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Why on gods green earth do people buy gift cards? (lemmy.world)

submitted 3 weeks ago by weeeeum@lemmy.world to c/asklemmy@lemmy.ml

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Utterly stupid little things, its money that is less useful in EVERY situation and expires! Even at the store where you can use it, what do you do with the money that's leftover but too little to spend? Especially at expensive places, you could very well end up with 10-20$ OF YOUR OWN MONEY, that you can't even use!

I was given a dunkin giftcard for volunteering at a repair cafe. First of all I'm on a diet but secondly I stuffed it in my wallet so quickly I completely forgot about it. The day I remember and go through the trouble of attending such a wretched establishment I was told it expired after I finished giving my order! After such bother to try to use this cursed thing I refuse to return fruitless from my endeavors so I paid with my own cash.

It is now, sulking into my hashbrowns and Boston cream do I realize I am now poorer, fatter and fucking miserable. FUCK gift cards.

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[–] foggy@lemmy.world 95 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago) (26 children)

Big disagree.

It is unlawful for a gift card to expire in the US. (Ask Simon Malls how badly they got fucked for this.)
There are tons of expensive restaurants my partner and I are simply not going to go to unless we're able to knock $100 of the bill.
Retired people are on a budget. Gift cards help them with that.
Often times people have niche hobbies wherein buying a present might have good intentions. but it'll be in vain. I'm a beer snob. Do not get me beer as a gift, ever. Gladly take a gift card to a good brewery. I'm a musician -- don't buy me gear. I work and tinker with networking. Don't buy me hardware. Give me gift cards.

They are low effort and high reward. They are excellent gifts, both to give and receive.

[–] doeknius_gloek@discuss.tchncs.de 79 points 3 weeks ago (21 children)

Cash doesn't expire either
You can knock $100 off a bill with cash
Cash can help retired people
You can buy stuff for niche hobbys with cash

[–] ahal@lemmy.ca 8 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

If you give me cash, I'm probably just going to be boring and invest it.

Some people rarely prioritize fun things. Gift cards force them to.

[–] MorrisonMotel6@lemm.ee -5 points 3 weeks ago

Exactly the point here. Let's force people to allocate money in a way they don't want AS A GIFT BECAUSE WE'RE NICE!

Cash is superior in every way

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