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More than anything, I hate the lack of thought that goes into them. I mean, it's one thing if it's some kind of gift from a client or the some such. But from friends and family? I'd rather not get anything at all.
I agree with you if its from someone important (I'd prefer a gift they chose) or if the card appears to be "re-gifted" to some store that would never be used by me (McDonalds or any fast food joint, Starbucks, Gamestop as some examples); however, one holiday my husband received a gift card to Trader Joe's from his immediate supervisor. That was welcome and he used the card quite quickly.
However, you can always sell it for cash. You won't get as much as the value of the card, but at least you won't have the burden of holding the gift card in your hands anymore.
Aw, gee. Since so many posters are mad at some of us, I'd like to clarify MY earlier response. I love getting gift cards. G i f t cards. Most people give the little receipt that shows it was activated with the card in case someone says there's nothing on it...
The one I got that I hated is the Visa cash card. I actually had to set up that account like I was opening a new credit card, sending all my info and ss #. And that one had those activation and monthly fees. I had no idea they were like that and I'm glad I never gave any of those.
My kids give us restaurant cards a lot because they think we need more "date nights"!
Actually, I'd have asked the question another way, like "What is wrong with giving gift cards?" I doubt if there's anyone on the planet to really HATES getting free money; that would be rather odd. But many of us don't feel it's a valid, sincere gift.
I would put a restaurant card in the "experiential" category (along with tickets to an event or venue or prepaid hotel stays). The only experience visa or gift cards give one is unnecessary shopping, which most of us need to do less of and not more.
Actually, I'd have asked the question another way, like "What is wrong with giving gift cards?" I doubt if there's anyone on the planet to really HATES getting free money; that would be rather odd. But many of us don't feel it's a valid, sincere gift.
I would put a restaurant card in the "experiential" category (along with tickets to an event or venue or prepaid hotel stays). The only experience visa or gift cards give one is unnecessary shopping, which most of us need to do less of and not more.
Can a VISA card not be used at the same restaurant? How does limiting your options make it a better gift? I'm sorry if it's such an unreasonable burden on you to figure out how to spend money.
One advantage of restaurant cards is you can sometimes get them for less than face value. Amazon often has lightning specials where you can get $50 cards for $40, for places like Applebees and Chilis.
"Can a VISA card not be used at the same restaurant?"
I suppose it can, but -- with a restaurant card -- you're saying, "I'm giving you this EXPERIENCE." It's different in a subtle but important way. You either see and appreciate that difference or you don't.
"Can a VISA card not be used at the same restaurant?"
I suppose it can, but -- with a restaurant card -- you're saying, "I'm giving you this EXPERIENCE." It's different in a subtle but important way. You either see and appreciate that difference or you don't.
Well if more narrowly defining their experience is better why don't you go ahead and order them the chicken parmigiani with house salad and Ranch dressing. Then they won't have to do any unnecessary decision making on what to eat.
Aw, gee. Since so many posters are mad at some of us, I'd like to clarify MY earlier response. I love getting gift cards. G i f t cards. Most people give the little receipt that shows it was activated with the card in case someone says there's nothing on it...
The one I got that I hated is the Visa cash card. I actually had to set up that account like I was opening a new credit card, sending all my info and ss #. And that one had those activation and monthly fees. I had no idea they were like that and I'm glad I never gave any of those.
This. 100x this. Isn't this what the OP was posting about before the thread got waylaid?
I've gotten a couple of these and I was grateful to the gift giver, and didn't feel slighted. BUT not once did they work like a simple credit card or gift card. ^^^ explains it well. Using them online at places I normally shop never went through without a phone call and restaurants always came back with a rejection initially and so on.
I was in line at Subway of alll places yesterday and the guy in front of me took like 10 minutes to try to get his Visa gift card to work.
The bottom line for me has nothing to do with their appropriateness as a gift...they're simply really bad cash substitutes.
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