Gift cards may come with some hidden costs
More people are giving gift cards to friends and relatives at the holidays, but those who give the cards and those who get them should be aware that they're not completely consumer friendly. Fees and expiration dates can trip up unwary users, and there can be problems replacing lost cards.
This year, Americans are ex pected to buy more than $80 billion worth of gift cards, a 20 percent increase from 2005, according to the TowerGroup research and consulting firm in Needham, Mass.
About three-quarters of the cards are issued by shopping malls, restaurants or retailers for use at specific sites. The rest are "universal" cards sold by banks and credit card companies that can be used in most places where debit and credit cards are accepted.
This year, Americans are ex pected to buy more than $80 billion worth of gift cards, a 20 percent increase from 2005, according to the TowerGroup research and consulting firm in Needham, Mass.
About three-quarters of the cards are issued by shopping malls, restaurants or retailers for use at specific sites. The rest are "universal" cards sold by banks and credit card companies that can be used in most places where debit and credit cards are accepted.
Read more at: Gift cards may come with some hidden costs
posted by e-borneo.com @ 7:06 PM
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