Gift vouchers were top of many shopping lists this Christmas, but if you were one of the many people to receive them, make sure you check the expiry date. For example, Westfield, Myer and Big W gift cards all have 12 months expiry dates and once this date has passed the cards cannot be redeemed (this has been approved by the ACCC).

Some other gift cards are not quite so inflexible. For example, Bunning’s gift cards do not have an expiry date, whilst David Jones gift cards have a 2 year expiry date.

There has been a very significant increase in the use of gift cards as a Christmas gift in the last two years. Recognising this trend, Retail Decisions has launched a gift card selling program in December using a number of third party outlets such as Australia Post, Caltex and Newsagencies to sell other retailers' gift cards.

The cards available at these outlets are for use in a whole range of places such as HMV and Coles. In some cases the cards have multiple places in which to spend your money. For instance you could spend half the voucher at HMV and the other half at Bras 'n' Things.

It is said that the average amount placed on a card is $100. But no matter what the value, it is very important to treat gift cards as cash because they cannot be replaced if lost or stolen.

You can use your gift card in many ways. However one way around using it would be to sell your gift card on to somebody else. There is a roaring trade going on eBay where you can offload your gift card at a discount.

In recent times a $50 David Jones voucher was selling for $45 with four hours left to go on the clock while the going rate for a $500 Coles Myer card was $460 with less than two hours' to go.

Given there is no name on the gift card and it is tantamount to cash, then there is no legal reason why you can't buy somebody else's unwanted gift at a discount.

Should you wish to obtain help in this area please <click here> or call 1300 QUINNS (1300 784 667) to contact us for more information.