Gift Cards... Read the Fine Print!
 

Today I went to the mall to get a $50 giftcard for my mom's birthday. The gift card was $50... plus a $2 fee because they put the amount on an American Express card. Now why would I pay $2 to turn perfectly good money into money I can only spend at the mall? No thanks!

I researched more of this online at our local mall's website. If you use the giftcard at a service, like a salon or restaurant, they automatically deduct 20% to cover the tip unless you tell them otherwise. Now I am known to tip well, but I don't want that automatically deducted if I get bad service.

Not only that, there is a $2.00 "service fee" deducted per month on the card if you don't use it in a year! What a rip off! The cashier was up front about the initial $2 fee, but not the monthly charges. When was I supposed to learn about that? They may also charge a $5.95 "reissuance" fee after the expiration date!

I will never buy gift cards again! I usually put gift cards aside for a "rainy day," but clearly this is the wrong intention! I'm glad I saved that $50 to get mom something she can actually use (and keep)!

Re: Gift Cards... Read the Fine Print!
 

Bravo, Kris10. Last Christmas gift cards accounted for a huge share of total gift spending ~ and that trend is likely to continue - if we let stores get away with it. Personally, I'd rather spend the dollars on time together, dinner, a play, local lodging, etc., or save the dollars to afford to spend time together!

Thanks for the heads up via your post.

Regards,
Keith

gift cards
 

The cool thing about mall cards are they can be used in any store so they charge a couple bucks to get one. The mall gets to make money off the information service they provide,. Its just nice not having to pick something in the mall they like rather they get the whole mall to choose from ^_^...

Usually Stores wont charge cause they want you to shop at there store.

I recieved a gift card for a gift last year from my sister, who lives somewhat far from me. I tried to use it at the store close to me of the same name, only to find out that it could only be used at the store that it was purchased at, because each store in the chain is independantly owned. I would have thought that the point of a gift card, is just that, a gift. What are the chances that people only give gifts to people that live in the same town?
You are correct, to save trouble and sometimes embarrassment, read the fine print, when buying or using a gift card.

Some calling cards have similar policies...
 

I know this isn't exactly related, but on a similar note, my husband's grandmother sent us a 600 minute calling card for christmas. When we used it for the first time though, we found out that it expires in 6 months! 600 minutes in 6 months is only plausible if you have a phone glued to your head all day! Not all calling cards do it that way, but it's something to watch out for - and as you said, read the fine print...

I think it's just wrong, that some gift cards have fine print on them.



They need to just be gift cards with no catches.

Question?
 

Does the "hidden" cost of these gifts account for Home necessities like car maintenance/Insurance, Electric, Water, Cable and telephone gift certificates?

You See with the cost of bills continuing to increase and but not my wage, As much as I enjoy opening a gift that isn't a priority at this point in my life. I really would like to receive pre-paid certificates to help cover at least a portion of the Bills.

Re: Question?
 

That is a very good idea! Whenever I get money as a gift it just goes to bills.

Wow, I'm glad I just came across this and read all the info here. It's that time of year again when so many of us buy gift cards.

I was thinking it would be nice to give gas cards as well this year. It would be so much more useful than the usual bath soaps, lotions and candles. :)

I will definately check the fine print if we decide to go with a gift card this year for anyone.

thanks,

pk
:)

Scams and Gift Cards
 

You may want to check this out if you are going to be buying a gift card. It's information on potential scams regarding gift card numbers:

http://www.snopes.com/fraud/sales/giftcard.asp