Consumers like gift cards
By Connie Cartmell, ccartmell@mariettatimes.comFact Box
Beware of gift card scams
Don't buy gift cards from online auction sites. Some of these cards are real, but many are stolen, counterfeit or used.
Only buy gift cards directly from the store issuing the gift card or from a secure retailer's Web site. If you do buy online, make sure you buy it from the place that you plan to use it.
Don't buy gift cards off the publicly displayed racks in retail stores. In addition, don't assume that because gift cards are inaccessible to the public, that they are safe. After all, store employees can participate in gift card scams too.
Always ask the store cashier to scan the gift card in front of you. This will guarantee your card is valid when you buy it, and it reflects the balance you just charged it with.
Always carefully examine both the front and back of a gift card before you buy it. If you can see a PIN number, put the card back and get a different one. If a gift card looks like it could have been tampered with, don't buy that one.
Always keep your receipt as proof of purchase as long as there is money stored on the gift card. If the card is stolen, some retailers will replace the card for you if you have your receipt.
If possible, register your gift card at the store's Web site. You can uncover any misuse of your gift card sooner and report it more quickly.
Finally, never, ever give your Social Security number, date of birth or any other unneeded private information when you purchase a gift card. No reputable company will ask for this information.
Source: http://www.scambusters.org.
Love them or hate them, give them or get them, despite a teetering economy and uncertain futures for many retailers, gift cards are likely here to stay.
"I love gift cards," said Michelle Denes, 33. "We're in the military and have lived far away for years. Gift cards eliminate mailing expense, and people can choose their own things to buy."
Denes, born and raised in Waterford, was visiting family here over Thanksgiving. Her husband, Jonathan, originally of Marietta, is stationed at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland, where the couple lives.
"I'm always mindful of what (kind of stores, restaurants, etc.) people have around them before I buy a gift card," she said. "For example, when we were stationed in England, if we got a gift card for a U.S. restaurant, we might not be able to use it."
Her favorite choice of a gift card to receive is one such as Land's End, Best Buy or Wal-Mart.
"I like Wal-Mart pretty well because of the variety of things available," Denes said. "For people who are hard to buy for, that is a good gift card to get."
This shopper keeps up with business news and is aware some retailers, like Circuit City, for example, might be headed into red ink. If a business goes belly up, unused gift cards might as well be cut in half and tossed.
It's a fact of life today that worries some Americans, but not enough to put the skids on the enticing plastic gifts.
Bruce MacIntyre, 54, said a gift card is a present and he enjoys receiving all presents - plastic or otherwise.
"Presents are a good thing," said MacIntyre, who lives in New York City and returns home to Marietta several times a year.
Still, he suggests caution for those giving and getting the gift cards.
"Watch American Express gift cards," MacIntyre said. "They will deduct from the balance if you don't use it soon. It's a 'use-it-or-lose-it' thing. Given the current economic climate, it's a wise thing to be careful."
Selecting major bank gift cards may be the safest bet, he said.
"Know the audience you are playing to," MacIntyre said. "For example, my mother doesn't get out to shop and wouldn't use a gift card anyway. It would be a waste."
When MacIntyre was a child, his father went to the local bank and purchased a "can of money" for the young boy.
"It was such a cool gift," MacIntyre said. "But you hated to open it and if you didn't open it, you couldn't spend the money inside."
Like money-in-a-can, if the person receiving the gift card squirrels it away and forgets where it's been placed, neither sender nor receiver benefits.
"It's a pain," MacIntyre said. "You might not have the card with you when you are in the particular store where it can be used."
For Mawuli Togbi-Wonyo, a student at Marietta Bible College from Togo, a nation in West Africa, gift cards are a welcome gift at Christmastime.
"Actually, I do like gift cards a lot," he said. "People who give them to me, I really appreciate it, but I do not think restaurant cards are so good to give."
Togbi-Wonyo said a person may not like to eat at the particular restaurant sponsoring the card and it would not be of good use.
He prefers cards that are redeemable for cash at a variety of places.
"I think the best is a card that is in money form," Togbi-Wonyo said.
Don't suggest a Christmas gift card - or a gift card any other time of year - to Joan Coffey of Marietta.
"Never," Coffey said frankly. "A gift card is not personal enough for me, and I don't like the environmental issues of the plastic cards."
In addition, most gift cards are tied to large chain stores.
"I don't approve of chain stores," Coffey said.
She has never given a gift card and never received one.
"I guess people know how I feel about them," Coffey said.
Jennifer Powell, 27, of Vincent, is sold on gift cards, especially at Christmas, and has used them more and more over the past several years, she said.
"You can never go wrong with a gift card," Powell said. "Actually, we do a lot of them. I have nieces in teen years and you never know what they may need."
With a gift card, the guessing is eliminated.
"Normally we do Kmart or Wal-Mart, and that's fine with them. There's lots of selection," Powell said. "They can actually buy what they want."
She isn't shy about asking for a gift card this Christmas for herself.
"I like them too," Powell said.
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Johanna
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11-30-08 9:38 PM
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Flea Market was busy today!!! Another great place to find unique gifts...if you know what people collect!!!
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Johanna
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11-30-08 7:35 PM
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Indian...what is Ding? Will I find it at Southwest?
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Johanna
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11-30-08 6:13 PM
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Thanks for all of the Flight advice. I have never found a deal like that out of Wood County but it would be so convenient. Happy Holidays!
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Indian
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11-30-08 2:38 PM
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Watch Southwest for best deals. Download the "DING". Especially to Florida.
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peppie
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11-30-08 12:48 PM
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The $350.00 was for a round trip ticket. I agree that Akron/Canton is a nice airport. I also Columbus, Ohio and Charleston, West Virginia.
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peppie
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11-30-08 12:44 PM
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Johanna, I flew from Wood County to Jacksonville, Florida for $350.00. There was a layover of about an hour at Washington/Dulles.
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peppie
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11-30-08 12:43 PM
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I was on United Airlines.
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Birdlover
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11-30-08 8:08 AM
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I enjoy receiving gift cards for places that I shop alot like TJMaxx, Crafts 2000 and especially WalMart where I have the choice to use it for myself or for groceries! I always give my daughter a few gift cards for birthdays and Christmas as well for places like TJMaxx, Victoria's Secret, AE or WalMart. She is picky about her clothes so this way she can pick out her own stuff!
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Johanna
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11-30-08 12:25 AM
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Have a great night...Sundays are a great Flea Market day!! Have to go thank Marlene for all of the Peanuts she threw at the Parade!!! lol..
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Johanna
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11-30-08 12:05 AM
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Asknot..I honestly missed your blogs about Parade and Basketball lastnight! I was already signed off..sorry..
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Johanna
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11-29-08 11:57 PM
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Where did you locate info. about the parade? Find easy parking?
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Johanna
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11-29-08 11:45 PM
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It was such an easy place to fly out of. But they turned it back into a training base, I think...
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asknot
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11-29-08 11:37 PM
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No, never been there,
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Johanna
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11-29-08 11:03 PM
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Did you ever fly out of Rickenbacker (know that spelling is wrong)..when they were handling flights? It was on 270 around Columbus?
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asknot
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11-29-08 10:57 PM
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I think cash cards would be safer. I'd be spending any gift cards real quick, before any of these companies file for bankruptcy or decide to not honor them.
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ladynoogs
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11-29-08 10:54 PM
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i prefer to give gift cards or "cash cards" to my boys for allowence so i know they wont spend it on something they shouldnt :)
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asknot
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11-29-08 10:52 PM
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no, about even. maybe 10-15 minutes longer, but very quick security and small airport, so you never have to walk that far. Plus easier parking. Honestly if you have your tickets, 14 minutes is enough to park and get on the plane.
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Johanna
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11-29-08 10:51 PM
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Wood County or Regional are advertising great price flights lately but not to FL.
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Johanna
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11-29-08 10:49 PM
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I'll have to look into flying out of Canton/Akron...can't be much further of a drive than to Columbus....right...been a while since I have been that way..
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Johanna
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11-29-08 10:47 PM
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Oh...We were in front of a shop down towards the Brewery...
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asknot
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11-29-08 10:45 PM
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the townhouse
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Johanna
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11-29-08 10:41 PM
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Near what store?
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Johanna
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11-29-08 10:40 PM
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Where were you at the parade?
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asknot
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11-29-08 10:26 PM
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Yeah, my boy acts like he's at the running of the bulls though. Might have to get a leash next time. lol.
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asknot
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11-29-08 10:25 PM
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yeah you have to be either real well off, or real flexible to fly out of wood county. i used to only fly southwest, but I like to fly out od Akron/Canton now, so I've been going on airtran and delta. The airport is so much easier to get through though. 15 minutes is enough time.
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