Gift Card Exchange?

[psyang]

Not sure if this should go in the Buy/Sell forum, but was wondering if anyone knew of a service that would allow you to sell/trade gift cards? Is it safe to swap cards over, say, kijiji? I was thinking the only safe way is to meet in person, swap cards, then purchase your item with the swapped card before you leave.

[Jason14h]

There are lots of companies that do this online. Most offer 85-90% of the value.

Just google Gift Card exchange Canada and pick one

They will give you cash for them (some may offer other gift cards as well, I havent checked recently)

[psyang]

Originally Posted by Jason14h

There are lots of companies that do this online. Most offer 85-90% of the value.

Just google Gift Card exchange Canada and pick one

They will give you cash for them (some may offer other gift cards as well, I havent checked recently)

Any that you have used? I guess I'm looking for experience with these services, just to make sure they are legit.

[Roger]

I can't wait until gift cards disappear from consumer purchasing. The worst gift ever. They're as vulnerable to loss as cash, but just downright annoying to use, especially since 25% of the time they glitch, and then you're there at the till paying for something that you're only buying because you have this stupid gift card to use up.

The worst are multi restaurant gift cards, when none of them are places you like or frequent. Thanks for the Swiss Chalet/Milestones/Harveys/some other places card. I don't usually eat at any of those places, but I guess I'll choke down a free meal just to use this damn thing up. Guess I have to drive all the way over there to do it.

Even pre-paid credit cards are stupid. Why make someone work to enjoy the gift? Scratch the back, take to store, find out that you needed to register it beforehand, pay with your own CC, go home and register the damn thing, and then proceed to forget to use it for 15 weeks, while it bulks up your wallet.

If you're going to give someone money, give them cash. There are no fees, and that person can use it on anything from the expensive medication their pet needs, to the giant dildo they want from the sex shop, or actually putting that money on the credit card they just spent too much on buying gifts.

I wish there was a way to send an e-transfer that had a two step authorization, so that I could be sure the intended recipient got it, but not before they "opened" the gift. Like a "gift card" that just says the person that gave you this needs you to text them for a code, and then you can deposit cash right into your bank account. Yeah, that concept needs work, but it's already better than a stupid gift card that can only be used at Tim Hortons, when the recipient hits up Starbucks every morning.

[Jason14h]

Originally Posted by Roger

I can't wait until gift cards disappear from consumer purchasing. The worst gift ever. They're as vulnerable to loss as cash, but just downright annoying to use, especially since 25% of the time they glitch, and then you're there at the till paying for something that you're only buying because you have this stupid gift card to use up.

The only 'good' thing about gift cards is when the purchaser gets a bonus which lots of places now gift. I loved paying for Xmas work lunch at Earls and buying $1000 in gift cards for the 200$ in free gift cards and immedaitely using the $1000 on the lunch (yes you can do this, just not the bonus cards)

The worst are multi restaurant gift cards, when none of them are places you like or frequent. Thanks for the Swiss Chalet/Milestones/Harveys/some other places card. I don't usually eat at any of those places, but I guess I'll choke down a free meal just to use this damn thing up. Guess I have to drive all the way over there to do it.

Well why are your family and friends giving you GC's to places you hate

Even pre-paid credit cards are stupid. Why make someone work to enjoy the gift? Scratch the back, take to store, find out that you needed to register it beforehand, pay with your own CC, go home and register the damn thing, and then proceed to forget to use it for 15 weeks, while it bulks up your wallet.

There are a large amount of people who don't own a CC and use these to pay for things online.

If you're going to give someone money, give them cash. There are no fees, and that person can use it on anything from the expensive medication their pet needs, to the giant dildo they want from the sex shop, or actually putting that money on the credit card they just spent too much on buying gifts.

Cash is great except at the place where almost everything is now purchased.... ONLINE!! Who buys stuff at stores and still leaves their computer! Learn to shop online!

I wish there was a way to send an e-transfer that had a two step authorization, so that I could be sure the intended recipient got it, but not before they "opened" the gift. Like a "gift card" that just says the person that gave you this needs you to text them for a code, and then you can deposit cash right into your bank account. Yeah, that concept needs work, but it's already better than a stupid gift card that can only be used at Tim Hortons, when the recipient hits up Starbucks every morning.

You can send someone a virtual CC which effectively is a CC number you can use anywhere online.

In general cash as a gift seems silly to me, especially as adults. Like I literally know nothing about you. Do you eat hand a $100 bill to each other. Just don't exchange anything.(Unless you NEED to cash - Your children an example)

Gift Cards are pretty pointless and annoying BUT you can get free bonus cards so you actually get more $$ at the specific location then the value you are purchasing.

Visa Gifts cards are great for people who don't have CC's, but also pointless for people who do - This I agree just give cash as they dont give bonus $$ on prepaid visa cards like business GC's

[GirlySports]

I have used Cardswap and they are probably the most legit.

[Roger]

Originally Posted by Jason14h

The only 'good' thing about gift cards is when the purchaser gets a bonus which lots of places now gift. I loved paying for Xmas work lunch at Earls and buying $1000 in gift cards for the 200$ in free gift cards and immedaitely using the $1000 on the lunch (yes you can do this, just not the bonus cards)

I won't come right out and say that it's grifting on the gift, but this is lame. Buying gift cards from a place you like, and giving them as gifts, for a free 6" sub.

Originally Posted by Jason14h

Well why are your family and friends giving you GC's to places you hate

As if the only people gifts are exchanged with are people close enough to know that you do not frequent certain places. This is where gift cards become even more annoying. Some thoughtless person bought their niece a Tims card, and she, being more of a Starbucks person, regifted it to you out of a ridiculous obligation such as boss/assistant or parent/school bus driver.

Originally Posted by Jason14h

There are a large amount of people who don't own a CC and use these to pay for things online.

Those people can go ahead and buy an online Visa/MC with the money you give them in cash, or the dildos/medication/paying of bills. That's the best part of the gift. The recipient can actually treat cash like cash, and spend it without parameters.

Originally Posted by Jason14h

Cash is great except at the place where almost everything is now purchased.... ONLINE!! Who buys stuff at stores and still leaves their computer! Learn to shop online!

I have my very own credit card, which I use to buy everything, including stuff online, and hence, no need for a temporary card that requires the extra few minutes of registering. But I get your point, some people don't have credit cards. But you know what they can do with that sum of money you gave them? They can buy a credit card, if they so choose.

Originally Posted by Jason14h

You can send someone a virtual CC which effectively is a CC number you can use anywhere online.

Why the extra hoops? If you're giving someone money, just give them... money?

Originally Posted by Jason14h

In general cash as a gift seems silly to me, especially as adults. Like I literally know nothing about you. Do you eat hand a $100 bill to each other. Just don't exchange anything.(Unless you NEED to cash - Your children an example)

So if cash is a silly gift, then why the hell are gift cards not just as silly? It's the same thing as giving cash, except you're telling the person where they can spend it. Seems like if you're going to use this as a way to force someone to spend the money where you think they should, the place would be children "as an example". Here, son. I know you're broke, but I don't want you to spend money on booze, so I'm going to force you to buy tools at Home Depot, so that you put them on kijiji and sell them for booze money.

Originally Posted by Jason14h

Gift Cards are pretty pointless and annoying BUT you can get free bonus cards so you actually get more $$ at the specific location then the value you are purchasing.

So it's got an angle, then. You're not really straight up buying or giving someone a gift, you're giving them something that you get a kickback on. That's the spirit.

Originally Posted by Jason14h

Visa Gifts cards are great for people who don't have CC's, but also pointless for people who do - This I agree just give cash as they dont give bonus $$ on prepaid visa cards like business GC's

Glad we agree. Waste of time no matter how you slice it, unless you're actually doing it for yourself, or regifting a crappy gift that you don't want.

Apologies if I inadvertently made you feel bad about buying your parents an Earl's gift card. I guess if you know that they're going there anyway, go ahead. This outburst is more because I used to give them, until I had multiple bad experiences using them. I now refuse to buy them or give them, because the last thing I want my gift to be is a disappointment, or a pain in someone's ass.

[Jason14h]

The example I gave was at a work event getting the extra card! Not at subway !

Plus you can give the extra bonus card/reward ! I didn’t say keep it

I agree GCs as a gift are pointless. Was pointing out lots of useful ways they are needed though

People should buy GCs for their own use and pocket the bonus !

Eat at a restaurant or pub often ? Buy GCs and get 10-20% back free !

[KTrain]

Originally Posted by Jason14h

The example I gave was at a work event getting the extra card! Not at subway !

My wife and I got $100 Subway gift card each from my "eccentric" uncle for our wedding. It was honestly great for the year or so I had it. I'm sure a $100 would have been groceries or a night or two of boozing, but every time I used the gift card for lunch I had a chuckle. He was a weird, but awesome guy.

[Jason14h]

Originally Posted by KTrain

My wife and I got $100 Subway gift card each from my "eccentric" uncle for our wedding. It was honestly great for the year or so I had it. I'm sure a $100 would have been groceries or a night or two of boozing, but every time I used the gift card for lunch I had a chuckle. He was a weird, but awesome guy.

It wasn’t a knock on subway ! Did he also give you the 2 free 6 inch subs he got with the purchase!!

[KTrain]

Originally Posted by Jason14h

It wasn’t a knock on subway ! Did he also give you the 2 free 6 inch subs he got with the purchase!!

He used to give us his fully stamped Sub cards when we were in school. It was great for a poor student.

[psyang]

Originally Posted by KTrain

He used to give us his fully stamped Sub cards when we were in school. It was great for a poor student.

Ha, when I was a university student and dating my now wife, I gave her a fully stamped subway card as part of a birthday gift. She used it on a cold cut combo. I still rag on her for that to this day.