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December 27, 2008

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I wound up with a Border's gift card this year. Based on some articles I've read online several analysts/authors are speculating that they will be one of the first retailers to fall. Which is, I think, a bit sad. The only two major bookstores left are Border's and Barnes & Nobles (at least in my part of the country.) I do like paroosing their large selection then sitting on a comfortable chair while I decide which personal finance books I want to get. (Yeah, I really only read personal finance books. It's my primary interest and its all I really have time to read.) : )

Convert them to cash at http://www.plasticjungle.com. You won't get face value, but the cash may be more worthwhile to you.

A slightly more realistic reason to spend them right away is that otherwise you are likely to forget them. Also, many stores will sleazily charge "inactivity fees" after a certain period of time--that's right, they are charging you for the privilege of making them an unsecured loan!

Exactly the right thing to do.

I just had someone e-mail me this morning. They had a gift card for a year or so and went to use it, and the balance was gone. Whoops.

I got one from Burlington Coat Factory yesterday when I had to return a coat my parents got me. I had the receipt, but they refused to give me the money, only a store credit. Unfortunately I don't seen anyway to use it online, so I guess I'm back to the store.

Yes, we gave gift cards. My niece wanted Bed, Bath, & Beyond, and I was very hesitant to do it. We got it for her, though.

You've really changed your tune from just a few months ago when you were in "gift card accumulation mode":

"We currently have several unused gift cards as follows:

Sears - Left over from my elliptical issue with them. We're saving it for Christmas purchases and/or for work if/when we get our new house.
Macy's - Left over from Christmas last year. We hardly ever shop there and will probably use this for Christmas gifts this year.
Local ice cream place -- My daughter received for her birthday last year.
Bed Bath and Beyond -- From a rebate (I hate those things!)
I have a list of the cards we haven't used and I make sure we do eventually do use them, but it requires some diligence. I can see where others who aren't quite as organized could lose track of them."

Pop --

I think you're confusing me with someone else. When was I ever in "gift card accumulation mode"?

FMF --

He quoted what you said. It can be found: http://www.freemoneyfinance.com/2008/07/do-you-have-any.html


Frank

Frank (Pop too) --

Ok, but the way he said it implied that I was then accumulating cards on purpose and am now advocating getting rid of them on purpose. That's not exactly what happened. Yes, we were accumulating cards, but it was by no effort of our own -- we simply received them. We were not purposefully in "gift card accumulation mode". As such, I haven't really "changed my tune."

Just wanted to make that clear.

FMF --

Oh, I getcha. Was not insinuating anything... just pointing you to the post he was referencing. I don't think the original post mentions you purposefully accumulating them as you mentioned. So yeah, no tune changing :p

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