Card Swapping
Posted by Gail | Filed under Smart Shopper
I’m not a big fan of gift cards. That doesn’t mean I don’t buy them from time to time. itune cards are always welcome among kids. And I’ll buy someone a giftcard for something like coffee or a book if I think it’ll stop them from just incorporating the money I would have given them into their household spending.
The reason I’m not a huge fan of gift cards is because so many of them go unused. There are millions of dollars tied up in gift cards. I know I’ve received cards that I’ve never redeemed , like that spa card I subsequently passed on to a girlfriend, which now sits in her drawer unused.
If you’ve got a bunch of these cards sitting around and wish you had the cash instead, you can go to cardswap.ca and sell ‘em. You must first register. Then you can enter your gift card information including amount of gift card, expiry, condition and merchant information. cardSwap verifies your card (or it won’t be listed) and then adds it to the list of cards available for purchase.
The trick to using cardSwap is to find the right discount at which to sell your card since the popularity of the merchant and the amount of discount are the two biggest selling features. The larger the discount, the more buyers you will attract, the faster you will get your card sold but the less money in your pocket. So figuring out how much to discount is key to making this work for you.
The minimum discount allowed is 10% and cardSwap suggests a 20-25% discount depending on the merchant. Check to see what current cards of the same merchant are being sold at before listing your card for sale. cardSwap charges a 6% fee (minimum of $4.50) on the sale price of the gift card but you will only be charged when the card sells. So if you decide to discount your card by 20% after the cardSwap fee you’ll be out of pocket 26% of the value of the card (assuming you’re over the $4.50 minimum).
cardSwap collects full payment before you deliver your gift card so there’s no risk (other than your mailed-in card going missing). You have to send the card you’ve sold within 3 days and the buyer has to receive it within 14 days to get your cheque.
Since shipping is the place where the whole thing can fall apart, you should use a tracking number and signature/id verification. Course this only pays for higher valued cards since this adds additional costs to the process.
When I checked out the cardSwap site I was surprised to see that there were only 17 cards currently available for purchase. This is a brand-spanking new biz it seems or cards go at a wicked clip so the inventory is always pretty low, I’m not sure which. I didn’t see any great deals that would have me beating down the door to shop for a discounted card, but I’m willing to check back to see what’s new from time to time. But if I had a totally useless (to me) card just wasting space in my life, I’d either find someone to gift it to or head over to cardSwap and turn it into real money.
December 11, 2009 at 8:10 am
I saw this site a few weeks ago and I wondered “How do they make money?” looks like you figured it out before me Gail. From a business perspective the company has a great idea they take a chunk of sales of these cards and don’t take on any of the risk. They simply act as an escrow company. The problem is they aren’t doing two way escrow, they are just holding payment till the buyer confirms they got the card. I personally wouldn’t use this service for selling a card, simply because it doesn’t seem to have enough seller protection, the protection they do have seems to be skewed towards the buyer.
Having a tracking number and signature verification is great. last time I did that through canada post it cost around $7.95 I believe. In order to not get zinged with a higher then 6% fee you have to sell your card at a discounted price of $75.00, so the normal card value that would be priced above that would be a $100.00 card. so you are selling at a discount of 25% add in the fee and the shipping cost and you are looking at a total discount of $37.45 thats 37% off. If it’s a card I’m not going to use, I’d rather re-gift it, yes the horror of re-gifting a gift, but that is what I would do. I’d save the money I would have spent on someone else’s gift. And if it was going to be a gift card anyways I’ve gotten 100% of the value of that card.
I’d love to know what their dispute policy is, I can see it now buyer send money to cardswap.ca then receives card, everything is great right? buyer tells cardswap.ca “Hey I never got my card” Cardswap.ca send money back to buyer, Seller says to cardswap.ca “hey where is my money?” Cardswap.ca has a dispute to settle.
This is just my two cents on this.
December 11, 2009 at 8:15 am
Hmm. The link didn’t work when I tried it.
I don’t mind gift cards but my husband doesn’t like them because he says it’s like cash that he’s limited to spend at one store only. I like them because I normally lose them and find them a couple months later. It’s like a shopping spree to take a 25 buck gift card to Shoppers drugmart or the like.
December 11, 2009 at 8:35 am
Hey Gail, your link points to cardswap.com not cardswap.ca so it takes you to a squatter pager rather than the actual site.
December 11, 2009 at 8:38 am
I have bought and given gift cards only a few times. I have received them only a few times.
I have one sitting in my china cabinet that didn’t get used before the company went out of business. I tried to find something there I liked, but when they were holding their going-out-of-business sale, they wouldn’t accept the gift card. So, now I am stuck with a $25 piece of plastic. Oh well… maybe I can used it as a scraper ?
I don’t go the gift card ‘route’ anymore because of that experience… even if I know that the company is sound and the card WILL get used.
December 11, 2009 at 8:51 am
In Ottawa some malls offer gift certificates which can be used at ANY store in the mall. You get them at the customer service kiosk not in the stores. I’ve given these to my teenaged niece several times. She loves to go out after Christmas and take advantage of sales at which ever store she likes. This also eliminates the risk of a specific store going out of business right after Christmas. I figure it’s unlikely the entire mall will go under. I am considering one of these cards for a friend who’s struggling a little this year. I figure she can decide to use it for a special purchase she can’t otherwise afford, or she can use it at the drugstore or shoe repair.
December 11, 2009 at 9:24 am
I have mixed feelings about gift cards. I don’t like giving them to family and friends- I’d much rather spend the time finding something the person would like. That being said- I also have some long distance friends that I like to find something for and in these cases I find gift cards to be very useful. I can get something for my friend and I don’t have to pay shipping on top of the gift. But I agree- it’s funny how gift cards are not redeemed.Personally- I have never had a gift card to go unused in our house. We’re not that good yet
December 11, 2009 at 9:30 am
Personally, in the past I’ve always liked gift cards so that *I* end up enjoying a special something that the gift-giver wanted me to enjoy… but that was “pre-budget”. However, now that I have a real budget it might not be so much of an issue as my household spending is “capped” with money set aside for it, thus leaving a “cash gift” as money for me to enjoy however I choose. I still kind of like gift cards though – especially coffee cards!
December 11, 2009 at 9:48 am
Actually I like gift cards – giving and receiving. If I get cash I tend to hoard it and save it – and not spend it on myself. A giftcard forces me to go and buy myself something that I want just like the giver wanted me to. A least with a gift card you know someone has at least tried to go into that store and find you something but to ensure that they don’t pick out the wrong item, size, colour, etc – they have provided a gift card for you to do it yourself to avoid the lenghty return process and with gift cards you can take advantage of after Christmas sales and get a bigger bang for your buck!
And gift cards take away the impersonal touch of cash. To me cash implies that I took no thought in trying to find them a gift.
Last year it was cash to my husband’s niece and nephew but this year Gift Cards is going to be necessary since finding out that they “blow” through cash like no tomorrow and it would allow them some self control. Doen’t seem that they have been taught any money mangement skills – so a gift card will allow for the spending of the “money” in the right place.
What does annoy me about gift cards/gift certificates is that there are still some places out there that insist that they expire – if they are paid for and as good as cash if lost or stolen – how can they expire?
December 11, 2009 at 10:09 am
I don’t like to give gift card, I’d much rather give a thoughtful gift. Usually I give a special treat I’ve baked because everyone likes cookies. I will give a gift card to someone far away (cheaper shipping) for something they may not otherwise be able to afford or something I know they need, like a grocery store certificate, or one for a bakery.
I also don’t like getting gift cards for stores I never shop in. $25 for Old Navy is lost on me because I shop at second hand shops. $25 for a bookstore or Zellers (baby gear) is great.
December 11, 2009 at 10:09 am
I have very mixed feelings about gift cards…I enjoy going out and finding “that perfect gift” for my friends and family. Something that I know they’ll love. Nothing is better than watching someone open a present. Opening a gift card just isn’t the same.
That being said, we do like gift cards for teacher gifts. Generally, each teacher gets homemade cookies and a $5 Tim Horton’s gift card. There are only so many “world’s greatest teacher” gifts that a teacher can stand, lol.
December 11, 2009 at 10:15 am
Selling cash at a discount, hmmm, not a concept that I want to adapt in my life. However, being able to purchase cash at a discount, is more up my alley.
Gift card = cash
December 11, 2009 at 10:15 am
I’m with Joanne. I don’t like gift cards that expire. Dollars don’t expire and gift cards shouldn’t either. I like giving and receiving gift cards too. They’re great for people who have a favourite store or restaurant, or for people who love to shop. If you give them an actual gift, they miss the fun they might have choosing the item they like best. This way, they can shop guilt-free.
December 11, 2009 at 10:35 am
The expiring of gift cards has always been a problem for me as I do tend to loose them then find them months even years later.
A lot of times staff at the store level don’t know if they expire or not. Best thing to do is contact head office and get it in writing. I recently found 3 gift certificates. One was back in 1995 for $5 and the other 2 were from 2003 for $10 each. These stores had amalgamated and are now part of Chapters. Chapters head office said no problem and when I took them to the store the manager knew that they were still good without me showing them the email but the cashier had to go find out from him.
Just an example of if I had just walked in to Chapters with no letter and only talked to the cashier I would have probably gotten a NO answer.
I do give cash to kids for birthdays once they hit a certain age and they have most lower cost items. This way then can combine their money and buy something more expensive.
I give gift cards to teenagers so that they can get exactly what they want as they are so picky. I do normally try to make it for a mall instead of a specific store. More choice.
I used to be of the mind set that I only wanted to give and receive presents but many times people don’t think out what they are buying you so I would prefer to get a gift card or give one then a present that wasn’t well thought out.
December 11, 2009 at 10:38 am
Just yesterday on Q (CBC Radio), Jian interviewed the author of “Scroogenomics: Why You Shouldn’t Buy Presents for the Holidays” which was an interesting interview regarding gift-giving and a bit was discussed about gift cards. I recommend listening to the podcast (link below). In short,
Someone close = thoughtful present
All others = gift cards may be better
Q on CBC Radio Podcast – http://www.cbc.ca/podcasting/pastpodcasts.html?42#ref42
Author’s Book – http://press.princeton.edu/titles/8972.html
December 11, 2009 at 11:00 am
I really have no use for them.
I just write a check or give cash.
If asked I specifically decline gift cards.
Invariably with what I have dealt with you are of course limited to where you spend and in fact when the item you want is on sale its not at the gift card merchant or store you have.
Gift cards are a great for the store involved but useless really for good shopping
I want to buy what I know is the best value at the best price and service.
As far as swapping cards I haven’t got the time or inclanation to do so.
I did that with gum cards in the 60’s.
December 11, 2009 at 11:21 am
Correct me if I’m wrong, but I believe that in Manitoba, it is illegal to sell gift cards with expiry dates. Maybe other jurisdictions should look at this. They also aren’t allowed to depreciate over time.
December 11, 2009 at 11:32 am
Have to admit I’ve never given so much thought to gift cards. I bought one as a gift this Christmas, but, not before phoning the number on the back of the card with my trusty cell phone…standing in the grocery store….and was told that it would not expire, there is no service fee for the user. It was for ‘The Keg’ so I can only hope they were truthful. I’ll let you know after it is used.
Our family may be different in that if it looks like a book, acts like a book, smells like a book…then it must be a book. This is a very well received gift. We all LOVE to read, LOVE books and we know what each other likes. So….if I can’t get any deets through normal 007 counter-intelligence sly questioning about what they’d like newly released (which I order from Amazon.ca) then I will get a gift card from Chapters….and on Christmas morning you would think it was the Holy Grail. We always hear a chorus of everyone saying to you as you are trying to secretly flip through your new book ‘NO READING’.
Having said all this, it occurs at Christmas only, a special treat, as this family keeps the local libraries where we live in the high numbers of activity points.
December 11, 2009 at 11:56 am
This christmas will be a gift card christmas in my family. I like giving real gifts but my family hinted as to which gift cards they wanted. I’d rather give them something they want and will use, like a gift card for gas, coffee, or a day trip out of town. As for me I’ve been receiving gift cards for years from them since they don’t know what else to get me – it seems I have everything they say – don’t I wish. But I like their gift cards, because they have been giving me cards that I really enjoy, like some for my favorite book store, or restaurant. When I buy a book with the gift cards or go to the restaurant with one of their cards I feel like I am getting a special personallized gift I wouldn’t have gotten for myself otherwise, since I didn’t have to budget for it, and I think about them each time. It sure beats getting something else for the kitchen I won’t ever use. I think the key to giving gift cards is getting something that the person will use and enjoy.
My favorite way to deal with these unused or unwanted cards is to give it to a local charity where they can either use the card or someone will buy it from them. Since you got it for free and don’t like it, why not give it to the less fortunate. That way the community benefits and it feels good too.
December 11, 2009 at 12:21 pm
I thought I heard on the news a couple of years ago that it was going to be illegal for gift cards to expire here in Ontario as well. But I’m pretty sure they got around it by depreciating the value of the card, i.e. every year the card is not used $5 is taken off automatically. Some companies at least, most are legitimate.
I agree with you Jason too, it seems like this company is great for the buyer but not the seller. I would be willing to buy a gift card on this site for a discounted price, but I wouldn’t sell even if it was a card not likely to be used. I would rather give it to a friend who would use it.
December 11, 2009 at 12:41 pm
I think gift cards are great!! But I prefer to receive Wal Mart cards or Presidents Choice cards because you can get a wide variety of things from these retailers! I recently got a PC one from my work xmas party. I’m using it to buy stuff for my birthday party tomorrow night!! Free snacks!!
December 11, 2009 at 1:19 pm
Ah the gift card! I started to notice that you can actually get a gift card for a chain of malls now – rather a gift certificate. it’s nice to have a choice of a couple of malls you like to visit, and then the run of the place – anything inside the doors is up for grabs so you aren’t limited to one specific store. For example, like chapters, la senza, old navy and best buy? Does your local mall have all of these? GREAT! Then ask for a gift certificate/card from the mall and then simply visit, retrieve desired item and pay!
I like them because it forces me to use them on myself, instead of simply using the money to get me one step closer to debt free. Since i have a propensity for doing this, it’s nice to save them for summer when you know you’ll want a new pair of shorts/nice dress/top etc. Though, I’ve also been know to keep these for when I have an event to attend and simply buying a gift for someone else with it.
One thing I’ve also noticed a while ago too – I had a starbucks card that I got when in the States from a conference I was attending. I used $8 of the $10 while on vacation and carried the card back to Canada with me. I left the card alone for a while and then one day found myself in a starbucks wanting to try a fruit frappacino. I thought, hey! I have a card, lets see what happens! Not sure how much was left on the card, I gave it to the cashier, she put through the purchase for $4.65 and voila the card allowed the purchase! Apparently I also had $5.35 left to spend. I’ve used it once since then again for another frappacino and somehow have $5.00 left on the thing again. Some glitch somewhere I’d say but it was nice to know that it refilled itself!
December 11, 2009 at 1:26 pm
I’m giving four of my teenaged children gift cards this year, simply because I am not a teenager, and anything I pick out will be very uncool (at 40, I’m just soooo old -lol). Instead of limiting the kids to a specific store, though, I’m getting gift cards for the mall – they can use the money at any store in that mall – that way they are not limited to buying a hoodie at West49, or a hat at Lids, or they can get something electronic, whatever.
December 11, 2009 at 1:50 pm
I don’t care for gift cards either a few yrs bac untill girlfriend gave me one for Jugo Juice n now I refill it once inwhile after I use it up. It’s a treat when I go shopping. We give my parents restaraunt card since they use it for a brunch once a month which they can’t afford go out as much. I wouldn’t give my siblings cards since we all fussy if what we spent on each other..
It seems with live that if u don’t take time a few months before Christmas to figure what people would like as gifts or don’t socialize thoughout the yr u lose what they are interested in and don’t know what too buy the person.
December 11, 2009 at 2:00 pm
Personally I love giving cash – either in the form of nice crisp new bills or a cheque. The only time I give gift cards is if I actually know the store, restaurant etc. that the recipient likes and uses. It is also important to make sure that the restaurant has an outlet that is not 1000 miles a way. Take out gets cold.
Ditto for gifts. I only buy an actual gift when I actually know EXACTLY what the person wants. Finding out can be a challenge but little kids are easy because the parents know. Teens are awful because they don’t even know themselves but sometimes they will mention something fifty times in a five minute conversation so you can kind of get a clue. Adults will tell you if you press them but usually you just have to spy things out. Whatever you do don’t get caught going through your friends linen closet. She is never going to believe that you mistook this for the bathroom – the door is only 18 inches wide and she has been on the whole diet journey with you so she knows your hips are still 42 inches wide.
I like it when gift shopping is foolproof – give me the name of a toy, a brand, a written description, a catalog page, a photo or a map leading to the store and the shelf and I am more than happy to get the item. Otherwise I prefer to just provide the funding and let you run free.
My god-daughter taught me a valuable lesson when she was three. We were in a restaurant and I was admiring a little girl dressed in a frilly dress, Maryjane shoes and curls and hair ribbons. Tara gave me a withering look of contempt and said “Aunty Maureen! Puuuleeese.” Apparently our tastes were quite different and I was clueless as to what even a three year old liked. As I gave this incident some thought I realized that most of the gifts I had given (and received) really hadn’t pleased anyone.
I have been doing the cash thing for years and everyone seems more than happy. They always tell me what they bought or did with the money and I can tell by their tone of voice or the perkiness of the handwriting that they are really pleased. Not just politely pleased and being blackmailed into proper gift receiving etiquette. And I am pleased to know that this year I bought a Boogie Board (didn’t have a clue WTH this was until I googled it but now I want to ride it even though I know I am going to end up in traction), a trip to the Louvre in Paris and the left ear and tail of a rescue poodle named Bartholomew. All of these would have been very difficult to wrap and mail.
I have had the cash gift discussion with many friends, family, co-workers, strangers etc. The comments I always get are “that is so impersonal”. and “that’s the lazy way” Perhaps if I actually didn’t have any feelings for the gift recipient and was just performing a duty or was hell bent on saving every minuscule second of time and effort those comments would be true. They are not. I just want to cut out all the middle men to get right to the joy. No disappointment, no duplication and no returns or attempted exchanges just to end up with nothing but a hassle. I firmly believe that it is the thought that counts but unless you know what that person really thinks I think I am best to let them choose. I am also one who always tends to get it wrong. Giving chocolates to someone who has been a diabetic for two years. NO. I did not notice. A wine of the month club certificate to a friend whose new live-in-love just joined AA after her third DUI. Tartan golf club cozies to a relative whose wife ran over his clubs with their SUV – on purpose. Awkward.
December 11, 2009 at 2:04 pm
I once gave a friend a gift card for her birthday. Two months later, for my birthday, I received an item that I knew had been purchased from the store from which I had given her the gift card… felt kinda weird.
That being said, I don’t mind g/c all that much. I agree with others that it’s better to specify from which stores you like to shop to avoid getting cards from stores you never walk into… but sometimes larger department stores or chains can be okay.
Oh and @ Judi – as a teacher, I can say that I appreciate receiving gift cards, especially for coffee!!
December 11, 2009 at 2:22 pm
I don’t mind gift cards, given or received but I do like the ones that are for broader use. The mall ones are good because they isn’t the issue of the person not shopping at the store the card is for and I have often had small left over amounts and I can use them for coffee or such. The other cards I like at Visa/Mastercard giftcards — I have found these good for younger people who don’t have credit cards but want to buy stuff online. They are also registerable so that if it is lost it will be replaced.
December 11, 2009 at 2:28 pm
I love getting gift cards! Basically since I rarely go shopping because of my tight budget, having gift cards means that I can actually go shopping!
However, unless it is something someone wanted, I rarely give out giftcards as a gift.
December 11, 2009 at 2:48 pm
I generally don’t like getting gift cards because usually they only subsidize the product I end up purchasing. In other words, I get a giftcard for $25 and end up paying $35 (with tax, or tip, or what have you). I’d rather get a gift with a gift receipt and be done with it.
And in truth, I’d rather get nothing. I don’t want anymore stuff! I have more than I need, and I’m more likely to get what people think I want instead of what only I know I need!
December 11, 2009 at 3:02 pm
I know I posted earlier and this is not on topic, but I NEED to share this news with someone. On Tuesday I went to the bank and payed off the last of my line of credit. I am now debt free!!!!!!!!! It feels soooooo gooood!
On top of that I have saved quite a bit of much money in the last few years and know where I want to go.
I had money on a line of credit was due to 2 large house repairs. Since Gail I have been saving in a repair account and have used it last summer for various other repairs that needed to be done and am now saving for whatever is to come, but I’m ready now.
Thank you so much Gail!!! I have learned so much from your show and now here on your web site.
Its the best christmas present ever!
December 11, 2009 at 3:12 pm
I’m giving the in-laws grocery gift cards for Christmas – same thing I’ve gotten them for every holiday etc. in the last year and a half. My MIL is a spendthrift who blows through cash like water, is selling off everything in her home that she can pry out so she can go shopping (she can’t get anymore credit and is maxed out) and often calls me to “borrow” money for electricity bills (so I’ve actually given her cash gifts as well!) With grocery gift cards, at least I know she has food money, and I don’t worry that she’s snatched the last piece of bread out of my FIL’s mouth to buy my daughter yet another piece of crap she doesn’t need and won’t appreciate.
December 11, 2009 at 3:26 pm
Congratulations Anne! That is really exciting!
December 11, 2009 at 3:35 pm
I’ve read many of the posts here and I still think I like gift cards – both giving and receiving them. I’d rather have a gift card for Chapters or a Gas Card or a Restaurant card or a Grocery gift card than get another useless candle holder or trinket or game or body lotion that I will never use or would never buy myself. Grocery store gift cards or gas gift cards are perfect for that young adult who is fresh on their own. Restaurant gift cards and an offer to babysit for an evening are perfect for a couple with young children who rarely get out alone for a meal. A gift card to a teacher’s store is perfect for your child’s teacher. A gift card for the LCBO is, well, pretty much perfect for anyone over 19! The choice of gift cards is SO plentiful that if you could find a gift that you think a person would like, surely you can find a gift card to a store or establishment that a person would visit!
December 11, 2009 at 3:47 pm
I get a lot of Starbucks gift cards over the holidays, but I never used them because it was such a hassle to remember which one had $5 and which one had $15 and which one had $7.49 and so on. UNTIL I discovered that the starbucks website lets you register cards and combine them onto one card. The day I found that out I went hunting in my house – junk drawers, bookshelves, home office – to gather all those cards (combined well over $100 not being used). Now we have one card we call the Sunday card for all our weekend treats – and I suspect it will grow again after this holiday season is over!
December 11, 2009 at 4:24 pm
I also love finding that perfect gift for someone. Once though, I knew my mom wanted a plant encyclopedia, but I didn’t know which one to get her, so I put enough money for a substantial one onto a Chapters gift card. Then to personalize it and show that some thought went into it, I bought inexpensive fake flowers and a plastic pot, cut off the stem and put the card sticking out of the flowers with a wire holder. I wrapped it in dark celophane, and the whole thing cost me about $2 more than the gift card, just to show some thought went into it. Gift cards can be great, when you know what someone wants, just not the exact product…
December 11, 2009 at 4:39 pm
Some of my favourite gifts to receive are …. Maureen’s posts on this blog!
I love them. Maureen – how about a Xmas gift to us all if you tell us you have started your own blog!!! “Maureen’s Musings on Life” for a suggestion …. but I know you would come up with a much better title for it.
December 11, 2009 at 4:59 pm
Freckles I’m with you!!! Maureen you rock girl!!
I too look forward to your posts and your advice for me which is always spot on. Thanks.
December 11, 2009 at 5:23 pm
Hi Everyone,
I just wanted to clarify the rules in Ontario. As far as I am aware, gift cards do not have an expiry date here. Granted, if it is a coupon or a voucher, they could have one, but I have had expired gift certificates that I was able to use after the expiration date as stores tend to be helpful (if you are polite). Stores are also not allowed to charge a fee for carrying a balance – however, some malls can and do charge if the card has a balance outstanding after 16 months. In order for that to happen (the fee to be subtracted), the card must have been activated, used and then not used for at least 16 months). You can also call to have the fee waived for a period of time following the 16 months (it just has to be done prior to the first fee being taken off).
That said, I personally love gift cards! Even if I ask for something specific, I rarely get it and have to return it anyway for what I really want. Since my birthday is close to Christmas, it is really challenging to think of things for my birthday/Christmas (people ask for these lists – I don’t believe in the consumerism of the holiday to begin with, but that is neither here nor there). I have gotten really good deals with my gift cards following the holidays. $1200 pots, reduced to $250 and I had $200 in gift cards. Not too bad. I do believe in gift cards for bigger institutions like box stores or a mall since they are least likely to go under.
As for my gift giving, I love giving what the other person wants. If it’s homemade, I try. If it’s time together, I try. If it’s a gift, I get the exact thing. And if it’s a gift card, so be it.
Happy holidays to all…
Kat
December 11, 2009 at 5:52 pm
Nothing is better than gift cards. You pick what you want, it’s paid for and saves the environment by you not receiving useless gifts you don’t need.
There’s a rule in Canada that they can’t expire too.
How many times have I gotten a gift from someone who thought they knew what I wanted and it ended up being something I didn’t want anyway?
If you find gift cards impersonal, send them with a card and a personal message.
December 11, 2009 at 7:40 pm
I have mixed feelings on gift cards. The kids usually ask for them now so they can go get what they want (20 somethings) and I do get them as asked but it just feels like I put no effort into it, and I enjoy giving a nice gift. But truly they will get something to their taste with their gift card than me trying to find the perfect gift. I don’t much like receiving them because truth be told I don’t like to shop and this forces me to go shopping. I would rather tell someone what I want and let them do the shopping
)
December 11, 2009 at 10:46 pm
I’m a 20something and I love gift cards. I like picking out what I want, and will let the person who gave me the gift card know what I bought with it. It helps when they know what type of stores I like too, or things that are useful to me. Hairdresser, favourite clothing store, teaching store, restaurant, etc.
December 12, 2009 at 1:36 am
Hey Anne, yay for you!
I always like hearing about people making it out the other side of this debt game. It gives me hope that I too can get there.
December 12, 2009 at 1:49 am
I love getting gift cards/certificates. I will always use mine. I give them when I know I wouldn’t be able to buy something that the person likes or does already has and they will actually use the; never for my brother. This yr I purchased my friend a Pashmina scarf (Fundraiser at work) and a gift card to a restaurant that I know they go to and will appreciate. For my friend’s son’s birthday, he turned 5. Loves going to the movies, so instead of a toy, I bought him a gc. He loved it! Now he can “pay” his own way at the movies.
December 12, 2009 at 10:48 pm
I like getting gift cards and I like giving them. I see them to be as good as cash. Here in MB they no longer have expiry dates. I don’t normally buy the visa gift cards as they have fees attached to them. The gas gift cards are always well received. I put lots of thought into the gift cards I give. We have way too many people to buy for at the holidays and I’d love to see it cut back but I don’t have a say in the matter. Hubby’s family goes for quantity, not quality. There are 16 people in his family and they all exchange gifts\stuff. Makes me crazy but I digress. If I do have a gc that I know I won’t use, I pass it along to someone I think will use it. I end up doing that with a lot of things. I have been buying gc and small items for the holidays for the last two months so as not to blow our budget.
Congrats To Anne on paying off the debt. It probably feels FANTASTIC. Enjoy.
December 13, 2009 at 9:41 am
I like gift cards, for both giving and receiving. With teens or young adults, you are never sure what they like. My niece and nephews do the boxing day sales, so with gift cards, they have a ball! I also like to make or buy something to go with the gift card to personalize it more. For me, if I ask for a sweater, instead of getting one the wrong size or the wrong colour (I hate yellow, yet my MIL loves it, so she buys it for me – yuck!), I’d rather get a gift card to purchase it myself. If I got cash…well, it would be used for something other than a gift for myself – I rarely buy myself stuff. As above, kids are easier – they seem to know what they want, but I know my girls love to read, so eventually I will get them gc so they can pick out their own books.
For anyone who wants to raise money for their schools or groups, check out http://www.fundscrip.ca. They are a company that people can buy gift cards from for the same face value, yet, your group/club can get a percentage back from them for various amounts. We have it at at our school, and it is an easy way to fundraise.
Also, I agree with those that think Maureen should do a blog. I’d love to read her musings everyday! Love your sense of humour, and your way of writing, Maureen!
December 13, 2009 at 9:43 pm
Off Topic…..
Saw TDDUP Friday night. Two teachers – Guy and Julia. I was shocked at his attitude.
She was trying so hard. So sweet of you Gail to give $2,000. towards the education of their little girl.
December 13, 2009 at 10:26 pm
Catherine I saw it too. I wish we had a place to talk about the shows that air. I couldn’t believe this man’s attitude – I would have kicked him to the curb a long time ago – and I hope his wife does for the kids sake and her sanity. Gail and even his wife wanted to help but he was so selfish he didn’t care about even his own children, he prefered to go deeper into debt to get whatever he wanted which included gambling. I was shocked. Gail was her usual stern self but he deserved a swift kick in the as* to try and wake him up for his family’s sake. Gambling like any other addition changes a person and this episode really showed that. Until he admits to this addiction, unfortunately nothing will change.
December 14, 2009 at 5:00 am
^Anne^,
Have a nice day 
If your on Facebook there is a Til Debt Do Us Part group, people join that and talk about different money things and about past and present episodes.
Just thought I would let you know if your interested
December 14, 2009 at 9:40 pm
In Alberta it is illegal to sell a gift card with an expiry