As you may recall, I announced several weeks ago that i am working on a redesign of Giftcardblogger.com. The goal is to make the site more user friendly and also incorporate some new and exciting features. Well, the wait is almost over. The new and improved Giftcardblogger.com will be launched sometime next week.
To celebrate the new and improved site, I will start a 4 part series on gift card scams and fraud. The series will highlight the major types of gift card scams and fraud ideas out there and how to protect yourself from becoming a victim.
I am really excited about the new site and look forward to showing it to you soon. Stay tuned!
According to a story on Bloomberg News this morning, struggling retailer Circuit City has decided to put itself up for sale. The company is opening its books to Blockbuster and other investors interested in an acquisition. If you recall, i posted a story last week about rumors of the company being on the verge of bankruptcy, which turn out to be untrue.
What does this mean for gift card holders? This is a bit of good news since any effort to keep the company alive means gifts cards will continue to be redeemed. However, as I have mentioned before, if you have a Circuit City gift card, now is the time to use it. Also, I do not recommend buying a Circuit City gift card until the company’s future is clear.
This is a popular question online, especially on Yahoo Answers, so I did some research and here is what I found:
You can buy an iTunes gift card at the apple store. To do this, you need a valid credit card with a U.S. billing address. You can also buy them at many national retailers, supermarkets, and drug stores, including the following: Read the rest of this entry »
Giftcards.com is offering a free gift card worth $25 if you purchase a $100 Visa gift card or more and pay through eBillme. The eBillme service offered by Giftcards.com allows you to pay for purchases from the site through your checking account without a need for a credit card. The $25 will come in form of an instant rebate on your transaction total when you checkout through eBillme. Offer is for new users of eBillme only. For more on this offer, click here.
I think this is a great offer since you get $25 off while purchasing a Visa gift card, which will make a great graduation, birthday, or wedding gift.
Here is some good news for Linens n’ Things gift card holders. The company will continue to honor gift cards despite the recent bankruptcy filing.
According to a story on Promo Magazine’s website, Linens n’ Things has received approval from the bankruptcy court to allow customers to continue redemption of gift cards and coupons. As you may recall, i posted a story a few days ago about the company filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.
This is also good news for Linens n’ Things since I believe it will enable the company retain some of its current customers, prevent the competition from exploiting its misfortune (as Brookstone tried to do with The Sharper Image recently), project some sense of business as usual, and also attract new customers since their gift cards are popular.
N.E.W. Customer Service Companies, Inc. has partnered with Sam’s Club to launch a new online electronics recycling service that helps Sam’s club members nationwide get rid of their older, unwanted, electronics through an easy-to-use online recycling program called ecoNEW®.
According to a story by Businesswire, Sam’s Club Members may trade in their older electronics for a free gift card which is determined by a recycle trade-in value generated through the program website. Electronics accepted through the program include LCD monitors, digital cameras, PC desktops and laptops, gaming systems, MP3 players, camcorders, and printers. The program provides a pre-paid shipping label for you to use to mail in the item. Click here to go to the program website.
During the last two weeks, I have talked a lot about why consumers should redeem their gift cards soon due to the recession and the possibility of more retailers going under. One area i have not mentioned is what happens when local businesses that issue gift cards change hands.
This video from NBC affiliate station WWLP in Springfield, MA talks about how customers of a local beauty salon got stuck with gift cards when the salon ownership changed hands. See the video below.
Yes, it’s true - Linens ‘n Things filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection yesterday. I am sure the question on the minds of gift card holders is whether the company will continue to honor gift cards.
According to this story from Marketwatch, the company is trying to get permission from the bankruptcy court to continue to honor gift cards. The company plans to close about 120 under performing stores but it plans to operate the remaining stores without interruption.
Getting a mother’s day gift can sometimes be challenging. Many times, you are not sure what to get. The usual suspects - flowers, dining out, chocolates, cards, and chore tickets are probably overused. This year, you can try something new by giving a gift card. Yes, a gift card!
Your immediate reaction probably is: “gift cards are impersonal.” Well, they are impersonal if you make them. With some preparation and creative packaging, gift cards can be presented with the usual element of surprise. They also make a perfect mother’s day gift because they take the guesswork out of giving and provide the recipient a chance to get what they want.
Is Circuit City going out of business? Over the last week or so, there have been lots of questions regarding gift card redemption from Circuit City. The questions are based on rumors of the company being on the verge of bankruptcy.
Even though the company was on a recent list of retailers at risk of going under during the recession, i do not believe the company is going to file for bankruptcy soon unless the current offer from Blockbuster to buy Circuit City falls through. If the deal falls through, Circuit City will be under a lot of pressure to do something dramatic to turn itself around. In the absence of a plan, and if the company continues to burn cash, they will have no choice but to file for bankruptcy protection.
As I have recommended before, if you currently hold a Circuit City gift card, now is the time to use it or risk losing it should the company go under. I would also not recommend buying a Circuit City gift card until the dust clears.
Readers, what are your thoughts about Circuit City and rumors about the company? Post your comments in the comments section below.
According to a story on Bloomberg News this morning, struggling retailer Circuit City has decided to put itself up for sale. The company is opening its books to Blockbuster and other investors interested in an acquisition. If you recall, 
This is a popular question online, especially on 
Giftcards.com is offering a 
Here is some good news for Linens n’ Things gift card holders. The company will continue to honor gift cards despite the recent bankruptcy filing.
N.E.W. Customer Service Companies, Inc. has partnered with Sam’s Club to launch a new online electronics recycling service that helps Sam’s club members nationwide get rid of their older, unwanted, electronics through an easy-to-use online recycling program called ecoNEW®.
Yes, it’s true - Linens ‘n Things filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection yesterday. I am sure the question on the minds of gift card holders is whether the company will continue to honor gift cards.
Getting a mother’s day gift can sometimes be challenging. Many times, you are not sure what to get. The usual suspects - flowers, dining out, chocolates, cards, and chore tickets are probably overused. This year, you can try something new by giving a gift card. Yes, a gift card!
