We all have them – gift cards and merchandise credits lying around the house. We have no idea if they’re still valid or how much money is left on them. In the state of Massachusetts, a gift card or merchandise credit never loses its value.
If you have a card worth $50, there will always be $50 on it until you spend it. In other states, however, cards can lose value each year due to inactivity, maintenance fees, processing fees, and, in some cases, the cards may expire.
Let’s say you receive a gift card to a store you’ll never shop in, or you have a merchandise credit from a store whose style you no longer care for. What do you do with them? Well, you can sell them for cash – legally!
First, let me back up. March 20th marks the first day of spring, which is a great time to clear out every kitchen drawer, dresser drawer, office drawer, and any random areas that collect clutter. These are often where those card treasures are found! Once you’ve collected all your cards, keep them in one location.
If you’re unsure how much is on the gift card, simply look at the back of the card and either call the phone number listed or visit the website provided. Once you’ve figured out the balance, you can write the amount directly on the card or stick a Post-it note on it. I have a stack of cards all in one place, and when I go shopping, I take them with me.
However, I also have some that have sat in my drawer for years! Are they a nuisance, taking up valuable space? Nope! But they are money that remains unused and tied up in places where I may never shop again. So, what do you do with them? You can literally sell them!
Below is a list of places where you can get rid of your unwanted and unused gift cards in the state of Massachusetts. While you won’t get dollar-for-dollar value back, you can expect to receive around 80 cents on the dollar, which is better than nothing. If you don’t like any of these options just Google, “How to get rid of unwanted gift cards.”
Online Gift Card exchange platforms:
Gift Card Granny: This platform allows you to sell your gift cards online. You can search for offers on your specific card and choose the best deal. Payment is typically processed within a few days.
CardCash enables you to sell unwanted gift cards for cash or exchange them for other gift cards. They offer an instant quote based on your card’s brand and balance.
Retailer-specific options:
Amazon offers a trade-in program where you can exchange eligible items, including certain gift cards, for Amazon gift cards. However, this program may not accept all gift cards.
Peer-to-peer marketplaces:
Platforms like Mercari allow users to sell items, including gift cards, directly to other users. However, selling gift cards on such platforms may require additional steps to ensure the transaction is secure and legitimate.
Things to keep in mind:
Be aware of fees that selling gift cards through these platforms may involve fees, and the offers you receive might be less than the card’s face value. Exercise caution to avoid scams. Ensure you’re using reputable platforms and verify the legitimacy of any service before providing personal information.
While these options are generally available in Massachusetts, it’s advisable to check the specific terms and conditions of each service to confirm availability in your area.
By exploring your options, you can find a suitable method to sell your unwanted gift cards in Massachusetts. That said, I have never used any of the services listed above, so please do your homework. However, I have reached out to people I know who shop at the stores related to the cards I have and offered to give them my card. If I’m not going to use it, someone should. What usually happens is people don’t want to take it and offer cash. Whether I give the card away (which feels good) or I get cash in return for it, also a bonus. It is one less thing in home and my life that I have to deal with.
I can’t speak for everything that’s purchase in one’s home, but what I’ve found is that the items that don’t get returned are usually clothes. So, here’s a tip: When you purchase clothes from a store, keep an envelope in your closet to hold all your receipts. Go through the envelope the first of every month, if after 30 days, you still haven’t worn the item, consider returning it.
If you buy clothes or anything online, create a “receipt” folder in you email so you can easily find receipts when needed. Every three months, go through your email receipt folder, and if you haven’t used an item yet, it may be time to return it. The same goes for the envelope in your closet. Go through the receipts and discard the ones for clothes you’ve already worn. You can write on each receipt, so you know what’s what. For example, you can write “red V-neck sweater” or “white floral sundress,” or whatever helps you identify what you bought, in case you need to return it.
Corrin Bomberger is the owner of Simple Organizing Solutions LLC. She lives in Newburyport.