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Gift credit cards?  

post #1 of 8
10/25/08 at 3:00pm
Thread Starter 
We have a small collection of gift credit cards that each have a small balance left. What is the best way to get those remainders off the cards to be able to actually use them? Some are over a year old because I cannot figure out how to use them.
post #2 of 8
10/25/08 at 4:38pm
Note the exact amount on each card and when you go to pay at the store, tell them you want to pay $x.xx on this card, and the rest with your normal payment.
post #3 of 8
10/25/08 at 4:48pm

Especially for Visa, Amex cards...

I go online and get the actual balance and use them at the grocery store. They have always been kind to me, and it helps use up the last little bits on the cards (I've used 3 or 4 at a time.) I just pay the balance as usual (debit card for me.)

As a side note...DO check those balances. Most store cards don't have service fees or short expiration dates. After cleaning my 16 yo's room last week, she made almost $80. 2 Victoria Secret Christmas giftcards for $25 each, a BN card for $10, Jamba Juice $10, and an Amex card for $9.25 (I bought this one from her and used it at the grocery store the next day.)

Jill H.

(lucky mom to Amelia 18, Camille 16, Evan 13, and Gracie 11)
post #4 of 8
10/25/08 at 5:26pm
Thread Starter 
Would something like that work for online sites? I have to make some internet purchases and it would be nice to use these cards.
post #5 of 8
10/25/08 at 5:37pm

I think...

that if you could call for an online order it might work. Otherwise, I think you have to order under the card balance.

Sorry, not too helpful, I know. Maybe use them at the grocery (or Target, etc.) and save the equivalent for online purchaes?

Jill H.

(lucky mom to Amelia 18, Camille 16, Evan 13, and Gracie 11)
post #6 of 8
10/25/08 at 6:43pm
I've always just done a split sale where I give them the gift card first and it is deducted from the balance due and then give them another form of payment for the rest. It will only take off the amount that is one the card (either gift card or gift credit card). Most stores will take as many as you have so if you have $1 on one card, $5 on another, $10 on another, etc just keep giving them the cards until the balance is paid.
post #7 of 8
10/25/08 at 11:03pm
I think it really depends on the cashier. We had some visa gift cards that we were trying to use up but they kept not working even though we told the cashier there is only a little bit on each. Finally we tried at Bed, Bath and Beyond and the cashier there was so nice and we got to use one and part of the other and she even told us what the balance was left.
post #8 of 8
10/26/08 at 11:03am
Thread Starter 
That is what I am afraid of. We live in a very isolated area so we do not have any big stores. We have a Walmart but we do not go there (we boycott). The only stores I frequent are small, locally owned places. I hate to slap them with multiple cc charges because I know how much they lose in the transaction. The only place I ever spend money that I would not feel guilty about this would be for the occasional online purchases I make.

Is there any way to transfer the balance to one card or redeem for cash?

This sort of seems like a scam. Like they know they will get to keep these remainders because no wants to bother with this issue.
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