http://www.mpdailyfix.com/gift-cards-another-example-of-duping-the-public/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=gift-cards-another-example-of-duping-the-public Opinions. Commentary. News. Sun, 12 Feb 2012 02:23:11 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 http://www.mpdailyfix.com/gift-cards-another-example-of-duping-the-public/comment-page-1/#comment-41065 chicken recipes Mon, 21 Sep 2009 20:58:16 +0000 http://www.mpdailyfix.com/gift-cards-another-example-of-duping-the-public/#comment-41065 Great article. I totally agree, gift cards are not doing any good for the consumer. Yeah it's an easy gift, but nothing more. Huge hidden fees from hungry business and problems using the card. Anyway, studies shows that a lot of gift cards are not even used before they expire, they are the emitters best friends! Great food for though to read your article! Great article. I totally agree, gift cards are not doing any good for the consumer. Yeah it’s an easy gift, but nothing more. Huge hidden fees from hungry business and problems using the card. Anyway, studies shows that a lot of gift cards are not even used before they expire, they are the emitters best friends! Great food for though to read your article!

]]> http://www.mpdailyfix.com/gift-cards-another-example-of-duping-the-public/comment-page-1/#comment-41064 Alexandra West Mon, 27 Apr 2009 21:15:27 +0000 http://www.mpdailyfix.com/gift-cards-another-example-of-duping-the-public/#comment-41064 Add to that the fact that something crazy like 20-30% of the cards aren't used, lost, or expire, and you've got a very good business model indeed. Add to that the fact that something crazy like 20-30% of the cards aren’t used, lost, or expire, and you’ve got a very good business model indeed.

]]> http://www.mpdailyfix.com/gift-cards-another-example-of-duping-the-public/comment-page-1/#comment-41063 Alexandra West Mon, 27 Apr 2009 21:15:16 +0000 http://www.mpdailyfix.com/gift-cards-another-example-of-duping-the-public/#comment-41063 Add to that the fact that something crazy like 20-30% of the cards aren't used, lost, or expire, and you've got a very good business model indeed. Add to that the fact that something crazy like 20-30% of the cards aren’t used, lost, or expire, and you’ve got a very good business model indeed.

]]> http://www.mpdailyfix.com/gift-cards-another-example-of-duping-the-public/comment-page-1/#comment-41062 Lynn Jobe Mon, 27 Apr 2009 19:33:11 +0000 http://www.mpdailyfix.com/gift-cards-another-example-of-duping-the-public/#comment-41062 Gift Cards seems to be a catch all term and that's a problem. I purchase Gift Cards from a national fundraising organization that allows my non profit club to earn discounts, at the time of card purchase, of 1% to 15% of the cards' face value. I have access to Gift Cards from over 200 national retailers. I also purchase Gift Cards locally as a club fundraiser and the club earns an instant credit of 5% for groceries, gas and liquor purchases at a local grocery co-operative chain. It really adds up for our club and we allow our athletes to fundraise with these cards as well. The best part is that it's money I am going to spend anyways. I use cards for groceries, gas, clothing, restaurants, air travel and more. I can use the cards just like cash and can take advantage of any affinity programs or promotional pricing to save even more money. Yes, I am careful when I buy the cards. I buy from big retailers that I know are stable. I have never had trouble using the cards in the 3 years that I have purchased them. I order cards about once a month but I could order more often if I needed. I plan my big purchases and buy Gift Cards in advance. It should be noted that not everyone is a good candidate for Gift Card use. You have to be disciplined and organized. If you lose the card or leave your cards at home they are going to cost you money. I feel like I am missing an opportunity if I don't use a Gift Card for a purchase. It's a fundraiser that really works for my club. So, I am a bit sensitive when Gift Cards get a bad rap. I could sell a lot more Gift Cards to friends but the ongoing bad press has people afraid to use them. Gift Cards seems to be a catch all term and that’s a problem.
I purchase Gift Cards from a national fundraising organization that allows my non profit club to earn discounts, at the time of card purchase, of 1% to 15% of the cards’ face value. I have access to Gift Cards from over 200 national retailers.
I also purchase Gift Cards locally as a club fundraiser and the club earns an instant credit of 5% for groceries, gas and liquor purchases at a local grocery co-operative chain. It really adds up for our club and we allow our athletes to fundraise with these cards as well.
The best part is that it’s money I am going to spend anyways. I use cards for groceries, gas, clothing, restaurants, air travel and more. I can use the cards just like cash and can take advantage of any affinity programs or promotional pricing to save even more money.
Yes, I am careful when I buy the cards. I buy from big retailers that I know are stable. I have never had trouble using the cards in the 3 years that I have purchased them. I order cards about once a month but I could order more often if I needed. I plan my big purchases and buy Gift Cards in advance.
It should be noted that not everyone is a good candidate for Gift Card use. You have to be disciplined and organized. If you lose the card or leave your cards at home they are going to cost you money.
I feel like I am missing an opportunity if I don’t use a Gift Card for a purchase. It’s a fundraiser that really works for my club. So, I am a bit sensitive when Gift Cards get a bad rap. I could sell a lot more Gift Cards to friends but the ongoing bad press has people afraid to use them.

]]> http://www.mpdailyfix.com/gift-cards-another-example-of-duping-the-public/comment-page-1/#comment-41061 Regina Mon, 27 Apr 2009 19:21:19 +0000 http://www.mpdailyfix.com/gift-cards-another-example-of-duping-the-public/#comment-41061 I have received gift cards as a rebate from my mobile phone service provider. I found out that the local CVS drug store knows how to process them, so I used them there. However, I try never to make a purchase that comes with a rebate like this, just because they are so aggravating to try to use! I have received gift cards as a rebate from my mobile phone service provider. I found out that the local CVS drug store knows how to process them, so I used them there. However, I try never to make a purchase that comes with a rebate like this, just because they are so aggravating to try to use!

]]> http://www.mpdailyfix.com/gift-cards-another-example-of-duping-the-public/comment-page-1/#comment-41060 Elaine Fogel Thu, 23 Apr 2009 21:35:37 +0000 http://www.mpdailyfix.com/gift-cards-another-example-of-duping-the-public/#comment-41060 That's just nasty, Peter! That’s just nasty, Peter!

]]> http://www.mpdailyfix.com/gift-cards-another-example-of-duping-the-public/comment-page-1/#comment-41059 Peter Roebuck Thu, 23 Apr 2009 13:19:40 +0000 http://www.mpdailyfix.com/gift-cards-another-example-of-duping-the-public/#comment-41059 I just learned last week that a $50 Visa Vanilla spend anywhere gift card was only valued at $25 after monthly "maintenance" fees had been deducted. I'll never buy one again and if I receive one, I'll make sure I spend it immediately rather than save it for a special occasion like the dinner my wife and I tried to pay for with this gift card. I just learned last week that a $50 Visa Vanilla spend anywhere gift card was only valued at $25 after monthly “maintenance” fees had been deducted. I’ll never buy one again and if I receive one, I’ll make sure I spend it immediately rather than save it for a special occasion like the dinner my wife and I tried to pay for with this gift card.

]]> http://www.mpdailyfix.com/gift-cards-another-example-of-duping-the-public/comment-page-1/#comment-41058 Elaine Fogel Wed, 22 Apr 2009 21:19:46 +0000 http://www.mpdailyfix.com/gift-cards-another-example-of-duping-the-public/#comment-41058 Thanks, Paul. You're right. For those companies that want to ensure their customers are happy, they should be transparent and include instructions in an easy-to-find location. Thanks, Paul. You’re right. For those companies that want to ensure their customers are happy, they should be transparent and include instructions in an easy-to-find location.

]]> http://www.mpdailyfix.com/gift-cards-another-example-of-duping-the-public/comment-page-1/#comment-41057 Paul Wed, 22 Apr 2009 20:10:45 +0000 http://www.mpdailyfix.com/gift-cards-another-example-of-duping-the-public/#comment-41057 Elaine, this statistic says it all, "The National Retailers Federation estimates that consumers spent $26.3 billion on gift cards last Christmas season." It's a big, big business and a very lucrative one. That said, you are right in that consumers need to better educate themselves on +/- of gift cards, and companies that offer them to their customers might be well served to highlight potential pitfalls. Elaine, this statistic says it all, “The National Retailers Federation estimates that consumers spent $26.3 billion on gift cards last Christmas season.” It’s a big, big business and a very lucrative one. That said, you are right in that consumers need to better educate themselves on +/- of gift cards, and companies that offer them to their customers might be well served to highlight potential pitfalls.

]]> http://www.mpdailyfix.com/gift-cards-another-example-of-duping-the-public/comment-page-1/#comment-41056 Elaine Fogel Wed, 22 Apr 2009 16:51:41 +0000 http://www.mpdailyfix.com/gift-cards-another-example-of-duping-the-public/#comment-41056 Melissa, thanks for the info on store cards. I remember now that Aeroplan also sent me a $100 Macys card last year and I didn't have any problems with that one. It was worth its full face value. Lewis, thanks for the lesson on the difference between gift and reward cards. I didn't know there were two kinds. There seems to be a misconception out there, as most people I've discussed this with refer to them all as "gift" cards. In the case of the AMEX card, I cashed in my Aeroplan miles for the "dining" card. It's the automatic tip that throws everyone off. If the card were worth its face value and could be used like any other credit card, then the system would work just fine. They should allow restaurant patrons to tip as they usually would and not force a specific amount on them automatically. As it stands now, restaurant staff must estimate the fees and tips before swiping these cards. How ridiculous is that? The onus should not be placed on them. The VISA cards came as a rebate from Norton Symantec for a software purchase. I had expected a check, but instead, two cards arrived. Again, the staff person who swipes these cards must also account for fees and tips when used in a restaurant. So, on top of waiting forever for rebates, these cards add another layer of frustration. You'd think that Corporate America would realize that ticking off the customer is not in their best interest. Melissa, thanks for the info on store cards. I remember now that Aeroplan also sent me a $100 Macys card last year and I didn’t have any problems with that one. It was worth its full face value.
Lewis, thanks for the lesson on the difference between gift and reward cards. I didn’t know there were two kinds. There seems to be a misconception out there, as most people I’ve discussed this with refer to them all as “gift” cards.
In the case of the AMEX card, I cashed in my Aeroplan miles for the “dining” card. It’s the automatic tip that throws everyone off. If the card were worth its face value and could be used like any other credit card, then the system would work just fine. They should allow restaurant patrons to tip as they usually would and not force a specific amount on them automatically. As it stands now, restaurant staff must estimate the fees and tips before swiping these cards. How ridiculous is that? The onus should not be placed on them.
The VISA cards came as a rebate from Norton Symantec for a software purchase. I had expected a check, but instead, two cards arrived. Again, the staff person who swipes these cards must also account for fees and tips when used in a restaurant. So, on top of waiting forever for rebates, these cards add another layer of frustration.
You’d think that Corporate America would realize that ticking off the customer is not in their best interest.

]]> http://www.mpdailyfix.com/gift-cards-another-example-of-duping-the-public/comment-page-1/#comment-41055 Lewis Green Wed, 22 Apr 2009 16:20:51 +0000 http://www.mpdailyfix.com/gift-cards-another-example-of-duping-the-public/#comment-41055 Elaine, The gift cards you discuss are in my mind better described as reward cards, as they are only usable with a credit card and are given as a reward for purchase of something. They are very atypical of the normal gift card. Gift Cards are mostly purchased from retailers, including restaurants, or used in marketing efforts by retailers as offers. I am working with a restaurant currently, and we have distributed more than 2000 gift cards. You bring them to the restaurant, and they are worth exactly their value stated. No hassles, no frustrations and no confusion. On the other hand, rewards and rebates are always a hassle, and I just experienced that very thing when I purchased a new printer at Staples. It took three visits before I could finally register for a $50 rebate for recycling my old printer. Elaine,
The gift cards you discuss are in my mind better described as reward cards, as they are only usable with a credit card and are given as a reward for purchase of something. They are very atypical of the normal gift card.
Gift Cards are mostly purchased from retailers, including restaurants, or used in marketing efforts by retailers as offers. I am working with a restaurant currently, and we have distributed more than 2000 gift cards. You bring them to the restaurant, and they are worth exactly their value stated. No hassles, no frustrations and no confusion.
On the other hand, rewards and rebates are always a hassle, and I just experienced that very thing when I purchased a new printer at Staples. It took three visits before I could finally register for a $50 rebate for recycling my old printer.

]]> http://www.mpdailyfix.com/gift-cards-another-example-of-duping-the-public/comment-page-1/#comment-41054 Melissa Wed, 22 Apr 2009 14:34:47 +0000 http://www.mpdailyfix.com/gift-cards-another-example-of-duping-the-public/#comment-41054 The biggest issue with gifts cards are the hidden fees or diminishing value ones. Typically this is an issue when using "spend anywhere" cards like the AMEX one you used. Its less of an issue when using store specific cards- those are most often the easiest, don't have a hidden fee, and often cannot diminish in value or expire. I know in MA, there are some state laws regarding this. Its a case of "buyer beware". Know what you are really buying before giving them out. Our department won some sales contests last summer and were given several of these AMEX cards. We took he whole dept out to dinner and tried to use them at a resturant. We had the same problem you did. It was very frustrating as the receipiant. My manager voiced her concerns to the marketing dept that ran the contest. The biggest issue with gifts cards are the hidden fees or diminishing value ones. Typically this is an issue when using “spend anywhere” cards like the AMEX one you used.
Its less of an issue when using store specific cards- those are most often the easiest, don’t have a hidden fee, and often cannot diminish in value or expire. I know in MA, there are some state laws regarding this. Its a case of “buyer beware”. Know what you are really buying before giving them out.
Our department won some sales contests last summer and were given several of these AMEX cards. We took he whole dept out to dinner and tried to use them at a resturant. We had the same problem you did. It was very frustrating as the receipiant. My manager voiced her concerns to the marketing dept that ran the contest.

]]>