Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
What to do with unwanted gift cards
Gift cards are a popular present at the holidays — the National Retail Federation says more than half of consumers planned to give one this year.
But they aren’t always wanted. The research organization CEB TowerGroup estimates that $1 billion of the $130 billion spent on gift cards last year went unused.
It could be that the card is for a business the recipient doesn’t like. Or they simply don’t have access to the restaurant or movie theater to spend it.
So if you got a gift card that is going to sit untouched, what should you do? Here are a few options:
This may be your easiest solution. If you can’t use the card or just don’t want it, someone else might. So why not hand it over to a loved one who wants it? Gift cards are typically good for several years and there are no rules about changing hands.
There are various exchanges online, such as Cardpool.com, Raise.com and CardCash.com, where you can buy and sell gift cards.
You won’t get the full value of the card but can expect you’ll recoup some of the value. Expect to get about 80 to 90 cents on the dollar at a reputable site, said Teri Llach, chief marketing officer for the Blackhawk Network, which owns Cardpool.
Llach strongly discourages consumers from going rogue and trying to sell or buy one for themselves online as there’s no way to tell if you are being conned. An established and reputable site can also guarantee that you are getting the promised balance in the time frame you want.
If you are more of an in-person sort, you can visit a Coinstar Exchange kiosk to get cash for your gift cards. Target will allow you to bring in gift cards for major brands with remaining balances on them and exchange them for a Target gift card.
A feelgood, do-good option is to donate your unwanted gift card.
You can do this by handing the card directly to a charity. Consider a church, food bank or school that might use it to buy supplies, or offer it to a needy family in your community.