Comments on: Is The Gift Card a Good Gift? http://www.rather-be-shopping.com/blog/2007/12/14/is-the-gift-card-a-good-gift/ Coupons, Frugal Living Tips, and Personal Finance Tips to Make Life A Little Easier Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:45:59 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Dividends4Life http://www.rather-be-shopping.com/blog/2007/12/14/is-the-gift-card-a-good-gift/comment-page-1/#comment-1154 Dividends4Life Wed, 19 Dec 2007 19:03:47 +0000 http://www.rather-be-shopping.com/blog/2007/12/14/is-the-gift-card-a-good-gift/#comment-1154 You make some good observations. When I receive a gift card, I view it like cash - unless it is at some odd place that I would never shop. Then it becomes wasted. Best Wishes, D4L You make some good observations. When I receive a gift card, I view it like cash – unless it is at some odd place that I would never shop. Then it becomes wasted.

Best Wishes,
D4L

]]> By: Linda Bustos http://www.rather-be-shopping.com/blog/2007/12/14/is-the-gift-card-a-good-gift/comment-page-1/#comment-1140 Linda Bustos Sun, 16 Dec 2007 22:06:56 +0000 http://www.rather-be-shopping.com/blog/2007/12/14/is-the-gift-card-a-good-gift/#comment-1140 You definitely want to stay away from cards with expiration dates or inactivity fees (like bank issued prepaid credit card - type gift cards - Visa's My Treat is an example). Then you want to make sure you load the card with enough $$ to cover a typical gift/meal at the store/restaurant. Nothing worse than shelling out your own money for a gift or dinner! You definitely want to stay away from cards with expiration dates or inactivity fees (like bank issued prepaid credit card – type gift cards – Visa’s My Treat is an example).

Then you want to make sure you load the card with enough $$ to cover a typical gift/meal at the store/restaurant. Nothing worse than shelling out your own money for a gift or dinner!

]]> By: Jenny http://www.rather-be-shopping.com/blog/2007/12/14/is-the-gift-card-a-good-gift/comment-page-1/#comment-1136 Jenny Sun, 16 Dec 2007 04:25:58 +0000 http://www.rather-be-shopping.com/blog/2007/12/14/is-the-gift-card-a-good-gift/#comment-1136 I give a lot of gift cards. I never buy them for people though. I redeem my mpoints.com points and use my credit card cash back points to get specific gift cards for gifts. I do try to make sure that the gift card I'm giving is something tailored for the person though. If I had no choice but to buy a gift card or buy a present then I would always pick the present since I can get a decent present cheaper than buying a decent gift card. I give a lot of gift cards. I never buy them for people though. I redeem my mpoints.com points and use my credit card cash back points to get specific gift cards for gifts. I do try to make sure that the gift card I’m giving is something tailored for the person though. If I had no choice but to buy a gift card or buy a present then I would always pick the present since I can get a decent present cheaper than buying a decent gift card.

]]> By: Jennifer http://www.rather-be-shopping.com/blog/2007/12/14/is-the-gift-card-a-good-gift/comment-page-1/#comment-1130 Jennifer Fri, 14 Dec 2007 20:17:25 +0000 http://www.rather-be-shopping.com/blog/2007/12/14/is-the-gift-card-a-good-gift/#comment-1130 Costco carries some gift cards for a higher face value than the cost. For instance, you can get 4 Itunes gift cards for $15 each, but you only pay $56 for all four. I like receiving gift cards, but I usually don't buy them for people. I feel pressure to spend more on the card than I would have spent on the gift, since the recipient knows what you spend on the card. I can usually find a really nice gift for less than the dollar amount I'd feel represents a "nice" gift card. Costco carries some gift cards for a higher face value than the cost. For instance, you can get 4 Itunes gift cards for $15 each, but you only pay $56 for all four.

I like receiving gift cards, but I usually don’t buy them for people. I feel pressure to spend more on the card than I would have spent on the gift, since the recipient knows what you spend on the card. I can usually find a really nice gift for less than the dollar amount I’d feel represents a “nice” gift card.

]]> By: Mrs. Micah http://www.rather-be-shopping.com/blog/2007/12/14/is-the-gift-card-a-good-gift/comment-page-1/#comment-1129 Mrs. Micah Fri, 14 Dec 2007 19:32:31 +0000 http://www.rather-be-shopping.com/blog/2007/12/14/is-the-gift-card-a-good-gift/#comment-1129 Food and drink ones are excellent--at least if they cover the price of what you'd be doing there (like a $10 to Applebees might not be as happy because it would violate rule #2). Or one to their favorite hobby shop--Joann's, Michael's, A.C. Moore, um something non-craft-related that I can't think of.... And Rule #2 is really important. Unless it's a place where I'm already going to spend money (hobby shop), then it'll just be a nuisance. Also, check proximity. Is there a point in giving me a Sears card when the nearest Sears is miles and miles away? If the place offers online ordering, then it's ok. Food and drink ones are excellent–at least if they cover the price of what you’d be doing there (like a $10 to Applebees might not be as happy because it would violate rule #2).

Or one to their favorite hobby shop–Joann’s, Michael’s, A.C. Moore, um something non-craft-related that I can’t think of….

And Rule #2 is really important. Unless it’s a place where I’m already going to spend money (hobby shop), then it’ll just be a nuisance.

Also, check proximity. Is there a point in giving me a Sears card when the nearest Sears is miles and miles away? If the place offers online ordering, then it’s ok.

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