Gift cards are the next best thing to the shopping mall for many retailers, gift givers and receivers. According to CNNMoney.com , an estimated $35.75 billion will be spent this year on gift cards alone. They're popping up all over the place -- in grocery stores, drug stores, and gas stations. Buying gift cards online, at the store or bank can be a real time saver, as well as an easy-out for the lazy or forgetful giver. All you have to do is pick a favorite off the rack, pay for it and give it away. Quick and easy.
Gift Card Mania - Everybody's Doing It
Restaurants and cafes such as Red Lobster, Olive Garden, Smokey Bones, Outback Steakhouse, Applebee's, Chili's, Cracker Barrel, TGI Friday's, Panera Bread, Starbucks and Dunkin' Donuts have the cards at the register as you pay for your meal. Even McDonalds and Burger King have switched over to plastic.
Bank card: Also known as a cash card from American Express, Master Card, Visa and Discover are popular because they look like a credit card and are recognized and used worldwide.
Airlines like Jet Blue Airlines, Southwest, US Airways, United Airlines, Northwest and Hawaiian Airlines all offer gift cards for sale. In an attempt to rake in the big dollars, they play on your emotions. You'll look golden if you send Grandma and Grandpa to Hawaii!
Big Box Stores Wal-Mart, Target, Kohl's, Lowe's, Home Depot, JC Penny, Sears, K Mart and others are very popular cards.
Supermarkets, banks, local restaurants, coffee shops, convenience stores, spas. They're all getting in on the action.
Even the entertainment industry like iTunes, Ticketmaster, Netflix, Blockbuster, and AMC Theaters are playing the gift certificate game. In some cases, Netflix and Blockbuster will give you a free month for trying them out.
Catalog shoppers can buy gift cards, too. Go online or call LLBean, IKEA, Lands End or Coldwater Creek and have the cards mailed.
As easy as it seems, buying and giving holiday gift cards has its pros and cons. Here are a few things you should know before you walk into that store and plop down your hard-earned money.
Advantages:
- Save time by buying all the cards at once.
- Save time and aggravation standing in long lines at the mall or store.
- Save time waiting in traffic during the rush.
- Save fuel by not driving to and from each store.
- Save money by not impulse shopping.
- Cards can be bought online and mailed making it easy for the housebound.
- Last-minute purchases for someone you forgot.
- Great for the receiver who can decide what they want.
- Saves sanity, anxiety, frustration and relationships.
Disadvantages:
- Loss of personal contact with the recipient.
- Takes the meaning out of Christmas.
- Looks lazy.
- Expiration dates. Some cards expire before you get to use them.
- A large percentage of cards are never redeemed. Uncle Bob forgot he had it in his wallet. The retailer loves that!
- Read the fine print. Some bank cards have fees and charges attached to them.
- Not all stores take that particular card.
- Chance of theft, scams, fraud and loss.
Warning:
Gift card theft, fraud and scams are at an all-time high. Thieves and cybercrooks have found a way to drain your balance before you even get to use it. Use caution, buy from reputable sources and do your homework before you buy. For tips to protect yourself against gift card scams and fraud see Buyer Beware: Gift Card Scam Alert.
Other stores that offer gift cards and gift certificates are: Abercrombie & Fitch, Bon Ton, Circuit City, Costco, Crate & Barrel, Dick's, JC Penny, K Mart, Kohl's, Linen's & Things, Nordstroms, Sam's Club, Sharper Image, and Victoria's Secret.
Spend your gift cards shopping at the Best New England Factory Outlets.
Source: CNNMoney.com November 23, 2007
Donna Diegel - Donna Diegel is an experienced baker and published author with more than 25 years of experience in the food industry.
