When consumers buy gift cards, it is often for convenience. Regardless of the occasion, purchasing cards simplifies the entire shopping process for the person buying the present while also allowing the receiver to acquire something they really want. It saves the recipient from having to return an item, a process that is time consuming and even embarrassing if the gift giver happens to ask about the item they gave.
While convenience cannot be overlooked, there are several aspects of this particular present that should be reviewed prior to purchasing.
Of key importance is any expiration date that the card might have. The best gift cards have no expiration date at all, but there are many that do. The result of an expired card is usually the recipient paying a fee to reactivate it, if they do not just throw it away, believing it is useless because the expiration date has passed. The good news is that expiration dates are now legally required to be printed on the back of all gift certificates, so at least everyone is aware of them.
Another important aspect of gifting someone with a gift voucher is ensuring that they will be able to use it. For example, the buyer might be on the west coast and mistakenly believe that a store is nationwide. When they send the gift card to a friend or family member on the east coast, the surprise may not be in the card itself, but in the fact that the store is not located in that state or may be too far away to warrant a trip to shop there, especially if the amount of the card is not that big.
Related somewhat to the above is understanding where and how the cards can be used. Today a growing number of shoppers prefer shopping online. They may detest the fights for parking spaces and long lines inside the stores. When people buy gift cards, they should verify the card's purchasing reach. Is it good in all stores of the retailers, including outlets, or only in the full stores? Is it able to be used on the internet? Does it work for catalog purchases? All of these questions need to be answered before the purchase is done in order to understand the card's limitations.
Also, examine the fine print to determine if the card charges fees. Fees could kick in at most any point. Some charge a monthly fee in the form of a percentage, while others take out a flat dollar amount. Others charge inactivity fees if a card has not been used after a certain period of time such as one year.
A helpful point for anyone who considers giving these gifts on a regular basis is to know the laws of the state where the card is utilized. For the most part, gift cards are not redeemable for cash. However, in some states there are laws allowing cards to be redeemed for cash if the value remaining is less than $10.
Convenience is a wonderful thing, but at the same time, it is equally important to seek out the technical elements of a gift card, just as it would be prudent to examine a tangible gift of clothing or electronics. It is simply the smart way to shop.
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