eBay gift cards provide a convenient way to shop eBay‘s massive marketplace without using your own money right away. But before the shopping fun can start, it‘s crucial that you check your gift card balance to see your available funds.
This detailed guide will first cover the benefits of eBay gift cards and statistics on their widespread use. Then I’ll provide a step-by-step walkthrough on how to check your balance, followed by tips to get the most value from your gift card. I’ll also answer the most frequently asked questions.
My goal is to equip you with everything you need to easily check and redeem eBay gift cards so you can start shopping all of eBay’s categories with your free funds!
Why Do People Love eBay Gift Cards?
There are a few key reasons eBay gift cards have become so popular among online shoppers:
Financial Security
eBay meets high standards for security protocols, but some users feel safer not entering personal banking information unnecessarily. Gift cards avoid exposing financial data.
In fact, nearly 40% of consumers would rather receive a gift card than cash to reduce security risks with payments.
Budget Control
Having a set amount of funds on a gift card can curb overspending. One study found 62% of people stay closer to a budget with gift card funds over their own money.
Versatile Gifts
eBay sells almost any consumer item imaginable across over 50 diverse product categories. An eBay gift card lets the recipient browse for whatever strikes their fancy!
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Check Your Balance
Checking a gift card balance on eBay takes just three quick steps:
Step 1: Access the Balance Checker Page
First, go to eBay’s homepage and click “Help & Contact” in the upper right:
In the search bar on the next page, type in “check gift card balance” and hit Enter. Then click on the result reading “Gift Card Balance Checker.”
This will open the page you need to check balances.
Tip: Make sure you’re logged into your eBay account for a smoother experience.
Step 2: Submit Your Gift Card Details
On the Gift Card Balance Checker, carefully enter your gift card’s 19-digit number and 4-digit PIN into the correct fields:
Triple check that you’ve entered the long number and PIN correctly without any typos. Mistakes during data entry are common and can lead to errors checking your balance.
Once positive everything is input right, click “Check Balance” to move forward.
Step 3: View Your Result
Now eBay will access their database, retrieve the details on your gift card based on the number/PIN, and display the current dollar amount remaining.
For example, if you bought a $50 gift card and have already spent $23.57, it would show your balance as $26.43.
And that’s it! With your balance displayed, you’re ready to start shopping eBay.
Tips for Maximizing Your eBay Gift Card
Here are some great tips to keep in mind when redeeming your eBay gift card balance:
Combine Multiple Gift Cards
Use up to 8 gift cards towards one eBay purchase if needed to cover the total cost of your items and shipping.
Shop eBay Gift Card Deals
eBay routinely offers promotions like a $5 bonus when you buy a $50 gift card. Or find discounted eBay gift cards on reputable resale sites to maximize value.
Use for eBay Subsidiaries
Your gift card funds can also be used when shopping subsidiaries like StubHub for event tickets or Classifieds for local deals.
If you have more gift card questions, keep reading!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
You probably still have some lingering concerns about the finer details of how eBay gift cards work. Here I’ll break down answers to the most common questions:
Are eBay gift cards refundable?
Gift cards themselves cannot be refunded or exchanged. However, any qualifying items purchased on eBay using a gift card can be returned per eBay’s standard policies. Refunds will credit your eBay account balance instead of back to the original gift card.
Can I resell an unused eBay gift card?
Yes, you can legally resell or trade-in an unused eBay gift card. However, you will likely only recoup around 85% of the card‘s face value when selling to gift card resale sites. Carefully review each site‘s rates and fees first to maximize your payout if looking to offload instead of use.
Can I use an eBay gift card internationally?
eBay gift cards issued in the United States can only be applied towards purchases on eBay’s US site, eBay.com. They cannot cross borders. However, eBay does offer international country-specific gift cards that function the same way.
Still have questions?
Hopefully this all-encompassing guide covered everything you need to confidently check and redeem gift card balances at eBay. But drop any other questions in the comments section below!
