"Placed an order for 3 gift cards on 6/13/2013. A couple of hours after I placed the order, I recieved an email with the "Cardpool Order #3168160 Update" in the subject line. Assuming it was a normal order update/shipping info - I moved it into another email folder (I never read it). I recieved an email 6/20/2013 with the same subject line "Cardpool Order #3168160 Update" - since I was expecting shipment any day, I opened and read that cardpool had tried to contact me to "verify some information", and since I hadn't gotten back to them they had cancelled my order and refunded my credit card.

I went back and forth with them over email trying to get a clearer explanation, with no luck. They did respond quickly, but they weren't very helpful. I do take full responsibility for missing that first email, and this problem would most likely have been averted if I had. With that said, I place a lot of online orders and can't think of a single instance where a company has contacted me after placing an order to "verify some information" - seems unusual, but maybe it's a good thing. Maybe all online sellers should contact thier customers a couple of hours after they place an order and ask them to call in and talk to a sales rep. to "verify some information". What the hell does that even mean? What inormation do you need that I haven't already provided through your ordering process? What information could you possibly need in order to sell me a gift card? I couldn't get answers.

I'll most likely not order from Cardpool.com again - they do offer a decent service, selling discount gift cards - but with the hassle I just went through, I'll probably just pay full price at a local store.

Some advice for Cardpool.com - when you send an email that requires attention - you should put the words "URGENT" or "NEEDS REPLY" or "IMPORTANT NOTICE" - something to let the consumer know that the message you are sending is important, and that thier order will be cancelled if they disregard it.

Also, unless I missed this too - put something on the order page letting customers know that you plan on contacting them a couple of hours after they submit thier order, and that they will need to respond or have thier order cancelled. That type of notification will scare of some people (like me - If I wanted to talk to customer service people I would shop in a store) but for those that do submit an order, at least they will be expecting something other than an order update."

"I use Cardpool ALL the time! The mobile and electronic cards are now delivered to me email almost immediately! I can order a mobile card in the parking lot of a restaurant, and then use it for my meal right there."

"I have ordered about a dozen times from Cardpool and have only ever had one issue with a card not working. Even though I realized the problem after their satisfaction guarantee timeframe had passed, they refunded my money promptly."

"This is the best site I have found for discounted gift cards. They are the only one I know of with mobile cards that show up on your phone. Their customer service has been great for me. I have never had trouble returning cards I don't need. They have always been helpful if I have a problem with any cards. "

"I've been a Cardpool user for a while now and they are, by far, one of the friendliest companies out there. Fast, efficient, friendly - everything one would look for in a reputable company."

"I have bought more than $2,000 in gift cards and sold $100 in gift cards to Cardpool. Only once have I had a problem, and it was resolved before I even knew there was a problem. I ordered a Macy's electronic gift card. Before it was sent to me, they let me know it was an error and that one was already sold. They immediately gave me a $10 Cardpool gift card for my troubles. I was able to turn around and buy another gift card right away. Every gift card I have ever received has had the right amount of money on it. If one didn't someday, I am confident Cardpool would resolve my issue. I also felt the sell back price of my gift card was fair, about 85% of its value. I had no problems mailing it to them and the money was put in my account quickly. I would love to see more people selling to them. I highly recommend this site to save money."

"Practically Perfect in every way! You never speak to anyone or see anyone - but the customer service is top-notch. I place my orders for cards or send cards in for cash and they are always prompt to fill my requests. If I have any questions or concerns they are addressed politely and quickly via email. If you're going to spend money at a particular retail store anyway, you might as well save some money. Some cards are hard to come by like gas and groceries, but it's worth it to put them on your wish list. They will alert you when a card is available for purchase. Act quickly! I only wish they allowed you to send gift cards to addresses other than your mailing, but nothing is perfect."

"I bought gift cards on Cardpool frequently for the last year and a half. They were purchased as gifts as well as for myself. I wish that I had known about them sooner. Never had any problems and it is so easy to use the website."

"Cardpool has the best prices for buying and selling."

"Good prices, arrived in about a week."

"I have purchased gift cards from cardpool numerous times over the past year. They deliver exactly what they say: gift cards discounted at a stated percentage off the value you receive. Once, i changed my mind about a $300 card i'd purchased, and they promptly returned my money. I have used both the physical & electronic cards without a hitch.
I use coupons, get free item samples, watch for sales, and Cardpool is still the best way I save money. "

"Despite making the implication that they are easy to get rid of your old unwanted gift cards, it is anything but in my opinion. I have accumulated a few 'appreciation gift certificates' from my employer, which you can redeem for various items or gift cards. Since that catalog is full of junk, I thought being able to get one of those gift cards which I could then convert into an Amazon.com gift certificate at a slight loss (84% net value) was a decent option. So I converted all my appreciation certificates into tangible gift cards (~$300 worth) and sent off the first $50 one to CardPool to have converted.

The prepaid postage is nice, the website was fairly easy to submit my sales request, and these are the only two portions of the experience that are good.

After almost a week after sending it, I get a phone call on a Sunday afternoon from a 415 area code number I don't recognize. I let it go to voice mail of course and dont check it until later in the day. It is a message stating they are from CardPool and need to verify some things relating to my card submission. I get an email stating the same. I return the call Monday afternoon and the rep says she needs some questions answered before releasing my payment.

I am asked how I came into having this card, who gave it to me, why it was given to me, how long I had it for, and my reason for exchanging it. After successfully relaying these answers, I was then told my the rep that I would have my Amazon card sent to me within 24hrs. I asked her if I sent them more cards if I would have to answer the same questions again for each one and she would not give me a straight answer.

The next day, from a different email address, which I didn't see for a few days since it got burried in my spam folder. I get an email from 'Mark' that they are "unfortunately unable to accept it at this time. For your convenience, we are returning your gift card to you free of charge.".... I damn sure would hope so.

Why exactly? Don't know. After all the hoops I had to jump through in providing details and more sensitive info, it would be nice to have the same courtesy in return. It would be nice also to have had this screening or whatever done ahead of me having to send the card in.

I am also somewhat concerned because most of the cards listed on the site were for odd amounts $74.56, $83.16, etc, there were none for an even $50 before, and now there is one available. Can't help but wonder if that's my card... Guess I will just have to wait to see if I get it back and hope nobody cloned it while they had it in their hands.

Summary: easy to use website, difficult to use system overall, information is expected to be given to them but not received from them, very definitely YMMV, hit or miss."

"Awful company. Sold them a giftcard, and they send it to your card's billing address, regardless of where you actually live and want your money shipped. After much pestering, they agreed to cancel the check but not to to reship it to the correct address. Overall got charged a fee for doing business with this company even though I did not receive any service. Low, dishonest, and incompetent company."

"i order two apple store gift card on Feb-27-13

i got a email which they confirmed the order and email me the card within 24hours. and they charge my amex card right away.

but till today i did not got my money back and not even cards

i send them 3 email after the order NO reply so far"

"Our company has been selling our left over gift cards to CardPool for a few transactions already. Everything seemed fine at first.

Now, we have 4 outstanding payments owed for a total of a $3807.60 payment. The gift cards were sent out beginning on 1/3/13 and it’s been 12 days, more than enough time to process it.

If CardPool does not pay us for these cards or return them, we will find a BBB report as well as a small claims court suit if the BBB cannot resolve this."