Most consumer advocates think gift cards are an opportunity

Most consumer advocates think gift cards are an opportunity Chances are certain someone you’ve been racking your brain to find a gift for has banke a simple request: A gift card.Surveys show consumers overwhelmingly want to receive gift cards this holiday season, while card sales continue to increase each year.

And the situation just got better for consumers: Congress improved consumer rights this summer by curbing non-use fees and expiration dates for gift cards.

Still, there are pitfalls.“Most consumer advocates think gift cards are an opportunity for you to spend your money and your friend or relative not to get the full benefit of your gift,” said Ed Mierzwinski of U.S. PIRG, a federation of state Public Interest Research Groups.