HELP!! Stuck with Gift Cards Will Never Use

Updated on April 30, 2009
C.G. asks from Fort Worth, TX
33 answers

Ok, I need some advice on what to do. I currently have $200 in Gymboree gift cards and the problem is I NEVER shop at Gymboree for my daughter but could use that money to shop at other stores. What should I do.. can I sell them, has anyone else been in this situation? Is it rude to sell them?

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So What Happened?

Thanks for the advice, I have decided to sell the gift cards.

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S.M.

answers from Dallas on

Sell them on craigslist for a little less than their value. Be careful when and where you meet someone to make the sale, and only accept cash!

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J.R.

answers from Dallas on

Maybe posting on Craigslist, giving to a charity for a tax write-off, offering to trade for another store (there is a barter section on Craigslist).

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A.D.

answers from Dallas on

Wow lots of responses, if you truly will never use them at Gymboree - yes they are pricey, but have beautiful clothing that lasts and on clearance you could stock up on stuff for next year too. I would go with an online gift card swapping service vs. trying to sell it on ebay- you get charged for selling things on ebay and people on craigslist can be iffy. With the swapping service you can swap for what you will use and you wouldn't be limited to children's clothing shops.

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W.L.

answers from Dallas on

Do you have a specific ethical reason that you do not shop at gymboree? Your daughter is only 4 months old, in the future you may be able to find her something you can dress her in. If not people having babies generally have friends and/or family having babies. Use the cards to purchase gifts for baby showers. You can sell gift cards on-line but do not expect to get anywhere the retail price. Maybe you should be grateful that people were so generous in giving gifts to your daughter and take another look at gymboree with a different attitude. If you can not find anything acceptable consider donating the cards to a homeless shelter or a woman's shelter. I am sure someone there would greatly appreciate your kindness.

1 mom found this helpful
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T.H.

answers from Dallas on

there is a site called swapagift.com where you can swap cards or maybe sell them. i've never used it but i do know you won't get the full amount, like i just looked and they will only pay 65% of your $200 for gymboree. there's probably other sites as well but that's the only one i know. good luck.

1 mom found this helpful
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S.K.

answers from Dallas on

I would think certainly you could find some things to buy with the gymboree gift card. If you have a 4 month old daughter they have lots of cute things. And if not maybe you could purchase some gifts for other people - maybe get some Christmas shopping done really early.

For myself I wouldn't sell the gift card - I would think it was rude. I usually write a thank you note after I have used the gift card to let the sender know what I purchased and how much I love it and thank them again for the gift card. But that's just me.

1 mom found this helpful
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N.S.

answers from Dallas on

ebay...youll get around $150 minus ebay and paypal fees. If you need help feel free to contact me.

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M.C.

answers from Dallas on

You can sell them on ebay. I have bought gift cards on ebay myself. You'll probably get 95% of the value of them.

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E.C.

answers from Dallas on

It was a gift so why can't you just make the effort to go to Gymboree to spend it? It's FREE money! Buy her some play clothes if you don't like their merchandise, or buy a gift for someone else. And if you sell the cards, who's going to know unless you tell them? You could donate the cards to a charity and use it as a tax deduction.

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M.M.

answers from Dallas on

List them on craigslist for sale! Be careful for your safety by meeting in a public place (at gymboree preferably so they can verify the card), and don't go alone. If it were me, I'd list it for between $170-$180 cash. Hope it sells for you!

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K.S.

answers from Dallas on

I would sell them so you could get something you would actually use/want. Are you wanting to sell for full value or a discounted value? Is there an expiration on them?

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A.T.

answers from Dallas on

I think it's totally okay to sell them. I'd sell it on Craigslist, asking for the same amount in cash. See what happens...

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A.C.

answers from Dallas on

C.,
If you still have the gift cards, I am interested.

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M.W.

answers from Dallas on

Have you considered using the gift cards at the Gymboree outlet store? There are several locations...at Grapevine Mills Mall or the Allen Outlet Mall. You might be able to buy more items there than at the mall. Just a thought...

Good luck.

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J.D.

answers from Dallas on

Put them on craigslist, they will sell!

G.R.

answers from Dallas on

Wow! Gymboree's clothes are pretty durable and sell well on eBay. Try selling the gift cards there. Stores don't give money back for gift cards.

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M.W.

answers from Dallas on

I don't think it's at all rude to sell them. I just would not mention it to the person who gave them to you. If they ask tell them how grateful you are and leave it at that. I'm not really sure how you can go about selling them however unless you have friends who might buy them. You could also try Craigslist. The only thing is you may have to take less than they are worth so it is worth it to someone else, such as you'll sell the 200.00 for 150.00. That way you still come out ahead and the buyer has gotten a great deal. Hope this helps!! Good luck.

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M.C.

answers from Dallas on

There is also a website called www.cardavenue.com where you can buy, sell, or trade gift cards for a small fee. I've used the site several times and its been very helpful.

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A.T.

answers from Dallas on

Hi there,
Well you can exchange them for another gift card that you might use on giftcards.com. i believe that is the website, you can google it and it should come up. you could also sell them for cash,although im not really sure where to go for that. Maybe ebay.
GoodLuck

B.C.

answers from Dallas on

You can do ebay or Craigslist. Just ask for about $10 less than what it's worth. Someone will buy it and save themselves $10!

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J.H.

answers from Dallas on

Hi,

Buckets and Bows will take gift cards in exchange for house cleaning. Now I know any tired mom can use that! Their website is http://www.bucketsandbows.com. The owner is very nice. I have used them a couple of times and have been pleased. (I'm a stay at home mom so I can't afford maid service)

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T.R.

answers from Dallas on

For a $100 you get free shipping at Gymboree online. Just get some basics in a variety of sizes and I think you will be happy with the quality of the clothes.

I am a "regular" shopper at Gymboree because the clothes are great quality. Almost everything I have will be great handy-downs, except for the outfits my son was able to wear for two summers. Those are starting to look a little faded, but there are no holes and the stitching is still intact.

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D.B.

answers from Dallas on

Consider shopping there. If you truly don't like what Gymboree sells, then you could purchase items to give as gifts.

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S.M.

answers from Dallas on

Gymboree has great clothes that really last and you can get great sales there all the time--either online or in stores. Seems like it would be better to use them than getting less than the value for the gift cards. Online, if you spend $100 right now, you get free shipping. Perhaps you could tell some friends in case they want to buy them from you....

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.W.

answers from Dallas on

If you have to purchase a gift for someone else, you could utilize the Gymboree gift card till it is exhausted of it's expense. I do this frequently with gift cards people give me. Saves me money. Cheap but times are tough.

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A.C.

answers from Dallas on

I've heard you can sell them. It isn't rude if you don't go out and tell someone "oh, I sold your gift card." If they want to know what you "got" with the card, tell them what you've spent some of the money for. Try to be kind and thoughtful!

There are stores I can't really identify with very well, and truthfully, most of my little girl's clothes came from a good friend - nearly new! Most of the money I spent went toward kids' books and toys.

:) A.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.J.

answers from Dallas on

SELL it on EBAY!!! for like 150 -175 I promise people will buy it!

hth
A.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.S.

answers from Wichita Falls on

There are a few different sites that let you sell or trade. You will probably end up with less than $200, but it would be more than zero - which is what the cards are worth to you now, right?

Of course it's rude - akin to regifting or taking it back - but it also (IMO) falls into the category that if the giver doesn't know then no hard feelings. :)

S.

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C.H.

answers from Dallas on

I would go to www.plasticjungle.com There you can either let them buy your giftcard for a reduced price, sell it yourself, or trade. There are some really good deals there too!

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A.M.

answers from Dallas on

I had about $100 from Dillard's (same deal) and a lady from churc bought them from me. I just posted a little note on our yahoo group. You might also try craigslist.

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B.P.

answers from Dallas on

Our church (Pantego Bible Church) recently did a gift card drive. They asked for everyone's unused gift cards and then they gave them to the Battered Women and Children's shelter and other similar agencies. It was awesome! Thousands and thousands of dollars of giftcards were donated. They said things I'd never thought of like "Wouldn't it be nice to tell a woman who has just left her abusive husband to take her kids out to a nice relaxing meal at Chili's or Olive Garden sometime, and let someone else wait on them? Or wouldn't it be awesome if a woman living at the shelter, and looking for a job, to go Wal-mart or the Avenue and buy some new interview clothes? Wouldn't it be awesome for you to allow a scared kid in a shelter to be able to wear new clothes instead of hand me downs from the shelter? I think it's a great idea!!! Go for it! B.

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L.P.

answers from Dallas on

I would sell them if I was you. Even at $150 for all of the $200 gc someone would get a great deal and you would get some cash out of it.

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J.B.

answers from Dallas on

I haven't tried any of those sites... BUT if you want when you are at the mall, buy $200 worth of stuff and get a gift receipt. Then have a friend/hubby... even you - go return with the gift receipt and get cash back vs. store credit then go shopping somewhere else in the mall. I did this the other day and got a TON more stuff at Old Navy and Baby Gap! Good luck!

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