4 ms·

I don't know, if I received a gift card from a friend I would probably just be slightly annoyed and think that they could have given me the same amount of money

I don't know, if I received a gift card from a friend I would probably just be slightly annoyed and think that they could have given me the same amount of money and I would spend them however I want. Even in the case you are describing, I can think of someone wanting to buy me some nice clothes, and then giving me a gift card from a retailer, but then perhaps I'll go there and I won't find anything that suits me, and I'll be forced to buy something anyway. The fact that the retailer is written on the card and restricts my choices cannot possibly be a plus in my opinion. I would rather prefer getting 20£ and my friends telling me "I thought you could buy those trousers you like with them", and it would have the same effect, without needlessly restricting my choice. I agree with you that I would much rather receive a less expensive gift that has a special meaning from the person who is giving it to me, rather than just cash, even if more. A gift card does not seem the ideal solution to this problem to me though, since the category that a gift card applies to is still very broad. The point you make about not buying alcohol or drugs or whatnot is valid instead, I admit I did not think about it. Nevertheless, it still seems a pretty uncommon use case to me.

EliRivers 14y ago
They are a half-way house. A decent actual gift is far better. On the suit example, I was actually thinking more along the lines of a bespoke tailored suit; they're surprisingly reasonable if you shop around, and everyone can use a decent tailored suit :) Granted, that's something of a more expensive thoughtful gift - it's not something I'd do regularly, but it'd be a gift someone would appreciate for years and years. Every time they put it on, they'd remember that someone gave it to them specially; it'd provoke a pleasant emotional reaction every time. Literally a gift that keeps on giving. If you spent the same amount on, for example, a month's rent paid for them or something else that they just always spend money on, they'd barely feel a thing. Don't forget the skateboarding. It's all the kids spend their money on :p
- stephenr 14y ago
  Everyone can use a decent tailored suit? No, you think people should have a tailored suit. I have 0 use for a tailored suit and would be offended if any of my friends tried to suggest I should buy a suit. I'm not a child I can decide what clothes are appropriate on my own thanks Your whole approach seems to be that you assume people are incapable of making decisions about their own lives.
- bentcorner 14y ago
  > They are a half-way house. A decent actual gift is far better. Not necessarily. In the GP's example: > Even in the case you are describing, I can think of someone wanting to buy me some nice clothes, and then giving me a gift card from a retailer, but then perhaps I'll go there and I won't find anything that suits me, and I'll be forced to buy something anyway. The fact that the retailer is written on the card and restricts my choices cannot possibly be a plus in my opinion. I would rather prefer getting 20£ and my friends telling me "I thought you could buy those trousers you like with them", and it would have the same effect, without needlessly restricting my choice. The gift-giver assumed that the recipient would appreciate a gift from this store. With the gift card, the recipient at least has a choice. Without, the recipient may end up with an article of clothing that they will never, ever, ever wear.
  - EliRivers 14y ago
    "Without, the recipient may end up with an article of clothing that they will never, ever, ever wear." If it's something they will never ever ever wear, it doesn't sound like a "decent actual gift" to me.

EliRivers 14y ago

They are a half-way house. A decent actual gift is far better. On the suit example, I was actually thinking more along the lines of a bespoke tailored suit; they're surprisingly reasonable if you shop around, and everyone can use a decent tailored suit :) Granted, that's something of a more expensive thoughtful gift - it's not something I'd do regularly, but it'd be a gift someone would appreciate for years and years. Every time they put it on, they'd remember that someone gave it to them specially; it'd provoke a pleasant emotional reaction every time. Literally a gift that keeps on giving. If you spent the same amount on, for example, a month's rent paid for them or something else that they just always spend money on, they'd barely feel a thing. Don't forget the skateboarding. It's all the kids spend their money on :p

stephenr 14y ago
Everyone can use a decent tailored suit? No, you think people should have a tailored suit. I have 0 use for a tailored suit and would be offended if any of my friends tried to suggest I should buy a suit. I'm not a child I can decide what clothes are appropriate on my own thanks Your whole approach seems to be that you assume people are incapable of making decisions about their own lives.
bentcorner 14y ago
> They are a half-way house. A decent actual gift is far better. Not necessarily. In the GP's example: > Even in the case you are describing, I can think of someone wanting to buy me some nice clothes, and then giving me a gift card from a retailer, but then perhaps I'll go there and I won't find anything that suits me, and I'll be forced to buy something anyway. The fact that the retailer is written on the card and restricts my choices cannot possibly be a plus in my opinion. I would rather prefer getting 20£ and my friends telling me "I thought you could buy those trousers you like with them", and it would have the same effect, without needlessly restricting my choice. The gift-giver assumed that the recipient would appreciate a gift from this store. With the gift card, the recipient at least has a choice. Without, the recipient may end up with an article of clothing that they will never, ever, ever wear.
- EliRivers 14y ago
  "Without, the recipient may end up with an article of clothing that they will never, ever, ever wear." If it's something they will never ever ever wear, it doesn't sound like a "decent actual gift" to me.