eBay is a fantastic site when you're looking for items at a reasonable price or that can't be found at just any store. But unfortunately there are the sellers that are out there with the sole intent of deceiving. And these people can often be found selling gift cards. From my experiences here a couple of tips when purchasing gift cards through eBay:

1. Do not bid on what the gift card is worth. For example: If the gift card is worth $100... don't buy it for $100. You can just go to the store and spend that much or get the gift card from the store itself. There really is no point. It may seem like common sense but I've seen ALOT of folks bid at the worth (or more!) of the gift card which just seems silly to me. The whole reason you are resorting to eBay is to get some sort of a deal.

2. Check the seller's feedback. Make sure they have a lot of positive selling feedback. Read their negative feedback and make your own judgment as to if they are a trustworhy seller.

3. Make sure the gift card isn't expired. Many people will sell gift cards that are long past their due date and "overlook" this. Although most gift cards don't expire, with the current recession that is in effect right now make sure the store still accepts gift cards. There has been a new concern because stores like "Sharper Image" are denying redemption of their own gift cards because they are going bankrupt. Make sure you check into it.

4. Make sure it has value on it. Sometimes people sell "collector" gift cards which mean they have no value and collect a certain holiday series from a store.

5. Look at the pictures. There are two things you want to look for. One is that it is that the seller took the picture and it is not the company's photo of the gift card. That way you know the person actually has it. The other thing you want to look for is that the seller did not take a picture of the number on the back of the card. Somebody can write down the numbers and have the balance on the card depleted before you even bid on it!

6. Ask them to send along a receipt or some sort of confirmation number associate with the card.  You may have the gift card in your hands but the original owner could have spent the value on the card. Another sad, but common, occurence happens when the owner sells you the card and makes his purchase online while the card is in transit to your house. That way he gets both the gift card and your money.

7. Write down the seller's information. If, by the off chance, you happen to be the victim of the seller who decides to close down his account and run with the money and not send you the item at all (this happened to my roommate), if you have his information this increases your chances of winning a dispute against him.

8. Read the description. Sometimes the title may be deceiving and will say $500 gift card for Best Buy. But in reality it is a "mystery auction" or a game in which you take your chances of winning anything at all. I would say 25% of gift card sales are mystery auctions. And the more money you bid, the higher your chances are of recieving the highest reward. Usually the people are just making that up to make money and you most always end up with the lowest prize.

9. If it's too good to be true, it probably is. That is one thing I have learned in life and especially on eBay. Make sure you read all the fine print and keep a level head as to what exactly you are getting. If the seller would seem to be losing out on a lot of profit for you to be getting this amazing deal... there has to be a reason why.

Be smart! And if you have any tips or gift card scam stories contact me via eBay messaging! Thanks and have a great day! :)