How to Safely Buy Gift Cards on eBay:
1. How can people afford to sell gift cards for less than face value?
Some sellers receive cards they can't use or don't want and would prefer the cash. Others purchase gift cards in bulk to receive a discount, so if they buy a $100 gift card for $80 and sell it for $90, they make a $10 profit. Others are professional eBay sellers who handle transactions for people who have one or two cards to sell.
2. What information should be listed in the ad?
Sellers should indicate the gift card's value, expiration date, merchant name, and web site (for researching where the card can be used) and any restrictions or fees. The ad should NOT list the card numbers this allows many cards to be used online. Scammers who see that number will deplete the balance in a flash and you'll end up with an empty card.
3. What's the most expensive card I should buy?
eBay doesn't allow the sale of cards that exceed $500. Any such may be fraudulent or the sellers are simply unaware of this limit. eBay can yank these auctions off their site at any time. If you've already purchased the card, you could be left hanging in the wind for a lot of money.
4. How do I know a seller is reputable?
The advantage of eBay shopping is you can read feedback about sellers left by previous buyers. Look for high-feedback ratings with at least a 90- to 95-percent positive rating. Read the negatives and avoid sellers with feedback left by buyers who received gift cards without a balance. You may want to also avoid new sellers with no proven track record.