Consumer Intelligence: Christmas Gift Card
Posted by Alerts For Consumers at Mon, 26 Nov 2007 17:39:00 GMT and is filed under Holiday Consumer Information,Consumer Intelligence Alerts 
Categories: Gift cards, gift card, Christmas gift card, Holiday gift card, consumer information, Consumer Reports
Gift cards are a convenient way to cross names off the Christmas shopping list. These slender pieces of plastic molded into a parallelogram resemble credit cards. From American Airlines to Zales (The Diamond Store), gift cards are available across a spectrum of endless products, services and marketplaces. More importantly, they alleviate the stress of making the overwhelming decision what to buy someone for the most over-hyped holiday season of the year.
Depending on the recipient’s interests, needs or favorite must-haves, retailers such as Macy’s, Cold Stone Creamery, Starbucks end even a bevy of hotel chains offer gift cards in a variety of dollar amounts. Instead of spending time in long lines, many consumers use the expediency of online shopping to expedite their Christmas and Hanukkah purchases.
For retailers, gift cards are a profitable business. According to the National Retail Federation (NRF), gifts cards are forecast to account for more than $26 billion dollars of sales. Approximately, 10 percent of these same plastic presents will go lost or even unredeemed (Resource: TowerGroup). That’s a mere $8 billion in gift cards.
FACT: A survey conducted by a Consumer Reports reveals some 25 percent plus of gift card recipients have yet to redeem their gifts from last year.
But, before one considers easing the pangs of Christmas shopping, the Consumer Journal recommends the following gift card buying tips:
1) Review the terms of the gift card. While some gift cards are redeemable for a year, others lose their value within 365 days.
2) For gift cards purchased at other general stores (i.e. Walgreen’s carries a Home Depot gift card), request the cashier to confirm the amount of the gift card concurs with the amount printed on the card. Thieves have been known to record the barcode of abscond with the value of the gift card.
3) Read this article for a few more tips and tricks on Christmas gift card buying.
Gift cards are a convenient way to cross names off the Christmas shopping list. These slender pieces of plastic molded into a parallelogram resemble credit cards. From American Airlines to Zales (The Diamond Store), gift cards are available across a spectrum of endless products, services and marketplaces. More importantly, they alleviate the stress of making the overwhelming decision what to buy someone for the most over-hyped holiday season of the year.
Depending on the recipient’s interests, needs or favorite must-haves, retailers such as Macy’s, Cold Stone Creamery, Starbucks end even a bevy of hotel chains offer gift cards in a variety of dollar amounts. Instead of spending time in long lines, many consumers use the expediency of online shopping to expedite their Christmas and Hanukkah purchases.
For retailers, gift cards are a profitable business. According to the National Retail Federation (NRF), gifts cards are forecast to account for more than $26 billion dollars of sales. Approximately, 10 percent of these same plastic presents will go lost or even unredeemed (Resource: TowerGroup). That’s a mere $8 billion in gift cards.
FACT: A survey conducted by a Consumer Reports reveals some 25 percent plus of gift card recipients have yet to redeem their gifts from last year.
But, before one considers easing the pangs of Christmas shopping, the Consumer Journal recommends the following gift card buying tips:
1) Review the terms of the gift card. While some gift cards are redeemable for a year, others lose their value within 365 days.
2) For gift cards purchased at other general stores (i.e. Walgreen’s carries a Home Depot gift card), request the cashier to confirm the amount of the gift card concurs with the amount printed on the card. Thieves have been known to record the barcode of abscond with the value of the gift card.
3) Read this article for a few more tips and tricks on Christmas gift card buying.
Other related articles: Consumer Holiday Gift Shopping Trends
By Holly Bentz (c) 2007 fruitionMedia
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