I'm not much of a salesman - my father once (correctly) told me, "Son, you couldn't sell $20 bills for $10". Yet I'm in the position of wanting to sell some $100 ToysRUs Gift cards, and thinking my current method may be less than optimal.
Background:
As a manufactured spend (MS) technique, this past Feb, March, & April, I was buying ToysRUs $100 gift cards (GC's), going into a ToysRUs store, and buying VISA gc's ($500 at a time), then putting those on my Target prepaid Redcard, and ultimately paying my mortgage with the Redcard's bill pay service. It netted me 7 mileage points for every dollar spent. However... in late April, ToysRUs changed their policy, and no longer allow you to buy other gc's with ToysRUs gc's. I was stuck with $2,500 in ToysRUs GC's.
I investigated a number of different stores throughout Washington and Oregon, and couldn't find a story that would allow GC purchase.
Next, I tried redeeming them at CoinStar's 'yellow kiosk' that scans your gc's, and offers you cash for them. They wouldn't scan the ToysRUs cards for some reason.
I thought about buying hybrid bikes (overpriced), fitting them with sting-ray handlebars, and banana seats, and reselling as adult 'sting-ray' bikes - but I'm hesitant to add $$ to the $2,500 already invested.
I thought about selling them on CraigsList, as I've had success selling things there, but only merchandise / workout equipment, etc. - nothing with a cash-value. Perhaps I'll give it a try as I'm unhappy with the method that's currently working...
Finally, I tried selling on eBay. Listing $100 cards for $91. Sounds great right? But after eBay takes their 10%, and PayPal takes their $2.94, I end up with $78.96 for my $100 value. At least it's secure, and PayPal insures the payment - but PayPal holds payment for a couple of weeks. Annoying. But I've sold 7 gc's successfully this way.
Still.... there's got to be a better way. Any ideas?:
1. Continue selling on eBay, and be happy I'm getting something back for my $$
2. Try CraigsList.
3. Try FaceBook / and see if any of my 'friends' shop at ToysRUs (I don't feel comfortable doing this, and it sounds like it should be against FB policy).
4. Other?
Yes, I know... I deserve muchos face punches for this one. But I've been beating myself up about it since late April, and am admitting to this screw up to the only people I can think of who might be able to have a 'better mouse trap' idea than I've come up with.