Whether it’s a birthday, Christmas or some other celebratory event, there are times you might receive a gift card to a store, restaurant or other location from a friend, family or colleague. While you may be thankful for it, these cards often go unused because you forget about them or they’re for a store you don’t like. Rather than having these cards go to waste, you may be able to exchange the gift cards for cash.
There are plenty of websites you can use to get rid of unwanted gift cards online. Keep reading if you’d like to know how to sell gift cards in Canada.
How Much Money Can You Make By Selling Gift Cards?
The amount you can make selling gift cards depends on how valuable your gift cards are and how much work you’re willing to do. For instance, trying to sell one $15 Starbucks gift card may not be worth the time or effort but that isn’t necessarily the case with multiple (or more expensive) cards. It also depends if you manage to sell your gift cards at discounted prices or face value.
Best Places To Sell Gift Cards Online In Canada
In Canada, there are several platforms you can use to sell gift cards for cash, including:
CardSwap
CardSwap has been one of the country’s largest gift card exchanges since 2010. They have a simple, user-friendly platform that allows you to enter a gift card’s details and get instant cash offers. If it’s approved, you can mail the gift card to CardSwap (using a free prepaid shipping label) and receive payment in as little as 2 business days.
You’ll then have the option of collecting payment by cheque or a credit to your CardSwap account in SwapPoints, which can be redeemed for cash via PayPal. CardSwap accepts gift cards valued at $25 or more from over 450 retailers. Their average return rate is 60% – 90% of your card’s value and their secure platform comes with a payment guarantee.
GiftCash
GiftCash is another major Canadian exchange that takes cards from many Canadian and international stores, such as Ikea and Hudson’s Bay. Like CardSwap, they pay clients by cheque or PayPal within a few days and only accept gift cards of at least $25. GiftCash also accepts partially-used gift cards, so long as it meets the minimum threshold of $25. Unlike other gift card exchanges, they also accept physical and digital cards. When you sell your gift cards on GiftCash, you can get up to 90% of the card value back.
While physical cheques may take a few days to arrive by post, digital payouts can be delivered in 2 hours. They also offer special rates on bulk sales. Keep in mind that you must verify your identity and address with a valid ID to sell gift cards on GiftCash.
Gift Card Granny
Gift Card Granny is a free gift card exchange that offers several ways to sell and receive payment for your unwanted gift cards. They accept gift cards from dozens of retailers and can give you up to 92% of your card’s value back. Selling options include:
- Selling cards directly on the Gift Card Granny website, which takes a few days.
- Trading in your gift cards in exchange for cards from preferred retailers.
- Listing gift cards at your own set prices on the Gift Card Granny Marketplace.
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READ ARTICLEHow To Sell Gift Cards Through Online Marketplaces
You can also sell or exchange gift cards online as a member of these marketplaces:
Kijiji
Kijiji.ca is a major online classifieds website that provides free accounts to sellers and buyers in over 100 Canadian cities. All you have to do is post a listing for your gift cards and wait for inquiries from potential buyers. Make sure to include a clear photo of your card, along with details about its conditions and balance for the best chances of a sale.
Depending on how desirable your gift card is, you may receive the full value of the card. While you have to manage all your own sales and offers, you can use Kijiji to sell all kinds of local and international gift cards with no maximum balances. Watch out, as finding solid buyers can take time and promoting your ads will lead to fees.
Learn how to get free money in Canada.
eBay
Founded in 1995, eBay is one of the oldest online marketplaces in North America. Their platform lets you sell gift cards at fixed prices (for a 5% closing fee) or auction them off (for a 10% closing fee). While their selling-related costs can be somewhat higher than with other marketplace platforms, eBay is used by over 9 million Canadians yearly.
Additionally, it’s free to open an account and list up to 50 items a month, as long as you provide clear photos and descriptions. Most transactions are conducted using PayPal and they also offer discounted shipping rates of up to 25%. Just be warned that it’s a competitive market and your listings must be appealing to attract serious buyers.
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Craigslist
Like Kijiji, Craigslist is an online marketplace where you can list unlimited gift cards from any business, with no maximum balances or prices. Their platform is free and features an easy mobile app. However, you must arrange your own deliveries and payments, so scamming and theft are possible if you’re not careful.
Facebook Marketplace
These days, many Canadians use Facebook Marketplace to advertise items a number of items including furniture, clothes, shoes, electronics and even gift cards. Their platform is pretty straightforward and free of charge, which means you can sell as many gift cards as you want, but once again, you’ll be responsible for delivery and payments. Selling gift cards on Facebook’s Marketplace can be as easy as posting, finding a buyer and meeting up to make the sale.
Do keep in mind, that you could encounter scammers and non-serious buyers, so don’t commit to a sale unless you’re certain the other party is legitimate. You’ll also need to create a Facebook account to use this platform.
Can You Sell Unwanted Gift Cards In America?
As a U.S. resident, there are numerous online gift card exchanges you can use, like:
CardCash
Headquartered in New Jersey, CardCash is partnered with over 350 American brands, like Target, iTunes and McDonald’s. Just log into your account and enter the right card information (number, PIN, etc.) to get an instant offer. Generally, CardCash can pay up to 92% of a gift card’s value via PayPal, check or ACH deposit in as few as 2 days.
ClipKard
ClipKard is one of the newer entries on this list. They now accept gift cards from more than 300 different U.S. brands, including AMC Theaters, Best Buy and American Eagle.
ClipKard also has one of the easiest platforms on this list. You simply need to enter the brand and value of your gift card, receive your offer and use the prepaid shipping label provided. Once the card is shipped, ClipKard will send payment by PayPal or check. Use the free calculator on their website to see the estimated value of your gift cards.
Alternatives For Getting Rid Of Your Gift Cards
If you’re not comfortable selling your gift cards online or are having trouble finding buyers, there are other ways to get rid of your gift cards, such as:
- Exchanging Gift Cards With Friends – If you have friends or family members with gift cards you prefer, an exchange might resolve the problem quickly.
- Re-Gifting Your Gift Cards – Instead, you need to purchase a gift for a friend, family member or colleague, you could simply re-gift your gift card.
- Donate Your Gift Cards – Some charitable organizations will gladly accept your gift cards so that they can buy food, clothing and other items for those in need.
Selling Gift Cards In Canada FAQs
Can I trade gift cards for cash?
Where can I sell my gift cards in Canada?
Is selling gift cards legal?
Can I use Amazon to sell my gift cards?
Bottom Line
Selling a gift card online can be worth it, but it depends on which cards you’re selling and how much effort you want to dedicate. If you have 1 or 2 small gift cards worth less than $20, it might be easier to give them away as presents or donations. However, if you have several popular gift cards that have a lot on them, selling them can put a few dollars in your pocket.
