I went to Macy's with $100 gift card...

[gamecock43]

I agree that buying gift cards is very safe. But buying a card for $1 less than the value- whatever. I still dont buy gift cards for myself because once you have a- say- Macys $100 gift card then you go to the mall to use it and then justify the purchase as "free" and then buy other things you like, stop in a few other stores...at the end of your journey you spent $200 above your $100 gift card that you purchased for $98.00...not worth it to me.

[disneysteve]

I've bought Marriott Bonus Bucks a few times.

For the record, these don't sell near face value. I can usually get a $50 coupon for about $20, saving us about $30 off a 2-night hotel stay.

[Gjowers]

I felt really, really poor. The thing is...there were people everywhere...buying tons of stuff. I felt horrible...there were so many things that I wanted in my house. I wondered if everyone else could really afford what they were buying...

I've experienced this feeling many times myself. For one thing there's just no way to know whether those people can afford what they are buying or not. But when I look at income statistics and then look at what things cost today (clothes at the mall, housing, cars and most everything else) I believe most people really can't afford what they are buying - they're just using credit to get it and/or they are not saving anything. That's why our saving rate in this country is about 4% or less.

One of the nice things about this site is the support you get from others who choose to live in much the same way. Keep your eye on your goals, whether it's a house or a wedding or whatever Buying less "stuff" now is going to make that possible, and you'll do it with a larger down payment, and less or, hopefully, no consumer debt.

[SacredFaerie]

Macys is closing a few stores. I was just saying you want to be careful about where someone is located. You don't want them to come back and say you knowingly sold them merchandise they couldn't use.

[disneysteve]

Macys is closing a few stores. I was just saying you want to be careful about where someone is located. You don't want them to come back and say you knowingly sold them merchandise they couldn't use.

I believe that would fall under caveat emptor, let the buyer beware. If someone bids on a gift card without knowing whether or not there is a store in their area at which to use it, that's their problem, not the seller's.

[SacredFaerie]

I believe that would fall under caveat emptor, let the buyer beware. If someone bids on a gift card without knowing whether or not there is a store in their area at which to use it, that's their problem, not the seller's.

That's true. But who knows. It's not outside the realm of possibility for someone to go crying to PayPal saying someone sold them a piece of merchandise that they couldn't use.

Given the store closings and the bankruptcies of some other chains I think it would just be smarter to sell it on Craigslist (fee free) and then do the payment via Paypal.

[ScrimpAndSave]

I will definitely use the gift card...I just left frustrated bc there were so many beautiful things that I wanted...they had such GORGEOUS bedding...

[momof1in150]

Look online at Macy's - Clothing, Shoes, Bed & Bath, Kitchen, Beauty Brands & Sunglasses as they might have some sales online that they don't have in the store.

[Wink]

I also love Macy's for home decor items, especially the bedding. I went out yesterday to look for some inexpensive curtains for a small bathroom window and I was so tempted to redecorate my master bedroom! But, I knew I did not have the money so it was easy to resist.

I did purchase a few bathroom towels and was in line behind a woman with a large purchase. She tried to use her Macy's card and it was declined. Without missing a beat she whipped out the VISA and rang it up. Now, there could be various reasons for the declined card, but I just couldn't help but think that she was in debt. I think a lot of people are still spending way beyond their means.