Does anyone have experience with buying unused gift cards off line? Just can't get used to the idea since it would be so easy to scam?? Just how do funds get transferred? Does anyone know of any coupon codes for home depot to be used against purchase price??
I have seen the gift cards for sale on Craig's List, but have never been tempted to buy any. Who is to say the card really is worth what they say, that it has never been used? The only way to verify is to go to the store where the card was issued or to call a number to verify what is left on the card. Another thing is, someone could have ripped off these cards from a store and there is no money on them since they had not been activated. If there are funds on the card, it belongs to the holder of the card, usually. So if you end up with the card there is no ID required. There are far to many scams and cons out there these days, and you may not know you've been taken until after the fact. So I would advise not purchasing any unless it's from someone you know and have known for some time. Buyer Beware!
I have heard of websites where people trade unwanted gift cards at a discount, appears legit. Also bought legit gift cards at a decent discount on ebay. Private party, yes I might have doubts. I heard of people buying coupon codes on ebay too with good reviews, might be worth your time.
There was a scam going on with people snapping pics of the cards still on the shelf and then checking them for funds at a later date. Most retailers removed the numbers from the front of the cards after this began and glued them behind the purchase cardboard/hanger. For coupons related to home retail centers, just go get a transfer address package at your post office
There are gifts cards that I get that I really don't have a need for and it would be nice to sell/trade for some that I need. I agree with wildwest I would be suspect of private parties. I did take payment for some used cabinets that I sold to a guy that he paid me with a Lowes gift card. We met at Lowes parking lot and he and I went into the store and verified that the amount on the card was correct and I sold him the cabinets. I immediately went into the store and cashed in the gift card for another so just in case he had the numbers on the card and was going in to cancel it I still had my money. There might be a business there for some enterprising young person.
I sold a gift card on CL last year. Work gave me a $100 gift card to a fancy restaurant. Since I'm not the fancy type, the place is 45 minutes form my house, and I had no one to take to dinner, I elected to sell. I met up with a guy and he had some sort of card reader that told whether it was still good or not (sorry, have no idea what type). For all I know, it was the owner of the restaurant buying his own card back for an instant 20% profit (I sold it for $80).
I spend lots at raise.com for gift cards, and it works well for me. Just yesterday I bought $400 of autozone cards for $300, a 25% discount, and earlier this week I bought Lowe's cards at 13% off. I recommend it, I have saved lots via that website. They guarantee the value of the card.
That looks great - wish I had known about it yesterday before I went to order pellets - could have spent even less than their great sale price. Well, I'll be checking on that site next time
I'm noticing that as the day wears on, the % of savings per card gets lower and lower! But thanks, and I will keep on checking!
They do vary. Most of the cards I buy, I plan in advance so that I can wait for the best deal. The discounts are especially high the beginning of the year, after Christmas. Right now they are still pretty good for many retailers. I aim for 10% or more from Lowe's, 20% for autozone, and that is often attainable. Home Depot is usually a less of a discount than Lowe's. I aim for 5% on pretty much anything else that interests me. I don't bother for less than that, such as Walmart or Kroger, both of which typically go for 3%.
I have used gift card mall on ebay for a few years now. This christmas I took advantage of 20% off Cabelas cards
I got that one too, plus $300 of Mobil gas cards at $285, both of which I bought using PayPal cards I bought at 5% off.
yooperdave , you asked about coupon codes as well ... AFAIK all retailers forbid reselling coupons, and the fine print on them says as much. They will not know, but you need to decide for yourself how you feel about that. The gift card exchanges are legit.
yooperdave , it looks like Home Depot is 6.8% off right now. That is pretty typical for HD, I would buy at that level. Greg
