“Wow” your Nordstrom Personal Stylist by shopping at Nordstrom.com with electronic Nordstrom discount gift cards from Plastic Jungle.

If you are a Nordstrom credit card holder, don’t pass up this deal.  Instead of earning 1 point per dollar until you spend $2,000 on your Nordstrom credit card to get a $20 Nordstrom Note (1% back), use Plastic Jungle discount Nordstrom gift cards to get 5% off your purchase every day, no strings attached.

Did a Nordstrom store open in your area in 2011, or were you living in an area that was lucky enough to already have a Nordstrom store?

Known for their amazing customer service, Nordstrom carries one of the most extensive selections of clothing, shoes and accessories for men, women and children.

Last year Nordstrom added stores in (listed alphabetically by city): Annapolis, Maryland – Annapolis Harbour Center (Nordstrom Rack); Arlington, Texas – The Parks at Arlington Mall (Nordstrom Rack); Austin, Texas – Sunset Valley Village Shopping Center (Nordstrom Rack); Boulder, Colorado – Twenty Ninth Street Shopping Center (Nordstrom Rack); Charlotte, North Carolina – Carolina Pavilion (Nordstrom Rack); Cherry Hill, New Jersey – Towne Place at Garden State Park (Nordstrom Rack); Fremont, California – Pacific Commons Shopping Center (Nordstrom Rack); Friendship Heights, Washington, DC – Friendship Center (Nordstrom Rack); Indianapolis, Indiana – Rivers Edge Shopping Center (Nordstrom Rack); Lakewood, Colorado – Belmar (Nordstrom Rack); Nashville, Tennessee – The Mall at Green Hills; Newark, Deleware – Christiana Mall; Redondo Beach, California – South Bay Center (Nordstrom Rack); St. Louis, Missouri – Saint Louis Galleria; Tucson, Arizona – The Corner (Nordstrom Rack); Upland, California – Colonies Crossroads (Nordstrom Rack); West Covina, California – West Covina Mall (Nordstrom Rack)

Electronic Nordstrom discount gift cards from Plastic Jungle are redeemable at Nordstrom and Nordstrom Rack online stores.

We’re working with Givex to make our marketplace more convenient for our consumers. Read below for more details.

Buca di Beppo joins new platform to provide an easy and secure way for consumers to buy gift cards and sell balances to receive instant funding

SAN JOSE, CA, July 26, 2011 /PRNewswire/ - Givex, a global technology company which powers loyalty and gift card programs across 50 countries worldwide, today announced an integrated partnership with Plastic Jungle, the web’s largest secured gift card exchange, to enable Plastic Jungle users to easily buy and sell select merchants’ gift cards processed by Givex and enjoy instant funding, an immediate electronic transaction on the Plastic Jungle website.

Plastic Jungle helps unlock the estimated $30 billion in unredeemed gift cards by allowing consumers to sell gift cards for up to 92% of the gift card value, buy new gift cards at their favorite brands for up to 35% off, or donate the value of their unused cards to their favorite cause. Users can also opt for instant funding via PayPal or Amazon.com gift cards for select retailers – all in a safe and trusted environment. This partnership will help drive unused gift cards back to the merchants, turning unredeemed gift card value into productive, high margin spend.

“We’re very pleased that our marketplace will become even more convenient for consumers through our integration with Givex,” said Bruce Bower, CEO of Plastic Jungle. “This partnership not only helps both businesses and consumers capture the value from unused gift cards, but also enables brands to better connect with their best customers while at the same time giving gift card merchants ways to participate in a fully integrated manner in the secondary gift card marketplace.”

The first brand to sign onto the platform is Buca di Beppo, the nation’s leading family style Italian restaurant chain.  Plastic Jungle users will now be able to enjoy instant funding for Buca di Beppo gift cards they sell to the site, while the value on these cards will be seamlessly transferred to new Buca di Beppo gift cards available to motivated buyers on the Plastic Jungle marketplace. In addition to Buca di Beppo, the integration features will also be offered to the entire roster of Givex merchants and further adds to Plastic Jungle’s existing relationships with leading payment processors, which now cover the vast majority of retailer gift card programs.

“It’s important for us to connect directly to our customers and ensure their experience with Buca di Beppo is as positive as possible,” said Trish Giordano, Vice President of Sales & Marketing for Buca di Beppo. “Plastic Jungle and Givex are making it easier for our customers to get the best value they can and we’re pleased to be a part of this new integration.”

“Businesses are constantly looking for new ways to excite and engage their best customers,” said Bryan Wang, Director Marketing at Givex. “That’s why we look forward to working with Plastic Jungle. This new channel gets gift cards into the hands of active users, driving revenue and visits.”

About Givex

Givex’s technology has now significantly evolved from the first gift card and loyalty programs that began in 1999. We now provide customizable tools that empower businesses of all kinds to acquire new customers, build, maintain and expand their customer database, effectively communicate with customers, and finally understand and reward their most loyal customers. Find out more at www.givex.com.

Read the full press release here: http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/givex-and-plastic-jungle-announce-partnership-to-integrate-gift-card-services-126161088.html

Buying a top of the line vacuum does not have to cost full price.

My family was recently on a hunt to get a high quality vacuum for less than the advertised price.  We researched online and decided the Dyson DC33 Multi-Floors Bagless Upright Vacuum Cleaner was the right fit for our home and lifestyle.  We liked that it converts into various hand held tools by pressing a few buttons, the canister can be cleaned with a visit to the trash can instead of replacing bags, it’s lightweight, and can be used on both carpet and hardwood floors.

On average, the vacuum sells for around $320.  To cut costs, we compared which store would give us the best savings.  Knowing that Plastic Jungle offers Bed Bath & Beyond discounted gift cards for 10% less than face value as well as discounted Home Depot gift cards for 6% less than face value, Bed Bath & Beyond seemed like the obvious choice.

However, our final step was to stack Plastic Jungle’s discounted gift cards with a store coupon to maximize savings.  I immediately grabbed a 20% off Bed Bath & Beyond coupon and decided to read the fine print.  The text on the coupon explained that it was not valid for the purchase of Dyson vacuums.  As Plan B, I checked the limitations of a Home Depot 10% off coupon and found it can be used on a Dyson vacuum.

We quickly ordered enough discounted Home Depot gift cards from Plastic Jungle to cover the purchase and a 10% off Home Depot coupon from from eBay.  About one week later, everything arrived in the mail and we made a trip to Home Depot to buy a $320 Dyson vacuum for under $270 (15% off)!

For those who are visual learners, here’s the deal comparison in visual form.

What ways have you saved with Plastic Jungle?

Appetite’s Choice: Stretch dollars to get multiple meals or more food (dessert?) at no additional cost!

If you find yourself in the sweet aroma of Boston Market, California Pizza Kitchen, Cold Stone Creamery, or Krispy Kreme wanting more, look no further.  With Plastic Jungle discounted gift cards, eating out has delicious rewards.

Boston Market – More corn bread, please!  Grab Boston Market discounted gift cards for 12% off at Plastic Jungle and stack it with a coupon for $3 off your next meal, $1 off $10 purchase, and $15 off $100 catering orders. Get these coupons from Boston Market and by signing up for their VIP Club.

California Pizza Kitchen – Have you tried the Pear & Gorgonzola pizza?  Snatch your CPK discounted gift cards for 14% off through Plastic Jungle and sign up for California Pizza Kitchen’s e-newsletter and get $5 off your next visit.  Your extra savings could treat you to mouthwatering Strawberry Shortcake.

Cold Stone Creamery – What’s not to love about cake batter ice cream or picking out your favorite mix-ins?  Take hold of Plastic Jungle’s Cold Stone Creamery gift cards for 10% off and join “My Cold Stone Club” and get 2 creations for less than the price of one.  Yum!

Krispy Kreme – The “hot now“ sign is on!  Get a free glazed doughnut by joining the Friends of Krispy Kreme and grab your party’s additional doughnuts and drinks for 10% off with Plastic Jungle’s Krispy Kreme discounted gift cards.

It’s time to eat out for less!

Father’s Day is just a few weeks away and with all the new movies out in theaters, what better way to let dad know you care than to give him the gift of entertainment?   And with movie ticket prices so high, who wouldn’t love to get a discount?

Movie fans can save some serious cash with discounted movie theater gift cards on Plastic Jungle. Check our stock of discounted Fandango Gift Cards, discounted AMC Theatres Gift Cards, discounted Loew’s Cineplex Gift Cards, and discounted Regal Cinema Gift Cards (which also cover United Artists Theatres and Edwards Cinemas), discounted Cinema De Lux Gift Cards and discounted Landmark Theatres Gift Cards.

Save even more on those summer blockbuster movies by checking out the movie chain theaters’ rewards programs. For example, AMC operates a MovieWatcher Rewards program (separate from gift cards) that offers incentives and discounts for going to the movies. To get movie times and tickets at an AMC Theatre near you, use the AMC Theatres zip code locator.

Check the Balance on Your AMC Theatres Gift Card

Right now, AMC Theatres doesn’t offer an electronic gift card option (no eCODEs from AMC Theatres). For more on the terms and conditions for AMC Theatres Gift Cards visit the AMC Theatres Gift Card page. You can check your gift card balance via:

Online: Here’s a link to check the balance on your AMC Theatres Gift Card,

Mobile Phone: Just text “AMC” and the 19-digit number on your AMC Theatres Gift Card to VALUE (82583) to have your balance information sent to your cell phone.

At the AMC Theatre: Find one near you using the AMC Theatres zip code locator

Sell or Trade Your Gift Card

Once you know your balance, you can safely sell or trade your gift card securely on Plastic Jungle. At Plastic Jungle, you can trade any unused gift card for cash, or trade it for an Amazon.com Gift Card, or use it to donate the funds to charity (Gift Cards for Good—look for the green ribbon at checkout), or even fund a PayPal account.

To know how much your gift card is worth in exchange on Plastic Jungle, on the main page, click “Sell Gift Cards” at the top of the page. Look up the store and enter the gift card balance you’ve just acquired. You’ll see instantly what your gift card balance is worth in cash or trade.

Check other Plastic Jungle blog posts for the same “Check Your Gift Card Balance” information for other stores, including Sears, Land’s End, Macy’s, Best Buy, Lowe’s, and more.

Today’s retail climate gives us plenty of ways to spend money, but many of us consider saving to be a chore. It’s a shame, because with the smallest amount of effort, saving up to 35% can be had when you purchase discounted gift cards on Plastic Jungle.

If you’re a hard-core, never-pay-retail shopper, you’ll start with the discounted gift card from Plastic Jungle, then you’ll double- or even triple-dip into easily found coupons and promo codes.

The key to turning that small-ish percentage off into significant outlet-clearance variety prices is combining the gift card (means of payment) with existing sales and promotions (entered at checkout).

We’ve got a story about a Jungler who saved more than $500 on a personal big home improvement project – window coverings (not cheap!) — already posted on the Plastic Jungle blog. The post details how Marcy, a Jungle fan, purchased discounted Home Depot gift cards, added that to a rebate and in-store sale, and came up with huge savings.

Do It Now – Two Examples of Double-Dip Savings

Save on Omaha Steaks

1)      Purchase a discounted Omaha Steaks eCODE (electronic gift card)  on Plastic Jungle >>>

2)      Go to www.Savings.com or www.RetailMeNot.com (or Google “Omaha Steaks Deals” to find other coupon sites). Click through the coupon link of your choice. This sets up the promo code which will be applied at checkout. Right now, looks like the best deal is to choose an Overstock Bargain, which could give you up to 60% off (on STEAK!).

3)      At checkout, use your already discounted Omaha Steaks eCODE (at time of writing worth up to a 17% discount).

4)      Start counting the money you’ve saved by DOUBLE-DIPPING: Steak at up to 77% off.

Save at JC Penney or JCP.com

1)      Purchase a discounted JC Penney Gift Card or JC Penney eCODE on Plastic Jungle >>>

2)      Go to www.Savings.com where you’ll find all kinds of coupon codes. Find one that suits your needs. Let’s say today it’s “10% off, sitewide” (code=SAVE10), or for in-store value, go to http://printable-coupons.blogspot.com/2005/11/jc-penney-coupons.html (I just Googled “printable JCPenney coupons”), where you’ll find a printable coupon for $10 discount on $50, $15 discount on $75 and $20 discount on purchases of $100 or more.

3)      Check out the JCP.com outlet and clearance racks for already discounted merchandise. (ie: Landing page patio sale has items up to 60% off.) This could be your triple-dip!

4)      At checkout, use your coupon or promo code (online) and pay with your discounted JC Penney Gift Card or, online, your discounted JC Penney eCODE (at time of writing worth up to 14% off). Also look for free shipping coupons or links.

5)      Your savings could be up to 33-80% of regular retail prices, depending on the deal you choose.

Plastic Jungle gives you bottom-line savings, and with minimum effort, you can compound those savings by double-dipping with a quick “–deals” or “–coupons” search in your favorite search engine.

Happy (Discount) Shopping from all of us deal mavens at Plastic Jungle!

Wait! Before you run off to the beach for Memorial Day 2011, remember that Memorial Day is a remembrance day for US soldiers who have served in combat. We honor those who have fought for us.

Now, try your luck at a giveaway or a sweepstakes to help your wallet bounce back from vacation leakage. We here at PJ want you to get the most from your time on the Internet, so most of these are very easy to enter, and pay off with something great.

Do you need funds right now? If you have an unused gift card floating around your house, you can Sell or Swap your gift card at Plastic Jungle to get cash, an Amazon.com Gift Card, or even fund a PayPal account. Some payout options are instantaneous. Check out our Gift Card Seller Learning Center for details and ideas.

*Almost* Free!

Trying to feed a large group? Dying to get a night out even just on your own? Restaurant.com has a new 80% off code: just enter the promo code FLAG at checkout on the site when you buy your Restaurant.com gift card on their site. You can get a $25 gift card, normally for $10 or $15 (depending on restaurant) on the site, but when you use the promo code, you’ll pay only $2 or $3 each. What a deal!

Giveaways & Sweepstakes Open Now

TripAdvisor & Couples Resorts Romantic Escapes Sweepstakes – You’re limited to entering this one only five times (per person or email address), but get your S/O to enter too, because the prize is a trip for two to the winner’s choice of Couples Tower Isle, Couples Sans Souci, Couples Negril or Couples Swept Away resort. The prize package consists of roundtrip airfare for two, six nights’ stay including unlimited meals and beverages, resort gratuities and taxes, and unlimited use of resort sporting equipment. See the Couples Resorts Sweepstakes official rules for details; sweepstakes ends June 1, 2011.

Win 1 of 10 Spa Vacations from Self magazine – See the slideshow of your Free Spa Vacation options on the Self.com website, which include the Seagate Hotel & Spa in Delray Beach, Florida, a Total-Body Makeover at The Biggest Loser Resort at Fitness Ridge in Malibu, California, a scenic stay at the Springs Eternal Spa at the historic Omni Bedford Springs Resort, in Bedford, Pennsylvania, and much more. See Self’s Official Sweepstakes Rules for details; spa giveaway ends June 15, 2011.

What Cost What School’s Out $150 Amazon.com Gift Card Giveaway – Just share your summer plans with What Cost What on Facebook, and you could win a $150 Amazon.com Gift Card. Gift Card giveaway ends June 1, 2011; see What Cost What giveaway official rules for details.

Scotts Let’s Go Outside Sweepstakes – For every “Like” on Facebook, Scotts Lawn Care Products will donate $1 to a local pet charity. Once you’ve liked Scott’s, sign in and you’ll be entered to win a $500 Gift Card. For details, see Scotts Let’s Go Outside Sweepstakes Official Rules. There are two entry periods: the first ends on May 31, 2011, the next entry period begins on June 1, 2011 and runs through August 3, 2011.

Are you using Gift Cards for your Memorial Day plans? Let us know how they come in handy for you, and we’ll highlight you on the blog! Just leave us a comment with how Gift Cards played a part in your Memorial Day weekend 2011.

That’s all for this week. Enjoy the long weekend!

Time to win something, don’t you think? The weather isn’t cooperating with the usual Spring warm-up across much of the US, so it stands to reason that we all could use a win of some sort if we’re going to be forced to keep our sweaters and Uggs on. Today’s giveaways get us out of the everyday: Vegas getaways, free housecleaning for you and a friend (!),  win an Amazon.com Gift Card and more.

Good luck, and here’s to brighter skies in June!

Keen & Dick’s Sporting Goods Trip Giveaway — KEEN has partnered with Dick’s Sporting Goods to offer an exciting trip for two to Canyonlands, Utah, to a lucky winner who can’t wait to get outside and play! Fill out the entry form, and you could win a multi-sport trip through one of the most amazing areas of the United States. (Learn More About the Trip!) Contest ends at 11:59 PM ET on July 2, 2011; See giveaway’s official rules on the entry page for details.

Need Keens now? Purchase discounted Dick’s Sporting Goods Gift Cards on Plastic Jungle >>>

Mama Cheap’s $100 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway – This is a great little blog and now Facebook page with deals listings and freebies updated all the time. Just follow Mama Cheap’s on Facebook and you’ve got an entry. Don’t forget to invite friends! Check Mama Cheap’s Sweepstakes official rules for details; sweepstakes ends June 14, 2011 at 8:00 pm (EDT).

PopChips’ Win a Trip to See Bruno Mars Live in Las Vegas – One Grand Prize winner gets to bring a guest to Las Vegas, Nevada, to attend a Bruno Mars Concert on June 16, 2011. The prize includes roundtrip airfare, hotel accommodations, and two tickets to the Bruno Mars Concert at the Palms Casino in Las Vegas. As well, that winner and guest get a Meet-and-Greet with Bruno Mars; a Bruno Mars autographed CD Boxed Set; and a year’s supply of POPCHIPS! In the event popchips reaches to 120,000 fans on Facebook.com during the Sweepstakes Period, Grand Prize Winner will be able to travel with one (1) additional guest – if PopChips’ Fans keep growing, so does the number of guests who can come! Two Runner-Up prizes include a Bruno Mars-autographed Fender Guitar and a special package of POPCHIPS. Sweepstakes ends at 11:59:59 PM EST on June 1, 2011; see PopChips Sweepstakes Official Rules for details.

Wanna get to Vegas now? Purchase discounted American Airlines Gift Cards on Plastic Jungle >>>

Redbook MVP Beauty Award Winners Giveaway – Wow! Well, there may be a lot of entrants for these prizes given Redbook’s popularity, but what a great way to get to know some of the best health and beauty products, chosen by editors, on the shelves today. A new set of prizes becomes available to win every day, so you can now enter to win up to 20 prizes! There will be 31 prizes by May 31, 2011. If you’re not interested in subscribing or already are a Redbook subscriber, make sure to click through to the non-subscription entry form (no purchase necessary to enter). Contest ends May 31, 2011. See Redbook MVP Beauty Award Giveaway official rules for details.

Need top Health & Beauty products now? Purchase discounted Target Gift Cards and eCODEs now >>>

Cost Plus World Market Gift Card a Day Giveaway – Cost Plus is giving away a $100 Gift Card every day. To enter the $100 Gift Card Giveaway, just “Like” Cost Plus on Facebook. There’s one winner per day until May 27, 2011. See the Cost Plus Gift Card Giveaway official rules on the entry page for details. NOTE: once you “Like” Cost Plus, you’ll have access to Cost Plus’s other giveaways!

Bon Ami Good Friends Spring Clean Sweepstakes – That’s right my friends, win FREE professional green housecleaning for you and a friend. To enter Bon Ami’s Good Friends Spring Clean Sweepstakes via Facebook, just “Like” Bon Ami and fill out the entry page. You’ll not only be entered in the sweepstakes, you’ll also receive a coupon for Bon Ami’s non-toxic cleansers that have been around for 125 years. Sweepstakes ends on June 12, 2011; see official rules for details.

Need to clean house, AND NOW?! Purchase discounted Walmart Gift Cards and eCODEs now >>>

If you have a giveaway you’d like us to post, we’d love to share it with our fans! Just post a comment and after a review (we’re very keen on sharing only legitimate giveaways) we’ll post it for you. Have a great nearly, almost, kind-of Spring weekend!

Plastic Jungle currently sells Target GiftCards and Target e-GiftCards (eCODEs) at up to 5% off.

Bring on the savings.

Five percent?! You think, “That’s hardly worth my time.” Well, when you compound a 5% discount with the hot deals Target throws out online, you’ll have great stuff delivered to your door. Clever shoppers might already have the hook-up with Target Mobile — a set of Apps and text alerts (across platforms) that keeps users informed as to the hottest Target deals and Target sales.

Currently, Target.com has free shipping on orders over $50 – which is offered without the use of any promo code, and applies to merchandise across departments.

Also on right now at Target.com: 15% off purchases of $125 or more on select furniture and select rugs through May 14, 2011. And don’t forget the furniture already on Target’s Clearance pages.

Target Clearance – Save up to 65% on select items. For example, check out this bargain table and chairs. It’s at 50% off… there is a small cost for shipping this oversize piece, but you’re not lugging it home, and the cost of the oversize shipping might be covered by your 5% discounted gift card. Target Clearance is huge, and covers all departments, including swimwear for the family, Health & Beauty, Bed & Bath, Kitchen… there are thousands of items in Target’s online Clearance pages.

Daily Deals – Now Target offers online merchandise that’s “priced to amaze”. See the official Daily Deal as well as fantastic bargains at what seems to be 20% off full retail or more. (Well, yes, I do need a new digital camera at $35–on sale today. Send it on over with free shipping.)

Consider checking out the Target.com Coupon Page: to your 5% savings on your Target Gift Card, take home another discount on your favorite name-brand products you purchase regularly.

Free Stuff at Target.com

Interested in winning a $500 Target Gift Card? It doesn’t take much if you shop at Target regularly: You can write a product review and you could win a $500 Target Gift Card. See Target Gift Card giveaway official rules for details.

And finally, Target is going the extra mile to get Target.com visitors free product samples. How fun is that?

What is it you regularly purchase at Target? If you’re a regular Target customer, it’s a no-brainer to purchase a discounted gift card that over time, could save you double-digit dollars.

Want to know what other discount eCODEs (discounted eGift Cards) are on offer at Plastic Jungle? You’ll find a complete list, along with purchasing instructions and current discounts offered, on the Plastic Jungle site. You can purchase an eCODE and use it immediately on your online purchases, and at some stores, even at the store itself.

The PJ 10

What were we buying in March? Well, there weren’t any spectaular retail “events” that drove us to specialty stores, so as expected the top three gift card sellers were big box chains offering groceries and fishing supplies and everything in-between. Spring was a bit late late this year, so clearly we were driven to hot, caffeinated coffee, putting Starbucks into our Top 10 Gift Cards in March. And iTunes, with the diversity of media on offer these days, from music to books to TV and movies, proves it’s a great gift card to give and get.

Honorable mentions from March? JC Penney, Pottery Barn, Cabela’s, Barnes & Noble, and Nordstrom.

Salivating over the potential savings at a favorite store? If you’re ready to ditch your unused gift card and trade up to one of the favorites, you can safely and securely SELL or EXCHANGE your gift card on Plastic Jungle, with many different payout and trade options, including an Amazon.com Gift Card, Facebook credits and Paypal account funding.

Top 10 Gift Cards in March, 2011

10 SEARS

Purchase discount Sears Gift Cards on Plastic Jungle, currently at up to 9% OFF.

9 KOHL’S

Purchase discount Kohl’s Gift Cards on Plastic Jungle, currently at up to 14% OFF.

8 STARBUCKS

Purchase discount Starbucks Gift Cards on Plastic Jungle — when they come into stock. Set an Alert Now.

7 MACY’S

Purchase discount Macy’s Gift Cards on Plastic Jungle — when they come into stock. Set an Alert Now.

6 BEST BUY

Purchase discount Best Buy Gift Cards on Plastic Jungle, currently at up to 5% OFF.

5 LOWE’S

Purchase discount Lowe’s Gift Cards on Plastic Jungle, currently at up to 7% OFF.

4 iTUNES

Purchase discount iTunes Gift Cards on Plastic Jungle, currently at up to 7% OFF.

3 TARGET

Purchase discount Target Gift Cards on Plastic Jungle, currently at up to 5% OFF.

2 HOME DEPOT

Purchase discount Home Depot Gift Cards on Plastic Jungle, currently at up to 7% OFF.

1 WALMART

Purchase discount Walmart Gift Cards on Plastic Jungle — when they become available. Set an Alert Now.

What’s your favorite gift card of the moment? Something to get ready for spring — sporting goods or travel? Let us know in the comments below.