Don't get Robbed by Gift Cards

With the digital age, gift cards have become available for almost any retail establishment. It is much more efficient to handle gift cards than the old fashioned gift certificates that us old timers used back in the day. The availability coupled with the ease of getting a gift card instead of spending hours and hours doing mall shopping or online shopping has helped to make gift cards a 25 billion dollar business.

Unfortunately, there is a downside to gift cards for the consumer that tends to pad the pocket books of retailers. Many gift cards go unused or accrue fees because they were not used soon enough. I'm all for the retailers making a decent profit, but not when it causes consumers to get less than they paid for. Donna, our expert on coupons and bargains, has written a great article on how retailers clean up on gift cards.

I've very glad I read Donna's article because it reminded me that I have an unused mall gift card from last Christmas that I need to use before the year is out and it's value becomes reduced by fees.

On a related note, if you have a gift card or gift certificate you don't have a use for you can always sell it on eBay. Conversely, if you are looking to save some money, you can buy unwanted cards or certificates on eBay. Just go to eBay and search for "gift certificates" and you will find thousands of them for sale. Just make sure you buy from a reputable seller and understand any restrictions or fees that apply.