Using multiple gift cards in one order

[jrothman87]

Hi everyone!! 

Ok, so here’s my question: 

I’m trying to save up money to buy an older Lego set on eBay. I’d like to make payment using eBay gift cards only. 

The Lego set I want on eBay will probably be between $450-500. If I get 3 eBay gift cards (2 w/ $200 each & 1 w/ $100 on it or 3 $200 gift cards), I should be ok to make the purchase w/ eBay gift cards only yes? Btw, I’m already aware that it’s a maximum of 4 eBay gift cards in 1 transaction. I’m mostly posting this question because I saw that you can only get up to $200 maximum on 1 eBay gift card when I went out shopping yesterday. 

Once I’m ready to buy this set, I will contact the seller to make doubly certain it’s unopened w/ all pieces & instruction manual inside too. 

Any help would be appreciated, thank you 

[dryophelia]

@jrothman87 

Unless you are purchasing digital gift cards, you should avoid gift cards. So many scams with physical gift cards.

Is there a reason you must use gift cards?

[tobaccocardyahoo]

The advice you have received from @dryophelia is right on.

Ebay gift cards purchased at retail are prone to lots of fraud.

Buying anything on Ebay and paying with other than a credit card increases your risk if anything goes wrong.

[jrothman87]

I’ve used eBay gift cards that have been purchased from physical stores multiple times and have never had an issue. I do appreciate your concern though. 

[jrothman87]

I currently only have a debit card at this time and only use that for important purchases (pay bills, buy groceries & household essentials, buy tickets  for transportation & entertainment, etc. 

When I see something fun but expensive, I want to save up money for it with extra cash I get from change & bonus money from work. Once I accumulate enough of that money, I get a gift card with that cash and then use it buy the item(s). I’ve used store bought eBay gift cards before and have never had an issue. Same for most other retail gift cards that have been purchased at physical stores. This will probably be the largest purchase I ever make on eBay and just want as much information as I can get before making a final decision when the time comes. That’s all. 

[mudshark61369 · Accepted solution]

@jrothman87,

If you decide to go with gift cards, be aware that card balances may not be verified for a minimum of 4 hours, or longer if bought later in the day or on weekends.  You can use the link below to check their balances.  If you are going to buy them with a credit card, why not just use that for the payment?

eBay gift card balance checker page  enter your 13-digit gift card redemption code.

Personally, I would buy digital cards for the reason given by dryophelia. 

[jrothman87]

Like I explained to the other person responding here: I use extra cash I save up to buy gift cards at stores. Have never had an issue using them to buy stuff online, including eBay. Just want as much information as I can get before I make a decision. That’s all. 

[tobaccocardyahoo]

If you are still planning to buy gift cards from a rack in the store, some tips from the FTC

https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2024/12/check-out-gift-cards-you-buy-them

[jrothman87]

Will read soon, thank you. 

eBay customer service told me I should be fine yesterday, but I just wanted to gather more information. 

[bdmh-enterprises]

I will also echo the sentiment that gift cards are problematic.

That said, I know that Sam's club has 3 pack gift cards that are sealed in plastic shell so they cant be messed with by scammers like ones in cardboard hangers. They're also a few $ below face value. I would imagine Costco does the same and maybe other big box stores. I would highly recommend looking for those.