CardCash
Decreasing the Outgoing > CardCash
Background
CardCash is one of the best ways to slow the flow out of your money pond. In fact, I have saved more with CardCash than with any dedicated cashback service.
So what is CardCash? CardCash is a company that buys unwanted gift cards from people who don’t want them, and sells the gift cards to you at a reduced price.
Now, let’s be realistic, you’re not going to get an Amazon gift card for 50% off here. Unfortunately, the nature of the biggest retailers on the planet is that there aren’t a lot of people who don’t want their gift cards. So it’s hard to find a good deal on the biggest of retailers. But that doesn’t mean deals don’t exist. There are still major retailers, like Target and Walmart, that sometimes offer gift cards at up to 6-a8% off.
And for the rest of the retailers? Savings often go into the double digits.
About CardCash
Have you ever been given a gift card for a store that you really don’t shop at frequently? You’re not alone. CardCash research found that $140 billion of the world’s $534 billion gift card market is unwanted – and that about $3 billion in gift cards are wasted per year when people don’t end up using them.
To solve this problem CardCash acts as an exchange for people who don’t want the gift cards and people who do want them – at a discount. Everyone benefits. CardCash also partner with retailers to provide gift cards.
Established in 2009, CardCash has saved customers more than $50 million in reduced-rate gift cards. Offering gift cards from over 500 merchants, you’ll probably find what you need when browsing their platform. (Unfortunately, Amazon doesn’t participate on CardCash.)
How much can you expect to save on your gift cards? It depends on the retailer and, like many products, prices change from time to time. Restaurants, sports/outdoor, and entertainment gift cards frequently give a 10% discount. Auto parts stores offer 15% discounts, while department stores range from 5%-10% off.
On special gift cards can go for 20%-30% off.
How it works
If you’re the one with unwanted gift cards then you can sell them on CardCash, but most visitors to the site are looking to buy the gift cards. CardCash sells digital gift cards (eGift cards, as they call them) and physical gift cards. I don’t frequently buy physical gift cards, but the last time I did, it was in my mailbox just two days later (that said, I do live in the next state over from CardCash, so it could take longer if you live farther away).
There’s a website and a mobile app. Both have clean, intuitive designs that don’t barrage you with offers, specials, and information.
After searching for the retailer you can either browse all the various-sized gift cards for that store, or you can enter the face value you’re looking to buy (the app calls this feature “QuickBuy,” while the website simply lists it as an optional field). When using QuickBuy, CardCash will automatically find cards with a face value close (or equal) to what you’re looking for.
Quickly check out and you’ll be emailed the digital gift cards within seconds. If there’s a discrepancy between what you ordered and what you received, CardCash provides a 45 day guarantee, during which time they will refund you the difference. Something worth mentioning here is how easy it is to contact customer support. Click the “Contact Us” button and you’ll be taken to an online form to submit. Given how some services hide their contact options so well that you need to Google how to reach them, this feature is a major benefit!
Features
CardCash participates on Capital One Shopping and Rakuten so you can get extra cashback.
There is no sales tax!
Another nice thing about CardCash is that you can check out with PayPal, giving you the opportunity to earn 3%-6% cashback with the PayPal Credit Card.
Finally, another perk is the refer-a-friend program that gives you and your friend $5 after your friend makes his or her first $25 purchase.
Conclusion
CardCash provides a clean, intuitive platform for buying gift cards at reduced rates. I’ve bought thousands of dollars’ worth of gift cards from them since 2014 and have saved over $600 by using them! One time I forgot to add a promo code to receive 5% off my order. I contacted customer support and they refunded me the 5%! I am very pleased with their customer service. CardCash is one of the best ways to slow the flow out of your money pond.
Click the button below to receive a $5 signup bonus.
One fun thing CardCash does is keep track of how much money you’ve saved with them – I’m at over $600!
I love communication! Feel free to reach out through any social media platform below, or by emailing me at kyle@money-pond.com!