[OP]
Contributor
Why in the world does anybody buy or give gift cards? If I'm going to give you a gift, I could give you a gift card, or I could give you the cash that I was going to use to buy the gift card. If I give you the card, you have no options: you must spend that money at that store. But if I give you cash, you can spend it anyplace. That is, cash is a much better gift for you. So if I'm trying to give you a gift you appreciate more, I should be giving you cash. So why does anybody give a gift card?
Member
You really don't know?!
Cash is tacky because it means you did absolutely nothing at all.
Gift cards are something purchased; the gifter thought a bit about what to buy, and bought it.
Okay, my SIL gave me a Ace gift card when the nearest Ace store is 40 miles away, so it wasn't exactly productive thought...
I agree with you that gift cards are silly, but that is the reason.
Contributor
My mother-in-law gets me a Starbucks gift card for my birthday and for Xmas and I always appreciate it. More than cash and certainly more than some gizmo or gadget I would only use once and then put on the shelf.
Erik
Ex-SCM and Felder rep
Guest
Funny gift card story.
We just finished a 1.5 year project building a custom home. The owner owns SOG the knife manufacturer along with a number of other random companies.
Anywho he gave us all "the builders crew" a bunch of knives and random stuff from the various companies he owns.
He also gave us each a gift card to a localish conglomerate that owns a bunch of semi upscale restaurant chains. He gave them to us in a envelope with a card, there was no indication of how much was on each card.
One at a time each of us took it upon our self to call and see how much was on each card. Each of us got led through a phone tree to a random message informing us the cards had nothing on them or where not identifiable.
One of our wife's "I'm not married" took it upon her self to try and get to the bottom of the situation. In the end it was determined that the company had no idea where any of the cards even came from and where fraudulent.
Im also not a fan of gift cards in place of cash. I could give a crap if someone takes the time to think about me when giving a gift. The reality is unless it is your wife, your kid, you mother or father gift giving is nothing more than a exploited formality.
Contributor
Gift cards keep Grandkids from spending the money on drugs, alcohol and girls.
Gift cards let my son & daughter-in-law know that the money is to be spent on them individually, not the family or the kids. They live on Maui and shipping presents is really expensive.
On the other hand, I had better not EVER give my wife a gift card.
Member
Like me, my wife has a very specialized hobby. Outside of the 2 quilting machines that each were so far north of any tool I own (bought 15 years apart), I don't have great insight into what she needs or wants for her hobby. 2 years ago I got lucky and she was working at a local quilt shop 1 day a week cleaning up. I went to the shop and asked the owner what my wife could use. That was the best Christmas in terms of surprising her in a long long time. So when I am stumped, gift cards are an awesome way for me to ensure she gets a hobby related gift that will get used and not some gimicky junk that I found searching web quilt forums and doesn't fit her process.
I don't always get her cards though. Last year I overheard her talking to her sister saying that she needed a different sewing table that was a better ergonomic fit for her. I found the best on the market in Cleveland and took her out to get it. If they hadn't had that one in stock, I would still have driven to that shop but would have come away with a gift card in the amount of the table I would have requested.
So I think there is a thoughtful way to give gift cards....
Contributor
I give restaurant movie theatre and restaurant gift cards to my parents. If I gave them cash the'd never do anything nice for themselves. It is way of giving them a date night(s). They really don't need things...
Shawn
"no trees were harmed in the creation of this message, however some electrons were temporarily inconvenienced."
"I resent having to use my brain to do your thinking"
Contributor
I can buy gift cards on my credit card and get the rewards as we'll as 4x points on our grocery shopping card. For each $100 I would spend that gives me $5 in rewards from credit card and 40 cents off per gallon of gas. So I am basically buying $100 in gift cards for about $80.
Contributor
Originally Posted by Shawn Pixley
+1
This is why we give gift cards to our kids. When they were in college, it was a way to give me some meals we knew they liked (Subway or something similar) where they could grab lunch. When our son was planning on building a new computer, gift cards to Amazon or a computer store was a way to help him out.
Yes, cash would be easier to spend, but it makes sure that the funds are used for a specific purpose.
When I get an Amazon card, I typically give it to my wife for her to spend on the kids. Go figure.
Contributor
Also, I buy Home Depot and Lowe's gift cards for myself at Kroger. That gives me money off gas at Kroger for money I would spend at Home Depot and Lowe's anyway.
Contributor
I give my wife Amazon Gift Cards, because that is what she wants.
She has Paypal, is registered with Amazon and buys things from Amazon regularly, but she just likes to receive the gift cards. She calls them "free money". It makes her happy, and that's why I do it.
I have given Home Depot and Tractor Supply cards to folks, but only because I know that they purchase at those two stores on a regular basis.
As an aside though. I have noticed that some retailers will attempt to charge sales tax on the purchase of a gift card. Most notably, Target. In the state of Connecticut, gift cards are not subject to sales tax, the taxing comes when they're redeemed.
"The first thing you need to know, will likely be the last thing you learn." (Unknown)
Member
I for one enjoy receiving gift cards as gifts. My family and friends know where I shop for tools and so forth so I do get cards for places I shop. Some people think it's impersonal to give cards so I'm glad I'm not on their list. And when you get a couple of cards for the same place, you can then get that one item you've been thinking about but never took the plunge on.
Red
RED
Member
in past years I have been given gift cards for christmas or my birthday to the BORG....multiple people will give me $20 each and it has added up to quite a bit at the end of the holiday season. It gives me a great excuse that I have to buy something there so I have bought some tools there whereas if I just get cash it goes into the bank account and I can't spent it on anything but bills....
Personally,I would rather receive a gift card than equivalent cash for all of the reasons stated above. And now I know what to get my wife for Christmas as she tells me she need absolutely nothing and isn't a jewelry person. And I hate shopping, wandering aimlessly around a mall trying to think of something she might like. Been there, way too many times. Her only hobby is reading and knitting, perfect ones for gift cards. Try to buy yarn she will like or a book she will like or hasn't read? Isn't going to happen. Amazon and Jo Ann, here I come. Only problem is that she gets notifications on her phone whenever I use our charge card...
NOW you tell me...
Contributor
Wait ! You're buying her a gift and putting it on your joint credit card ? Why didn't I think of that ?
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