Gift cards have become a popular choice for gift-giving, especially during the holiday season. However, with so many options available, it can be overwhelming to navigate the world of gift cards. This is where the Gift Card Wiki comes in – it is the ultimate guide to everything you need to know about gift cards. From the different types of gift cards to how to use them, this resource provides comprehensive information to ensure you can make informed gift card purchases.
1. What is a gift card?
A gift card is a prepaid payment card that contains a specific amount of money, which can be used to purchase goods or services.
2. How do gift cards work?
Gift cards work by allowing the recipient to use the money on the card to make purchases at the designated store or online retailer.
3. What are the different types of gift cards?
There are two main types of gift cards open-loop gift cards, which can be used at any retailer that accepts the card issuer’s payment network, and closed-loop gift cards, which can only be used at a specific retailer or group of retailers.
4. How do I choose the right gift card?
When choosing a gift card, consider the recipient’s interests and preferences, as well as the availability of the card at the retailer or online store.
5. Can gift cards expire?
Yes, gift cards can expire depending on the retailer or card issuer’s policy. It’s important to check the terms and conditions before purchasing or using a gift card.
6. What should I do if my gift card is lost or stolen?
If your gift card is lost or stolen, contact the retailer or card issuer immediately to report the issue and request a replacement card or refund.
7. Are there any fees associated with gift cards?
Some gift cards may have fees associated with them, such as activation or maintenance fees. It’s important to read the terms and conditions carefully before purchasing a gift card.
After reading the Ultimate Guide to Gift Card Wiki, users will have a comprehensive understanding of the benefits of gift cards, how to purchase and redeem them, and how to avoid potential scams. This knowledge will help users make informed decisions when gifting or using gift cards, ultimately saving them time and money. With the tips and tricks provided in the guide, users can ensure a hassle-free gift card experience.
In , GiftCards. In , Wolfe sold DirectCertificates. He purchased the company back in and eventually rebranded it as GiftCards. The company operates out of a suburban Pittsburgh facility that prints gift cards directly and sends them to clients. As part of the initiative, Wolfe and his son drive around the United States in an RV handing out gifts and gift cards to children in need. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Retrieved 5 October Pittsburgh Business Times. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Overcoming the Odds. Morning Joe. Companies, At a Glance. Street Insider. Retrieved 31 March Team Pennsylvania Foundation. PR Newswire. Categories Retail companies of the United States Companies based in Pittsburgh Retail companies established in Internet properties established in establishments in Pennsylvania. Namespaces Article Talk. Views Read Edit View history. Help Learn to edit Community portal Recent changes Upload file. Download as PDF Printable version. Add links. Jason Wolfe CEO. Pittsburgh , PA , U. Gift cards. Blackhawk Network Holdings present. Official Website.
A gift card also known as gift certificate in North America, or gift voucher or gift token in the UK 1 is a prepaid stored-value money card , usually issued by a retailer or bank , to be used as an alternative to cash for purchases within a particular store or related businesses. Gift cards are also given out by employers or organizations as rewards or gifts. They may also be distributed by retailers and marketers as part of a promotion strategy, to entice the recipient to come in or return to the store, and at times such cards are called cash cards. Gift cards are generally redeemable only for purchases at the relevant retail premises and cannot be cashed out, and in some situations may be subject to an expiry date or fees. American Express , MasterCard , and Visa offer generic gift cards which need not be redeemed at particular stores, and which are widely used for cashback marketing strategies. A feature of these cards is that they are generally anonymous and are disposed of when the stored value on a card is exhausted. From the purchasers point of view, a gift card is a gift , given in place of an object which the recipient may not need, when the giving of cash as a present may be regarded as socially inappropriate. In the United States , gift cards are highly popular, ranking in as the second-most given gift by consumers, the most-wanted gift by women, and the third-most wanted by males. Gift card sales are not limited to banks or retailers such other companies as airlines , cruise ships , hotels , barber shops , train companies, theme parks , restaurants and other type of companies may offer gift cards as well. Neiman Marcus introduced the first gift card using a payments infrastructure in late , 8 though Blockbuster Entertainment was the first company to do so on a wide scale, 9 test-marketing them in and launching them around the country the next year. In the beginning, the Blockbuster gift card replaced gift certificates that were being counterfeited with recently introduced color copiers and color printers. Blockbusters first gift card transactions were processed by what was then Nabanco of Sunrise, Florida. Nabanco was the developer of the first third-party platform for the processing of gift cards using existing payment infrastructure. Neiman Marcus and Blockbuster were later followed by the Mobil gas card, which initially offered prepaid phone value provided by MCI. Later Kmart and Mobil dropped this feature, as it was not profitable for them. The Kmart Cash Card was the first replacement for cash returns when a shopper did not have a receipt for a gift. This practice of giving a cash card in place of cash for non-receipted returns is commonplace today with most merchants. From these early introductions, other retailers began to adapt a giftcard program to replace their gift certificate programs. A gift card may resemble a credit card or display a specific theme on a plastic card the size of a credit card. The card is identified by a specific number or code, not usually with an individual name, and thus could be used by anybody. They are backed by an on-line electronic system for authorization. Some gift cards can be reloaded by payment and can be used thus multiple times. Cards may have a serial number, barcode , magnetic strip , which is read by an electronic credit card machine. Many cards have no value until they are sold, at which time the cashier enters the amount which the customer wishes to put on the card. This amount is rarely stored on the card but is instead noted in the merchants database , which is cross linked to the card ID. Gift cards thus are generally not stored-value cards as used in many public transport systems or library photocopiers, where a simplified system with no network stores the value only on the card itself. To thwart counterfeiting , the data is encrypted.