Why would someone insist on using these for donation? I won't take them but I get asked about once a month and more recently 3 times by same guy ... Is it so they feel safe its not $ or scamming? I would think its more of a headache.

...with $; gift card which has been all used up; expired gift card.  It's just another way to try to get away with not paying.  It's like counterfeit $ - you won't know it's worthless until you try to spend it.

...they spend just like cash, and he can charge them to his credit card.  I have accepted them for years and have never had an issue.  

.....to ladies who do not screen well, etc.   Like I said, I have never had an issue, and I accept them all the time.

...and I assure you, I do not use them to pay for escorts!  I give them as gifts to the concierge in my building, etc.  When you purchase a gift card, they do not ask who you are giving it to.  

I mean, cash is anonymous too.

I think clients like to use them because they can explain away the charges on their credit cards by saying they bought gifts for certain people as tips, or holiday gifts, etc.

Maybe they have a small business and then expense them for a tax deduction.

Green Dot cards are a good anonymous way to send  deposits to visiting providers, and I often use them for that purpose.

the question i have to you is are you then comfortable holding, let's say $3-$4k in cash from an overnight date? do you immediately deposit the cash in your bank? Even when touring?

anonymous?  

I"m not sure what the appeal is in using them instead of cash.  I prefer cash, but will take the cards if I believe they are legit.

Don't know the reason a legit client wants to use them.  

If he is using his cc to buy them and does this to be discreet ... That doesn't work ... If his provider gets arrested then they can trace the gc back to his cc.

didnt someone post that you had to register these cards in a full name with SS #? why would anyone want to show that much flow of money going to them? hope you are paying taxes on every dime you accept that way.  

there is a trace of every card you register from what i read so wonder how they explain that to the irs if hey are not paying taxes and don't have a real job to back up some of that money. i could see taking them once a month as a deposit but all the time? wow.

You would need to call the GC # on back or get online ... Not for just one card but all of them ... And how many would that be? Could be one but then why use your card to purchase it unless its a business account ... If you want it to appear as you are buying a few GC for coworkers or what ever why not just take the money out of the ATM and say you figured you needed to use cash to get visa gc.

as a present to himself, and he wants to 'buy' you with them?

Rather than withdrawing a large amount, which can be a red flag for a husband whose wife pays attention, you can buy those gift cards at Walgreens or even Target. A couple hundred at a place like that is easily explainable as something for the office, etc. As far as making sure it's got money on it, any man who wants to use one should be fine with waiting for me to call the number on the card to verify. Takes thirty seconds. I've accepted them and would again.

The only thing is he won't just have 1 but a few of them ... Possibly for the same reason ... I will consider them now ... As along as his screening clears

or cash. Just like state lottery tickets. Reason being it is a backdoor way to borrow real cash from your credit card company which is generally not allowed. Borrowing cash usually carries an add on fee like 5-10% that the user is trying to avoid and higher interest charges. There are other reason like fraud.

I know a few gas stations that can load up to $500. If he gets a prepaid credit card card directly from a bank, some banks might be able to load more.

I was told that I couldn't.  

Yes I see what you are saying and I'm understanding it better now .... However imo I think its more trouble to buy several smaller amounts with a debit card and have to come up with several reasons for large purchases than to just take out 100, 200, 300 + and say its for Christmas or gift cards for work ... We all have our reason and ways of doing things ... I did think it was just silly before but now I do get it and will consider accepting them in the future.

..online purchases.  I use them at my hair salon, Whole Foods, Neiman's etc.  I have never had an issue.

...yes, you must pay cash.  If, however, you but your gift cards directly from AMEX, VISA, etc, you can certainly put them on your credit card.  I just bought a gift card, using my credit card, with no problem.

I only have one checking account and it's a joint account with my wife. Since there are not many chance to use cash (except going to Chinese restaurant and they require cash), it is very suspicious to withdraw sever hundreds dollars periodically. What I do is to get cash back when grocery shopping. That adds up very slow. Finally I got 500 dollar cash and put them in my car. But one day my wife found it and took them away.  
So I would appreciate if providers accept more options of payment, such as gift card, cash card. Most of the time, rebates are given by VISA card with cash value on it.  

LOL…wanna bet. For those who maintain an online presence..probably not. But there are many who do not post on boards, and who see gals who also don't really maintain an online presence, except to post ads. There was a guy in a city close to mine about 5 years back that was giving girls gift cards instead of cash for the appointments…the girls weren't calling the number to verify there was actually money on the card..and didn't find out the card was empty until they went to use it. He scammed around 4 girls.. I had taken a friend out there, & she told me he was trying to give her a gift card…I told her to call the # on the back…the balance was $2.10….she walked out.