For example, Raise, which acts like a StubHub for gift cards, does let you set your own price for the card, as long as the list price doesn’t exceed the value of the card. But Raise also charges a $1 fee to list a physical card in its marketplace. Then, if a person buys your card from the Raise market, the company deducts a 15 percent commission.
CardCash, on the other hand, will buy your unused gift card from you outright — so you don’t have to wait for another person to buy it. But the difference is that CardCash will offer you anywhere from 65 to 90 percent of the value of the card, depending on market demand. Cardpool and others work similarly. When I went to list a $25 Dunkin’ Donuts gift card on Cardpool, the site offered me $20 for it.
I only have $.67 left on a Trader Joe’s card. Can I sell that?
Some services set a minimum amount. Raise requires that cards have at least $10 on them before you list the card on the marketplace. Cardpool has a set minimum of $25. But CardCash will take any amount — so, yes, even your $.67 Trader Joe’s card.
Another well-intentioned family member bought me a gift certificate to a small local restaurant. But I’m from out of town. Can I sell the gift card even if it’s not a chain restaurant?
Most exchanges only accept gift cards for national or regional brands. Raise allows you to list gift cards from local businesses — but, of course, the market for it will be smaller, and it may not sell.
Do I have to actually go to the post office to mail the cards out once I decide to sell them? And do I have to pay for shipping?
Some exchange sites now offer e-cards or vouchers as a way to buy and sell gift cards more immediately, but it depends on each store or merchant (dealing with e-cards can make these sites more vulnerable to fraud issues).
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