eBay gift cards have become massively popular since first introduced in 2004. As online shopping continues its explosive growth, gift cards offer security, flexibility, and convenience for the site‘s 186 million buyers. This guide will walk through exactly how to check your eBay gift card balance.
A Brief History of Gift Cards
Gift certificates trace back to the 1930s, but modern digital gift cards took off in the 2000s with the rise of ecommerce. Retailers quickly realized their appeal for consumers:
Benefits for Buyers
- Budgeting to Avoid Overspending
- Using Instead of Credit Cards for Security
- Gifting to Friends and Family
Benefits for Companies
- Driving More Sales Volume
- Reducing Abandoned Carts
- Creating Loyal Repeat Customers
Since rolling out its first iTunes gift cards in 2003, Apple has expanded to become the top gift card retailer globally. But eBay also recognized early on how perfectly gift cards pair with online auctions and direct retail purchases.
Growth of eBay Gift Cards
As the chart below illustrates, eBay has seen steady growth in gift card use and transactions over the past decade.
Key stats:
- 13%: eBay‘s year-over-year increase in gift card usage
- $485 million: Total volume loaded on eBay gift cards in 2021
- 41 million: Number of eBay gift cards purchased in 2022
For consumers, checking your balance ensures you maximize every dollar of your eBay gift card.
Top Reasons to Check Your Balance
Before diving into the how-to checklist, it‘s important to understand the key benefits of monitoring your gift card balance:
-
Avoid surprises at checkout – By knowing exactly how much is left in advance, you won‘t come up short while bidding or buying items in your cart.
-
Track unauthorized access – Frequently checking your balance can help you identify any suspicious or fraudulent gift card usage.
-
Use lower balances first – If you have multiple eBay gift cards, it‘s best practice to use ones with lower balances initially to keep them active.
Step 1 – Locate Your Gift Card Details
When you receive or purchase an eBay gift card, you‘ll need to locate two critical details printed on the back:
-
Gift card number: This 16-digit number is displayed across the entire gift card. Treat this number with care as anyone who has it can redeem the value.
-
4-digit PIN: The PIN is concealed beneath a scratch-off strip and should only be known to you. Scratch gently to avoid damaging the numbers.
Pro Tip: Take a photo or document these numbers so you have record in case the physical card gets damaged or lost.
Before checking, always sign into your eBay account. This associates the gift card to your username for redemption.
Step 2 – Navigate to the Balance Checker
To locate eBay‘s self-service balance checker tool:
- Go to ebay.com and login
- Click "Help & Contact" in upper right
- Type check gift card balance into search bar
- Click the "Gift Card Balance Checker" shortcut
You should then be redirected to the page for entering your gift card credentials.
Step 3 – Enter Details & Check Balance
In the Gift Card Balance Checker portal:
- Carefully type in your 16-digit gift card number
- Input your 4-digit PIN
- Verify info is entered correctly
- Click "Check Balance" button
After a few seconds of processing, your current dollar balance remaining will display on screen.
To check multiple eBay gift card balances, simply repeat the process individually for each card.
Tracking Your Balance History
For additional transparency, you can view your full gift card activity history including:
- Activation date
- Expiration status
- Date, time, and amount of deductions
Check your activity log frequently to monitor for unauthorized transactions. Doing so provides an extra layer of protection against potential fraud.
Safely Spending Your Balance
Once you‘ve checked your balance, it‘s time for the fun part – shopping! As you browse and bid on eBay:
- Reference your gift card amount to avoid overbidding
- Estimate taxes and shipping to calculate total order
- Enable 1-click checkout for faster purchasing
When you proceed to checkout, simply select Pay with Gift Card and input your information. Some key pointers:
Combine Multiple Gift Cards
If your order exceeds a single gift card value, you can split tender with up to 8 gift cards.
Cover Any Remaining Balance
If your total isn‘t fully covered after applying gift cards, pay the remainder with another payment method.
Watch Expiration Dates
eBay gift cards never expire! But if you have any other retail gift cards, use those first before they expire.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are answers to some other top inquiries around eBay gift cards:
Can gift cards pay for shipping and taxes too?
Yes. eBay gift cards can be used to cover the full purchase amount including any taxes and shipping fees.
What if my gift card gets lost or stolen?
Unfortunately eBay cannot recover or refund lost or stolen gift card funds. But you can continue using the existing balance if you still have the gift card number and PIN.
Are eBay gift card purchases refundable?
While the gift cards themselves cannot be refunded, any eligible items you purchase with a gift card can be returned for a refund per eBay‘s standard policy.
Can I resell an unwanted eBay gift card?
Yes, you can legally re-sell or exchange unwanted eBay gift cards on sites like CardCash, GiftCardSpread, and Cardpool. Just know that resale values are typically less than face value.
Can eBay gift cards pay for other gift cards?
One limitation is that eBay gift cards cannot be used to purchase other gift cards – either physical or e-cards. All other item types are generally allowed.
Get the Most from Your Gift Cards
Checking your balance is the vital first step to ensure you maximize every penny on your eBay gift cards. Follow this guide for stress-free shopping and savings.
