Gift Card Girlfriend Poll Results: Traditional Gifts are a Waste

Jan. 11, 2011 - PRLog -- Consumers wasted time and money this holiday season buying and returning traditional gifts. That’s according to an online poll conducted by http://www.GiftCardGirlfriend.com, a website that offers consumers advice on the best ways to give and to use gift cards.

Waste of Time: The online poll asked http://www.GiftCardGirlfriend.com visitors to answer questions about gifts recently received. When asked, “Did you return or exchange a gift this holiday season?” 60% of the more than 160 participants answered, “Yes” as follows:

- 28% returned a gift they didn’t like or didn’t need (not my style).
- 23% returned a gift that didn’t fit (wrong size).
- 9% returned a gift for other reasons.

Waste of Money: 57% of the participants also responded affirmatively to the question, “Did you keep a gift you don’t want or need?” Gifts that are likely to sit in a closet this year were kept as follows:

- 27% kept an unwanted gift to spare the gift-giver’s feelings.
- 18% kept an unwanted gift because they could not return it (e.g. no tag, no receipt, store out of area).
- 12% kept an unwanted gift to avoid the hassle of returning it.

Quote - Save Time and Money with Gift Cards: Shelley Hunter, founder of GiftCardGirlfriend.com noted, “During an already busy season, well-meaning gift-givers often waste time shopping for and wrapping presents that are ultimately returned. Recipients spend time returning items they don’t want or need. And money is wasted by both parties when products that will never be used are kept anyway.”

When asked if recipients would have preferred a gift card, 62% said, “Yes.” Hunter cautions, however, that a gift card can appear thoughtless or be equally wasteful if the giver fails to follow her advice, “Five Steps to Better Gift Card Giving.” (http://giftcardgirlfriend.com/5-steps-to-better-gift-card...) The steps include:

1. Pick a gift card in line with the recipient’s interest (not one you think he or she should have).
2. Ensure the recipient can redeem the gift card locally or online.
3. Select a dollar amount that is usable without needing to spend additional money.
4. Check for redemption “gotchas” like expiration dates and non-use fees.
5. Add a little something extra so the recipient still has something to open.

Hundreds of inexpensive, free, and homemade ideas for Step #5 can be found on her site, with quick ideas in the GCG Quick-File (http://www.giftcardgirlfriend.com/quick-file).

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Gift Card Girlfriend (www.GiftCardGirlfriend.com) shows consumers how to turn any gift card into a thoughtful, personal gift. With gift card suggestions, presentation ideas, and practical advice, Shelley Hunter, founder of Gift Card Girlfriend, strives to eliminate the negative stigma attached to gift card giving.