I took my Sears cards (I bought two $100 cards for $85 each during the sale just hours before the ebucks promo) to Kmart today and tried to buy 4 $25 Ebay cards and 2 $50 Applebees cards (needed teacher gifts) and the cashier wouldn't even try it. When she saw the gift cards, she said I HAD to pay with cash. I explained that I wanted to pay with my Sears gift cards and she said it wasn't allowed, so I told her no thanks, and bought the other items in my cart. She offered to let me pay with a debit card, and I said no thanks, and asked when the policy changed. She said it had always been that way, though just two (ish) weeks ago I bought 4 $25 eBay cards at the same store with no issue.
I may try that store again, just a different cashier, or I may try Sears- we buy appliances at Sears too so they won't be too bad to spend if needed...