Top 10 Best Gift Cards to Buy for Christmas
Whenever Christmas is around the corner, one of many things it means is gift shopping! But let’s face it, finding the perfect gift can be stressful. What if they don’t...
December 13, 2024
6 mins Read
Picture this…
It’s your best friend’s birthday, you’re miles away, and time is running out for you to get a gift across to her in time. Enter the e-gift card – your digital saving grace that makes gifting possible in seconds.
Just like their physical counterparts, e-gift cards have many purposes, like as employee rewards, as part of customer loyalty programs, and even for personal budgeting. However, digital gift cards take it a notch higher as they are more secure and readily available.
In this article, you will learn what an e-gift card is, how e-gift cards work, their benefits and ways of using them. Let’s get started!
What Is An E-Gift Card?
E-gift cards are a set of codes sent to your email address or phone number upon purchase. You can also refer to them as digital gift cards. They are easy and convenient to buy online from the comfort of your home. They are also seen as a safe option as you don’t need to drop your details online before you can use it.
Just like physical gift cards, they are used as a payment option at issuing retail stores or third-party stores. The difference between a physical gift card and a digital gift card is how it looks like. You can hold a physical gift card, while a digital gift card can only be received via email address or SMS.
How Do E-Gift Cards Work?
E-gift cards are purchased online, and you either decide the amount that goes on it or opt for the one with a pre-set amount. When you make your purchase. Once you make the purchase, an alphanumeric code(which houses the card’s value) that has been authenticated by the retailer’s servers and, in some cases, a pin will be sent to your email address or the email address of the recipient you want to get it for.
When you want to use an E-gift card to make a purchase, you just need to select it as a payment option among other ones available and input the gift card’s code. The payment system then verifies the validity of the code, its value and whether it has been previously redeemed. Once it meets all criteria, the total amount of that purchase will be deducted from your gift card’s balance.
If any balance is left, you can use it to make another purchase anytime, and if the balance is not enough to complete a purchase, you can supplement with more gift cards or a debit/credit card.
Most e-gift cards can only be used at the retail store that issued them. While some, like Visa and MasterCard, are used at any store that accepts them as a payment option. Also, most e-gift cards work both online and in-store, while some work only online.
Benefits Of E-Gift Cards
There are various benefits of digital gift cards. Let’s check them out:
- Convenience
E-gift cards are both convenient to buy and keep. You just need to go to the online platform you want to buy it from, make a purchase, and get it delivered to your email address instantly. You can also access the purchased e-gift card on your device anytime.
- Secure
Unlike physical gift cards that can get lost, e-gift cards are safe on your device. You don’t have to worry about losing it in your wallet or anywhere you go. It’s also a safe option when you don’t want to release your personal details for an online purchase. You only need to provide your gift code, and the payment will be made.
Modern e-gift cards employ advanced encryption protocols and unique identification numbers. Plus many retailers also offer balance protection and fraud monitoring.
- Gifting Options
As the name says, you are basically gifting a loved one a card or code. E-gift cards are excellent gift choices for loved ones who live far away. They also give the recipient the choice to buy anything they want from the issuing store.
- Exchange for Cash
E-gift cards can be exchanged for cash via gift card trading platforms like NOSH. To sell gift cards on the platform, you must go through a few simple steps. The first step is to create a Nosh website account or download the mobile app from PlayStore/AppStore(more on this later).
- Marketing tool
E-gift cards help promote one’s brand and incentivize customers to buy more due to their convenience and security. Plus, they are cheaper than physical gift cards, which come at an extra cost of production.
- Mobile wallet integration
Many e-gift cards can be stored in digital wallets like Apple Pay or Google Pay, making redemption as simple as a tap of your phone.
Differences Between E-gift Cards and Physical Gift Cards
Difference | E-gift card | Physical gift card |
Delivery | Delivery is instant and at no extra cost, irrespective of distance. | Delivery sometimes takes time, involves physical effort and comes at a cost. You’ll either have to go to the store to get them, pay for delivery to a location and wait a while for it to arrive. |
Security | E-gift cards are relatively safe because it’s delivered to your email address and has end-to-end encryption. However, just like all digital assets, it can be hacked, which is something you’ll have to work towards preventing. It’s also an easy tool for online scams. | Physical gift cards can be stolen, tampered with or even forged in certain instances. It’s also an easy tool for scams. |
Availability | Depending on the retailer and time of the year, e-gift cards are almost always available, mainly because they come at no extra cost of production. | Stores sometimes run out of stock of physical gift cards, and you can’t count on them to be always available and in the denomination you want. |
Format | Digital codes sent via email address. | Physical in a plastic card with a seal covering the code. |
Customization | E-gift cards can be personalized with a note or unique design. | Physical gift cards have limited customization. |
Value | E-gift cards are priced lower than the physical ones which makes them not so profitable for traders. | Physical gift cards are more valuable than e-gift cards. |
How to purchase an e-gift card from Nosh
To purchase an e-gift card from Nosh, here’s what you need to do:
- Download the app and create an account.
- Go to your dashboard and select “buy gift card.”
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3. Select your country of residence, let’s say Nigeria and tap “proceed.”
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4. Scroll through the different available gift card brands, select the one you prefer and tap “proceed”
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5. Input the amount and quantity you need, then tap “proceed”
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6. Go through your order details and if satisfied, tap “proceed”
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7. Read the terms of purchase, tick “I understand” and tap “complete order.”
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8. Once successful, your gift card code will be sent to your transaction history.
How to Sell An E-gift Card for Cash on Nosh
Selling an e-gift card online via Nosh is a straight forward process, here are the steps to follow:
- Go to your account dashboard
- Select “sell gift card
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3. Choose the gift card brand you want to sell.
4. Specify the subcategory and amount of the gift card.
5. Upload images of the gift card.
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6. Submit your transaction.
7. Once the transaction is approved, your wallet will be credited with the Naira or Cedis equivalent immediately.
Proceed to withdraw your funds using the available methods on the Nosh platform.
How To Redeem An E-gift Card
Different retailers have their own method for redeeming their digital gift cards, but they follow a similar process like this:
- Get your gift card code from your email address.
- Visit the online platform for the e-gift card, this could be a website or an app.
- Select items to purchase, add to your cart and proceed to checkout.
- On the checkout page, look for a field to enter the e-gift card code.
- Input the e-gift card code and proceed or apply the e-gift card value to your order.
- Complete your purchase.
If your e-gift card balance is not enough to cover your order, you can add more e-gift cards individually to complete the order or supplement with a debit/credit card.
Also read: How Do I Check The Balance on My Gift Card
How To Use E-Gift Cards In-Store
One option is to print the egift card out before going to the store. The printout should contain the gift card number, amount, and PIN. At the checkout point, you can present the printed slip to the store attendant. Another option is to show the cashier the email containing the gift code details.
Frequently Asked Questions About E-Gift Cards
- Can eGift cards be used in-store?
Certain e-gift cards can be used both online and at physical stores. There are some that can only be used online. It is advisable to read the terms and conditions of the gift card you want to buy.
2. Where can I buy eGift cards?
You can buy E-gift cards on Nosh. There are different kinds of gift cards available on the platform. They include but are not limited to Google Play, Amazon, Apple, eBay, Walmart, Xbox, and Steam gift cards.
3. Are eGift cards refundable?
No, egift cards are not refundable. Once you make a purchase and the ecode is delivered to your email address, that’s the end. An alternative option I will recommend is to sell your gift card for cash on Nosh.
- Are there restrictions on the amount of eGift cards that I can purchase?
E-gift cards come in different preset amounts. However, you can buy as many as you want.
5. Do eGift cards expire or have usage fees?
This differs according to the issuing brand. Most gift cards do not expire and no usage fees. However, certain gift cards like Visa and MasterCard attract a usage fee. Check the terms and conditions before making a purchase.
- Are e-gift cards safe?
E-gift cards are safe as they are less likely to be stolen or tampered with unless your email address gets hacked.
- How quickly do e-gift cards deliver?
E-gift cards deliver almost instantly within seconds or minutes.
Conclusion
Start your digital gifting journey today with e-gift cards. They are also a convenient way to make payments online for purchases and subscriptions. Create an account on the Nosh website or mobile app to buy an e-gift card anytime you like.
