What would you do ... my boss gave me a $500 gift card for a location that I never go and won't ever go to. Would you give it back with a polite note or would you just basically throw it away? I don't have anyone I could gift it to either. I just feel bad that $500 is going to waste. Thank you for your opinion!
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I would highly recommend saying thank you. If your boss is a frequent traveller or out of the office quite a bit, then I would send an email and/or a card. If you see him/her face-to-face daily, I would thank him/her in person, if you haven't aready done so. As far as the gift card goes, regifting is a good idea, but you can also donate it.
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Joyce Zimmerman on
5/3/2013 10:08:32 AM
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There are websites that specialize in regifting gift cards; you basically sell the card to them at a discount. You might also consider selling it on ebay or Craig's List or gifting it to somebody who would use it...another family member perhaps? If it has cash value, donate it to a charity and ask for a receipt--you do a good deed and you get a tax deduction!
Another, more difficult tack, might be to have the gift card reallocated. The "venue" will not want to refund the money but if it has other companies or lines of business, maybe they would be willing to convert the $500 to other goods and services?
Good luck!
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Anonymous on
5/3/2013 9:12:21 AM
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Wow. $500? Very generous. I cannot imagine not using it, but I cannot imagine telling my boss ?thanks, but no thanks? either. You COULD sell it on Ebay or Craigslist and use the cash for something you want. I am dying to know what is is. LOL
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Anonymous on
5/3/2013 9:09:27 AM
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I would certainly not just throw it away ? your boss meant well and there may be someone else they can give it to. But I wouldn?t just give it back with a note?I?d give it back personally and thank them and tell them you?d never use it and didn?t want it to go to waste.
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Anonymous on
5/3/2013 9:08:32 AM
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Your boss obviously thinks highly of you and probably wanted to treat you to a special place that he knows you are probably not able to frequent. Go to this place and spend the card and be sure to send a proper thank you note.
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Anonymous on
5/3/2013 7:39:48 AM
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I would be ever so grateful for anything but alas another one goes by without even a card. Donate the card to charity. Do not return it to your boss...as you may not be so lucky next year!
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Paula Kelly on
5/3/2013 6:39:22 AM
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Personally, I think it would be incredibly rude to give it back or say anything to your boss about it. If you're sure you'll never use it and don't know anyone who can, donate it to a local nonprofit who can either use it or raffle it off to raise funds for their organization.
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Anonymous on
5/3/2013 6:22:57 AM
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Yes, you should write a nice thank-you note. Your boss was very generous and as others have mentioned you can sell it on one of gift card websites. I didn't even get a "Happy Administrative Professionals Day" greeting or thank-you let alone any kind of a gift, nor do I receive one any other day of the year. I would LOVE to be recognized the way your boss did you!
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Marilee Taber on
5/2/2013 2:54:12 PM
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Wow. $500? Very generous. I cannot imagine not using it, but I cannot imagine telling my boss ?thanks, but no thanks? either. You COULD sell it on Ebay or Craigslist and use the cash for something you want. I am dying to know what it is! LOL
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Violet on
5/2/2013 2:42:59 PM
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Returning/refusing it would be like a slap in the face. Thank your boss for the thoughtful gift. Maybe the store gives cash on returns purchased with gift cards. Call them and find out what their return policy is. That may be a way to get something back if they do refund cash. Explore the websites that buy gift cards.
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Sheila Hoh on
5/2/2013 2:34:52 PM
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Immediately send a very gracious thank you note. MANY EAs receive no gifts at all; be thankful. Is it for a spa? If so, GO!!!!!!! Seriously! Is it for a restaurant? If so, GO!!!! It will give you something to talk about. Is it for a store?? If you never go there, try shopping online. Lastly, sell it on ebay if all other options are not options. Don't say ANYTHING negative about this card to your boss - period. You will never get another gift. Moving forward, become better at mentioning in passing (when the right times pop up) that you are "all about the spa", or "all about flowers", or "all about" whatever it is you like. Women know how to drop hints and people WANT to give you something you will like. Worst case is that this card is a re-gift and for that - be thankful still. The good news is that your boss didn't give you a pink slip. THAT is a gift I would truly want to return.
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Stacey Browning on
5/2/2013 2:19:56 PM
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Heavens no, don't throw it away!!! Give it back? Let me see...um, NO!!!!!!
Not only will you offend your boss terribly if you try to give it back...you'll cheat yourself out of a way to still reap the benefits of the gift you received. Never throw away an unwanted gift card...
There are reputible websites where you can sell and/or exchange your unwanted giftcard for cash or alternate gift card(s). You may not get the full value of $500 but you could possibly get anywhere from 50% up to 90% back. The options are endless and many sell discounted gift cards that they have bought from other people like yourself so you might find a favorite retailer gift card in there that you can use your proceeds from your sell to purchase.
A couple that come to mind are www.swapagift.com and www.giftcardrescue.com. I am sure there are more. You might also check to see if the company/offerer of the gift card has any sister companies that they would allow you use the gift card to make purchases, etc. You might find a new favorite purchase!
Good luck and happy shopping!!
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Kelly Dodson on
5/2/2013 2:08:56 PM
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You might give it to a local charity for auction or raffle. You still receive the blessing to be giving such a wonderful donation. Just a thought.
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Anonymous on
5/2/2013 2:04:15 PM
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put it on ebay...
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Linda Cala on
5/2/2013 2:02:08 PM
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You should certainly send a thank you note for the kind gesture. I would also explore with your boss about the back-story for this gift - is it for a place that they find meaningful or that they feel would be especially relevant for you in some manner? Keep an open mind, maybe this is a special gift? Definitely don't throw it out - at the very least you can post it on ebay and sell it or find someone worthy to re-gift it as a donation for a fundraiser for a charity that is important to you, if there is truly no other alternative! Good luck and try to have fun with it!
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Kim Fritz on
5/2/2013 2:02:07 PM
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I can't imagine throwing it away. There must be some way either you or someone you know could use it. A lot depends on what type of store it comes from. Could you give it to a homeless shelter, or a battered women's shelter, or even an animal shelter? It's hard to say without knowing what can be purchased with it. Definitely do not throw it away!
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Dixie Turner on
5/2/2013 2:01:20 PM
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Have you considered donating it to a local charity or church?
Or how about selling or swapping it. There are online forums like www.giftcards.com you can try.
I would try hard NOT to just throw it away....
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Angela Wiesmore on
5/2/2013 2:01:19 PM
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Hi Faith, forget the 'no thank you' note. I would personally and discreetly mention to him/her that I very much appreciate the gift and would love to take advantage of it. However, I never go to that place. Then go ahead and ask if it would be possible for him/her to get the money back and switch it for a prepaid credit card. That way the money goes to the best use for all concerned.
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Carolyn Clemons on
5/2/2013 1:59:47 PM
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What ever you decide to do,be prepared for an answer to give him/her if they ask you what you bought or did with it.
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Rose on
5/2/2013 1:59:07 PM
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If you can't use it, maybe someone in your group would purchase it from you at a discounted price. Or you could re-gift it to someone that would use it. I surely wouldn't throw it away. Our Human Resources Dept occasionally raffles off employee prizes for things. Maybe you could donate it in his name or something as an employee prize for a team effort on something. Surely someone could use it (and I don't mean to call you Shirley). :)
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Julie Minegar Stasi on
5/2/2013 1:57:59 PM
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$500 is extremely generous !! -- I would find a friend or relative who would shop there and sell the $500 gift card to them or I would go to the store and see if they would give you the $500
there are also websites where you can sell gift cards
very nice boss !!
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Victoria Lucas on
5/2/2013 1:57:38 PM
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