If you have a friend or family member who loves nothing more than tackling their next big DIY project, a Home Depot gift card can be an incredibly thoughtful present. With over 2,200 locations across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, Home Depot is the go-to destination for many home improvement enthusiasts.
Gift cards continue to be an immensely popular choice, with the total volume of gift card purchases projected to surpass $238 billion by 2025, according to a report by Allied Market Research. For home improvement aficionados, a gift card to their favorite store allows them the freedom to choose the exact tools, materials, or appliances they need.
But for the many people who regularly shop at Walmart, there‘s one common question: Does Walmart sell Home Depot gift cards? Perhaps you‘re already at Walmart picking up groceries or other household essentials and want to grab a quick gift card for an upcoming occasion. Unfortunately, the answer is no – Home Depot gift cards are not sold at Walmart stores or on Walmart.com.
Why Doesn‘t Walmart Sell Home Depot Gift Cards?
The primary reason is that Walmart and Home Depot are direct competitors, particularly in the home improvement category. Both retailers offer extensive selections of products like:
- Tools (power & hand tools)
- Building materials (lumber, drywall, insulation, cement, etc.)
- Paint & painting supplies
- Flooring (hardwood, laminate, tile, carpet, etc.)
- Plumbing parts & fixtures
- Electrical supplies
- Appliances (refrigerators, ovens, dishwashers, washing machines, etc.)
- Lawn & garden (lawnmowers, leaf blowers, fertilizer, plants, etc.)
- Outdoor power equipment (generators, chainsaws, trimmers, etc.)
While Walmart is the world‘s largest retailer with over $559 billion in annual revenue (source), Home Depot is the #1 home improvement chain with $132 billion in yearly sales (source).
"Walmart‘s home improvement department is a major source of revenue for the company, so they likely want to avoid providing any advantages to a top competitor," says Dr. Thomas O‘Guinn, Professor of Marketing at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. "Even if they might gain some short-term gift card sales, Walmart has clearly decided the long-term risk of helping Home Depot isn‘t worth it. Gift cards are essentially a loan from the consumer to the retailer, so Walmart wants to keep as much of that ‘loan‘ in-house as possible."
Beyond Home Depot, you also won‘t find gift cards for other home improvement competitors like Lowe‘s or Menards sold at Walmart. However, Walmart does offer its own gift cards which can be redeemed for anything they sell, including home improvement supplies.
Home Depot Gift Card Alternatives at Walmart
While you can‘t buy Home Depot gift cards at Walmart, there are a couple alternatives to consider:
Walmart Gift Cards
The most obvious option is to simply purchase a Walmart gift card instead. The recipient can use it to buy thousands of home improvement items.
Here are just a few examples of what a Walmart gift card can be redeemed for:
| Category | Example Products |
|---|---|
| Tools | Drills, saws, sanders, wrenches, tool storage |
| Appliances | Refrigerators, ranges, dishwashers, microwaves |
| Building Materials | Lumber, drywall, cement, insulation, siding |
| Paint | Interior & exterior paint, brushes, rollers, tape |
| Flooring | Tile, hardwood, laminate, vinyl, carpet |
| Lawn & Garden | Lawnmowers, fertilizer, hoses, landscaping tools |
Consumer Reports has previously reported that Walmart carries a wide selection of quality home improvement products at competitive prices. Many items are from major brand names also carried at specialty retailers like Home Depot.
"The main advantages of a Walmart gift card are the huge variety of products it can be used for and the fact that there are likely to be Walmart locations closer to the recipient compared to a Home Depot," says Trae Bodge, smart shopping expert at TrueTrae.com. "However, for hardcore DIYers who strongly prefer Home Depot‘s selection, brands, and shopping experience, it may not be an equal substitute."
Visa or Mastercard Gift Cards
Another option available at Walmart is purchasing a Visa or Mastercard gift card. These can be used anywhere those types of credit cards are accepted, including at Home Depot.
Visa and Mastercard gift cards give the recipient complete flexibility to choose where they want to shop. If there are certain project supplies Walmart doesn‘t carry, they can fill in the gaps at Home Depot or another retailer.
However, there are a few potential "gotchas" to be aware of with these cards. Some charge activation fees of up to $6.95. Others charge inactivity or service fees if the card isn‘t fully used within a certain timeframe (usually 12 months).
"Definitely read the fine print on the back of any Visa or Mastercard gift card before purchasing," advises Bodge. "While the versatility is nice, the added fees can eat into the total gift value. You may get more bang for your buck with a store-specific gift card."
Where to Buy Home Depot Gift Cards
If your heart is set on giving a Home Depot gift card, you have a number of options beyond Home Depot stores themselves:
Other Retailers
Many national retail chains carry a wide variety of third-party gift cards, usually displayed on racks near the registers or customer service desk. Home Depot gift cards are commonly available at:
- Target
- Walgreens
- CVS
- Kroger
- Safeway
- Rite Aid
- Dollar General
- Sam‘s Club
"I‘ve found that drugstores like CVS and Walgreens almost always have Home Depot gift cards in stock," says Cassie Rosch, deal expert at Hip2Save.com. "Grocery stores can be another reliable source, especially since you can usually buy them right at the register while checking out."
HomeDepot.com
Home Depot sells physical and digital versions of its gift cards directly from its website. Plastic gift cards can be shipped to you or the recipient for free. There‘s also an option to customize the gift card with a personal photo.
Digital e-gift cards are delivered to the recipient‘s email, usually within a few hours of purchase. These can be easily redeemed by printing out the email or displaying it on a phone in-store.
Gift Card Resellers
Another option to consider is buying Home Depot gift cards from third-party reseller marketplaces such as Raise or CardCash. Shoppers can list their unwanted gift cards for sale, usually at a discount to the face value amount. You may be able to find deals for 2-15% off.
However, there is an element of risk, as the gift cards are technically secondhand. Stick to reputable resellers that offer money-back guarantees on card balances. Also check that the discount you‘re getting is worth any shipping or processing fees charged by the reseller.
Home Depot Gift Card FAQ
To round out this comprehensive guide, here are detailed answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about Home Depot gift cards:
What is the Home Depot Gift Card Hub?
The Gift Card Hub is part of Home Depot‘s website where you can:
- Check your gift card balance
- Manage and store digital e-gift cards
- Re-send e-gift cards to your email address
- Transfer e-gift card balances to a physical Home Depot gift card
It‘s a convenient way to keep track of your gift cards and ensure you always know how much you have available to spend.
How can I check my Home Depot gift card balance?
There are four easy ways to check your Home Depot gift card balance:
- Online at homedepot.com/mycheckout/giftcardbalance
- By calling Home Depot Customer Service at 1-800-466-3337
- By visiting your local Home Depot store and asking a cashier to scan your card
- On your receipt after making a purchase with the gift card (remaining balance will be printed on it)
Do Home Depot gift cards expire?
No, Home Depot gift cards do not expire. Any unused balance will remain on the card indefinitely. However, if a card is not used for several years and is presumed to be abandoned, Home Depot may be required to turn over the balance to the state in accordance with unclaimed property laws. But in general, you can take your time using your Home Depot gift card without worrying about expiration policies.
Can I reload my Home Depot gift card?
No, Home Depot gift cards are not reloadable. Once the original loaded balance is depleted, the card no longer has any value. For ongoing home improvement purchases, consider using a Home Depot Consumer Credit Card instead which offers rewards and financing options on eligible purchases.
Can I use my Home Depot gift card to make online purchases?
Yes, Home Depot gift cards can be used for online purchases at HomeDepot.com in addition to in-store transactions. At checkout, simply enter your gift card number and PIN. If your order total exceeds the card balance, you can apply the gift card and then select a second payment method for the difference.
Can Home Depot gift cards be used at other stores?
No, Home Depot gift cards are only valid at Home Depot stores and HomeDepot.com. They cannot be redeemed at any other retailers, including competitors like Lowe‘s or Menards.
If I make a purchase with a Home Depot gift card and the total is less than the balance, will I get change back?
No, Home Depot does not give cash back or issue store credit for any remaining balance on a gift card. The excess balance will remain on the card for future use. For example, if you have a $100 gift card and make an $80 purchase, you‘ll still have $20 remaining on the card. But you won‘t get $20 in change at the register.
The Bottom Line
While Walmart doesn‘t sell Home Depot gift cards due to competitive dynamics between the two retailers, you still have plenty of options when it comes to buying them elsewhere. Home Depot gift cards are available directly from Home Depot‘s website and stores, as well as at many major pharmacy, grocery, and discount retailers. You can also check gift card resale sites for potential discounts.
At the end of the day, a home improvement gift card is an extremely versatile and practical gift. Whether your recipient is an avid DIYer, a new homeowner with lots of projects to complete, or just looking to refresh their space, a Home Depot gift card will let them tackle purchases on their own timeline and get exactly what they need.
