‘Tis the season of receiving gift cards! While they do make great gifts, sometimes you just want to trade gift cards for cash, which can be used most anywhere.
The following is a sponsored post on behalf of Coinstar Exchange. I received a gift card to test the services, and compensation for the review, but all opinions are my own.
I think it’s safe to say that the holidays are (mostly) behind us. Many of our decorations are being packed away, and most of the gifts have found their places on shelves or in drawers. Some of you may even be dealing with an over abundance of gift cards to spend.
I love a great gift card, but sometimes the gift card isn’t the right fit. I love having the option to buy my own item, but I don’t always love the store. Or, have you ever felt that you could use the cash more than another item to take up space in your home? You can actually sell or trade in your gift cards for cash!
Where can I trade in my gift cards for cash?
Sites like CardCash allow you to sell your unwanted gift cards for a discounted rate – you get the cash, and they are able to sell the card to someone else for a lesser amount. This appears to be the fastest site to get your money back from trading in gift cards.
Through Raise.com, you set the price for your gift card and then you’re paid through the website when it sells.
Where can I buy discounted gift cards?
GiftDeals appears to allow you to purchase gift cards from other people – at discounted rates.
CardCash does the same – you can buy a discounted gift card that someone else didn’t want!
If you have a Red Card with Target, you’ll save 5% on gift cards every day (just not Target’s gift cards – but other retailers.) Sam’s Club also offers discounts and I love buying multipacks of gift cards, especially for gift giving.
The below post was a sponsored post in 2015 with Coinstar Exchange, which appears to no longer be a service they provide. However, there are several other options for managing your unwanted gift cards!
There’s a new service popping up in grocery stores – Coinstar Exchange. With Coinstar Exchange, you can exchange your gift card for cash. It takes just a few minutes and it’s so simple to do. Simply locate the closest Coinstar Exchange (in my case, there happened to be several in the city my brother lives now. I’m holding out hope my own city gets one SOON!) Take your unwanted gift card to the kiosk, follow the steps and insert your card.
The Coinstar Exchange kiosk will display how much your gift card is worth (there is basically a fee for making the exchange) and you’re given the option to decline or accept the offer.
Once you accept, a voucher will print out, and you can exchange that for cash.
It really is simple – and helpful if you have gift cards that have been stacking up around your house (hey, we all have some hidden somewhere.) Why not exchange the for cash?
I actually received a gift card a few weeks ago (don’t worry, family. It’s not one that was given to me by a family member.) The card is for a place I never shop at, and when I looked into what they do offer, it’s not a line of product that I’m interested in. Truthfully, I could use the cash for several of the bills we have stacking up.
Have you ever traded gift cards for cash? Do you have any gift cards hanging around your house just waiting to be exchanged for cash?
Great service! I have a lot of gift cards sitting around! Come by today and link up for the #BestofBlogs linkup!
I love the idea of the Constar Exchange kiosks, but the “fees” seem too steep for me. Not worth it if I’m going to lose almost half the card value.
I thought the fees would deter me, as well. The fees do vary by kiosk – and sometimes I have the rare gift card that I know I’ll NEVER use (because the store doesn’t fit me.)
I remember seeing a few of these machine’s around in my neck of the woods. They were only for the exchange for coins to bills , I am hoping they will include these options later on.
This is awesome! I have a spa finder card that I can’t use because there’s nothing around me!
Say whattt? This is fabulous! I wish I had known before we made ourselves use the weird gift cards we had gotten over the holidays. Life changing for sure! Thanks for sharing
That’s such a neat idea and service! I haven’t seen one of these near me, but you’d better believe I’ll be on the lookout now! LOL
What?!?! How did I not know about this before?!? People constantly get me gift cards that I’m like really?!?! Do I look like I shop there! I will be using this a lot.
I think the fees would deter me from using this. 🙁 But I suppose if it would never be used I might think about it.