Houston Gift Certificates

If you think about it, gift certificates are actually much better than any store-bought

gift as they enable the receiver to buy what he/she really wants. For that, there's very little chance that receivers will ever get disappointed with what they receive and givers can expect a more sincere appreciation for their gift. And for those who have a habit of "recycling" gifts, there's very little chance that they'd still bother thinking about whom to pass on the gift to. As an added plus, gift certificates are a lot easier to prepare, transport, and handle.

However, there are people who think negatively about gift certificates. Some people find them impersonal or even a bit rude.

The truth about gift certificates is: some people love them, and some people hate them. And the reasons why people love or hate them do not stop with those mentioned earlier.

One reason why people dislike them is that they carry an expiration date. Recipients need to use them within the prescribed time. Otherwise, the only place they will be good for is the garbage can.

Another thing is that some gift certificates/cards (especially those issued by banks) carry fees for various events. Some even charge to use the card. There are also cards that are difficult to use.

But perhaps the biggest flaw or problem with gift certificates is also it's biggest benefit/advantage. And that is it actually transfers the responsibility and burden of buying the actual gift to the recepient. This is something that a lot of people (particularly the recipients) find inconvenient (and rude).

But, despite the haters, Americans generally love gift certificates/cards, regardless of whether they're on the giving end or receiving end. According to a survey conducted by Opinion Research Corporation on behalf of eBay, 64 percent of respondents ranked gift cards at the top of their wish list.

But keeping the naysayers in mind, there are some things givers can do to make receiving gift certificates/cards lesser things to complain about.

When buying gift certificates, always make it a point to read the fine print and make sure they don't come with an automatic monthly or annual fee. Some may not begin charging fees until a certain amount of time has passed. The fee and time limits vary among gift certificate/card issuers, but a 2% monthly fee or a flat rate fee of several dollars per month is quite common.

Another is to try to avoid gift certificates/cards with expiration dates. There are actually many store gift cards that dont have expiration dates.

Try to find out where the recepient likes to shop. If you can't, opt for gift certificates/cards that can be used anywhere. You should also check whether or not store gift cards can be used both online and in the store.

There's a ton of businesses in Houston that offer gift cards--restaurants, malls, theaters, spas, etc. So, if you know somebody in Houston who's having his/her birthday soon. Give him/her the gift of choice. Give him/her a gift certificate.

by: Peggy Hutchison

POST COMMENT

Houston Driveway Gate | To Swing Or Not To Swing Houston Roofers 866-593-5222 Roofers Houston Tx 866-593-5222 Roofers Houston 866-593-5222 Find Out About Air Duct Cleaning Houston Houston Roof Replacement 866-593-5222 Siding Replacement Houston 866-593-5222 Baytown CPA Firm | Houston CPA Firm | CPA Near Baytown TX CPA Downtown Houston | CPA Near Downtown Houston, TX Houston Astros Find Their Way To Their Sixth Win Siding Contractor Houston Tx 866-593-5222 Lease or Buy A Houston Chevy at Ron Carter Chevrolet Houston Hyundai Helps You Decide If You Should Buy or Lease