Here are the top gift ideas for gift cards
Consumer Reports found that gift cards and gift certificates were the most desired gift for women, while gift cards or gift vouchers were preferred by men. It doesn't matter if you're looking for a gift for Christmas or birthdays, or mothers day, Valentines Day, corporate thank-you, a wedding, anniversary, or fathers day. Gift cards are very popular because they allow the recipient to pick the gift that interests them most. There are some major issues to be aware of. Gift certificates may not all be created equally, but I will point you in the right direction.
Look for a card with no expiry
Many cards are non-renewable. Some cards expire within 6 months. The estimated value of unutilized jokercard in the United States was $8 billion in 2006. Best Buy, a top electronics retailer, announced that they would make a profit of more than $43 million in unused and expired cards. Avoid cards that have expiry dates. You could be wasting your hard-earned money!
Look for a card with no fees
Gift certificates that have monthly fees are one of the most deceitful forms of retailing. Monthly fees as high as $10 per month! You may even be charged for purchasing the card with some cards - up to $12 This is similar to paying $2 to purchase a $.50 Apple at your grocery store. The worst culprits for charging fees are banks and credit card companies. There are many cards with no fees that you can choose from.
Get a card that offers a wide range of products online
Consumer Report also found that 58% didn't use their cards due to lack of time. 35% of those who received cards couldn't find what they wanted to buy. This is the problem with gift cards from brick and mortar stores. To give a gift, the recipient must drive to the store. A gift certificate that allows online shopping and free shipping is the best.
A gift certificate from a specialty retailer, such as a book, clothing or electronics shop, can also pose a problem. What if they don’t want electronics, books, or clothes? What if they don’t like the brand of that store?
You should look for a gift card that is available in multiple product categories, such as books and electronics, clothes, home improvement products and music. Amazon gift cards are the best choice for gift cards that have no expiry date, no shipping fees, unlimited product categories, and millions of products. Amazon is the largest and most trusted online retailer in the world.
If you decide not to use your gift certificate/gift card, there are many options. You can re-gift the card to someone else as an alternative. While you won't get a direct financial benefit from the gift card, it will save you money on other gifts. This is a risky approach that can lead to financial loss. You can also trade or sell a certificate/card. It's a good idea to either make a deal with someone you know or choose a provider online (there are many) that can help you sell or trade your card. It is unlikely that you will get 100% of your card's value, regardless of how you approach it.
However, diligence is important as there are many online resources that offer wildly different prices. If you feel the need to "pay it forward", it is possible to gift certificates/gift cards to non-profit organizations. These foundations accept most cards, regardless of how large or small they are. The foundations will transfer the funds to another card and distribute it to those in need. This last option helps struggling charities, and allows you to deduct your taxes. It is important to carefully consider your options and ensure that the gift card recipients are honest.
Comments
Post a Comment