Introduction
Gift cards are a quick and easy way to give someone something they can use. However, you may have heard they’re not as good as cash. Gift cards online can be tricky to redeem and get less in value over time than the amount of money they were worth at the time of purchase. That’s why here is a list of things to keep in mind before buying gift cards:
Make sure the card you’re buying can be used in your state.
Before you buy a gift card, check to see if the retailer is located in your state. Many states have laws regarding gift cards, and some of these can affect your ability to use them. For example, in California and Minnesota, you can’t buy gift cards online; that’s right—you have to physically go into a store (or call) and purchase them there. In some states, like New York and Massachusetts, you need special permission from the credit card company before purchasing or using a store-specific card (like a Starbucks gift card).
If you want to buy gift cards online, security is key.
- Security is a big deal. The site must be secure and reputable if you buy gift cards online. Look for websites that use a secure payment system, such as PayPal or MasterCard Secure Code (you’ll see this when purchasing items online).
- Keep your personal information safe. When buying gift cards online, you must keep your personal information safe from hackers trying to steal information from unsuspecting consumers like yourself!
Avoid online auctions.
Many people think they can get a great deal on gift cards by buying them at an auction on eBay or Craigslist, but this is generally not the case. The vast majority of the time, these gift cards are scams—they either don’t work or aren’t real. You could find yourself out a large amount of money if you choose to buy a gift card from an auction site, and your card turns out to be fraudulent.
While we’ve seen some legitimate-looking auctions for gift cards on sites like eBay and Craigslist, we’d advise against it and buy directly from someone who sells off their unused balances via classified ads or other advertisements (like those on Facebook Marketplace). It’s far easier than ever before now.
Do your research.
One of the first things you should do before purchasing gift cards is to check out reviews and customer feedback on different sites. You want to ensure that you are buying a legitimate card, not something that could be used to steal your personal information or identity. It’s also important to see if there are specific terms and conditions associated with using this type of card; often, there will be requirements for purchase, such as having it mailed directly to you as opposed to being able to know where it was purchased from without getting into some serious trouble.
You should also make sure that each site has a privacy policy in place so that any sensitive information used during transactions goes through secure channels (which means they are encrypted).
Finally, if you’re planning on using these gift cards at retailers or restaurants, then make sure those businesses accept them! If not, then what’s the point? Also, pay attention when checking balances because sometimes vendors sell out fast!
Conclusion
There are lots of options for gift cards, and the best one for you will depend on your needs. The best way to find out which one is right? Just do some research! You can start with our guide on how to buy gift cards online, Happy shopping!
