Post #884: Preparing for a hard winter, 8: A note on closed-loop and open-loop gift cards

It’s no secret that a lot of retail businesses along Maple Avenue are hurting right now. Along with small retail businesses in the rest of America.

Gift cards are frequently mentioned as a way to help your local merchants.  Buy some now, and cash them in later, and you’ve put some much-needed money into the hands of your local businesses.

Well, not so fast.  Turns out, there are two different types of gift cards.  Some of them do, in fact, put the money in the merchant’s hands.  Others don’t.  And you should be aware of this before you buy. Continue reading Post #884: Preparing for a hard winter, 8: A note on closed-loop and open-loop gift cards