What To Do With Gift Cards To Non-Green Stores?

Grist:

Dear Umbra,

I received a gift card this holiday season from a friend to a company which I generally avoid due to its subpar eco-practices. Since my friend has already given the money to this company, do I forgo my moral objections and use the card, or is there another way I can make the most of this generosity without sacrificing my beliefs?

B.S.
San Diego, Calif.

Dearest B.S.,

Alea jacta est. Your gift card is akin to scrip. If it is not redeemed, the store will be the one receiving a money-for-nothing gift. Which is probably worse than a money-for-something purchase. Your choices are to shop wisely, to regift, to be weasely, and/or to shop under protest.

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Comments

[cckid]

There’s actually this web site called MonsterGiftCard.com and instead of using the card for something you don’t want, you can trade it in for another card from a store you agree with or you can even sell it.

Everything is guaranteed and official.

[CR46]

Got two gift cards I didn't care for at xmas. Bought items and brought them to an abused womens shelter. To not use them doesn't hurt the company, they got their money already, but using it to be charitable will make you feel better and help out someone else.

[uglicoyote]

If you have a Wal Mart that sells groceries you can buy food for your local food bank or homeless shelter- or better yet, give them the card and let them buy what they need.

[bujeeboo]

"Shop under protest." I can't quite wrap my head around that phrase.

[KillTheMessenger]

Make a scene. Get them to show you the door. Look like the fool you want to be. Throw a fit. Act inconspicuous, buy something you never wanted, then burn it in front of the store. Write to the CEO that you will never ship with their stores again and that this time is an exception. Write a column in your local newspaper about how dirty you feel. Ask your shrink for a special session to talk about the guilt and the shame you feel. Down a bottle of Vodka in the bathtub while looking at your purchase.

Just a few suggestions.

[dctackett]

I like this suggestion: "Down a bottle of Vodka in the bathtub while looking at your purchase."

[naviline]

I have a gift card for Wal-Mart that was given to me over 4 years ago and I still can't bring myself to use it.

[Semaj51]

Than either give it to a friend who needs the extra spending, or give it to a charity group.

[bujeeboo]

Use it to purchase dog and/or cat food, and donate it to the nearest shelter. They will need and appreciate it. Or give it directly to them and have them use it on the kinds of things they need at the shelter.

[Myshkin57]

I would not purchase dog food from Wal-Mart since theirs is one of those that was tainted with melamine. But, it is better to purchase something and give it to a shelter than just let them hold your money for nothing.

[MissElaineous]

I totally am with bujeeboo. Buy a big bunch of "green" cat litter and give it to the shelter. Or buy recyled toilet paper for you or books on the environment. Get a Borders card? Buy 100$ worth of "An Inconvenient Truth" and ship it to your congresscritter and senator. I use my Smith and Hawken cards to buy birdseeds for my feathered friends outside and reuse the containers to store cat food for my indoor-only predators in the house.

[forpeace]

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naviline
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I had no idea Wal-Mart has Green Gift Cards!!!!!!!!

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[w8aminute]

Use it to buy food and donate it to a foodbank, or give the card to a local charity.