this post was submitted on 20 Oct 2024
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188
Why on gods green earth do people buy gift cards? (lemmy.world)
submitted 2 weeks ago by weeeeum@lemmy.world to c/asklemmy@lemmy.ml
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Utterly stupid little things, its money that is less useful in EVERY situation and expires! Even at the store where you can use it, what do you do with the money that's leftover but too little to spend? Especially at expensive places, you could very well end up with 10-20$ OF YOUR OWN MONEY, that you can't even use!

I was given a dunkin giftcard for volunteering at a repair cafe. First of all I'm on a diet but secondly I stuffed it in my wallet so quickly I completely forgot about it. The day I remember and go through the trouble of attending such a wretched establishment I was told it expired after I finished giving my order! After such bother to try to use this cursed thing I refuse to return fruitless from my endeavors so I paid with my own cash.

It is now, sulking into my hashbrowns and Boston cream do I realize I am now poorer, fatter and fucking miserable. FUCK gift cards.

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[–] tupalos@lemmy.world 24 points 2 weeks ago (5 children)

I think it’s because people think giving pure cash is thoughtless and basic. If you give a gift card for that persons favorite restaurant, then it feels more personable.

Obviously having cash is better for flexibility but people don’t care sometimes

[–] RobertoOberto@sh.itjust.works 3 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

I think it’s because people think giving pure cash is thoughtless and basic.

This idea needs to die. I'd rather have $10 cash that I can stash away to save up for something that I actually want than a $25 gift card that locks me in to a single store.

I'm at a stage in my life where I can generally buy little things when I want to. But my wife and I don't make enough to regularly drop hundreds or thousands of dollars on non-essentials, and my other family members can't do more than $25 or maybe $50 for birthdays or Christmas.

It took me years to convince my parents and wife to just give me cash. When I finally did, it enabled me to save up for a $1k guitar over several years.

I'd much rather have one awesome gift every 5 years than a steady stream of $35 gift certificates to various stores and restaurants.

Not giving someone what they're actually asking for is far less thoughtful than cash.

[–] Fredselfish@lemmy.world 8 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Think the FTC should get involved on this one. One gift cards should never expire. Two you should have the right to cash it out and every fucking penny off of that card. Third and last no fucking fees that eat away at the balance. If they did that then gift cards would be nice beyond that not buying those.

[–] LodeMike@lemmy.today 3 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) (1 children)

One gift cards should never expire.

~~They don't. It's illegal.~~

Two you should have the right to cash it out and every fucking penny off of that card.

Money laundering.

Third and last no fucking fees that eat away at the balance.

~~Also illegal.~~

[–] Fredselfish@lemmy.world 3 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

What talking about. Yes the cards do expire and I have had gift cards that charge fees every time I use it quarter here 50 cents. And what meant on getting every dime if there 3 cebts left on the card the place should have to give you a 3 cent credit. Allowing you to use all of the value of the card.

[–] LodeMike@lemmy.today 5 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Oh it's five years

https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2010/11/ftc-has-gift-card-tips-holiday-buying

I haven't run into one that expires or charges fees, weird.

[–] ryathal@sh.itjust.works 4 points 2 weeks ago

There's reloadable debit cards that have lots of fees. They are similar to gift cards, but are more something to tax the unbanked.

[–] LodeMike@lemmy.today 3 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

You live in the united states right?

[–] trolololol@lemmy.world 5 points 2 weeks ago

That's the fancy answer.

My son receives gift cards from his friends for birthdays, and we buy them for other birthdays. I think they suck, but the truth is, we usually have no idea what to buy and this is socially acceptable to give.

[–] sunzu2@thebrainbin.org 2 points 2 weeks ago

Does anyone besides boomers think this?

[–] Manalith@midwest.social 1 points 2 weeks ago

For me, I use gift cards I receive as a test of the person that gave it. Someone I consider a collegue but not friend giving me a gift card to a place I like instantly makes me think they value me more than I thought. Person I consider a friend gives me a gift card instead of a gift, depending on the occasion, makes me think they like me, but can't be bothered to put too much effort in, or are just doing because they feel obligated.