Unused Gift Cards

[trirunner]

I was going through the things in my desk today and found three gift cards that I received a Christmas but I still haven't used and I probably will never use. What do you do with your unused gift cards?

[Frugal]

You could donate them to charity, or sell them online. There is a site where you can sell them for bidding like on E-Bay, sorry I don't remmeber the exact name. You can google it.

[disneysteve]

I've sold several on ebay. Most cards for national retailers sell for very close to face value. Sometimes they even sell for more than face value. I've had that happen, too.

[GREENBACK]

Originally Posted by disneysteve

I've sold several on ebay. Most cards for national retailers sell for very close to face value. Sometimes they even sell for more than face value. I've had that happen, too.

I think you've mentioned this in the past. Why would you buy a gift card? Am I missing something that's obvious?

[facebookdigg123]

i had a blockbuster giftcard that expired because i didnt know that 4/6 was the last day to use them. found out about that on 4/7 -_-

[jpg7n16]

Originally Posted by GREENBACK

I think you've mentioned this in the past. Why would you buy a gift card? Am I missing something that's obvious?

Some people have coupons or promo codes for like 10% off their purchase on eBay. So you can afford to pay a bit more than the face value of the gift card.

So a $50 gift card with a 10% discount - you could technically pay up to $55.55 and break even.

[disneysteve]

Originally Posted by GREENBACK

I think you've mentioned this in the past. Why would you buy a gift card? Am I missing something that's obvious?

Even a small discount is a discount. If you can buy a $100 card for $97, you've saved $3 or 3%. No different than using a coupon, I suppose.

There are also deals online either through ebay or through other shopping sites that give you some type of discount on your purchase, no matter what it is that you purchase. So let's say you have an e-coupon good for 10% off one item on ebay. A gift card is a great way to use that coupon. Buy a $100 gift card for $97 and get 10%, or $9.70, off your purchase. You've now acquired a $100 card for only $87.30.

[disneysteve]

Originally Posted by facebookdigg123

i had a blockbuster giftcard that expired because i didnt know that 4/6 was the last day to use them. found out about that on 4/7 -_-

Gift cards don't expire.

[Like2Plan]

Originally Posted by disneysteve

Gift cards don't expire.

Didn't Blockbuster go out of business?

edited to add Blockbuster web site

NOTICE EFFECTIVE 3/23/11: On 9/23/10, Blockbuster Inc. ("Blockbuster") filed for bankruptcy in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York (the "Bankruptcy Court"). On 2/21/11, Blockbuster filed a motion with the Bankruptcy Court requesting authority to sell its assets (the "Sale Motion"). A copy of the Sale Motion is available at Kurtzman Carson Consultants LLC - Active Cases. On 3/11/11, the Bankruptcy Court entered an order authorizing Blockbuster to proceed with certain procedures related to the Sale Motion. In connection with this sale process, effective as of 4/7/11, BLOCKBUSTER GiftCards® ("GiftCards") WILL NO LONGER BE HONORED. Blockbuster intends to honor GiftCards presented by consumers through 4/6/11.

[trirunner]

What would you do with restaurant gift cards if you know that you won't be going to that restaurant?

[disneysteve]

Originally Posted by Like2Plan

Didn't Blockbuster go out of business?

Duh. I wasn't thinking of that. So it wasn't that the card expired but that the company expired

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

Not all Blockbusters are closed. They seem to be online as well. Your card should still have value to someone.

Movies | New Releases | DVD Rental | Movie Trailers | Movie Reviews

Oops I just read the link which seems to say Bankruptcy court has given permission to decline gift cards.

[disneysteve]

Originally Posted by trirunner

What would you do with restaurant gift cards if you know that you won't be going to that restaurant?

If it is a large chain, like Applebee's or Ruby Tuesday or Olive Garden, sell it online.

If it is an independent local place, try selling it on craigslist. Otherwise, you could regift it or try to find someone to buy it from you for a small discount. Perhaps a friend likes the restaurant and would give you $45 for your $50 card. Another option would be to donate it to charity. We often have raffles or auctions where part of the prizes are gift cards.

[motoseo]

I hears ad much as $8billion worth of gift cards go unused each year

[LivingAlmostLarge]

Donate to charity if it's not a chain restaurant?

[neguy11]

Gift Card Exchange - Buy, Sell, Swap - Free Shipping - Plastic Jungle

Use the Plastic Jungle exchange. I turned in a $20 Gap card and got a $17.xx Amazon.com gift card sent to me email within 24 hours.

[bjl584]

Originally Posted by disneysteve

If it is a large chain, like Applebee's or Ruby Tuesday or Olive Garden, sell it online.

If it is an independent local place, try selling it on craigslist. Otherwise, you could regift it or try to find someone to buy it from you for a small discount. Perhaps a friend likes the restaurant and would give you $45 for your $50 card. Another option would be to donate it to charity. We often have raffles or auctions where part of the prizes are gift cards.

A lot of restaurants are owned by the same company. Olive Garden, Longhorn Steakhouse, Red Lobster, Bahama Breeze, and Smokey Bones are all owned by the same company, so a gift card for one of those places is accepted at all of them.

[bjl584]

Originally Posted by disneysteve

Gift cards don't expire.

Some of them still do. Not many, but I did have a BP card that expired on me recently.