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    Buying Gift Cards at a Discount

    Use EBay to Purchase Department Store Gift Cards at a Discount

    By Shawna Straub | Yahoo! Contributor Network – Thu, Dec 9, 2010
    This story comes from the Yahoo! Contributor Network, where individuals publish their unique perspectives on some of the world’s most popular websites.
    Do you have a story to tell? Become a Yahoo! contributor

    With the hustle and bustle of everyday life shopping for a gift has become as automated as our ATM cards. It can truly be a challenge as well to find the right size or style for a relative that you only see twice a year, so many people turn to giving gift cards as an easy fix for a suitable birthday or other holiday gift.

    The only problem with buying a gift card online from a store is that often times you have to pay shipping on top of the actual item so a $25.00 gift giving limit actually turns into a $30 gift with a $25.00 value. If you want to give a VISA gift card you actually have a $4.00 activation fee just to have the freedom of spending anywhere.

    There is a way to actually pay less for the gift card than its worth and get free shipping out of the deal. How you ask? EBay is the answer to your gift card needs and you can purchase all of them in one place without getting in your car or paying shipping. It is so easy to peruse all of the stores you usually shop such as Target, Wal-Mart, Macy's, Gap, etc. and find gift cards in a multiple of denominations. Right now as I search eBay for Wal-Mart cards I have over 198 gift cards to choose from ranging from $5 to $500. I would say that 99% of them offer free shipping and I can see the feedback on the seller to make sure they are 100% trustworthy. I can also pay with PayPal in order to guarantee my purchase against a fraudulent transaction. I almost feel safer purchasing it online then I do from the store due to the fact I don't even have to spend any gas money or risk my safety on the road!

    There isn't any better feeling than purchasing your gift card online for $27.00 when it's worth $35.00. The savings from buying your gift cards on eBay can actually add up to an extra eBay gift for yourself like that new music CD you've been eyeing. I always have my husband transfer the gifting budgets to my checking account that is attached to my PayPal. This way if I end up saving any money due to my professional gift card finding skills I can pocket the extra money for myself. In these tight times it's important to save anywhere you can. If you buy your gift cards on eBay you can be sure to receive free shipping and probably receive it quicker than the store can deliver or at best you'll save money on the gift card value and both receiver and giver will be very happy.

     

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