The Lowdown: In this day and age, every dollar counts—and when one is short on cash, it’s pretty much time to consider all the options. While we love nothing more than receiving a gift card to our favorite store (free shopping? um, yeah!) sometimes it comes down to a new pair of shoes or, well, eating. And then there are those times where someone well-intentioned buys you a gift card to a store or restaurant you have no intention of ever setting foot in, for whatever reason. Either way, GiftCardRescue.com offers itself up as an easy way to turn those gift cards into cash—yep, we’re listening.
Our Review: The premise behind the site is pretty simple: list your card for sale to GiftCardRescue—they typically pay between 60% and 80% of the cards value (for more details, check out this convenient price list ) or, if you like, exchange the card for a different one you’ll actually use. If you’re looking to buy rather than sell, set up an account and pick up gift cards to your fave places at a discount.
Simple enough, and 60-80% is reasonable enough when you’re strapped for cash, we suppose—better than a card that’s going to sit in your wallet or buy you something you don’t really need. But for the buyers, are the cards a good deal? Perusing the selection quickly, we found a $100 Aeropostale card for $87, a $200 Body Shop card for $174, and a $100 JCPenney’s card for $88 (along with about a bazillion Godiva Chocolates cards at 35% off of each). The discounts look to typically range from 10-15%, and the selection of cards is not huge, but if you’re going to be shopping at a particular retailer anyway and you can pick up a card at a discount, it’s like creating your own sale. Nice.
The Verdict: Yea. Great idea, easy to navigate website, and a buy, sell or exchange process that couldn’t be easier, assuming you have a PayPal account (which, of course, is also easy and free if you don’t already have one).
Founded in 2003, TBF is a fashion blog dedicated to helping you live your best for less. We give you the 411 on the latest fashion trends & tips and sample sales. 
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
the site sells large quantity of fraudulent gift cards.
They are VEEERRRYYYY SSSSLLLLLOOOOOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWW to mail. I have purchased more than a few cards and they take so long to get here. GCR does not have proper procedures to see that you receive your cards either as they have constant post office problems (they blame the PO) instead of fixing the unreliable method they use to mail. Any internet seller can use 1st class mail with scan sheets or to see that your packages are not left sitting at the post office as they claim for weeks at a time. Totally unacceptable! Got to ABC gift cards, Plastic Jungle or Card Cash and have a GREAT experience. Save yourself the headache and being out $ and don’t even bother with Gift Card Rescue ever. You will thank me!
absolute worst service…i have suffered a 400 dollar loss.. bunch of dishonest, horrible customer service, scam artist!!! i mailed in first class and with tracking… after 2 weeks of excuses they said they finally got it and THENNN they ask for a proof of purchase which i send in 3 times and they kept telling me i showed a lack of purchase confirmation .. do not believe a word.. this is my first time reviewing on any site because its the first time ive been scammed 400 dollars. now there telling me to send a blank envelope to them with a return adress so i can get my cards back…really?? now on thanksgiving i have no cash and am expecting my entire family…ur better off selling localy on craigslist (beware of scams) ..its disgusting how these people can actually sleep at nite.. i hope one of them reads this right before you sit at your table and eat turkey with your family and have something to be thankful for while i probaly have to cancel my plans and have you Gift Card RESCUE to thank on THANKSGIVING!
I just had a problem with Gift Card Rescue where I purchased a $150 card for $127.50 at the end of January. I had not had the opportunity to use it until November and I was told the card was deactivated. When I called the card company they said it was purchased 1/8/11 and deactivated 2/19/11. When I called Gift Card Rescue they said it was outside the 60 day guarantee and they would do nothing about it. The manager flat out told me he didn’t care about the customer, just company policy that after 60 days they would not investigate. I have filed a complaint with BBB.