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Gift cards are supposed to be the easy answer for that person on your holiday list who has everything. But with $30 billion worth of cards unredeemed, there’s clearly something wrong. Here are four tips if you’re stuck with one you’ll never use – or thinking of buying one for someone else.
This 2009 file photo shows a gift card kiosk in New York. New federal rules for gift cards mean user have longer to use them and don't face as many costs up front. They'll be a popular item this Christmas, industry executives say. (Mark Lennihan/AP/File)
2. Buy ‘em at a discount
The average household accumulates an estimated $400 in unused gift cards over time, according to Mr. Bower of Plastic Jungle. “Gift cards will be the most popular gift this holiday season,” says Anson Tsai, CEO of CardPool.com. But why buy new when you can buy used? Sites like eBay and Craigslist offer used gift cards at a discount. To guarantee the value of the card you're buying, try a website like Plastic Jungle or Card Pool. Discounts on the cards you buy from such websites can range from a few percent to up to 30 percent.
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