What Do You Do With Unwanted Gift Cards?
Posted by 
January 6, 2012 •
I LOVE gift cards, I really do. When I receive cash as a gift I rarely use it in myself for anything fun. It usually goes towards bills. Ho hum. But! When I receive a gift card it’s an excuse to go shopping at that store. Even if I end up getting something for someone else, it feels more fun, ya know? Only catch is it needs to be for a place I can and will shop at. When it’s not, then it’s worse than receiving cash. I’m stuck with it!
Oh gosh that was the worst a few years ago – remember when gift card amounts slowly dwindled each month you had it? So there I’d be with a card for a store I wouldn’t be caught dead in and the card would lose value as I agonized over the situation. In the best case circumstances I would try to find a family member to swap with. This was hard when we didn’t receive equal amounts. Worst case I threw it away! Or, it would sit in my purse until it reached a zero balance.
Then, I started to regift undesired gift cards after the stupid fee was lifted. I could hold onto it until next Christmas and give it to someone without them knowing the difference (in most cases)! I always felt guilty as if the gift giver would find out and be upset with me. This was usually the case with long distance relatives. They were trying to be thoughtful, but…. they just didn’t know me well enough to know my style. Gift cards to stores like the GAP aren’t for me because I’m not thin enough to fit in their clothes. Or I’d receive a gift card for a movie theater or restaurant chain that wasn’t near me… at least not near enough to make it worthwhile to drive there for a meal.
Checking out sites like Cardpool and selling gift cards is something I never thought of doing until more recently. This option is nice to have! Now I don’t have to haggle over trading gift cards. I won’t have to worry about the gift giver finding out (as easily!), and I can do what I want with it… like pay bills.
Have you ever sold a gift card before? What was your experience like?
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Disclosure: I’ve been compensated for my time in writing this post. Thoughts and opinions shared are all mine though!
Image: digitalart / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Tags: cardpool, gift cards, gift ideas, making money, trading
Thanks for sharing this – I didn’t even know it was possible to sell them!MamaDoesItAll
Thanks for the informative post! I’ve wasted so many gift cards in the past because they were for stores that I didn’t shop at. This is great info for future reference :)
I haven’t sold gift cards before, but I have been interested in buying discount ones so I appreciate reading about cardpoolOMGhada
I’ve been looking at places to sell gift cards. I have a Baby Gap one that’s been sitting in my wallet for over 3 years now. I’m so not a Gap person and really should do something with it. I looked at Cardpool for it but might just give it away as a prize for a giveaway. LOL
Great idea – although when I get gift cards I hardly use them for myself either, I usually use them for my kids or our family :) Happy New Year to you!
I often regift gift cards too. And I agree, I often go into a store with them and spend more money than I should! Aren’t those marketers crafty?stillblondeaaty
I usually regift unwanted gift cards, but selling them is a good idea too!
i can say without a doubt i have used every gift card i have ever received. BUT they have always been to stores or services i use. i can completely see, how this service would be very useful.
good to know.
happy weekend,
kellie
I have sold gift cards on eBay before, and I have purchased gift cards from plasticjungle.com
I’ve never heard of Cardpool, thanks for the info!newlywedsurvive
Nope never sold a gift card. I did not even know you could sell them!dedastudios
Wow, I’ve never even thought to sell them before! Thanks for the info :) Good to know!AshBG
I love getting gift cards too, but I usually end up spending them on my boy or husband. But, it’s like free shopping..a great gift!! I have sold a gift card once before for a price less than the value and it was worthwhile because we needed the cash!!
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Great post, thanks for sharing, I have never heard of this before, I luckily get giftcards that I actually use but it’s great to know of this resource in case I don’t :)divalocks10
Such a great idea. i have a $100 GC for like the last 4 years. It’s insane.elenka29
Wow – I had never hear do this before – we have gift cards sitting around form last Xmas. I will have to check it out.retaillounge
this is a great idea. I think I have several GC’s that I probably won’t use and have been hanging around for a while!thenewmodernmom
I’ve never sold a gift card before, but I wish I had known it was an option! A friend of mine gave a gift card to my daughter, but we live in Hawaii where none of the stores are located. Of course we can order online, but the card would cover shipping costs and not much else. Thanks for the heads up!
Selling unwanted giftcards on sites like eBay, craigslist and others is another option if you can’t find desirable swapping options.
This was really helpful! I only enter giveaways that have prizes I can use for myself or someone I know. It’s not likely your gift card dilemma will happen to me, but it’s still nice to know you can get rid of them and swap them for cash! ;)