When your family and friends can't figure out what to get you for a gifting opportunity, they are likely to give you a gift card. Gift cards have replaced the envelope of cash or checks that your family used to hand you. They let you choose what you want to get. However, if you get a gift card to someone else's favorite store, you may not be able to find something that makes you happy. You don't want to be stuck with a gift card that doesn't do anything for you. There is something that you can do about it. There are services that let you exchange the gift card for other gift cards or cash. 

Benefits of Exchanging Gift Cards

The biggest benefit is that you are going to end up with a gift card or money that you can actually use. Getting a gift card to a retail store not in your area means that you are either spending money to get to that store or spending part of your gift card on shipping and handling to get something off their website. Being able to sell it for cash means that you are going to be able to take advantage of a store in your area. 

Drawbacks of Exchanging Gift Cards

One drawback is that you aren't going to get the full face value of your gift card back. The services that buy your card from you will need to take their fees out of the exchange. For you, that means that you are only going to get a percentage back. However, that percentage is usually the majority of what's on the card. You can shop around and find a place to sell or exchange your card that will give you close to the full amount. Another drawback is that you may have to wait a few days to get your money or gift card if you opt for a physical card. 

Ways to Exchange Gift Cards

There are a couple of ways that you can exchange your gift card. One of them is that you can find a website that offers this service. You can either put the gift card's redemption number on the site when they ask for it or mail the gift card to them. You will then be able to get another card that has cash on it or another gift card. Another way is that there are kiosks that will offer the chance to exchange cards. The nice thing about those kiosks is that they are generally very quick to use. You are able to get your cash immediately. 

Being stuck with a gift card that you can't use is no fun. Being able to sell it for cash or exchange it for another gift card can make getting what you want easier. 

For more information, visit a business that offers these services, such as CFC Gift Cards.