Digital Gift Cards: Mistakes Consumers Make While Buying Gift Cards And How To Avoid Them

Digital gift cards are among the popular and most convenient gift ideas. It has the benefit of being very flexible and easy to deliver and offers wide acceptance that makes them the ideal option for birthday and holiday presents and much more. Nevertheless, with any kind of purchase, there exist possible pitfalls for the givers and recipients.

In this guide, we’ll highlight the most common mistakes consumers make when buying digital gift cards and provide practical tips to avoid them.

1. Not Verifying the Retailer’s Credibility:One of the most significant mistakes is purchasing digital gift cards from unverified or dubious sources. Scammers often create fake websites that sell counterfeit or invalid gift cards.
   • How to Avoid This Mistake:
     • Buy only from authorized seller websites or other known safe places such as Amazon, Target, or PayPal.
     • Look for the presence of security indicators such as HTTPS in the URL and reviews from other customers to establish the authenticity of the website.
2. Failure to Respect Expiration Dates and Usage Limitations:Some digital gift cards expire or are restricted in use, which might make them less useful for the recipient.
   • How Not to Make That Mistake:
     • Read the terms and conditions of acquiring it before buying.
     • Select gift cards that are to be issued by retailers or platforms offering no-expiration policies or from those that have a very long validity period.
3. Lack of Personalization on the Gift Card:A digital gift card is not really very personal unless you add a message or even an occasion-related design.
   • How to Avoid This Mistake:
     • Make use of the personalization features offered on most websites to include a heartfelt message or pick a themed design.
     • If possible, gift cards can be selected to enable multimedia elements, like video greetings.
4. Gift Card Wrong Type:The worst part is when the wrong type of gift card is chosen, which usually leads to disappointment.
   • How to Avoid This Error:
     • Think about the recipient’s preferences and lifestyle. For example:
     • To a foodie, consider gift cards for restaurants or even food delivery.
     • For a gamer, gift cards to Steam or Xbox are in order.
     • General: choose cards that are quite versatile, like Amazon or Visa prepaid cards.
5. Setting an Inappropriate Budget:Giving a gift card with an estimated value too low or high can either give the wrong impression or be a bother to the recipient.
   • How to Avoid This Mistake:
     • Synchronize the amount of the gift card to the event and your connection to the recipient.
     • Example: $20-$50 for casual acquaintances or coworkers, $50-$100 for close friends or family.
6. Not Confirming Email Delivery Details:Spelling errors in the email address of the recipient could lead to a failed delivery or even sending the gift card to another person.
   • How to Avoid This Mistake:
     • Always double-check the recipient’s email address before confirming the purchase.
     • Use services that give you a preview of the email before sending it.
7. Failure to Consider Geographical Restrictions:Some e-gift cards are regional and may not be redeemable if the recipient lives in another country.
   • How to Avoid This Error:
     • Check complaints concerning delivery issues, restrictions, and poor customer service
     • Use widely accepted cards, such as those from large brands like Amazon or Visa.
8. Failure to Record the Purchase:You may end up losing purchase details and be unable to solve issues such as delivery failure or missing gift cards.
   • How to Avoid This Mistake:
     • Save a copy of the receipt or confirmation email.
     • Use platforms that allow you to track sent gift cards and resend them if necessary.
9. Ignoring Customer Reviews:Skipping customer reviews means purchasing from unreliable platforms or choosing cards recipients might find hard to use.
   • How to Avoid This Mistake:
     • Read reviews about the platform or retailer before purchase
     • Check complaints concerning delivery issues, restrictions, and poor customer service
10. Hurry Rush:Last-minute purchase results in errors, including picking the wrong card type or incorrect entry details.
    • How to Avoid This Mistake:
      • Plan ahead when possible to allow time for thoughtful selection.
      • If buying last-minute, take a few minutes to double-check all details before confirming.
11. Failing to Consider Refund and Replacement Policies:Some gift cards are non-refundable or cannot be replaced if lost or stolen.
    • How to Avoid This Mistake:
      • Check the platform’s refund and replacement policies before purchasing.
      • Opt for cards with robust customer support in case issues arise.
12. Buying Gift Cards That Charge Additional Fees:Some prepaid cards, including Visa or Mastercard gift cards, have activation fees or monthly maintenance fees attached to them.
    • How to Avoid This Mistake:
      • Look up the fee structure before purchasing.
      • Choose a free fee option from certain stores or websites.
13. Sending the Gift Card Without Context:In some cases, simply sending a digital gift card can come across as abrupt or inconsiderate without a context explaining why.
    • How to Avoid This Mistake:
      • Add a note or message to the gift stating its purpose, like a birthday, thank you, or other milestone.
14. Not Checking the Gift Card Balance:A misprinted gift card value may lead to confusion or embarrassment for the recipient.
    • How to Avoid This Mistake:
      • Check the gift card balance before giving it away.
      • Use cards that the recipient can easily check their balance.
15. Overly Niche Cards:While niche cards are thoughtful, they might not be practical if the recipient is not familiar with the brand or service.
    • How to Avoid This Mistake:
      • Ensure the recipient has expressed interest in or uses the brand.
      • If unsure, choose versatile cards that work for a variety of needs.

Conclusion

Digital gift cards are a great, thoughtful way to give gifts, but there are common mistakes that need to be avoided in order to have a smooth and enjoyable experience for both the giver and the recipient. Verify the retailer, understand the terms and conditions, personalize the gift, and double-check details to avoid pitfalls and make your digital gift card purchase a success. With these practical tips, you’ll be a pro at digital gifting in no time!