If you received gift cards this holiday season to stores that just aren’t your thing, they don’t have to sit unused in a drawer. You can sell them, exchange them, swap them, donate them and more. Let’s take those in turn:
- Sell it. There are two main websites where you can sell gift cards and they have different business models. First is cardpool.com, which will buy your gift cards from you on the spot. The site typically pays 75 to 90 percent of the gift card’s value. The more popular the store, the higher the payout. Cardpool even has physical locations, often in grocery stores, if you want your cash fast. The other site is called Raise and its more of a marketplace for you to sell your gift card to other consumers. You’ll have to prove your gift card is legit by entering the serial number and other information, but then you can set your own price and see how you do. Raise takes a 12 percent commission when your gift card sells. I will link you to both of these sites from easymoneyshow.com/32.
- Exchange it. This is a Target offering. The mega-chain would like you to spend your money at ITS stores instead of somewhere else, so Target allows you to trade in gift cards at most of its stores. I’ll link you to Target’s list of stores it will accept gift cards from. You’ll receive a portion of the gift card’s value on, you guessed it, a gift card —but it will be a Target gift card.
- Swap it. Organize a swap at your office, your kid’s school or in your neighborhood. This way you can get the face value of your gift card, if a neighbor is willing to swap or pay for it.
4) Donate it. Yes! Tons of charities accept gift cards. And you can get the tac deduction. Just ask your favorite charity if it does this. If not, CharityGiftCertificates.org has more than a thousand non profit organizations to choose from. OR, another idea, use the gift card to buy items that charities need!
5) FInal idea: Buy gifts with it. Don’t shoot the messenger. Even high flying etiquette experts say this is OK. AND, think of this: the person who bought you this gift card obviously likes this store. Wait a while and then buy them a gift from the store!
If you received gift cards this holiday season to stores that just aren’t your thing, they don’t have to sit unused in a drawer. You can sell them, exchange them, swap them, donate them and more. Let’s take those in turn:
- Sell it. There are two main websites where you can sell gift cards and they have different business models. First is cardpool.com, which will buy your gift cards from you on the spot. The site typically pays 75 to 90 percent of the gift card’s value. The more popular the store, the higher the payout. Cardpool even has physical locations, often in grocery stores, if you want your cash fast. The other site is called Raise and its more of a marketplace for you to sell your gift card to other consumers. You’ll have to prove your gift card is legit by entering the serial number and other information, but then you can set your own price and see how you do. Raise takes a 12 percent commission when your gift card sells. I will link you to both of these sites from easymoneyshow.com/32.
- Exchange it. This is a Target offering. The mega-chain would like you to spend your money at ITS stores instead of somewhere else, so Target allows you to trade in gift cards at most of its stores. I’ll link you to Target’s list of stores it will accept gift cards from. You’ll receive a portion of the gift card’s value on, you guessed it, a gift card —but it will be a Target gift card.
- Swap it. Organize a swap at your office, your kid’s school or in your neighborhood. This way you can get the face value of your gift card, if a neighbor is willing to swap or pay for it.
4) Donate it. Yes! Tons of charities accept gift cards. And you can get the tac deduction. Just ask your favorite charity if it does this. If not, CharityGiftCertificates.org has more than a thousand non profit organizations to choose from. OR, another idea, use the gift card to buy items that charities need!
5) FInal idea: Buy gifts with it. Don’t shoot the messenger. Even high flying etiquette experts say this is OK. AND, think of this: the person who bought you this gift card obviously likes this store. Wait a while and then buy them a gift from the store!
