Gift cards: the lure of plastic

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JT Moderator	Message Posted: 12/2/2008 8:53:30 AM	Ignore JT Report Abuse
	Tuesday, December 02, 2008 CBC News -- Retailers love them and many consumers like getting them. Over the past five years, gift cards have exploded onto the retail scene. According to Statistics Canada, 82 per cent of retailers were in on the gift-card game by 2006. Three years earlier, just over a third of retailers offered such cards. Now it's hard to find any retailer who's not issuing them. It's tough to safely put 30 litres of gasoline under a Christmas tree — but you can give your kid a $25 card from a service station chain. And Via Rail offers the gift of travel, in just about any denomination you want. The most successful gift card in North America may be the one offered by Starbucks. The company estimates 10 per cent of all the caffeine hits served up by its North American baristas is paid for by gift cards. It's also the only retailer that will let you use your gift card to buy another for someone else. Visit CBC News for full article

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lindamay Champion Author Minnesota Posts:1,090 Points:252,120 Joined:Feb 2008	Message Posted: 12/10/2008 2:07:50 AM	Ignore lindamay Report Abuse
	It's a valuable gift that's sure to be used, although we bought our kids a set of tires this year a their big present.
magnumCA Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:1,583 Points:302,050 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: 12/9/2008 4:03:58 PM	Ignore magnumCA Report Abuse
	cash is better
Bill313 Champion Author Kansas City Posts:5,505 Points:770,015 Joined:Sep 2006	Message Posted: 12/8/2008 8:32:42 PM	Ignore Bill313 Report Abuse
	Just don't buy from a bank like a visa anywhere card. They charge a fee for them.
JohnBeau Sophomore Author Calgary Posts:117 Points:7,300 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: 12/8/2008 8:19:46 PM	Ignore JohnBeau Report Abuse
	Unless the card is a gift from a gas company, I prefer cash.
dranske Veteran Author Miami Posts:336 Points:127,365 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: 12/3/2008 5:15:25 PM	Ignore dranske Report Abuse
	I'd prefer cash too
rob_37 Sophomore Author Little Rock Posts:132 Points:50,615 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: 12/3/2008 1:24:58 PM	Ignore rob_37 Report Abuse
	I'd prefer the cash - it can be spent anywhere.
PriusHybrid Rookie Author Raleigh Posts:68 Points:14,320 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: 12/3/2008 1:11:59 PM	Ignore PriusHybrid Report Abuse
	Don't you use oil to make plastics? Aren't gift cards made of plastic? Maybe we should make less gift cards, and save the oil for gasoline.
cableman31 Champion Author New York Posts:1,004 Points:475,165 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: 12/3/2008 10:55:48 AM	Ignore cableman31 Report Abuse
	At least a gift card has money behind it, not credit.
traindude All-Star Author Virginia Beach Posts:768 Points:222,940 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: 12/3/2008 9:21:25 AM	Ignore traindude Report Abuse
	i remember how i felt when radio station prizes began to include gas fill ups or gas for a year. never ever did i think it would be a major part of a family budget, but here we are. gift cards are everywhere so why not.
Lizzylou Champion Author Stockton Posts:1,647 Points:924,245 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: 12/3/2008 9:11:13 AM	Ignore Lizzylou Report Abuse
	I love giving GAS GIFT CARDS to my son because if I gave him the cash for it he would not buy the gas!!
plumb37 Champion Author Quebec Posts:2,869 Points:144,035 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: 12/3/2008 9:10:53 AM	Ignore plumb37 Report Abuse
	That's crap. I'd rather have cash then someone buying me something, I don't want, don't need, will never use. .
skippypa All-Star Author Hawaii Posts:511 Points:163,045 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: 12/3/2008 9:10:42 AM	Ignore skippypa Report Abuse
	Gift cards so impersonal.
jaysun420 Sophomore Author Kansas City Posts:188 Points:47,735 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: 12/3/2008 9:10:06 AM	Ignore jaysun420 Report Abuse
	Gasoline gift cards, what's next?
w4kh Champion Author Riverside Posts:3,875 Points:683,570 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: 12/3/2008 9:07:32 AM	Ignore w4kh Report Abuse
	For when you feel obligated in some way, and not strongly enough to actually seek out a gift with meaning for the person you give it to, a chunk of plastic says: "I owed you a gift, but I didn't want to know you well enough to then spend the time finding something just for you, so here's a gift card."
plumb37 Champion Author Quebec Posts:2,869 Points:144,035 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: 12/3/2008 9:07:11 AM	Ignore plumb37 Report Abuse
	What's a xmas? Here we have Christmas.
SilverFoxHMT Veteran Author Riverside Posts:399 Points:159,610 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: 12/3/2008 9:06:46 AM	Ignore SilverFoxHMT Report Abuse
	Old news!
RedFordF150FLX Sophomore Author Tampa Posts:174 Points:12,185 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: 12/3/2008 9:05:54 AM	Ignore RedFordF150FLX Report Abuse
	Please, send me CASH Only for xmas !!!
AL_Crazy_Gal Rookie Author Montgomery Posts:19 Points:42,685 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: 12/3/2008 9:02:39 AM	Ignore AL_Crazy_Gal Report Abuse
	Cash... Right size, right color!!! Can be used anywhere.
SpyderDee All-Star Author Columbus Posts:632 Points:139,075 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: 12/3/2008 9:02:24 AM	Ignore SpyderDee Report Abuse
	I make sure that I use up my gift cards. But some get lost or forgotten. And like the shoe, if it doesn't fit it will not be worn. So be the gift card to Starbucks if you only like Tim Horton's coffee.
plumb37 Champion Author Quebec Posts:2,869 Points:144,035 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: 12/3/2008 9:01:48 AM	Ignore plumb37 Report Abuse
	What's love got to do with it, we're talking gift cards here, ...... gift cards here.
CzechSteve Veteran Author Orange County Posts:475 Points:114,275 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: 12/3/2008 9:01:43 AM	Ignore CzechSteve Report Abuse
	cash is king, you spend it where you want
wizzard1222 All-Star Author St. Louis Posts:643 Points:749,550 Joined:Mar 2006	Message Posted: 12/3/2008 9:01:41 AM	Ignore wizzard1222 Report Abuse
	Crude under $47/bbl.!
qaqcsup Champion Author Michigan Posts:3,666 Points:177,185 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: 12/3/2008 9:00:16 AM	Ignore qaqcsup Report Abuse
	Love needs no gift card.
winterer Champion Author Alberta Posts:3,064 Points:606,605 Joined:Nov 2004	Message Posted: 12/3/2008 8:58:21 AM	Ignore winterer Report Abuse
	This whole article looks like an add for gift cards. Quote "No matter what happens, let's keep conserving, acting as if gas was still $4 a gallon. Let's not go back to our lustful ways." In Alberta we are still paying about U.S. $ 3.12 a U.S. Gal.
BlackCar Rookie Author Long Island Posts:33 Points:214,580 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: 12/3/2008 8:57:45 AM	Ignore BlackCar Report Abuse
	Cash is better. The cards are nice, but if you don't use them, you lose them.
rerosales Veteran Author Corpus Christi Posts:266 Points:225,625 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: 12/3/2008 8:57:25 AM	Ignore rerosales Report Abuse
	Gift cards will also be a big hit this Christmas season.
plumb37 Champion Author Quebec Posts:2,869 Points:144,035 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: 12/3/2008 8:57:24 AM	Ignore plumb37 Report Abuse
	joel27nc said "That's hard to believe RiderKT, every gift card I used I used it all." =============================== That's you but you are not the rest of the world. . [Edited by: plumb37 at 12/3/2008 9:57:59 AM EST]
NWFlyer Sophomore Author Florida Posts:159 Points:436,830 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: 12/3/2008 8:55:23 AM	Ignore NWFlyer Report Abuse
	Gift cards are great for the issuers. They collect payment up-front. Often the cards are not redeemed for a considerable amount of time. Sometimes they are lost or never redeemed. Cha-ching!
Palico Sophomore Author South Carolina Posts:156 Points:52,895 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: 12/3/2008 8:54:19 AM	Ignore Palico Report Abuse
	This barely has anything to do with fuel. So what, this has been going on for quite some time now.
VTROCK Sophomore Author Detroit Posts:176 Points:55,355 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: 12/3/2008 8:53:12 AM	Ignore VTROCK Report Abuse
	I guess this story is pertinent since the plastic cards are made from petroleum. Gift cards are a major profit center for retailers since many of them are never redeemed and the retailer gets the money up front regardless. They don't have any responsibility to carry any extra inventory to support the cards.
joel27nc Champion Author Raleigh Posts:2,269 Points:297,175 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: 12/3/2008 8:52:54 AM	Ignore joel27nc Report Abuse
	That's hard to believe RiderKT, every gift card I used I used it all.
RBimpreza All-Star Author San Diego Posts:977 Points:217,670 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: 12/3/2008 8:51:21 AM	Ignore RBimpreza Report Abuse
	ya treat them like cash
joel27nc Champion Author Raleigh Posts:2,269 Points:297,175 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: 12/3/2008 8:50:19 AM	Ignore joel27nc Report Abuse
	They can get what they want, not what you think they want.
RideKT22 Rookie Author Orlando Posts:81 Points:13,720 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: 12/3/2008 8:50:07 AM	Ignore RideKT22 Report Abuse
	We own a business that sells gift cards. The fact is over the last year of selling them less than 50% of the total bought has translated to being spent at the store. Meaning a customer buys a $25 card and spends about 13.00. Cards are lost, not used, forgotten. We give great breaks to buy our cards and still find most of the card is not used. Not sure what is has to do with oil...maybe paulr12 comment says it best...SO?
AlaRedNeck Champion Author Kansas Posts:1,403 Points:254,475 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: 12/3/2008 8:48:49 AM	Ignore AlaRedNeck Report Abuse
	easier than fightning crowds
guyincognitoNY Veteran Author New York Posts:381 Points:91,085 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: 12/3/2008 8:48:23 AM	Ignore guyincognitoNY Report Abuse
	cash is king
parsec All-Star Author Toronto Posts:581 Points:88,515 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: 12/3/2008 8:48:20 AM	Ignore parsec Report Abuse
	Just don't over do. Use them rarely.
Bigamus Sophomore Author Kansas Posts:207 Points:465,885 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: 12/3/2008 8:47:04 AM	Ignore Bigamus Report Abuse
	Yes, cash is good also.
suckingfumes Sophomore Author London Posts:130 Points:615,740 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: 12/3/2008 8:47:04 AM	Ignore suckingfumes Report Abuse
	our kids are each getting one
tobasco Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:3,277 Points:864,945 Joined:Mar 2004	Message Posted: 12/3/2008 8:45:38 AM	Ignore tobasco Report Abuse
	The only better gift is cash.
PAULR12 All-Star Author Massachusetts Posts:536 Points:85,200 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: 12/3/2008 8:43:29 AM	Ignore PAULR12 Report Abuse
	SO???
Sealer Champion Author Charleston Posts:2,958 Points:345,655 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: 12/3/2008 8:42:38 AM	Ignore Sealer Report Abuse
	Indeed, the cards are made from crude.
danthemanvan Champion Author Montgomery Posts:3,340 Points:695,880 Joined:Nov 2006	Message Posted: 12/3/2008 8:40:45 AM	Ignore danthemanvan Report Abuse
	No matter what happens, let's keep conserving, acting as if gas was still $4 a gallon. Let's not go back to our lustful ways.
Biogen Veteran Author Ventura Posts:449 Points:107,505 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: 12/3/2008 8:39:29 AM	Ignore Biogen Report Abuse
	Are the cards made from crude..
REVLAW Champion Author San Antonio Posts:2,333 Points:440,585 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: 12/3/2008 8:38:26 AM	Ignore REVLAW Report Abuse
	Just another fad.
purvismike All-Star Author Wisconsin Posts:752 Points:154,875 Joined:Feb 2008	Message Posted: 12/3/2008 8:37:27 AM	Ignore purvismike Report Abuse
	Hey Plumb, whats a google? Ha Ha
Wizrd03 Sophomore Author Illinois Posts:226 Points:68,775 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: 12/3/2008 8:36:38 AM	Ignore Wizrd03 Report Abuse
	Visa & MasterCard gift cards suck. They fee you to death on purchase and if not immediately used. The only upside is thay're accepted most anywhere. So is cash, so send a check for Christmas!
Clothahump Sophomore Author Houston Posts:179 Points:13,685 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: 12/3/2008 8:36:14 AM	Ignore Clothahump Report Abuse
	Cash is better. The cards are nice, but if you don't use them, you lose them.
longponder Sophomore Author Massachusetts Posts:229 Points:49,430 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: 12/3/2008 8:35:01 AM	Ignore longponder Report Abuse
	The new way to lock in a profit
giacobbe Rookie Author Salt Lake City Posts:62 Points:9,855 Joined:Dec 2008	Message Posted: 12/3/2008 8:31:55 AM	Ignore giacobbe Report Abuse
	Has anyone used the plastic VISA gift cards? I have and let me tell you, if you want to check balances or don't use it right away, you'll get charged until there isn't any money left on the card. Also, I found that if you want to buy something that is worth more than what you have on the card, it won't work. You have to ask the cashier to charge the exact balance on the card first and then pay the rest.

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