Deciding to buy gifts for your loved ones, and for your friends, can be quite difficult. Most of the time, you end up spending one whole day just going around the mall hoping to find that perfect gift. What makes the situation even more difficult is when the person you're giving the gift is quite choosy and wouldn't settle for anything less than what he or she is expecting. For this reason, more and more people are now trying to find out where to buy gift cards, and many switching to giving gift cards to their friends and loved ones.
Actually, there are different kinds of gift cards. You can choose from either retail gift cards or bank gift cards. Retail gift cards are the ones that are given by retail companies or stores so that you can purchase whatever consumer item you want or need. Credit cards like Visa, American Express and MasterCard, on the other hand, are those that you use to purchase items on credit. Retail cards, as a result of the advancement of Internet technology, have become quite easy to buy and use. This is precisely why the Federal Trade Commission, or FTC, laid out a number of important things to remember when you use or purchase gift cards online.
Gift cards' expiry dates should not be earlier than five years after the date of purchase, or the last time that money was put into the card. In addition, the expiration date must be clearly indicated in the card, as well as the terms and fees that go with it. In the case of activity fees, they can only be charged to you after you have used your card for a year. Also, fees can only be charged to you on a monthly basis. However, you will be expected to pay for all fees related to stolen or lost gift cards.
There are specifications laid out by the FTC, and you should ensure that your gift cards follow them all. Be warned, too, that buying gift cards from just any source online may be dangerous; you should only transact with reliable sources. You can also do a little research or ask around before deciding to go for a deal. While you're at it, don't forget to thoroughly study all the terms of the deal, especially when it involved shipping fees and other similar transactions.
After you have made sure that all FTC considerations and specifications have been followed, you will now need to choose the kind of gift card to purchase. Retail cards are best for your special someone, especially if he or she is fond of shopping around. Online retail dealers or sites abound, the most popular of which are eBay and Amazon. Try using any of these two sites and find out if they suit your needs.
Deciding to give gift cards to loved ones and to your friends is a good option to choose. Aside from being practical, it also takes up less time and is more convenient for you as you do not have to spend one day in the mall. Despite all the modern attractions retail shops and malls offer, deciding to buy gift cards online is your best bet if you want your loved ones and your friends to be truly happy.
Actually, there are different kinds of gift cards. You can choose from either retail gift cards or bank gift cards. Retail gift cards are the ones that are given by retail companies or stores so that you can purchase whatever consumer item you want or need. Credit cards like Visa, American Express and MasterCard, on the other hand, are those that you use to purchase items on credit. Retail cards, as a result of the advancement of Internet technology, have become quite easy to buy and use. This is precisely why the Federal Trade Commission, or FTC, laid out a number of important things to remember when you use or purchase gift cards online.
Gift cards' expiry dates should not be earlier than five years after the date of purchase, or the last time that money was put into the card. In addition, the expiration date must be clearly indicated in the card, as well as the terms and fees that go with it. In the case of activity fees, they can only be charged to you after you have used your card for a year. Also, fees can only be charged to you on a monthly basis. However, you will be expected to pay for all fees related to stolen or lost gift cards.
There are specifications laid out by the FTC, and you should ensure that your gift cards follow them all. Be warned, too, that buying gift cards from just any source online may be dangerous; you should only transact with reliable sources. You can also do a little research or ask around before deciding to go for a deal. While you're at it, don't forget to thoroughly study all the terms of the deal, especially when it involved shipping fees and other similar transactions.
After you have made sure that all FTC considerations and specifications have been followed, you will now need to choose the kind of gift card to purchase. Retail cards are best for your special someone, especially if he or she is fond of shopping around. Online retail dealers or sites abound, the most popular of which are eBay and Amazon. Try using any of these two sites and find out if they suit your needs.
Deciding to give gift cards to loved ones and to your friends is a good option to choose. Aside from being practical, it also takes up less time and is more convenient for you as you do not have to spend one day in the mall. Despite all the modern attractions retail shops and malls offer, deciding to buy gift cards online is your best bet if you want your loved ones and your friends to be truly happy.
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