BizJournals Portfolio
Jan 28 2009 9:41am EDT

When Gift Cards Trade Over Par

Dealbreaker finds a $75 Amazon gift card which sold on eBay for $75.76.

Interestingly, if you look at the auction history of the winning bidder, it's pretty much all gift cards -- this is someone who knows what they're doing. I can think of money-laundering reasons why someone might want to do this, but is there any legitimate reason for it?

(HT: Tubin)

Update: One reader suggests that the buyer might be getting some kind of discount on the deal. This could take multiple forms: using a cashback credit card for payment, for instance, or having a separate coupon from eBay or PayPal giving a percentage off the winning price, or somehow setting up a system whereby they essentially get a commission for referring themselves to eBay. There's not a lot of profit in it, but there might conceivably be some.


Comments

If you are commenting using a Facebook account, your profile information may be displayed with your comment depending on your privacy settings. By leaving the 'Post to Facebook' box selected, your comment will be published to your Facebook profile in addition to the space below.


Connect With Portfolio.com

Come on, like us—you know you want to.

Follow us and if you're an innovative entrepreneur, we'll return the favor.

Today's top stories, conversation starters, and the back nine business bites.

spotlight on

People & Ideas

Whisky To-Go-Go

Now there's a company that let's you taste your knowledge of fine blended Scotches by mixing a whisky of your own. Read More