3 tips to get what you want from unwanted gift cards

(BPT) – If you’re like the majority of Americans, you probably received a gift card this holiday season. After all, gift cards are the most requested holiday gift year after year according to the National Retail Federation’s annual Consumer Spending Surveys. But just because you asked for a gift card, it doesn’t mean you’ll use it. If you don’t use a gift card within the first few months of receiving it, chances are, you’ll forget about it or simply won’t use it at all. Rather than hold onto an unused card indefinitely, put the gift card to use in another way.

Here are three ways to get what you want from the gift card that you don’t.

1. Sell it online.

When you receive a gift card you know won’t use, it may just be the gift card someone else will love. This is when using a gift card exchange site — like Cardpool.com — is a helpful option. From your desktop or your mobile device, you can sell a pre-owned gift card to Cardpool for close to face value and choose to receive either cash or an Amazon gift card.

Cardpool connects gift card buyers and sellers to help everyone get the gift card they desire. You can sell a gift card to Cardpool using Cardpool.com or the Cardpool mobile app.

By selling a gift card you won’t use to Cardpool — perhaps a coffee shop gift card you received, even though you don’t enjoy coffee — someone who will can purchase it from Cardpool, at a discount!

2. Sell it in-person.

Take an unwanted gift card with you on your next shopping trip and sell it while you’re out. Cardpool partners with retailers to create an in-person version of its online experience. For example, you can bring your unwanted gift card to the electronics counter in most Target locations nationwide. They’ll take your gift card information, quote you an offer and will give you a Target gift card if you accept.

And, if you want cash fast, find a Cardpool kiosk near you by visiting Cardpool.com/locations.

3. Re-gift or donate to charity.

Do you know someone who could use the gift card? Extend the season of giving by re-gifting it. If you don’t have anyone in mind, consider donating the gift card to charity.

Fundraising committees for schools, churches, clubs and charities are always in need of gift cards that can be redeemed for supplies, auctioned at fundraisers or given as prizes. Or, you also can donate your gift card to charity via sites like Cardfunder.org. Donations to nonprofit organizations may be tax-deductible, too.

With the variety of options available, there’s no reason to let a gift card go unused. Whether selling, re-gifting or donating, your unused gift card could be just what someone else was hoping for this year!

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