Gift cards

[bestpricedeals247]

Just wondering if anyone knows why gift cards can't be shipped in a standard envelope? There's no option in the shipping obviously. Or could I just put them in an envelope and mark as shipped?

[ittybitnot]

could I just put them in an envelope and mark as shipped

@bestpricedeals247 

Sure you could.  But as soon as the buyer claims "item not received"  you will be refunding in full. 

Send the "codes" and the card can be drained in an instant....new claim "item not as described, card value was empty".  You will be refunding in full.  

I am not sure eBay is the best place to sell such a product.  I would assume that you are an adult, and know your tolerance for risk. 

[inhawaii]

I've sold and shipped gift cards before without any problem.

I charge the buyer $4 and ship it first class package rate with tracking.

If they are getting a good deal on a $25/$50/$100 gift card, they shouldn't mind paying $4 for shipping.

[bestpricedeals247]

Do you know if this is allowed or frowned upon by eBay? I have never actually mailed anything in an envelope but I tried marking as shipped and in my notifications it still says paid ship now then when I click it says it has already shipped. It's not much value so I was just going to take the chance on it, but just didn't want to get in trouble with eBay.

[katzrul15 · Accepted solution]

@bestpricedeals247 

Is this the $15 subway card and $5 in and out card that you sold for $14.99 and free shipping?  Is there a reason you discounted the cards by $5 and offered free shipping?  Your buyer got a great deal.

I would ship in a bubble mailer, 1st class parcel so that you have tracking.  Realize you want to do this as inexpensive as possible - with the fees you were charged for the sale and the deep discount to a buyer, realize that $3.39 or so for 3-4oz might seem steep, but refunding in full as others pointed out, would really sting.  Good luck with whatever you decide.

[inhawaii]

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I would kill for a In-N-Out burger right now.     😉 

[katzrul15]

We have Shake Shack close to a customer of mine........no In and Out Burger for us.  😞

Wahlburgers was not too bad when we went with a customer over the holidays.........

[bestpricedeals247]

Yes it's for those 2 you mentioned. And I figured I would probably have to discount them a few bucks or someone would just go into the restaurant and pay like usual. I'm just a cheapskate lol and I just had a bunch of forever stamps I never use and wanted to get rid of. But I guess I should just take your suggestion because people tend to open up envelopes that feel like they have cards in them.

[bestpricedeals247]

I had that card for years and never used it since I don't eat meat and the line is always too long just get fries. And it wasn't worth it to try to sell alone being only $5 bucks since fees and shipping negate that lol

[soh.maryl]

In a situation like that, I would have just listed it on Facebook Marketplace.

[2010jacquelynn]

I always ship in a USPS purchased envelope with a design on it. I also add tracking, it automatically is insured $50.00 by USPS. I'm sure it's a rule of eBay that you need to upload tracking information. It also benefits you if you have a buyer that doesn't receive your item or it gets lost in the mail. 

[albertabrightalberta]

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@2010jacquelynn wrote:

I always ship in a USPS purchased envelope with a design on it. I also add tracking, it automatically is insured $50.00 by USPS. I'm sure it's a rule of eBay that you need to upload tracking information. It also benefits you if you have a buyer that doesn't receive your item or it gets lost in the mail. 

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First class parcel doesn't have insurance. If you ship a gift card by priority mail, that's a pretty expensive way to send it (unless it's a high value gift card.) Better would be 1st class parcel for <$5.

it's not a "rule" that you need tracking but if you ship without tracking and the buyer claims INR, you'll lose and have to refund the buyer in full. 

[wrong66]

15 years ago, they were one of the best. Now, they are forgettable. Because they are the cheapest, people love them.

[lepke1979]

I think it says you're in Nevada. Not sure if you ever go to California. But gift cards are treated same as cash here. Which means you can just walk in with a gift card for that store and exchange it for cash. Some places might require you to call a corporate line and mail a check if it's over a certain amount though.

Also possible your state does the same.