Plastic cards tend to sit forgotten in our wallets and drawers. The new breed of mobile gift cards make it easier than ever to cash in credit before it becomes obsolete. Fortunately, new terms of the CARD act mean you have five years to use the money loaded onto your card before expiration.
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.
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 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.
February 24, 2010 | 2 Comments
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.
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.
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