by Tricia C.
Member since:
August 8, 2006

Attentio n Gather.com: Idea for Gift Card Redemption.

January 12, 2007 12:25 PM EST
views: 92 | rating: 10/10 (17 votes) | comments: 32
Good Morning Gather..

I have a suggestion for Gather and wonder what you gatherites think of my idea or if it is even possible.

We are offered gift certificates which are very nice of Gather to do for us.  

Here is my question:

Is it possible for Gather instead of sending a new gift card for trading in points, why cannot we have an option to add that amount to an existing card that we may have.  It would save gather money in postage and paper to send the new cards.

This would be nice when trying to save the amounts for bigger purchases.  It is also helpful online as we do not have a Barnes and Noble, ( I know there are no more offers for that card, but I still have one),  or Borders where I live and it would take more than the amount of shipping to travel to the store to purchase my items.  This would make it nice due to the fact that online orders can only use one card per transaction.  I now have cards that have 25 cents here and 50 cents there.

My solution would be that when you are redeeming your points and say click on the Border's reward, that there is an option to just receive a new card or add an that amount to an existing card.

So, what do all you gatherites think of my idea....
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Comments: 32

♯ ♪ Jan 12, 2007, 12:28pm EST
I'm still waiting for the cruise option. Or the four-bedroom house on the beach.
Vikki M. Jan 12, 2007, 12:31pm EST
I think it is an interesting idea, but I think the issue would be up to the store involved and whether that specific store offers "refillable" cards. But if it is available from Borders or whatnot, I think it would be a nice way to go about it.
Tricia C. Jan 12, 2007, 12:36pm EST
True Vikki.. I forgot that there are places that do not have refillable cards..
Marsha S. Jan 12, 2007, 12:40pm EST
A cash/ check option would be nice too. : )
Tricia C. Jan 12, 2007, 12:46pm EST
Marsha.. Take one month to get 3,000 points and you will get the option to opt for cash/check... From my understanding, you only need to make that the first month and after that you just cash out when you want to.
Jorja L. Jan 12, 2007, 12:51pm EST
Sounds like a good idea...I hate when there are "leftovers" on a gift card. I have probably five or six of them in my wallet now that don't even add to $5 total! It's probably easier for them to just send out a new one than to collect card numbers and credit it to the right account.

It would be nice though!
carolyn b. Jan 12, 2007, 12:53pm EST
I like the cash offer as well
Tricia C. Jan 12, 2007, 12:57pm EST
My idea would be that when you click on the link to redeem points and then say click on borders. .. that screen would ask if you wanted to add to existing account or new card...

Choosing new card would allow you to get a new card

Choosing add to existing would have 2 options to put your card number and the secret code so that the card you had chosen would get the amount... so there gather does not have to keep track themselves, we just put the card number we want the amount credited to...
Elaine A. Jan 12, 2007, 12:58pm EST
Great idea.
Fran S. Jan 12, 2007, 1:09pm EST
I bet it would be too much trouble keeping it all straight for the powers that be... they will probably still just send out new cards even if they get this suggestion.... my big "gripe" right now is that they have discontinued the B & N cards, that was they only reward that I actually found useful.... since I will never get 3,000 points in ONE month to make the cash option viable for me oh well, it is what it is and its is how it is.... i still LOVE to Gather!
donna h. Jan 12, 2007, 1:11pm EST
thanks
Dawne Joy Jan 12, 2007, 1:17pm EST
i prefer new cards, less chance of someone ripping them off, you can still use the "cents" left over.
Patricia M. Jan 12, 2007, 1:26pm EST
will the stores combine the cards for you? that is an option that would help for now..but sure you have already thought of that one.. great idea though
Michele Scercy Jan 12, 2007, 1:27pm EST
I like this idea.
Tricia C. Jan 12, 2007, 1:35pm EST
I would have to drive alittle over 2 hours to get to the nearest B&N or Borders store... not an option and not worth going for the change onthe card..

and online they only take one card per transaction.
Tricia C. Jan 12, 2007, 1:37pm EST
The stores will not combine cards.... you can spend more than one card at the store.. but i do not have a store close enough to do that with...
Tiffanie C. Jan 12, 2007, 2:58pm EST
For your cards that have odd amounts on them, if they are from the same store I think you can call the 800# and have them all put on one card.. I could be wrong but it's worth checking out.
Susan *. Jan 12, 2007, 5:22pm EST
very good...this is what I meant yesterday when I posted about people getting their opinions out and letting gather know how they feel! Good for you! Reloading cards is a good idea from many standpoints and one I think has a lot of value!
Dawne Joy Jan 12, 2007, 5:31pm EST
Trish, they accept more than one online. Just order online, then call in with your card numbers. I did this at Christmas time.
You can combine the cards. I've also done this. B&N are very nice about it.
© MrBill   Jan 12, 2007, 6:32pm EST
The cards offered are fixed value and probably not reloadable, those tend to be two different pograms for merchants.
Shaunee C. Jan 12, 2007, 7:37pm EST
it sounds nice and easier actually good idea
Cortney R. Jan 12, 2007, 9:17pm EST
I think that it is a good idea if the book store and gather both agreed that it was possible.
Tricia C. Jan 13, 2007, 11:30pm EST
well, when you want to get points on mypoints.com and use the gift cards online with B&N you can only use one card and not call into them...

What you did was spend more than one on the same transaction at the store... What others are saying that bn wont do is to combine all the amounts on one card for later use...
Joanna Ammons- F. Jan 14, 2007, 12:31am EST
Well sounds like a good idea otherwise save the small amounts an dthey can be like coupons off something small they sell in the store. Or online.
Kathleen ♥ L. Jan 14, 2007, 3:49am EST
Trish, the only place on line that I know of that has rechargeable gift certificates is not part of the gather rewards program... I used to get 'webcertificates' through My Points and they would add more money to the account. The certificates were imprinted as a Mastercard account you would get a mastercard number and security code and could use the 'card' anywhere that took mastercard.

Do you have any book stores where you live? How can you live without a bookstore nearby... I'd go into major withdrawal if I moved somewhere that didn't have even one bookstore! :(
Leigh V. Jan 15, 2007, 12:27pm EST
Good idea. I think they do that with Starbucks Cards.
Tricia C. Jan 17, 2007, 12:41pm EST
We have a bookstore nearby.. just not barnes and nobles or borders near us....
One thing to keep in mind- most places that offer free gift cards get them at a discount by buying them in bulk, and returning with advertising packages.

Most likely, a $10 gift card they offer here probably costs them as little as $5, maybe even less.

Most stores do not offer that for refilling because you don't buy in bulk to refill a single card.
Kelly K ~ Jesus Saves ~ Jan 22, 2007, 3:57pm EST
I like the check/cash idea. that way you can get whatever you want.
IF they could not do that - reloadable GC's like Walmart of Starbucks!
take care!!
Tricia C. Jan 23, 2007, 3:44pm EST
thanks heather and kelly
Mary K. Nov 11, 2007, 9:14pm EST
I would love to have a reloadable GC from Walmart available but something is better than nothing.

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