Rebate via Pre-Paid Gift Cards...

[kristenrice]

Let me start by saying that I am not complaining about receiving a rebate...everything helps...

...but I *HATE* these pre-paid Visa/MC/AMEX cards that retailers are now giving back instead of a check.

In the past month, I bought (upgraded) my cell phone. The "cost" was $19.99, but I pay $69.99 and they will send me a $50 AMEX gift card. Then, I bought $30 worth of P&G products at Meijer on a "Get $10 back" promo...yup, it is a $10 Visa gift card. Two days ago, I put new tires on my truck. I get a $30 rebate because I used their credit to finance it over 6 months (interest-free) and a $70 rebate from the tire manufacturer. You guessed it...two more Visa gift cards coming my way.

It is really hard to get complete value out of these cards because many merchants don't let you use separate methods of payment. Merchants know this and that's why they do it, but it just bothers me that I can't get the cash equivalent and use it to pay off the credit card that I used for the initial purchase.

I think our plan is to go to the grocery store and just buy store gift cards for the exact amount of each Visa/AMEX card. That way, there is no expiration and we can use them with another form of payment if needed.

What do you guys do with these "rebates"?

 

[HM]

Let me start by saying that I am not complaining about receiving a rebate...everything helps...

...but I *HATE* these pre-paid Visa/MC/AMEX cards that retailers are now giving back instead of a check.

In the past month, I bought (upgraded) my cell phone. The "cost" was $19.99, but I pay $69.99 and they will send me a $50 AMEX gift card. Then, I bought $30 worth of P&G products at Meijer on a "Get $10 back" promo...yup, it is a $10 Visa gift card. Two days ago, I put new tires on my truck. I get a $30 rebate because I used their credit to finance it over 6 months (interest-free) and a $70 rebate from the tire manufacturer. You guessed it...two more Visa gift cards coming my way.

It is really hard to get complete value out of these cards because many merchants don't let you use separate methods of payment. Merchants know this and that's why they do it, but it just bothers me that I can't get the cash equivalent and use it to pay off the credit card that I used for the initial purchase.

I think our plan is to go to the grocery store and just buy store gift cards for the exact amount of each Visa/AMEX card. That way, there is no expiration and we can use them with another form of payment if needed.

What do you guys do with these "rebates"?

I don't like them either. I tend to forget I've got them. I even lost about $20 of a $100 one I was given because I didn't know it had to be used or it would lose money each month. I kept thinking I'd use it for something special, when I probably should have paid for groceries with it right away.

If I can avoid it, I try not to do things that offer a rebate unless it's immediate. I don't like dealing with filling out forms and keeping track of whether 10 weeks have gone by yet.

And if I actually get one....My new mantra is use that card almost as soon as you get it. For anything....gas, food, movies, books, etc.

 

[elgerber]

Let me start by saying that I am not complaining about receiving a rebate...everything helps...

...but I *HATE* these pre-paid Visa/MC/AMEX cards that retailers are now giving back instead of a check.

In the past month, I bought (upgraded) my cell phone. The "cost" was $19.99, but I pay $69.99 and they will send me a $50 AMEX gift card. Then, I bought $30 worth of P&G products at Meijer on a "Get $10 back" promo...yup, it is a $10 Visa gift card. Two days ago, I put new tires on my truck. I get a $30 rebate because I used their credit to finance it over 6 months (interest-free) and a $70 rebate from the tire manufacturer. You guessed it...two more Visa gift cards coming my way.

It is really hard to get complete value out of these cards because many merchants don't let you use separate methods of payment. Merchants know this and that's why they do it, but it just bothers me that I can't get the cash equivalent and use it to pay off the credit card that I used for the initial purchase.

I think our plan is to go to the grocery store and just buy store gift cards for the exact amount of each Visa/AMEX card. That way, there is no expiration and we can use them with another form of payment if needed.

What do you guys do with these "rebates"?

I don't like them either, and just mailed off for one this morning, $50 from Verizon. My kids always get them for Christmas also. I take them, and give the kids the cash equivalent.
I use them at Target for Groceries. The total is always way more than the pre-paid card, so I pay the first $50 with the visa gift card, and the remainder on my Target card.

 

[cmwade77]

When you use a Prepaid gift card at our local Jack In the Box or at Disneyland (At least it did the last time that I tried), the system automatically takes off the exact balance used.

I spend as much as I can on the card, then go to either location and pay with the card with the smallest balance first, then work my way up.

The cashiers will give you and odd look, but usually don't mind.

I am sure that there are other places that this method works at too, but these are two that I know it works at and since we go to Disneyland a fair amount, it works just fine.

 

[ChristineNic]

When you use a Prepaid gift card at our local Jack In the Box or at Disneyland (At least it did the last time that I tried), the system automatically takes off the exact balance used.

This also works at Publix grocery stores.

Regardless, I agree with the OP. I'd much rather have a check that I can deposit than a gift card.

 

[zy144622]

I have used them the same way as above stated at many places. I'm also always saving for Disney so I convert as many as I can to Disney gift cards at Target.

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

I use them to buy Target gift cards, or I use them at Target if they are an odd amount.

I recently bought a case of paper from Staples that had a $28 rebate. The default was a prepaid card, but I was able to change the rebate option to a check, so I did.

 

[Colleen27]

What do you guys do with these "rebates"?

Pay bills. Seriously, I just pop on to whatever utility is due next, make a payment for the full value of the rebate card, and pay the rest of the bill as scheduled. Since none of our utilities charge for online payments it is an easy way to use up rebate cards as soon as they arrive rather than carry them around trying to keep a mental tally of their balances and ages (if they have a monthly or inactivity fee).

 

[runwad]

I'll chime in Another that hates the rebate cards!! I want the cash dang it so I can pay down whatever charge I made to earn the dang rebate.

Most recent one was $160 for new Goodyear tires. The sales guy thought I was weird cause, "what's the big deal, you can use the gift card to buy groceries!"

Well I don't want to buy groceries dang it. I want to use the $160 to pay off the tires that I had to charge on your card to get the rebate!

But that's ok I'll get 'em in the end. That sucker will be paid off before the 6 mos is up so they're not going to make any extra money off of me