8 ms·

I'm not sure what's the problem here. There are two things that could be impacted by your proposal: 1. Gift cards. Users want gift cards so it doesn't make sen

by baby 10mo ago

I'm not sure what's the problem here. There are two things that could be impacted by your proposal: 1. Gift cards. Users want gift cards so it doesn't make sense to penalize companies for that (by forcing them to complexify their codebase and finances) 2. Top-up cards. I haven't really seen dark patterns here. You're usually not forced to use these as far as I've seen, and are usually rewarded if you do (accumulate points, get free stuff)

z2 10mo ago
Maybe draw a distinction between gift cards that users purchased, versus ones that the user didn't actually want, like credits from refunds that really should have come back as cash. And given the gift card balances going unused and eventually recognized as profits, paying interest across the board seems financially feasible and perhaps even more optimal.
- baby 10mo ago
  I don't think any of these are targeted by Mamdani (and I don't think they should)
lxgr 10mo ago
Do people really want (to receive) gift cards? I find them incredibly annoying. They're thinly veiled, unergonomic cash.
- fragmede 10mo ago
  It's a cultural thing. Giving someone cash is seen as a lazy gift, but if I take a second and buy you a gift card to a store that my stereotype of you in my head shops at, I'm thoughtful.
  - lxgr 10mo ago
    Yeah, I realize it's a cultural thing, but I still think it sucks. I find receiving a Starbucks gift card much less thoughtful than a greetings card, with or without a banknote included. The worst are these Visa/Mastercard gift cards that are popular in the US: Often horrendously expensive to the buyer and cash-equivalent to the receiver at best, and broken or scammed and causing them further frustration and possibly monetary losses at worst.
    - baby 10mo ago
      When my parents came to visit me in the US I bought them a starbucks card and that was the coolest gift lol, they could stroll around and stop at starbucks whenever
      - lxgr 10mo ago
        Now imagine, if you will, a universal economic gift card, backed by the government, accepted throughout the country and beyond, even if both buyer and seller are offline... :)
        baby 10mo ago
        The government would have to implement this, which doesnt make sense imo
- baby 10mo ago
  I buy some to my gf as gifts, also bought some for my parents, I think they're great

by baby 10mo ago

z2 10mo ago

Maybe draw a distinction between gift cards that users purchased, versus ones that the user didn't actually want, like credits from refunds that really should have come back as cash. And given the gift card balances going unused and eventually recognized as profits, paying interest across the board seems financially feasible and perhaps even more optimal.

baby 10mo ago
I don't think any of these are targeted by Mamdani (and I don't think they should)

lxgr 10mo ago

Do people really want (to receive) gift cards? I find them incredibly annoying. They're thinly veiled, unergonomic cash.

fragmede 10mo ago
It's a cultural thing. Giving someone cash is seen as a lazy gift, but if I take a second and buy you a gift card to a store that my stereotype of you in my head shops at, I'm thoughtful.
- lxgr 10mo ago
  Yeah, I realize it's a cultural thing, but I still think it sucks. I find receiving a Starbucks gift card much less thoughtful than a greetings card, with or without a banknote included. The worst are these Visa/Mastercard gift cards that are popular in the US: Often horrendously expensive to the buyer and cash-equivalent to the receiver at best, and broken or scammed and causing them further frustration and possibly monetary losses at worst.
  - baby 10mo ago
    When my parents came to visit me in the US I bought them a starbucks card and that was the coolest gift lol, they could stroll around and stop at starbucks whenever
    - lxgr 10mo ago
      Now imagine, if you will, a universal economic gift card, backed by the government, accepted throughout the country and beyond, even if both buyer and seller are offline... :)
      - baby 10mo ago
        The government would have to implement this, which doesnt make sense imo
baby 10mo ago
I buy some to my gf as gifts, also bought some for my parents, I think they're great