Visa Gift Cards...experiences?

[Wait Wut]

My DIL's bday is coming up. They just moved to MO and she's never been through a real winter before. I wanted to give her a gift card so she could get herself some warm clothes (it's a little like hell trying to get her to wear a sweater). I thought about getting her a store gift card, but figured it would be too limiting.

I've received them, but never given them. Pros? Cons? Better ideas?

[angstlessk]

1. I would do Amazon.com...no extra charges...an every penny spent on merchandise

instead of fees...

Maybe with a few links to warm weather gear?

[Wait Wut]

3. I thought of that.

The only problem is her taste in clothes. She doesn't spend a lot of money, but she'll spend an eternity finding the perfect top for $10. I'm not nearly as fashion conscious and I have a hard time shopping on Amazon. Most of the things I find are for more conservative/older women.

The fees are what I'm wondering about. That and I'm afraid she'll use it to buy stuff for my son.

The best option would be for me to fly out there and take her shopping myself.

[Chan790]

2. Used to sell them at the bank.

I never liked them from that standpoint, first we charge you for the card, then we charge you a % based on amount and the ones we offered were designed to not be re-loadable...So giving someone a $500 gift card cost the purchaser $7 and it wasn't like you could put more money on it next year. Also, anywhere we were permitted to, we charged inactivity fees after 6 months for carrying a balance.

I'd probably contact your son, ask him what store she likes and get her a store card instead.

[Wait Wut]

4. Thanks, that's helpful.

I might just have to find out what stores they have there. If I ask my son what stores she likes, he'll say 'Bass Pro Shops'. She loves outlet stores. I'm sure I can find one somewhere in KCMO.

[benld74]

5. Keep the receipt from gift card purchase and

include it with the card when presented. Have seen empty cards before which turned out worthless, only to be saved by the receipt.