Gift Cards ?

**Syn D** · 08-03-2010, 02:34 AM

I have some gift cards to get for Christmas (WalMart).

Does anyone know how long they're good for?? I want to buy one a month till Dec., so it isn't a big cost all at once..

I have never held on to a card that I have received, I usually get one as a gift before Christmas from a friend and I use it for gifts for my family..

**nuisance26** · 08-03-2010, 07:36 AM

~The vast majority of gift cards do not expire. Some may charge a monthly fee from the balance if the card isn't used within a certain time though.
I'm a procrastinator about spending gift cards. They often stay in the lockbox for at least 6 months before I work them into my shopping plan and use them. Some have held small balances for over a year.
Look at the exact terms on the back of the gift card before you buy just to be sure the ones you pick don't expire or charge fees.
Most of our cards that sit around a while are to specialty stores and our need for specialty products is low. Cards we've received to grocery stores, Walmart, Target and gas chains are used immediately because we need things from those places frequently.
WM cards are a good choice. I'm sure everyone you give their cards to will be able to immediately use and appreciate your gift!~

**Momto5RN** · 08-03-2010, 08:29 AM

if you are concernd why not jut put the $ aside and then buy in november or december ??

most that use to charge a fee if not use usualy gave you 1-2 years to use them before the fees started to eat away at the worth but i am not sure thats legal anymore .

i get GC year round from mypoints and swagbucks - my dhs CC we use for his work stuff and even my debit card from the bank- we use any before easter for easter baskets for the kids- ones after that get used for christmas or shopping for christmas.

sometimes closer to christmas places ( esp restuarants ) will offer buy a or 20$ GC get a 5$ GC free .

**Syn D** · 08-03-2010, 02:24 PM

Thank you both very much..

I thought about putting the money aside, but it honestly seems that every time we set money aside for something, something always comes up and we need it..

**Momto5RN** · 08-03-2010, 02:29 PM

I thought about putting the money aside, but it honestly seems that every time we set money aside for something, something always comes up and we need it..
>>

yeah that tends to happen to me too sometimes.

**Saule** · 08-03-2010, 06:51 PM

Buy cards from the stores that you intend to use them at - if you buy them from another place there is almost always a service charge. Visa or American Express cards have a service charge, but they sometimes run specials where they waive the service fee if you buy them through their websites.

**KathleenCG** · 08-09-2010, 05:54 PM

Some people don't shop at Walmart. I would not want to receive a gift card from Walmart.

**NikoSan999** · 08-09-2010, 06:50 PM

There was a time, a long time ago, when Walmart cards were good for a year. Not anymore. I found one awhile back that was almost 2 years old and it was still good. Came in handy too. Nice thing about Walmarts cards is that they can be used on anything. Even groceries. Nice gift for someone having a hard time. They can buy groceries with it without embarrassment or the giver knowing.

**mndtrp** · 08-09-2010, 07:26 PM

Alice: A gift certificate is completely different from cash.
Dilbert: No, it's not. They're both pieces of paper you can exchange for goods and services.
Alice: You're missing the point.
Dilbert: Actually, a gift certificate is worse than cash, because you can only use it in one place.
Wally: And it expires.
Alice: At least it shows some thought.
Dilbert: It shows defective thought. You're trading perfectly good money for something that does the same thing, only not as well.

The Visa gift cards are good anywhere.

**Saule** · 08-10-2010, 12:43 PM

My husband returned a lampshade that was the wrong size and Walmart gave him a giftcard (probably because bought on my credit card) and it has no expiry date. I would be glad for Walmart giftcards if only for the pharmacy. Mine does not sell groceries, but I buy other things there. But I would agree it does not seem terribly festive, especially for young people who tend to be more brand conscious.

For my nieces and nephews I've asked their moms what stores they like and bought gift cards at those stores. Several stores in my areas have displays with gift cards from many stores and restaurants, but all of those have a service fee attached.

**morrisjlm3** · 08-17-2010, 10:55 PM

I'm pretty sure walmart gift cards only last 1 year.

**Syn D** · 08-17-2010, 11:21 PM

Thank you all very much!!

They will be WalMart cards, except for one and I'll get that one last..

**NikoSan999** · 08-18-2010, 01:29 AM

Go to the customer service counter and ask them about the expiration if any. I wouldn't trust the cashier to know. Most of them have such a turn around they probably wouldn't have a clue. But I don't think they do anymore.

**TheresaRHPS** · 08-25-2010, 04:29 PM

Originally Posted by KathleenCG

Some people don't shop at Walmart. I would not want to receive a gift card from Walmart.

If you get one for a gift, could you send it my way then? *wink*

I have a son who I'll shop the depths of hell for to make sure he has everything he needs, and appreciate/put to use any little bit of kindness that comes our way...

Anyway, when I was a CSS at Walmart, the issue never really came up, but I don't ever remember there being a time limit on the cards. I've had some that I lost and found, like 2 years later, that I still could use without a problem.

I just checked the website, and they have no expiration date:
Walmart.com: Help: Buying a Gift Card