Best Gift Card Services Like raise.com

Given the widespread complaints and concerns surrounding raise.com, particularly regarding invalid gift cards and customer service, many users seek more reliable and ethically sound alternatives for buying and selling gift cards. While the inherent nature of the secondary gift card market carries some degree of risk (gharar), certain platforms have cultivated a better reputation for reliability, transparency, and customer support. The “best” alternative often depends on whether you are primarily looking to buy discounted gift cards or sell your unused ones. Here, we explore services that aim to offer a more dependable experience, focusing on those that prioritize customer trust and efficient operations.

For Buying Discounted Gift Cards (with better reliability):

1. CardCash:
   • Key Features: One of the largest and most established gift card marketplaces. Offers competitive discounts on a wide range of popular brands. Known for its extensive inventory and often has slightly better discounts than some competitors. Offers both eGift cards and physical cards.
   • Pros: Large selection, often good discounts, long-standing reputation in the industry. Offers a 45-day guarantee, which is shorter than Raise’s 1 year but generally considered more reliable in practice according to many users.
   • Cons: Customer service can still be hit-or-miss for some users, discounts fluctuate, and physical card delivery can take time.
   • Ethical Note: Similar business model to Raise, so still subject to inherent gharar from secondary market. However, user reports suggest higher reliability in actual card validity and dispute resolution than Raise.
2. Giftcards.com:
   • Key Features: Primarily sells new, full-value gift cards, but also features a small section for discounted cards through partnerships (often with sister sites like CardCash). Also offers customizable gift cards and corporate programs.
   • Pros: Very trustworthy for new, full-value cards. When discounted cards are available, they are generally reliable. Strong brand reputation.
   • Cons: Limited selection of discounted cards compared to pure secondary marketplaces. Discounts may not be as deep.
   • Ethical Note: High certainty in transactions for new cards, minimizing gharar.
3. Target (via their app/website):
   • Key Features: While not a gift card marketplace, Target often runs promotions on gift cards, such as “buy a $100 Apple gift card, get a $10 Target gift card free.” They also frequently offer 5% off all gift cards for Target RedCard holders.
   • Pros: Extremely reliable as you are buying directly from a major retailer. No risk of invalid cards. Instant delivery for digital cards.
   • Cons: Promotions are intermittent and not always available for every brand. Discounts are fixed and not negotiable like on marketplaces. Limited to specific brands available at Target.
   • Ethical Note: Zero gharar as you are buying a new, direct product from the retailer. Highly ethical.
   4. Costco/Sam’s Club:
   • Key Features: Membership warehouses often sell popular gift cards (e.g., restaurants, movie theaters, gaming) at a fixed discount (e.g., $100 value for $80). Available in-store and online.
   • Pros: Highly reliable, buying directly from a reputable retailer. Guaranteed valid cards. Fixed, predictable discounts.
   • Cons: Requires a club membership. Selection is limited to what they stock. Discounts are fixed.
   • Ethical Note: Zero gharar, highly ethical.

For Selling Unused Gift Cards:

1. Gift Card Exchange Kiosks (e.g., Coinstar Exchange):
   • Key Features: Physical kiosks found in grocery stores. Users can instantly sell their gift cards for cash or a retail eGift card.
   • Pros: Instant payout (cash or eGift card). No online accounts or waiting for bank transfers. Simple, anonymous.
   • Cons: Offers a lower percentage of the gift card’s value compared to online marketplaces (e.g., 60-70% of face value). Limited to certain brands and minimum balances.
   • Ethical Note: Direct and immediate transaction, minimizing gharar. The low payout is the cost of convenience.
2. CardCash (for selling):
   • Key Features: Allows users to sell gift cards directly to them for a cash offer or trade them for a different merchant’s gift card. They offer a price based on demand for the brand.
   • Pros: Reliable payout once verified. Provides an immediate quote. Option for cash or trade.
   • Cons: Offers are often lower than what you might get selling on a peer-to-peer marketplace. Verification can still take time.
   • Ethical Note: Clear transaction terms, offer is presented upfront.
3. Private Sale (Friends, Family, Local Classifieds):
   • Key Features: Selling directly to someone you know or through local, trusted classifieds/social media groups.
   • Pros: Can often get closer to face value (e.g., 90-95%). No third-party fees. Immediate exchange if done in person.
   • Cons: Requires finding a buyer. Risk of dealing with unknown individuals. No platform protection for either party.
   • Ethical Note: Direct and transparent transaction, minimizing gharar if terms are clear between parties. Requires personal trust.