Family Life Resource

Gift cards have become a great way to give someone a gift. This is especially true if you do not know what the person likes or wants. Some people are hard to buy a present for. They seem to always purchase the things they want beforehand. Gift cards are also a great way to give children a card that teaches them responsibility. Think of it has a present or gift that is perfect for just about any occasion and does not come with the hassle of sorting through the shelves at your local store to find that gift that he or she may not actually enjoy. This lets the recipient pick out what they want and when they want it. If you are unsure about what is a gift card, what types there are and just how to use them, then this article is for you. We will cover the basics of the gift card world and even tackle some of the etiquette questions that might arise.

What types of stores have gift cards?

Most popular stores and outlets offer the ability to purchase a gift card. There are also restaurants that offer gift cards. In recent years many online websites also have gift cards to purchase and you can redeem some gift cards at a variety of places. If you are unsure of a store have gift cards available, ask managers to help you. At that time you can also find out if there are other stores within the same network that accept the same gift card.

Where can I use a prepaid gift card?

You can use a prepaid gift card, whether a regular gift card from a store or a prepaid credit card, anywhere that you want. If the card is from a particular store then you must use it to purchase items there. If it is a prepaid credit card then you can use it wherever the logo on the front, such as Visa or Mastercard, is accepted.

Can I get my recipient’s name put on the gift card?

Most store gift cards do not allow you to put the recipient’s name on the card. If you opt for a prepaid credit card then the person can elect to put their name on the front. This helps ensure that if it were lost or stolen, the person would not be held liable for fraudulent charges. There is usually a form to fill out but there is not a credit check.

What do I do if I lose my prepaid gift card?

If you have a prepaid credit card/gift card then the issuing company will replace the card for usually no additional charges. Many also offer protections against fraudulent purchases if you let them know the minute, or as soon as possible, that you have lost your card. Regular gift cards are the responsibility of the owner and the issuing store will not refund your card should you happen to lose it. This is why many people are choosing to give prepaid credit cards as gift cards as an extra means of security.

Can I add money to a gift card that someone else has given me?

That is the great thing about gift cards. Unlike gift certificates, a gift card can be reused. If you run low on funds and you know that you will shop there often, add money to the card. Gift cards can be a great way to control your budget by letting you know exactly how much you can spend in a given month on certain purchases.

Filed under: Family Life Resource, Gift Helps on January 3rd, 2008