We want everyone in the Plastic Jungle community to believe that when they sell a card to us, or buy a card from us, their account information is safe, and their transaction is completed as promised.  We work hard to keep bad guys from taking advantage of you when you transact with us.

Imagine you were buying a gift card from someone you never met.  What would you do to make sure that the seller really owned that gift card and that the balance was what they said it was?

What if someone you never met was buying a card from you – what would you do to make sure that they would honor their promise to pay you?

These are things we worry about every day – because we stand in the middle of people selling cards and people buying cards, work to get the sellers their money fast, and to guarantee the buyers that they will receive the value we’re selling them.  We strive to be better at these things every day.

We solve these problems in ways very similar to those that credit card companies and other payment companies like PayPal use.  We ask you to register with us, and to confirm that it’s you doing the transaction.  If we’ve only just met you, we limit the amount of buying or selling we do with you until we know you a bit better.  And overall, we limit the size of transactions depending upon market conditions.  These limits change every day, as do the means we use to verify your identity.  We make these frequent changes in order to keep you and your transactions safe – to do everything we can to ensure that you get what you pay for, to ensure that our site isn’t used to make illegal payments, and to be able to say that we’ll honor the value of every sale we make.

Sometimes being safe is a pain in the neck – sort of like putting on a seatbelt when you’re just driving a quarter of a mile to the store, or being forced to obey the speed limit.  Every now and then, we’ll stop a transaction if it looks like it might be an unsafe transaction – most of the time we end up stopping the bad guys, but every now and then we’ll stop you.  Your order gets cancelled.  We hate it when that happens to good people like you.  Judging from some of the emails you send us, so do you!

We’ll get better at slowing down the right people, but we’re always going to make you wear a seat belt!  We hope you’ll value the work we’re doing to make it safe in the Jungle.

Thanks for your trust,

-Margaret

Margaret Mackenzie
CEO
Plastic Jungle

Spring Cleaning is SO two seasons ago.

As seasons transition from summer to fall, it’s the perfect time to take an inventory on your gift card stash. Just like you go through your clothes closet, ditching things that don’t fit, ask yourself: “Will I ever really use this?”

Just how clothes don’t fit, sometimes gift cards don’t either.

Here’s a personal story:

Three years back, my brother gave our family generous Cheesecake Factory and AMC Theatres gift cards, so that we could enjoy a big night out. Such a nice gift with incredible intentions, but guess what? We don’t have either of those establishments where we live here in Reno, NV. (Even though we are the Biggest Little City in the World!) Those gift cards took up permanent residence in my wallet and every time I looked at them I thought, “well, maybe I’ll use them next time we’re in California,” or “maybe I’ll re-gift them to somebody else someday.” It wasn’t until I discovered Plastic Jungle that I finally sold those two suckers for cash. (Apologies to my brother if he happens to read this blog post!)

Do you have a similar dilemma? Selling gift cards to Plastic Jungle is easy!

$25 Minimum Balance. If you have an unused or even partially redeemed gift card with at least a $25 minimum balance, Plastic Jungle will buy it for up to 92% of the verified balance.

Plastic Jungle Guarantee. All transactions are safe, secure and guaranteed.  See their Terms of Use here.

Free Shipping. You’ll get a pre-paid USPS shipping label.

Fast Turnaround. Once your card is received and the balance is verified, payment will be sent within 2 business days. If you selected to receive an Amazon.com Gift Card, your claim code will be emailed.

Large Merchant Pool. With over 400+ merchants, you’re bound to find your card on the list. If not, you can sign up for a notification and be alerted when your merchant is accepted.

Multiple Payment Options. Choose from an Amazon.com Gift Card, PayPal or even donate to your favorite charity.

Click here to get started and set your gift cards free!

Plastic Jungle hopes to participate in an exciting panel at this year’s South by Southwest (SXSW) Interactive Festival, and we need your help!

Each March, Austin, TX draws in thousands of people for SXSW, where the brightest minds in emerging technologies come together for one of the most energetic, inspiring and creative events of the year.

As an “Interactive” event, it’s literally an open dialogue – they want the community’s vote on preferred panels, presentations and discussions. But with more than 4,500 entries, the selection process is very competitive; only 500 sessions will be chosen.

Help Plastic Jungle get to Austin!

Voting is easy – just follow these quick instructions:

1. Create a Panel Picker account. Click here to get started. You will then receive a verification email – from there, click on the link inside this email and you will be ready to vote! (You need to create an account because you can only vote once – SXSW assures that they will NOT use your account data for mailing lists or third party vendors.)
2. Vote for Plastic Jungle’s panel. Once your account is validated, you can cast your vote for our panel here by clicking on the “Thumbs Up” icon. Make sure you are logged in so your vote will count.

Our proposed panel is called Retail Therapy…Quick, Convenient and Cheap led by executive speakers from Google, PayPal and Plastic Jungle’s own CEO Bruce Bower.  They’ll discuss and debate how new technologies are shifting the commerce landscape, creating easier, more secure ways for consumers to purchase products and save money. They’ll also answer these questions:

• How have these technologies changed consumer spending?
• What are the most exciting developments you’re seeing in ecommerce?
• Do these technologies benefit retailers too?
• How does this shift in consumer behavior affect your relationships with merchants?
• When do you think consumers will be able to ditch their physical wallets for good?

Community voting counts for 30% of the selection process, so it’s a great way for the community to lend a significant voice in programming for the 2012 SXSW Interactive Festival.

Polls are open now through September 2, 2011 – cast your vote today!

About SXSW Conferences & Festivals

The South by Southwest® (SXSW®) Conferences & Festivals (March 9-18, 2012) offer the unique convergence of original music, independent films, and emerging technologies. Fostering creative and professional growth alike, SXSW® is the premier destination for discovery. Year after year, the event is a launching pad for new creative content. New media presentations, music showcases and film screenings provide buzz-generating exposure for creators and compelling entertainment for audiences. Conference panel discussions present a forum for learning, business activity thrives at the Trade Shows and global networking opportunities abound. Austin serves as the perfect backdrop for SXSW®, where career development flourishes amid the relaxed atmosphere. Intellectual and creative intermingling among industry leaders continues to spark new ideas and carve the path for the future of each ever-evolving field, long after the events’ conclusion. Highlights from the 2011 Interactive festival included the following presentations from Blake Mycoskie (TOMS Shoes), Felicia Day (“The Guild”), Craig J. Venter (Founder of J. Craig Venter Institute), Al Franken (US Senator, Minnesota) and Marissa Mayer (Google). The Film Festival and Conference presented the world premiere films including, Duncan Jones’ “Source Code,” Jodie Foster’s “The Beaver” and Joe Cornish’s “Attack the Block” as well as speakers, Paul Reubens aka Pee Wee Herman and director Todd Phillips. Highlights from the Music Festival and Conference included showcases from Raphael Saadiq, TV on the Radio and Fitz and the Tantrums, and speakers Yoko Ono, Duran Duran and Bob Geldof. SXSW® 2012 is sponsored by Chevrolet, IFC, PepsiCo, Sonicbids and The Austin Chronicle. For more information, visit www.sxsw.com.

The Cheesecake Factory’s full restaurant menu aims to please, so with a gift card you or your recipient can enjoy dining at over 149 Cheesecake Factory restaurants around the country (including Honolulu, Hawaii! See The Cheescake Factory’s Restaurant Locator), or order cheesecakes and more via phone (1-800-330-CAKE (2253)), or use the gift card to order cheesecakes online at CheesecakeFactory.com.

If yours is a “Complimentary Gift Card”, it has certain restrictions: check The Cheesecake Factory FAQ page for details and terms on their gift cards.

Check the Balance on a Cheesecake Factory Gift Card or Cheesecake Factory eGift Card

Not sure how much is left on your Cheesecake Factory Gift Card or Cheesecake Factory eGift Card? You can go to any Cheesecake Factory restaurant, check The Cheesecake Factory’s online Gift Card balance checker, or call 1-800-330-CAKE (2253). When you call, be sure to have your Cheesecake Factory Gift Card number and PIN in front of you. Once you know your balance, you can sell or trade your Cheesecake Factory Gift Card or eGift Card securely on Plastic Jungle.

The Cheesecake Factory Gift Cards and eGift Cards (eCODEs) may be redeemed at Cheesecake Factory restaurants, via phone orders and online as well.

The Cheesecake Factory Gift Cards and The Cheesecake Factory eGift Cards have no expiration date and no transaction fees. Plastic Jungle does not charge shipping fees.

Check The Cheesecake Factory FAQ page for details and possible restrictions on gift cards.

Trade or Sell 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 exchange 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 Williams Sonoma, Land’s End, Macy’s, Best Buy, Lowe’s, and more.

Gas prices are high, and it’s not even summer. Memorial Day weekend is typically the starting point for when gas prices go up for the length of the summer, when American road trips peak across the country.

For a quick look at how to save as gas prices keep climbing, check out consumer reporter Gregory Karp’s article in the Seattle Times. The quickest way to save on gas? Take the petal off the metal and drive less aggressively. The article is chock full of useful, up-to-date gas-saving tips.

If you’ve got a road trip you’re not going to miss, or you’ve just got a killer commute that demands an eagle-eye for the lowest gas prices around, check out the GasBuddy website, or fan GasBuddy on Facebook to follow pricing trends. By aggregating the prices recorded by members around a zip code, they can let you know where the cheapest (or most expensive) gas is around your city or state.

Do you have tips for saving on gasoline? Let us know your methods for keeping costs down when gas prices go up in your comments!

One way to save is discounted gas cards here on Plastic Jungle. If none are in stock, you can set a notification to be emailed an alert for when discounted gas cards become available.

Discounted Gas Cards you might find available at Plastic Jungle include:

• Exxon Mobil • 76 Gas Card •  Shell • ARCO BP • Citgo • Conoco • Flying J • Gulf • Phillips 66 • Sunoco • Tesoro • Texaco Chevron

How to Check the Balance on Your Exxon Mobil Gas Card

Online: Check your Exxon Mobil Gas Card balance online.

There are no phone numbers published for you to check your ExxonMobil Gas Card balance.

With thousands of Exxon stations and thousands of Mobil stations nationwide, you’re sure to find it easy to use your gas card when you need it. Exxon Mobil Gas Cards are redeemable at Exxon or Mobil gas stations in the US: check the Exxon Mobil station locator for one in your area (or where you’re going). Check out the Exxon Mobil Fuel Finder App, a GPS location and map application available as a mobile app.

To be the first to know when new, discounted ExxonMobil Gas Cards come in stock on Plastic Jungle, make sure to set an Exxon Mobil email alert. Exxon Mobil gas cards are valid at the pump and in ExxonMobil convenience stores, and when purchased or traded at Plastic Jungle, you’ll never pay service or shipping fees.

For the latest on Exxon Mobil Gas Cards Terms & Conditions, check the Exxon Mobil Gas Card page.

Sell Your Gift Card

Once you know your balance, you can sell or trade your gas card securely on Plastic Jungle. At Plastic Jungle, you can also trade any unused gift card for cash, or 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.

If working on your taxes has worn the springs out your home-office chair, or you’ve run out of paper printing receipts, it’s time to pull out that Staples Gift Card and make some quick purchases to keep the momentum going. April 15^th is within shouting distance!

Staples’ online “Hot Deals Center” is a great place to find favorite products the store makes special purchases on. Today in Hot Deals, find a quality “managers” office chair for $89.99 or a case of 20 lb copy paper for $29.99 – a savings of $17.00 off the regular price. Or check the Staples Weekly Ad for local deals.

Save even more when you purchase a discounted Staples Gift Card or eCODE (eGift Card) on Plastic Jungle >>>

None in stock? Make sure to set a Staples email alert to be notified when they become available at Plastic Jungle. Remember, when purchased or traded at Plastic Jungle, you’ll never pay shipping fees on any gift card.

Check the Balance on Your Staples Gift Card or Staples eGift Card (eCODE)

In Store: You can check the balance at the register of any Staples store.

Online: Go to Staples online card-balance check tool.

Via Phone: Call Staples Customer Service at 1-888-609-6963. When you call, be sure to have your Staples Gift Card number and PIN in front of you.

Sell Your Gift Card or eGift Certificate

Once you know your balance, you can sell or trade your Staples Gift Card or Staples eGift Card securely on Plastic Jungle. At Plastic Jungle, you can also trade your Staples Gift Card for an Amazon.com Gift Card, 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.

Let us know what your favorite Staples products are – is there something you get a great deal on at Staples, time after time? We’d love to hear your feedback!

It’s very easy to become a pet person, and studies show that the health benefits of owning a pet are huge. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that pets are a positive health influence.

My dog Fielder, and his bff.

According to the CDC, pets can decrease your blood pressure, cholesterol levels, triglyceride levels, and feelings of loneliness.

Pets can increase your opportunities for exercise and outdoor activities and opportunities for socialization.

If you’re ready to jump into pet ownership, PetSmart Charities sponsors a National Adoption Weekend, and all PetSmart Stores in the US, Canada, and Puerto Rico will host a three-day pet adoption event, from April 29 – May 1, 2011, with a goal of helping to find thousands of pets a lifelong, loving home.

Whether you’re looking for a solution to a pet problem, or just need a bag of dog food, you’ll find pet supplies, grooming, training, the convenient PetsHotel or Doggie Day Camp at PetSmart stores across the country. Each of the 850+ PetSmart locations has different amenities, but you’ll always find quality supplies online at Petsmart.com. Petsmart.com also will link you to PetSmart sales and promotions at local PetSmart stores.

Make sure to set an Notification alert for PetSmart to get an email when discounted PetSmart gift cards become available on Plastic Jungle. PetSmart Gift Cards are valid in stores and online, and when purchased or traded at Plastic Jungle, you’ll never pay shipping fees. PetSmart eGift Certificates (eCODEs) are redeemable online only at PetSmart.com and cannot be used at any traditional PetSmart retail stores.

Check the Balance on Your PetSmart Gift Card or PetSmart eGift Certificate

Online

Get your balance at PetSmart’s online balance checker.

In-Store

You can visit any PetSmart location and check the balance at the register.

Phone

Check the balance by calling a Customer Care Representative at 1-800-820-6189. When you call, be sure to have your PetSmart Gift Card number and PIN in front of you.

For the latest on PetSmart Gift Card and eGift Certificate terms and conditions, check the PetSmart Gift Card page.

Sell Your Gift Card or eGift Certificate

Once you know your balance for any gift card, you can safely sell or trade your PetSmart Gift Card or eGift Certificate on Plastic Jungle. At Plastic Jungle, you can also trade your PetSmart Gift Card for an Amazon.com Gift Card, use it to donate the funds to charity, 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.

My family adopted a pet a few years ago. I wasn’t a dog person before, but I can’t imagine life without Fielder now. If you have a pet adoption story that might have changed you in some way, you can share it to encourage others to adopt at PetSmartCharities.org, and we’d love for you to come back and leave a comment here, too!

Value-minded golfers rejoice! It just got even easier to get top-brand golf clubs and gear at outstanding values (like up to 80% off) thanks to a new partnership between leading internet golf retailer, 3balls.com and the web’s largest secured gift card exchange, Plastic Jungle.

If you haven’t already heard of 3balls.com, you should know it’s not your standard golf website. It’s more like a golf bargain-hunter’s dream for top-brand clubs, both used and new.

Any given day on 3balls website you’ll find thousands of unique, used clubs trade-ins from pro-shops around the country up for sale alongside manufacturer overstock, closeouts and “open box returns”, all selling at a fraction of their retail cost. (Of course, 3balls also has full selection of the latest “inline” products that just hit the streets, at very competitive prices.)

And now, you can get the clubs you want even more affordably by converting gift cards from dozens of different establishments into PayPal dollars instantly redeemable on 3balls.com. Integrated PayPal Express checkout makes the whole process easy and seamless.

If you’re looking to drive the ticket price down even further, 3balls can help there too, with their online club trade-in program.

All good news for golfers! Take a look at what you could exchange your gift cards for today at 3balls.com:

Top 10 Brands
TaylorMade
Ping
Callaway
Cobra
Titleist
Cleveland
Mizuno
Adams
Nike
Odyssey

Top 10 Product Types
Iron Sets
Drivers
Golf Apparel
Golf Shoes
Golf Bags
Golf Balls
Fairway Woods
Putters
Wedges
Hybrids

Perhaps this will provide you a little early inspiration for Mom (Mother’s Day is coming up May 8th) or Dad (Father’s Day is June 19th)… or maybe this is just the excuse you were looking for to get rid of your old clubs (it’s nearly time for Spring Cleaning after all) and buy some shiny new clubs to up your game.  Tell us what you think!

Saving money is not always easy. Many of us have to weigh a cost of time : benefit ratio. It’s got to be simple, foolproof, and secure. We do our best to make the gift card-swap process as easy as it can be. Plus, Plastic Jungle offers a few ways to redeem your gift card. You can exchange your unused gift card for an Amazon.com Gift Card; for cold, hard cash; to fund a PayPal account; and you can even exchange your gift card for Facebook Credits.

More stores are taking PayPal as a method of payment on their websites. For example, the Abercrombie & Fitch network of clothing stores that also includes Hollister Co., and Gilly Hicks. While you can’t use the same gift card to pay at all three sites, you can use a PayPal account as payment at checkout at each of these stores. It becomes really efficient to exchange a gift card for instant PayPal account funding on Plastic Jungle and check out at Hollister in the same day you make the gift card swap.

Other online merchants who accept PayPal as payment include: Sears, Walmart, Best Buy, eBay, newegg.com, Delta Airlines, 1800Flowers.com, Zappos and many more. The PayPal Store Directory will give you a complete list of retailers who accept PayPal for payment.

Check the Plastic Jungle “Sell Gift Cards” page to see what the exchange value will be for your unused gift card.

Plastic Jungle’s Top 10 Gift Cards for January 2011 (in reverse order)

10. iTunes (down from #4 in December)

Check Plastic Jungle for Discounted iTunes Gift Cards >>

9. Nordstrom

Check Plastic Jungle for Discounted Nordstrom Gift Cards >>

8. Kohl’s

Check Plastic Jungle for Discounted Kohl’s Gift Cards >>

7. Apple Store

Check Plastic Jungle for Discounted Apple Store Gift Cards >>

6. Macy’s (down from #2 in December)

Check Plastic Jungle for Discounted Macy’s Gift Cards >>

5. Best Buy (up from #9 in December)

Check Plastic Jungle for Discounted Best Buy Gift Cards Now

4. Lowe’s (up from #10 in December)

Check Plastic Jungle for Discounted Lowe’s Gift Cards >>

Check Plastic Jungle for Discounted Target Gift Cards >>

2. Home Depot (up from #5 in December)

Check Plastic Jungle for Discounted Home Depot Gift Cards >>

Check Plastic Jungle for Discounted Walmart Gift Cards >>

View gift cards you loved in January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, Fall 2010, and December 2010.

“Like No Other Store in the World”

The Bloomingdale's Flagship Store, New York City

In today’s “get-it-yesterday-on-sale” shopping climate, what drives anyone into a traditional department store, such as Bloomingdale’s?

Well, Bloomie’s has got the goods. It’s easy to find your favorite designer, because Bloomingdale’s lays out the store so that you shop by collection. Online, shop by boutiques, designer collection, or categories. Bloomie’s sales associates are set up to help you not only once, but to keep in touch, to let you know when sales are coming on your favorite items or designers. Called “clienteling”, this sales approach keeps you abreast of what’s new at the store, store events, and store sales.

The Bloomingdale’s flagship department store, a staple of New York City since 1930, stands at the corner of Lexington and 59^th streets just at the northern edge of Midtown Manhattan and the Upper East Side. Its artful trademark window displays attract visitors on the sidewalk, but as you approach the store you can’t help but admire the distinctive Art Deco building. In the ‘60s, Bloomingdale’s trademark “brown bag” shopping bags debuted, and then in the ‘70s the “bloomies”-stamped undies drove tourists to the store in droves. Thanks to this popularity, Bloomingdale’s delivered its haute taste and unique sales strategy around the country and now sports about 100 stores nationally, in addition to managing a robust online presence where current chic rules. Use Bloomingdale’s store locator to find one near you.

Bloomingdale’s discounts and Bloomingdale’s sales on all that cool designerwear can be happened upon, but Bloomie’s would prefer to call or email you with the news or the offer. You’ll have to register with Bloomingdale’s to get in on the deals. Or you could purchase a discounted Bloomingdale’s Gift Card or Bloomingdale’s eCODE here on Plastic Jungle.

As one of the hottest gift cards on Plastic Jungle, you’ll need to make sure to set a Bloomingdale’s email alert to be notified when new, discounted Bloomingdale’s Gift Cards and Bloomingdale’s E-Gift Cards become available. Bloomingdale’s Gift Cards and E-Gift Cards are valid for use at any Bloomingdale’s store, or online for goods at Bloomingdale’s.com. When Bloomingdale’s Gift Cards are purchased or traded at Plastic Jungle, you’ll never pay shipping or handling fees. For details on Bloomingdale’s Gift Cards, check the Bloomingdale’s Gift Card FAQ page.

Check the Balance on Your Bloomingdale’s Gift Card

Not sure how much is left on your Bloomingdale’s Gift Card?

• Check your Bloomingdale’s Gift Card or E-Gift Card balance online
• Call customer service at (800) 511-2752
• Ask at any Bloomingdale’s register

Once you know your balance, you can safely sell or trade your Bloomingdale’s Gift Card on Plastic Jungle.

The Benefits of Bloomingdale’s Gift Cards and E-Gift Cards

• Bloomingdale’s Gift Cards and E-Gift Cards both may be redeemed at Bloomingdale’s department stores, or at Bloomingdale’s.com
• Bloomingdale’s Gift Cards have no expiration date and no fees.
• For the latest terms and conditions, see the Bloomingdale’s Gift Card FAQ page.

Sell or Exchange Your Bloomingdale’s Gift Card on Plastic Jungle

Once you’ve acquired your Bloomingdale’s Gift Card balance, you can sell or exchange your Bloomingdale’s Gift Card to Plastic Jungle. At Plastic Jungle, you can also trade your Bloomingdale’s Gift Card for an Amazon.com Gift Card, Facebook credits (on Facebook.com), and even fund your PayPal account.

To know how much your Bloomingdale’s 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 “Bloomindale’s”, enter the gift card balance you’ve just acquired, and 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.