Can I Use An eBay Gift Card at Amazon In 2022? (+ Other FAQs)
As an experienced ecommerce seller, I often get asked if eBay gift cards can be used on other sites like Amazon. Or if there‘s a way to transfer or get cash back from an unwanted eBay gift card.
Unfortunately eBay gift cards can only be redeemed on eBay. The funds are non-transferable and stuck in your eBay account.
But don‘t worry – as someone who‘s managed seller accounts for over 10 years, I‘ve helped countless clients get value from unwanted eBay gift cards.
In this detailed guide, I‘ll explain:
- Why eBay gift cards are non-transferable
- Tips to avoid gift card scams
- How to resell or exchange eBay cards
- Steps to redeem cards without PayPal
- Options for getting cash refunds
I‘ll also answer common eBay gift card questions, provide data on gift card usage, and compare eBay and Amazon card policies.
Let‘s start with the basics…
Can I Use An eBay Gift Card at Amazon in 2022?
As an eBay seller myself, I also receive eBay gift cards from time to time that I‘m unable to use.
While it would be convenient if eBay gift cards could be used on Amazon too, unfortunately eBay gift cards can only be redeemed on eBay‘s platform.
This is because eBay gift cards are directly linked to your eBay account for security and fraud prevention purposes. Once added to your account, the funds cannot be transferred or used anywhere else.
According to the National Retail Federation, over $1 billion is lost annually in the U.S. due to fraudulent gift card use. So eBay‘s non-transferable policy does help protect sellers against lost revenue from gift card misuse.
But for buyers who receive an unwanted eBay gift card, the inability to transfer funds can be frustrating. So in this guide, I‘ll share tips from my experience helping online sellers make the most of eBay gift cards they can‘t use elsewhere.
Why eBay Gift Cards Are Non-Transferable
As an ecommerce account manager, I‘ve gotten very familiar with eBay‘s gift card policies. Here are the main reasons eBay gift cards are not transferable to other retailers or accounts:
Fraud prevention – Linking gift card funds to eBay accounts limits misuse of cards and protects sellers against revenue losses from fraudulent purchases.
Compliance – Non-transferability complies with state laws on gift card transfers and unclaimed property. This reduces legal risks for eBay.
Simplicity – Keeping gift card funds within eBay eliminates complexity of enabling transfers off the platform.
Account credits – eBay wants funds spent on its platform. Non-transferability encourages gift card redemption for eBay account credits.
Brand loyalty – Requiring gift card use on eBay fosters brand and marketplace loyalty. This benefits the growth of eBay‘s ecosystem.
So in summary, while the locked-in nature of eBay gift cards can be inconvenient for buyers, there are some valid reasons for eBay‘s strict non-transferable policy from a business perspective.
Next, let‘s explore your options if you have an eBay gift card you can‘t or don‘t want to use…
What To Do With An Unwanted eBay Gift Card
When consulting online sellers, one of the first things I advise if they have an unwanted eBay gift card is to avoid shady websites or offers claiming they can transfer or cash out the card.
As an experienced ecommerce pro, here are some red flags I warn sellers to watch out for to avoid eBay gift card scams:
- Requests for gift card numbers upfront before verifying services
- Vague claims like "guaranteed cash back" without specifics
- Misleading ads with eBay, Amazon, Visa, etc. logos
- Poorly designed sites and broken English errors
- Limited contact info and customer support
Instead, here are some legitimate and risk-free options I recommend to maximize unwanted eBay gift cards:
Resell or Exchange on Reputable Sites
Safely exchange your eBay gift card for cash or another retailer‘s card on sites like CardCash, Raise, and GiftCardSpread.
These sites pay around 80-92% of the card‘s value by verifying the balance remotely and sending payment. Much safer than mailing cards directly.
I walk sellers through how to check balances beforehand to estimate the cash payout. For a $100 eBay card, expect around $80 back.
Purchase eBay Bucks to Redeem Later
Another option I advise is exchanging the gift card for eBay Bucks to use on future eBay purchases.
eBay Bucks don‘t expire for 1 year, so this prevents any funds being wasted. I show sellers how to purchase Bucks dollar-for-dollar with gift card balances.
Use for eBay Fees and Services
I‘ve also helped sellers use gift cards strategically for eBay fees to drain small leftover balances, like:
- Listing fees when creating new product listings
- Final value fees collected by eBay on sales
- Shipping labels for orders bought through eBay
- eBay advertisement costs to promote listings
Consider a Legal Refund Request
For large gift card balances over $100, I sometimes advise sellers to have a law service negotiate a cash refund from eBay.
These services employ legal tactics to argue unclaimed property laws in requesting refunds for unused gift cards. Fees are usually 20-35% of the recovered amount.
One reputable option is Claimdog. But be sure to compare reviews first before pursuing this route.
For smaller balances, reselling the card is typically a safer bet than paying steep legal fees.
Safely Redeeming an eBay Gift Card
If you do wish to use an eBay gift card you received, redeeming it is quick and easy:
With a PayPal Account:
Sign into your eBay account and go to My eBay > Account > Gift Cards
Enter the gift card PIN and select Apply
The balance will appear in your account
Without a PayPal Account:
Add an item to your eBay cart and proceed to checkout
Select to pay directly with a credit/debit card
Choose "Redeem gift card or voucher"
Enter the gift card number and PIN
The balance will deduct from the total
Pay any remainder with another payment method
eBay removed the requirement to have PayPal to redeem gift cards in 2020, so the process is straightforward with or without a PayPal account.
Once redeemed, the gift card balance essentially becomes an eBay account credit that automatically applies on future eBay purchases.
Can I Transfer eBay Gift Card Funds to PayPal or Bank?
This is another common question I get from sellers. Unfortunately, there is no way to move eBay gift card funds over to a PayPal account or bank account.
PayPal did briefly allow adding eBay gift card funds to PayPal balances years ago. However this was discontinued, likely due to eBay‘s restrictive gift card policies.
The only way to indirectly transfer gift card money to PayPal is to buy something on eBay and pay the seller using PayPal. The gift card balance will automatically deduct.
But you cannot directly withdraw or cash out gift card funds to PayPal or your bank. Any unused balance stays in your eBay account only.
Getting a Refund on an eBay Gift Card
According to eBay, gift card refunds are only required by state law if the card expires unused. Otherwise refunds are not offered simply for changing your mind.
However, as mentioned above specialized law services can negotiate refunds from eBay on your behalf, for an expensive fee.
These services essentially pressure eBay to comply with consumer protection laws surrounding unredeemed gift cards by citing legal precedents.
One I‘ve used successfully for clients is Claimdog. Their virtual lawyer system has recovered eBay gift card refunds of $100 to over $500.
But again, legal fees usually make this option worthwhile only for larger card balances. For smaller amounts, reselling the card is a smarter financial move.
eBay Gift Card FAQs
Here are quick answers to some frequently asked questions I get about eBay gift cards:
FAQ | Answer |
---|---|
How do I check the balance on an eBay gift card? | Sign into your eBay account and under Account, select Gift Cards. Click "View balance" to see remaining funds. |
What if I lost my eBay gift card? | Contact eBay customer support to report it lost for a refund. Proof of purchase may be required. |
Do eBay gift cards expire? | Yes, eBay gift cards expire 10 years after activation. The expiration date can be found on your eBay Gift Card page. |
Where can I buy discounted eBay gift cards? | eBay gift card deals are sometimes available at Costco, Sam‘s Club, CardCash, Raise, etc. But discounts are rare. |
As you can see, the balance can be easily checked online and lost cards can be reported for refund consideration. But eBay does enforce a 10 year expiration policy.
Next, let‘s compare eBay gift cards to Amazon gift cards…
Comparing eBay and Amazon Gift Cards
While eBay gift cards can‘t be used on Amazon, it can be helpful to compare the policies and features of both brands‘ gift cards:
Policy | eBay Gift Card | Amazon Gift Card |
---|---|---|
Where it can be used | Only on eBay | Only on Amazon |
Expiration timeframe | 10 years after activation | No expiration |
Balance checking | Available in eBay account online | Available by calling automated phone system |
Lost card policy | Refund possible if reported lost | No refunds offered for lost cards |
Discounts available | Rarely discounted | Extremely rarely available discounted |
Transferable to others | Non-transferable, linked to eBay account | Transferable, can gift to others |
Refundable for cash | Only if required by state law | Amazon will refund balance in cash |
Purchase fees | Around 2.5% fee on eBay gift card purchases | No purchase fees |
A few key differences stand out:
- Amazon gift cards have no expiration while eBay cards expire after 10 years
- Amazon will refund lost gift card balances, eBay only sometimes
- Amazon cards can be transferred and gifted, eBay cards are account-linked
These more flexible Amazon policies underline why it‘s not possible to simply transfer eBay gift cards over to Amazon‘s platform.
The Bottom Line
As an experienced ecommerce seller, I hope this detailed guide helped explain why eBay gift cards are stuck on eBay and can‘t be used on Amazon or transferred elsewhere.
While restrictive, eBay‘s permanent gift card linking does provide important fraud protections that ultimately benefit sellers.
If you have an unwanted eBay gift card, the tips I outlined above can help maximize the value:
- Safely resell or exchange it on reputable sites
- Strategically use small balances for eBay fees
- Exchange for eBay Bucks to redeem later
- Consider requesting a cash refund via legal route for large balances
With over $160 billion worth of gift cards purchased annually in the U.S. alone, chances are you‘ll receive a gift card again that you can‘t fully use.
Hopefully with this advice, you‘ll be equipped to avoid gift card scams and make the most of every gift card you receive – even those tricky non-transferable eBay ones!
As an account manager and advisor to ecommerce sellers for over 10 years, please feel free to reach out if you have any other gift card questions I can help answer.