How to sell gift cards online for cash
Prepaid gift cards for stores and restaurants can make an ideal present unless you receive a gift card to a retailer you don't care for. If you're wondering how to sell gift cards, don't worry: You won't have to list them on some black market gift card exchange site. Several online options exist for finding your gift cards a new home. Here's how to sell gift cards online for cash.
How to Sell Gift Cards Online
Don't feel bad if you decide to sell unwanted gift cards you've received; it's a great way to turn gift cards into cash and get something you actually want. Several online marketplaces buy and resell gift cards and are worth checking out. And in addition to trading in your gift cards for cash, you can also purchase discount gift cards. The following sites are your answer to how to sell gift cards online:
1. Gift Card Granny
The Gift Card Granny database lists gift card auctions and sales available on other websites where you can sell your cards — and it's also a great place to buy gift cards online.
To sell a gift card, enter the card information to get the best cash offer. If you like the deal the broker is offering, just follow the steps on its website to accept it and sell your card. You should generally receive payment for your gift card within three to seven business days, which is the amount of time it takes the broker to verify the remaining balance on the card and send your payment.
You can sign up for Granny's Newsletter to learn about big deals and receive updates. In addition, you can enroll in the Granny Rewards Program. It's free to join, and you can earn points on your purchases that you can use for free cards in the future.
2. Cardpool
Cardpool is another gift-card seller's and buyer's marketplace, and sellers can get up to 92 percent of their card's original value, according to the site.
Cardpool accepts physical and electronic gift cards and store credits for more than 3,000 establishments. You simply enter the card's balance on the website and get an instant payout offer, or you choose the payout you would like. You can get paid right away or opt to wait for a higher payout. Once you decide when you want to be paid, you can choose between an instant credit or a check.
Cardpool guarantees any card you purchase will be valid at the merchant and for the dollar amount specified on your order for up to 180 days from the date of your purchase. It also offers gift cards with no fees, no expiration dates and free USPS shipping. According to the site, you can also buy gift cards for up to 35 percent off from popular places like Target, Home Depot, Pier I Imports, Dick's Sporting Goods and plenty more.
3. CardCash
CardCash does what its name says: The website will turn your gift cards into cash, eliminating the need to put the cards up for sale on the web. CardCash promises to issue a high reimbursement rate for your gift card within 24 to 48 hours.
To sell your gift card, simply enter some information. In fewer than 10 seconds you can see how much you'll get in exchange for it. Next, you enter the card number and pin and some basic personal information. CardCash verifies your card's balance and then you get your money.
Founded in 2008, CardCash is the first secondary gift card market for unused gift cards on the web, and the company claims it's the world's largest gift-card exchange. CardCash offers users a bonus: If you refer a friend, you can earn $5.
4. Raise
At Raise, you can sell your Target, Macy's or Best Buy gift card — as well as cards from a host of other popular stores and restaurants — for cash, or buy discount gift cards to use at a wide range of stores. You can sell gift cards for cash at the price you choose. You just list your cards on the site's marketplace and get paid when they sell.
It's free to list your cards, and you receive payment via check, direct deposit or PayPal. Raise.com accepts gift cards and merchandise credit from any brand or restaurant and you can also sell a gift card or store credit that's been partially used. The company verifies sellers by credit card and pay them when buyers receive the cards.
Recent sales on the site include a $75 Whole Foods gift card that went for about $65, a $200 Bloomingdale's gift card that sold for about $158, and an $81 Toys "R" Us gift card that sold for $62. Each of these cards were sold within two hours or less.
How to Sell Gift Cards Offline
If you don't want to sell gift cards online, you have other options for unloading them for a profit. Coinstar Exchange offers a simple way to get cash for your cards — as long as they're worth a minimum of $20 each — at its grocery store kiosks. Just scan or swipe the gift card, accept the offer, verify your identity, insert the card, and print your cash voucher.
GiftCardBin is another place you can sell your gift cards from major retailers. All you have to do is enter your ZIP code in a search box at the top of the site to find a brick-and-mortar location where you can sell your gift cards for cash.
Find Out: The Best Gift Cards to Buy This Holiday Season
When you sell gift cards, treat them like any other item of value. If you've received an unwanted gift card or certificate, check store terms before you sell it — you might be able to redeem yours for cash right in the store. However, if that's not possible, don't despair; you have plenty of options for getting cash for gift cards, either online or in person.
