At least it got there. I’ve had GCs “pinched” in the mail before. Also had to follow up on some to see if they made it because we never got an acknowledgement. I‘ve resorted to sending checks again.

Yes, you're right, at least it did arrive!

I'm not a person to submit complaints or gripes except in extreme situations but this is one where I would follow up with the company to let them know they blew it.

Your experience notwithstanding, we give a lot of family gifts via e-gift cards and I use and will continue to use the email route exclusively. It's the most convenient way for me and the most convenient way for the recipient. We had one that arrived a day late last week but it truly wasn't a problem. When nothing was heard from one person, I asked

"Did you get our gift card?"

"No"

"Sorry, but it is enroute"

"Thanks!"

Done

It was an adult, not a kid. Maybe that's a different consideration.

hmmm The offspring's go to gift for their dad is a gift certificate to his favorite wood workers store. They send it to his email the second the kids order it...no "CARD" any more. DH just shows them his phone.....For sure I would complain. Something went horribly wrong with your order.

My son asked for a Costco gift card for Christmas. There were so many complaints about them on line such as arriving really late, plus other issues, that I just gave them one to Pet Smart for their new puppy instead. No issues with that one.

Sushi, I'm confused. Did you order the card online for it to be sent through the mail? Or did you order it online and was it supposed to appear in your email? If the former, I wouldn't have been confident that it would've arrived if I only ordered it 8 days ahead. Amazon Prime (2-day shipping) has spoiled us, all, I believe. We expect immediate turnaround.

If it was expected to appear in your email, yup, that stinks. But did you not check with the vendor?

Anyway, glad that it's now arrived.

Be careful with gift cards. Our son-in-law received a $500.00 one from his workers. He went to use it and someone already used it. They are taking the numbers from the back of the cards and checking it each day to see if it has been purchased. Someone got free $500.00.

I asked for a real card in the mail. It was for my Grandson's birthday on Christmas Eve, and I had a goofy fun birthday card for him. I don't even know his email address, and besides, he texts most of the time. I just assumed that real mail from not far away wouldn't take so long. Turns out the postmark wasn't until a week after I ordered it. Yes, we are spoiled by fast delivery from Amazon and the like.

I learned my lesson (the point of this whole post) and will not do it that way again.

I've seen a choice to send it via email. Now you're right, it wouldn't be something to open under the tree, but maybe you could print out the order and wrap it? It'd solve being stolen from the box too. It's a thought if one still wants to consider buying without hitting the crowds.

We gave someone a gift card, she went to use it and it hadn’t been activated. I don’t have the receipt, paid cash. I do know which cashier sold it to me because he had to call the manager over three times, he was new.

Do many gift card providers charge an activation fee?

I consider that a lousy trick.

Sometimes when standing beside a display of dozens of gift cards near the checkout, I suggest to others in the line that the card providers want me to give them currency that can be used in 3,000 or so stores in town and they give me an equal number of dollars' value on a card that can be used in only their store.

There sure is a benefit there for them - but I don't see one for me, and if there's no benefit for me, they can keep their card till it rots.

I'd rather give my friend funds that are useful in any of the 3,000 or so local stores than restricting her/him to one that can be used in only one store.

I've asked a number of relatives and friends whether they'd be interested in my supporting a charity or group feeding the hungry, seeking justice, peace, women's rights, etc. in their honour, and several have agreed, some rather enthusiastically so.

Some have said that they'll suggest that some their families do the same, as it relates to the spirit of the Christmas season - and most of us have little need of more stuff.

Good wishes for a New Year that, in addition to good health, good friends and satisfactions in life, fulfills some of your dreams and inspires you to envision some great new ones!

ole joyfuelled