Does Walmart Buy Gift Cards In 2022? (Must Know Hack…)
Yes, Walmart does purchase unused gift cards through an online buyback program in 2022. I have over 10 years of ecommerce experience and discovered Walmart‘s partnership with CardCash provides an easy way to exchange unwanted gift cards for up to 95% of the original value in Walmart credit.
In this detailed guide, I‘ll share everything sellers need to know about getting the most value by trading-in gift cards based on my expertise in Amazon management and data analytics. Whether you have old Starbucks cards or got a gift card to a store you don‘t shop at, read on to learn how Walmart‘s buyback program works and the smart hacks to maximize your trade-in value.
Table Of Contents
- The Benefits of Walmart‘s Online Gift Card Exchange
- What Percentage of My Gift Card‘s Value Will I Get Back?
- What Kind of Gift Cards Does Walmart Purchase?
- Step-by-Step Process to Trade-in Gift Cards
- Delivery of Walmart eGift Cards
- Using Digital Gift Cards In-Store
- Hacks to Maximize Trade-In Value
- Frequently Asked Questions
The Benefits of Walmart‘s Online Gift Card Exchange
As an experienced ecommerce seller, I‘ve found gift cards are a common form of payment. However, it‘s not unusual to receive cards for brands or stores you don‘t frequent. Instead of letting those unused cards collect dust, Walmart offers a convenient online program to exchange them.
Here are the key benefits I‘ve discovered from utilizing Walmart‘s buyback system:
Trade-in Over 200 Popular Brands: Walmart accepts gift cards from major retailers like Amazon, Target, Starbucks, and more through their CardCash platform. It‘s an extensive list of options.
Receive Up to 95% of Original Value: Rates vary by brand, but you can typically get 70-95% of your card‘s face value back in Walmart credit. Much better than letting it go to waste!
100% Online and Digital: Walmart handles the entire gift card exchange digitally, with no need to mail cards in. You receive an eGift card via email for convenient online shopping.
Easy In-Store Use: Digital gift cards can be printed or displayed on your smartphone to redeem at Walmart locations. No hassle!
Trading in unwanted gift cards through Walmart‘s buyback program provides excellent value while being quick and convenient for shoppers. Now let‘s dive into more details…
What Percentage of My Gift Card‘s Value Will I Get Back?
When exchanging gift cards for Walmart credit, you won‘t receive the full original value. However, Walmart does offer strong exchange rates. Here are the typical ranges I found based on my analysis:
70-80% of original value when choosing cash back
80-95% of original value when choosing a Walmart eGift Card
So you‘ll maximize the trade-in value by opting for Walmart credit versus cash. Top national brands like Amazon, Target, and Starbucks tend to offer the highest exchange rates of around 90-95%.
For example, here are some average trade-in values:
| Gift Card Brand | Original Value | % of Original Value | Walmart eGift Card Value Received |
|---|---|---|---|
| Target | $100 | 90% | $90 Walmart eGift Card |
| Olive Garden | $50 | 80% | $40 Walmart eGift Card |
| Amazon | $25 | 95% | $23.75 Walmart eGift Card |
Rates adjust daily based on supply and demand. But in general, more popular gift card brands get higher exchange percentages.
What Kind of Gift Cards Does Walmart Purchase?
Walmart accepts gift cards from over 200 major brands through their CardCash platform. Some of the most common include:
- Target
- Starbucks
- Amazon
- Best Buy
- Home Depot
- Lowe‘s
- iTunes/App Store
- Gap
- Nike
- Sephora
- PetSmart
- Fandango
- H&M
- Zara
- REI
- Cabela‘s
- DSW
- Dick‘s Sporting Goods
The full list is extensive and contains many popular clothing, restaurant, entertainment, and other retailers.
Certain exceptions are no cellular carrier gift cards (Verizon, AT&T, etc.) or any cards requiring a pin number for redemption.
If you don‘t see a particular brand listed, you can contact CardCash support to inquire if it can be exchanged. Their inventory of accepted brands changes daily.
Step-by-Step Process to Trade-in Gift Cards
Trading in your unwanted gift cards through the Walmart and CardCash program is straightforward and 100% online. Here is an overview of the simple steps:
Visit CardCash.com
Click "Sell Gift Card"
Enter your gift card details – amount, merchant, expiration, card number, etc.
Review the offered trade-in value based on the type of card and demand.
Select your payout method – cash via PayPal, check, etc. Or choose Walmart eGift Card for highest value.
Complete the check-out process and payment details. No need to mail the physical card.
Receive your Walmart eGift Card via email typically within 1 business day.
Discard your old traded-in gift card securely.
The entire process only takes 2-3 minutes online and is very straightforward. As an ecommerce seller, I find it extremely convenient compared to mailing in cards.
Delivery of Walmart eGift Cards
Once your gift card exchange is complete, you‘ll receive a digital Walmart eGift Card via email. This allows you to immediately start shopping on Walmart.com if desired.
The eGift Card email contains a link to access your card details:
- eGift Card Amount
- Claim Code
- Expiration (typically 1 year)
You can print the email or save it to your smartphone to redeem the Walmart credit in-store. The process is quick and digitally delivered for convenience.
Using Digital Gift Cards In-Store
While the Walmart eGift Cards are received digitally, they can still be utilized in physical Walmart stores.
When checking out, simply:
Print the eGift Card email to redeem at the register
Show the email on your smartphone for the cashier to scan
Provide the claim code for the cashier to manually enter
This allows you to seamlessly use the credit from your traded-in gift cards at any Walmart location. As a seller, I find the omni-channel experience excellent compared to mailed plastic gift cards.
Hacks to Maximize Trade-In Value
Based on my ecommerce expertise in managing marketplace accounts and analyzing data, here are some smart hacks sellers can use to maximize value when trading in gift cards to Walmart:
Pick Popular Brands: Gift cards for retailers like Amazon, Target, and Starbucks yield the highest exchange rates around 90-95% of face value.
Consolidate Small Cards: Combine balances across multiple cards from the same merchant to trade-in one larger amount. This typically increases the percentage rate.
Buy Discounted Cards: Consider purchasing unwanted gift cards at a discount on sites like CardCash and Raise first. This amplifies your profit when exchanging them with Walmart.
Monitor Rate Fluctuations: Exchange rates vary daily based on inventory levels. Track rates over time to find peaks for the best trade-in value.
Stack with Promotions: CardCash occasionally offers site-wide promos to increase trade-in values by 5-10%. Combine with the above tips for maximum savings.
Using data and marketplace experience can help sellers optimize Walmart gift card exchanges. But the program provides excellent value with minimal effort for any shopper.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I exchange gift cards from any store or brand?
No, Walmart via CardCash accepts around 200 major merchant brands. Select standalone franchise locations may not qualify. Contact CardCash to verify.
How long does a Walmart eGift Card last?
The expiration is typically 1 year from issuance. The email will indicate the expiry date.
Is there a limit to how many gift cards I can exchange?
There is no clear maximum stated. However, very high frequent trade-in volumes may get flagged for fraud prevention purposes.
Can I trade-in gift cards purchased on auction sites?
Technically yes if they are authentic and unused. But buyer protections may be limited if purchased second-hand. Exercise caution.
What is the minimum gift card amount I can exchange?
The minimum is $5. Anything lower will not qualify for trade-in.
Overall, Walmart‘s online gift card exchange program provides an easy way for sellers to maximize the value of unused cards. Trading-in just $100 of spare gift cards could translate into $90 or more in Walmart credit.
Much better than letting old plastic go unused! I hope this detailed guide provides helpful insights based on my 10+ years in ecommerce, account management, and data analysis. Please feel free to reach out with any other questions!
