Have you received a gift card as a present that you can’t use? Maybe there’s a specific gift card you want to buy but can’t find. You can turn to websites that allow you to buy, sell, and swap gift cards. Just make sure to do your due diligence because not all gift card websites operate above board. Some even start off as reliable but then go downhill.
Before taking the plunge, run a web search for any website you’re considering. Look for customer reviews and its Better Business Bureau ratings. Pay attention to any responses from the vendor. Did they try to resolve an issue? Were they dismissive of a disgruntled customer? You’ll want to stick with those that have garnered more positive feedback from users.
Once you do pick a website, read the FAQ section. Since the cards are pre-owned, you run the risk of paying for a card that doesn’t contain the promised balance. Most sites offer a money-back guarantee if you run into this problem, but that promise may have an expiration date. For that reason, try to use any purchased gift card as soon as possible to ensure that the money you paid is refunded in the event of an improper balance.
You may want to test the waters on a specific site by starting out with a small gift card purchase—maybe $10 or $20—to see if the process runs without any hitches. If all goes smoothly, then you can try for a larger purchase or attempt to sell one of your own gift cards. Here’s how to get started.
Buy and Sell Gift Cards on GCX
At GCX (formerly Raise), you can buy a gift card by browsing the available stock and sorting through your options. The site allows you to choose between receiving a physical card by mail or getting it electronically delivered to your inbox.
(Credit: PCMag / GCX)
Select the card and amount you want to purchase. At the shopping cart, click the Review and Checkout button. You’re asked to create an account at the site, which you confirm via email. You’ll then be able to pay by credit card.
(Credit: PCMag / GCX)
To sell a gift card on GCX, click the Sell link at the top of the homepage. Enter the name of the retailer and click the Get Started button. At the next page, type the number and PIN for the card along with the amount.
(Credit: Lance Whitney/GCX)
The site tells you how much money your card will fetch. Click the Continue Listing button to list the card for sale. If it sells, you receive your money through direct deposit into a bank account, through a check, or through PayPal.
(Credit: Lance Whitney/GCX)
Buy and Sell Gift Cards on CardSwap
CardSwap is based in Canada, so some of the cards for sale are for Canadian companies, but you’ll still find a lot of vendors that operate in the US and globally. For each card purchased, you receive a certain number of swap points that you can then redeem to help pay for additional cards.
(Credit: PCMag / CardSwap)
To buy a card, click the Buy link at the top. You can browse all available cards or search for one by name. Click the card you wish to buy and add it to the cart. You’ll then need to sign up for an account to make the purchase.
(Credit: PCMag / CardSwap)
To sell a card, click the Sell link at the top. Enter the name and amount for the card you wish to sell, followed by your email address. You’ll receive an offer in cash or in the form of another gift card. Choose the offer you prefer and then follow the steps to sell your card.
(Credit: PCMag / CardSwap)
Buy and Sell Gift Cards on Zealcards
To buy a gift card at Zealcards, click the Buy Gift Card button. Browse all the available cards or search for specific ones by name. Select the card you want and then add it and the desired amount to your cart. To pay for the card, you’ll then need to register with a free account.
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(Credit: PCMag / Zealcards)
To sell a card at Zealcards, click the Sell Gift Card button. Type the name of the card, enter the amount, and add it. You can then either redeem the card online or via a mail-in transaction. Choose the method you want to use and follow the prompts to redeem your card.
(Credit: PCMag / Zealcards)
Buy and Sell Gift Cards on Gameflip
Though it’s geared toward gamers, Gameflip will let you buy and sell gift cards for a variety of vendors. To purchase a gift card at Gameflip, click the Gift Cards heading. Choose the retailer by typing its name in the search field or selecting it from the list. Set the amount of money you want to spend and then add the card to your shopping cart. You’ll then need to log in or set up an account and head to checkout to pay for the card.
(Credit: PCMag / Gameflip)
To sell a card at Gameflip, sign in with your account. Click your profile icon in the upper right and select Start Selling, then choose gift cards as the category. You’ll then need to submit some type of government issued ID, such as a driver’s license, as proof of your identity. Yes, that sounds like a hassle, but it helps protect buyers from being scammed. After verification, follow the steps to enter the name of the card and the amount, then choose how you want to redeem the card.
(Credit: PCMag / Gameflip)
Buy and Sell Gift Cards on eBay
eBay is another option for buying and selling gift cards. The bonus here is that buyers and sellers are protected by eBay’s policies, in case something goes wrong. To buy a gift card on eBay, open the Gift Cards & Coupons page. You can browse by category or search for specific cards by brand or retailer. The gift cards up for sale may be Buy it Now listings or auctions, and sellers can list a firm price or allow for offers. When you find a card to buy, click the appropriate button to purchase it.
(Credit: PCMag / eBay)
To sell a gift card on eBay, create a new listing. Fill out the usual information with the description, photos, and other details. Decide whether you want to set it up as a Buy it Now listing or as an auction and whether you wish to accept offers, then finalize the listing to show it on the site.
(Credit: PCMag / eBay)
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About Lance Whitney
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