Gift cards, the convenient little item to give when you have no idea what to give. We have all received them for various reasons. You probably have a few of them scattered throughout your house and have forgotten they even existed. Sadly, this seems to be the case with most people. Billions of dollars are lost every year from unused gift cards. By following a few steps you can do away with this unneeded waste.
When Giving a Gift Card:
1. Know who you are buying for. Don’t buy a gift card to a steakhouse for your friend who is a vegan.
2. Only buy from well established businesses. Choose an establishment you know which has been around for a while.
3. Make sure that the card itself has not been tampered with.
4. When giving the card also include the receipt just in case the card is lost or stolen.
Receiving a Gift Card:
1. Place the card in your wallet or purse for easy access. This way it will not get lost.
2. Check for an expiration date on the card and be aware of how long the card is good for.
3. Use the card as soon as possible. Some cards have fees deducted if not used in a specified period of time.
4. A gift card is the same as cash, so keep it safe. If lost or stolen contact the business that issued it and have the receipt available. Sometimes, with the proof of purchase, you can get a replacement.
Basically, use those cards, no need to waste hard earned money.