If you‘re on the hunt for the perfect gift for an online shopping aficionado, an eBay gift card may seem like the ideal choice. With an eBay gift card, the recipient can choose from millions of items across thousands of categories on one of the world‘s largest online marketplaces. From clothing and collectibles to electronics and beyond, eBay offers nearly endless buying possibilities.
But if you‘re hoping to pick up an eBay gift card during your next grocery run to Walmart, you may be out of luck. Despite being the world‘s largest retailer, Walmart does not currently sell eBay gift cards—either in their stores or on Walmart.com.
Don‘t fret, though! While you can‘t purchase eBay gift cards directly through Walmart, there are still plenty of options for getting your hands on one, as well as several alternatives that would make equally great gifts for the eBay-obsessed. In this post, we‘ll explore all your eBay gift card options, share the scoop on why Walmart gives them a pass, and reveal some handy insider tips for buying and using these popular gift cards. Let‘s dive in!
Where Can I Buy eBay Gift Cards?
Just because you can‘t snag an eBay gift card at Walmart doesn‘t mean they‘re hard to find. On the contrary, many major retailers and grocery stores across the US carry them, both in-store and online. Here are some of the most common places to pick one up:
- Target
- Walgreens
- CVS
- Kroger
- Dollar General
- Family Dollar
- GameStop
Most of these retailers offer eBay gift cards in denominations ranging from $25 up to $200, so you can choose an amount that fits your budget and gift-giving needs. You can also buy eBay gift cards directly on eBay.com (makes sense!) as well as from the eBay Digital Gifts storefront.
Alternative Gift Card Options at Walmart
Okay, so Walmart is a no-go for eBay gift cards specifically. But the mega-retailer does carry a wide variety of other gift cards that would be great for any online shopper. Here are a few options to consider:
Walmart Gift Card: Did you know you can use a Walmart gift card to shop on Walmart.com? The site offers a huge selection of products similar to what you‘d find on eBay, often at competitive prices. A Walmart gift card gives the recipient the flexibility to shop online or in-store.
Visa or Mastercard Gift Card: While these aren‘t tied to any specific retailer, a Visa or Mastercard gift card can be used to shop practically anywhere—including on eBay. Walmart sells a variety of these "open loop" gift cards with varying terms and fees.
Specialty Gift Cards: If your gift recipient has a favorite store or product category, consider a gift card for a niche retailer. Walmart sells gift cards for everything from Sephora to Buffalo Wild Wings to Xbox.
Can You Use an eBay Gift Card at Walmart?
Now, we‘ve covered that Walmart doesn‘t sell eBay gift cards. But what if you‘ve got an eBay gift card burning a hole in your digital wallet—can you use it to shop on Walmart.com?
The short answer is no. Currently, Walmart.com only allows online payments via credit card, debit card, PayPal, Chase Pay, or Amex Express Checkout. Walmart gift cards can of course also be redeemed on the site. But there‘s no way to apply an eBay gift card balance to a Walmart.com purchase.
Why Doesn‘t Walmart Sell eBay Gift Cards?
It‘s a reasonable question: why would the world‘s biggest retailer opt out of selling gift cards for the world‘s biggest online marketplace? While we can‘t say for sure, there are a couple key reasons Walmart may be skipping out on offering eBay gift cards:
Sees eBay as a Competitor: In recent years, Walmart has heavily invested in its e-commerce business in an effort to challenge online shopping giants like eBay and Amazon. By not carrying eBay gift cards, Walmart avoids actively encouraging its customers to spend their dollars with a direct competitor.
Wants to Drive Customers to Walmart.com: Gift cards are big business for retailers. By focusing on offering gift cards redeemable only at Walmart—either in-store or online—the company keeps customers in its retail ecosystem. An eBay gift card, on the other hand, would drive gift card dollars outside of Walmart.
It‘s worth noting that Walmart isn‘t alone in this approach. Retailers tend not to offer gift cards for their most direct competitors. For example, you‘re unlikely to find a Target gift card at Walmart, or vice versa.
How to Redeem an eBay Gift Card
If you‘ve got an eBay gift card ready to spend or are planning on gifting one, it‘s helpful to understand exactly how they work. Here‘s a quick step-by-step guide to redeeming an eBay gift card:
- Navigate to eBay‘s Redemption Center (you‘ll need to be logged into your account).
- Enter the redemption code on your gift card. You‘ll find this 13-digit number under the scratch-off layer on the back of a physical card, or in the email for a digital card.
- Click "Redeem." The gift card funds will be applied to your account as an eBay Coupon, and you‘ll get a confirmation email.
- Start shopping! The gift card funds will automatically be applied to your next eBay purchase. No extra steps required.
Checking your eBay gift card balance is simple, too. Just visit eBay‘s Check Your Gift Card Balance page and enter the redemption code.
Key Things to Know About eBay Gift Cards
All gift cards come with some fine print. Here are the key terms and conditions to be aware of for eBay gift cards:
- No expiration dates. Funds are valid until spent.
- Cannot be used to purchase other gift cards.
- Not reloadable. Once the balance is spent, the card no longer holds any value.
- Cannot be redeemed for cash, except where required by law.
- Can be used to make partial payments. If your purchase exceeds the card value, you can apply the balance and pay the rest with another payment method.
Are eBay Gift Cards a Good Gift?
So, are eBay gift cards actually a good choice for gifting? As with all gift cards, it depends on your recipient. Giving a gift card is often seen as more personal and thoughtful than handing over cash, while still allowing the recipient to choose their own gift.
For the right person, an eBay gift card offers a lot of flexibility and choice. If you‘ve got an avid collector, online bargain hunter, or hard-to-shop-for person on your gift list, an eBay gift card could be a hit. On the flip side, a gift card for a specific retailer may be a better fit if you know the recipient has a clear favorite store or product.
One big upside of gifting an eBay gift card versus a physical product is that you don‘t have to worry about the recipient needing to make a return or exchange. Digital delivery is also an option, making eBay gift cards a solid choice for last-minute gifting.
eBay Gift Card Sales and Promotions
Like many retailers, eBay occasionally offers promotions on gift card purchases. Recently, for example, they offered a free $5 eBay Coupon for every $25+ gift card purchased on their site.
You may also be able to find eBay gift cards on sale below face value at warehouse clubs like Sam‘s Club or Costco, or at some supermarkets. It‘s worth keeping an eye out for deals, especially around peak gift-giving times like the winter holidays.
The Bottom Line on eBay Gift Cards at Walmart
To sum it up: Walmart does not sell eBay gift cards in-store or online, likely to avoid promoting a competitor and to keep customer dollars within their own retail channels. However, many other major retailers do carry eBay gift cards, including Target, Dollar General, and Walgreens.
For eBay enthusiasts, the company‘s gift cards offer a flexible way to shop across a vast online marketplace. While not the most personal gift, an eBay gift card can still be a great option for the right recipient—especially fans of shopping online for deals and unique items.
And if you‘re committed to one-stop gifting at Walmart, consider opting for an "open loop" gift card like a Visa gift card, which can be used to shop on eBay and beyond.
No matter which gift card you choose, a bit of thought into the recipient‘s interests and shopping habits will go a long way. Happy gifting!