User Comments

1. 

   11/28/07

   techfun

   Interesting question Luann. You missed out on a big discussion on this just a few days ago at www.blogcatalog.com/discuss/entry/is-it-a-cop-out-to-buy-someone-a-gift-car.... You might want to take a look there and try getting that talk restarted if people don't jump on this thread.

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   1. 

      11/28/07

      GetSmart

      Thanks techfun for this info. I should've looked in discussions. Oops on me
2. 

   11/29/07

   crimcheck

   To be honest I really like getting them but I don't like giving them (I am a hard person to buy for). I like to take the time to pick out something special I know the recipient will like. I do like the Amazon wish list though as I will usually get what I want.

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3. 

   11/29/07

   zawadi

   I buy Debit Gift Cards for my son. Like the Visa Cards... kids like them lol

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4. 

   11/29/07

   wenghaan

   I like a physical card more than SMS or emails, but I get none this year, last year, a year before... (uncountable years)

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5. 

   11/29/07

   wandadog13

   We had a request from a lady who wanted to buy someone a photo gift but the picture hadn't been taken yet (they were going on a cruise) so we started a gift voucher service literally just for her.
   
   She's since come back and ordered another photo gift voucher and we sell quite a few now.
   
   There's obviously a market for gift vouchers. Read more here:
   
   www.fabulousphotogifts.co.uk/index.php?ref=gift_it
   
   Personally, I think vouchers are a great way to give a gift, especially if its for someone who lives a long way off. Postage is so expensive and it isn't safe to send money! Cheques are a bit of a pain because you have to visit the bank by which time you've probably just spent it on normal bills.

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6. 

   12/11/07

   cookthemoon

   As much as I prefer a gift card to a gift that is undesirable, doesn't buying a gift card further skew the meaning of Christmas into a holiday about money? Not to mention that (depending on the source) 60-70% of gift cards are never redeemed which translates into billions of dollars for retailers.

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7. 

   12/11/07

   mtchick

   I've never received a gift card, but I'd like to.
   
   I do give them pretty often. Family seems to like them.

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8. 

   12/11/07

   tenshi319

   It seams to be the norm now days if the gift cards are on topic with my interest. It show that they cared about me enough to know me like that.

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9. 

   12/11/07

   suburbqueen

   I personally don't like to receive them as they do come across as a little thoughtless, but some people really are too hard to shop for.

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10. 

    12/11/07

    funlilliy

    I like them especially its from a favorite store.. I give them out too.. in a few occasions.. but to certain stores.. that i know that person would like to get some stuff from there.. even now in most weddings of my friends they wouldn't register and prefer money checks they use it in there honeymoon or save it..

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11. 

    12/11/07

    cooper

    Most peoplle I know prefer them to that ugly sweater they neither need to like.
    These companies make millions of these cards a year though, just to to the couple dollars often left on most of them. The Visa, Mastercard, and American Express cards especially.
    
    I just recently collected up all of my found old used gift cards...As a matter of fact I'm going to do a post on them.
    
    I have random amounts from three to six dollars on various gift card from Borders, to Barnes and Noble to CVS, Macy's,Best Buy and American Express. Most will never be used....multiply that by people all over the world...the companies make a killing.

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12. 

    12/11/07

    robinj

    if it comes from the heart it doesnt matter what form it takes

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13. 

    12/11/07

    GetSmart

    Wow, I am surprised at the response here. I was giving up on this discussion, but I am happy to read that at least someone replied to this topic. Thank you all and please keep it going. Your responses are quite interesting to me.

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14. 

    12/11/07

    funepets

    Giftcards are ok. The recepient may prefer a gift card than something he/she may never use. A gift with a gift certificate is ok too...lol

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15. 

    12/12/07

    Mooqi

    Oh, thats a tough one because it puts an exact price on them! But then again, who doesn't love a gift card? It might not be extremely exciting when you open it up, but then when you actually go shopping or when you go return all your not-so-cool gifts, you'll appreciate a lot more.

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16. 

    12/12/07

    funepets

    All: If GetSmart is doing a research on gift cards vs. gifts, she should send half of us gift cards and the other half real gifts. Then, we can all come back here are dicuss how we feel. How about that. :-)

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17. 

    12/12/07

    Majik

    I prefer to get gift cards for some members of my family. I remember the one Christmas, I went out and bought my brother a video game for his PS2, he didn't want it and made me return it! I was so angry that now he only gets gift cards! The thought only counts if its not lost on the person your giving the gift to. Some people can just be ungrateful.

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18. 

    11/14/08

    partybluprints

    Just be careful this year lots of store closing and ones going out of business! Check out our holiday gift guide - www.partybluprints.com/Articles.asp?ID=147

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19. 

    11/14/08

    xoxot

    I don't really buy them for people often because I like to get creative with my gifts. But I do enjoy receiving them

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20. 

    11/15/08

    Bayho

    For close family and friends, I would prefer a gift because it makes it more fun to open and receive. But for friends and people who I don't know as well I would not mind whatsoever to get gift cards, becasue that would save me from returning a gift that wasn't quite what I wanted. I have a close friend, and we talk about it, and we get gift cards for eachother instead of gifts becasue it makes it easier during the crazy holiday season.

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21. 

    11/15/08

    CrankyChick

    I like receiving gift cards to places I like to shop (but even the American Express gift card is ok) I give them as gifts as well for the places I know people like to shop at or eat

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