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 is a gift card?
A gift card is a card similar to a credit card except that it is usually only good for the store that is designated on the card’s design. A person goes into a shop or even online, purchases a plastic card and then loads money onto it, either through a bank account or cash, and then the amount able to purchase at the store is set. For example: a twenty dollar gift card is purchased from Wal-Mart. That gift card is only accepted at Wal-Mart stores and the items purchased will only be covered up to the amount of twenty dollars. Additional funds can be loaded onto the card. Unlike a gift certificate, the gift card usually does not have an expiration date.
Where can I buy a Visa gift card?
The newest line of prepaid Visa credit cards can be purchased online through the Visa website, at Walgreens, or Wal-Mart. There are also convenience stores that carry prepaid credit cards. Usually if you buy it at a place, you can also reload money onto the card at the same place. There is a small fee when adding funds.
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.
What happens if the item costs more than the gift card is for?
If you are using a regular gift card from a store or restaurant, you will have to pay the remainder yourself out of pocket. If you are using a prepaid debit card or prepaid credit card (both of which are essentially the same), you may be denied the entire purchase. Be aware of how much money is remaining on your card. If you know that you only have $100.00 on the prepaid credit card and the total amount of the bill is $125.00, you can pay a portion with the gift card and then pay the rest out of your own pocket.