No coupons? No sales? No problem! Here is a great way to avoid paying full price, even when you can’t find a coupon code or a sale! Many websites now offer discount gift cards in addition to coupons and sales. With so many ways to save, there is no need to put off those online purchases you have been thinking about!

These discounted gift cards, a relatively new phenomenon, are highly versatile. Consumers can use the gift cards as discounted pre-paid credit cards, paying 70-90% of the card’s face value; effectively receiving a 10-30% discount! The discount gift cards can also be used as gifts, since the recipient has no way of knowing that they were not purchased for full price. You can pay less for a gift while receiving the credit and gratitude for paying full price!

Deal Locker may be the best way to find discounted gift cards and gift certificates because you can find them at the same time as coupons. Search for your favorite store, and below the coupons you’ll find discounted find gift cards from eBay. Why not double dip and use both! Search for a category or a specific company, and find specific coupons, as well as links to discount gift cards, related coupons, and discount gift cards and gift certificates listed on eBay. Using these various discount media provides multiple opportunities for consumers to save money in any number of categories.

There are also sites which exist to help consumers buy, sell, and trade gift cards and gift certificates. Cardavenue.com is one such site, allowing those who complete a free registration to offer and browse pre-owned gift cards, available either for trade or for a discounted price. GiftCardsAgain.com offers a similar service, as do sites such as CertificateSwap.com. Discount gift card success stories are reported for a wide variety of shopping categories.

Many consumers have found discounted gift cards on eBay. While it may not immediately spring to mind as the place to procure discount gift cards, eBay can hold some excellent deals for consumers who are willing to spend the time searching. Many people list gift certificates and gift cards on eBay, often because the gift cards were received by someone who may not find an immediate use for them. These end up effectively being discount gift cards, as the bidding rarely goes all the way up to the retail price. If you are willing to make the effort to bid on eBay’s gift cards, you just might find that someone else’s unwanted Christmas gift becomes your discount gift card.

Of course, as with any online purchase, caution should be used when purchasing discount gift cards. Well-known and well-tested sites such as eBay are generally safe, as they have procedures in place for dealing with misrepresented products or untrustworthy sellers. Paypal offers similar guarantees for consumers who pay for a product and are not satisfied.

Using common sense when buying discount gift cards can save consumers from many frustrations. When shopping for discount gift cards, take a moment to read reviews by other users, or to see if the website has been in the news. Check the site for guarantees, and try contacting their customer service department by phone and by email before you buy discount gift cards. These small steps will go far toward guaranteeing your satisfaction with your discount gift cards, leaving you free to enjoy your savings!