How to Trade Gift Certificates

Christmas, and birthdays are big times for giving gift certificates. However, so many people get gift certificates to places that aren't quite to their taste. Trading in gift certificates isn't a matter of being ungrateful or unappreciative, it just means that the recipient can get exactly what they want. Many recipients trade their unwanted gift cards for ones to stores and for services they will use.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Save those cards and have your friends and coworkers to the same. If you are a vegan that has several steakhouse gift cards, save them in a safe place until you gather several gift cards and certificates.
2. Throw a gift card trading potluck party. Everyone that has collected gift cards that are still valid can attend. This kind of party is beneficial to all, so don't stress yourself out about it. Have everyone bring a dish to share, and invite friends, coworkers and neighbors that you trust to be honest.
3. Place the cards on Ebay for sale. This is a good option if you want cash. Know that you will almost never get the value of the card. This option is not worth the time for cards of smaller values unless several are packaged together.
4. Call your family after the holidays, and see what they have received that they may want to trade. Siblings have always swapped things growing up, now you can trade gift cards that will benefit everyone. Keep the practice under wraps from those gift certificate givers so feelings don't get hurt.
5. Place an ad in the local or neighborhood newspaper. Name the gift certificate stores or services you have and what you are wish to trade for. Trading and not selling has beneficial tax breaks when dealing with large values. Never go to meet someone you don't know at their home or alone.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't throw the gift card away if it is not tradable. Instead, shop at the store or purchase a service as a gift for someone else, perhaps the person that gave it to you in the first place.