The Gift Card Debacle
It happens for every friend's wedding, for birthdays, for holidays: There are just not that many retailers who allow someone in Canada to buy something for someone in the US, and vice versa. And gift cards are no exception.
I tried to make things easy for our wedding gift givers last year, but my mom passed on stories of some friends who had issues I hadn't even anticipated.
And in the holidays where I'm in a bit of a rush, or want to make sure to get a family member something practical, and not just something which will take up closet space somewhere, I always revisit the gift card question.
Shopping Matt: I don't guess you can do gift cards which work in the US as well?
Shop Clerk: We are a Canada-only business, so even if our cards were redeemable in the US, there'd be no place to take them.
Shopping Matt: Oh. Good point.
Shop Clerk: Are you needing to get a gift card for someone in the US?
Shopping Matt: It would be nice to at least have the option sometimes.
Shop Clerk: Oh! Home Depot!
Shopping Matt: What?
Shop Clerk: Someone told me once that Home Depot gift cards work both in the US and Canada. Granted, I don't know how many people on your list would be thrilled to have a Home Depot gift card for Christmas, but it's a start?
Shopping Matt: That's true. Thanks!
And he's right — with some preliminary research it seems the rumour was true. In fact, there are a handful of stores which honour gift cards on both sides of the border. Out of all the hundreds of stores which have a presence in the US and Canada, here's the short list of ones whose gift cards are interchangeable:
American Eagle Outfitters
Home Depot
Sears
Starbucks
Whole Foods Market
Not so many, right? One list claimed the Gap and Old Navy cards work either way, but I had direct experience with a Banana Republic card not working (they won't even accept exchanges of clothes bought in the other country, even with receipt), so I strongly doubt its sister stores are any different.
So what's the answer? Looks like I'm making a quick gift card trip down south.
I tried to make things easy for our wedding gift givers last year, but my mom passed on stories of some friends who had issues I hadn't even anticipated.
And in the holidays where I'm in a bit of a rush, or want to make sure to get a family member something practical, and not just something which will take up closet space somewhere, I always revisit the gift card question.
Shopping Matt: I don't guess you can do gift cards which work in the US as well?
Shop Clerk: We are a Canada-only business, so even if our cards were redeemable in the US, there'd be no place to take them.
Shopping Matt: Oh. Good point.
Shop Clerk: Are you needing to get a gift card for someone in the US?
Shopping Matt: It would be nice to at least have the option sometimes.
Shop Clerk: Oh! Home Depot!
Shopping Matt: What?
Shop Clerk: Someone told me once that Home Depot gift cards work both in the US and Canada. Granted, I don't know how many people on your list would be thrilled to have a Home Depot gift card for Christmas, but it's a start?
Shopping Matt: That's true. Thanks!
And he's right — with some preliminary research it seems the rumour was true. In fact, there are a handful of stores which honour gift cards on both sides of the border. Out of all the hundreds of stores which have a presence in the US and Canada, here's the short list of ones whose gift cards are interchangeable:
American Eagle Outfitters
Home Depot
Sears
Starbucks
Whole Foods Market
Not so many, right? One list claimed the Gap and Old Navy cards work either way, but I had direct experience with a Banana Republic card not working (they won't even accept exchanges of clothes bought in the other country, even with receipt), so I strongly doubt its sister stores are any different.
So what's the answer? Looks like I'm making a quick gift card trip down south.