So long as it’s for someplace I actually go to, a gift card is better because I inevitably spend cash on boring essential things rather than on something nice for myself.
And nothing sucks quite as much as being given a gift card to a store that’s not in your area.
@lonocat What they will think of you is that you’re the a-hole that gave them a useless gift card they’ll never use, and now they have to find some other sucker to re-gift it to.
It kinda depends, no?
Dollar for dollar, I’d take the dollar.
But a high-value gift card over a low value cash gift? I’ll take the gift card, thank you.
Depends on the gift card, if it’s a generic visa gift card that can be used anywhere then they are pretty much equal, but a specific store gift card sucks if you don’t actually have that store near you
Cash.
Gift cards add no value and limit your spending options.
Furthermore, you end up with odd amounts of pennies left on the card.
If they gave you more spending power than the cash that bought them under the guarantee that you’ll be shopping in their store, I’d buy.
I like gift cards. Especially ones I can buy at a discount. Like Penzey’s when they have a special, get a $50 card for $35 and then you can stack that with the sales they have. Or get bonus kroger gas points when you buy cards.
Depends. I agree with a lot of what has already been said why gift cards are often inferior, but here is a case for them.
Cash often just gets folded into the general fund for bills and such. That has definite value, but sometimes the “gift-ness” gets lost.
Sometimes a gift card is nice because it ensures the recipient will do something recreational (e.g. movies or a restaurant) or spend it on something just for them.
If I give my brother-in-law a $50 gift card to his favorite golf course, I know its not going to a spa day for his wife. That’s not the case with cash.
My experience with my kids is that they would often stash cash away and not spend it/forget about it, but would actually use gift cards for gift-type items vs. bills (often for buying things online).
I think we’re seeing a trend in answers. Gift cards are great when you want someone to make sure they treat themselves, as long as you picked something they will love (I have a company that send me cards for an ice cream place every year, and I’ve never used any, because I have little taste or tolerance for sweets and the place they buy from is super sugary)
Cash is King!
Cash Rules Everything Around Me
@togle CREAM? I guess so, though that’s a catch-phrase I’m not familiar with.
@togle Wu-Tang Clan - C.R.E.A.M.
So long as it’s for someplace I actually go to, a gift card is better because I inevitably spend cash on boring essential things rather than on something nice for myself.
And nothing sucks quite as much as being given a gift card to a store that’s not in your area.
Cash can be used almost anywhere
Gift cards are better!
They will think of you every time they see it, especially if it’s from somewhere that they don’t shop.
@lonocat What they will think of you is that you’re the a-hole that gave them a useless gift card they’ll never use, and now they have to find some other sucker to re-gift it to.
@lonocat and throwing cash in an envelope feels so heartless and effortless.
@baddestrobot @lonocat, if you feel you need an effortless gift please give me an envelope of cash.
It kinda depends, no?
Dollar for dollar, I’d take the dollar.
But a high-value gift card over a low value cash gift? I’ll take the gift card, thank you.
Meh, if you’re asking so you know what to fill my irk with, how about both?
Depends on the gift card, if it’s a generic visa gift card that can be used anywhere then they are pretty much equal, but a specific store gift card sucks if you don’t actually have that store near you
Or if you don’t like that store/brand.
I’d prefer a sticky note with “IOU” and a bunch of hearts and emoji cat faces scribbled on it.
@ShotgunX Aww, you spoiled my surprise.
@ShotgunX it’s the thought that counts, so I’ll think about giving you an IOU sticky note.
Cash is better than the gift card from the “previous owner” that couldn’t use / want.
Cash is the most efficient way to always transfer the most value in what you’re giving. No fees or hidden exchange costs.
Cash.
Gift cards add no value and limit your spending options.
Furthermore, you end up with odd amounts of pennies left on the card.
If they gave you more spending power than the cash that bought them under the guarantee that you’ll be shopping in their store, I’d buy.
I know way too many people dealing with crises not to go cash.
@brainmist what a thoughtful response!
Cash is great…especially if given in a creative way…not just stuffed in a card
@sweetjoey Okay, I’ll bite. Where do you want your cash stuffed?
@hchavers @sweetjoey wouldn’t that depend on who the giver is?
@hchavers @OnionSoup @sweetjoey Bom chicka bow bow!
A gift card says “I thought about what type of stuff you like,” where cash says, “I don’t know what you like and am too lazy to go out.”
So, of course, I prefer cash.
I’d like a 3rd option added:
@sicc574 Be careful not to OG.
I hate giving either of them; they feel like lazy gifts to me.
That said, cash is universal, while a gift card is like, “I want to give you $50 but I get to pick where you spend it.”
The obligation that comes with a gift card does not feel like a very nice gift.
I like gift cards. Especially ones I can buy at a discount. Like Penzey’s when they have a special, get a $50 card for $35 and then you can stack that with the sales they have. Or get bonus kroger gas points when you buy cards.
I’d rather the cash than a gift card because cash works everywhere and a gift card only works where you might think I want something from.
I think we can all agree that the generic “Visa gift card” is the worst of all worlds.
@norb especially since they charge fees to purchase it.
Depends. I agree with a lot of what has already been said why gift cards are often inferior, but here is a case for them.
Cash often just gets folded into the general fund for bills and such. That has definite value, but sometimes the “gift-ness” gets lost.
Sometimes a gift card is nice because it ensures the recipient will do something recreational (e.g. movies or a restaurant) or spend it on something just for them.
If I give my brother-in-law a $50 gift card to his favorite golf course, I know its not going to a spa day for his wife. That’s not the case with cash.
My experience with my kids is that they would often stash cash away and not spend it/forget about it, but would actually use gift cards for gift-type items vs. bills (often for buying things online).
I think we’re seeing a trend in answers. Gift cards are great when you want someone to make sure they treat themselves, as long as you picked something they will love (I have a company that send me cards for an ice cream place every year, and I’ve never used any, because I have little taste or tolerance for sweets and the place they buy from is super sugary)
Cash is nice when people have financial needs.
GIFTCARD
It’s just like cash
It’s just like cash