• CardPool

CardPool

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Overview

CardPool has a rating of 1.9 stars from 761 reviews, indicating that most customers are generally dissatisfied with their purchases. Reviewers complaining about CardPool most frequently mention gift cards, customer service, and phone number problems. CardPool ranks 122nd among Gift Cards sites.

  • Service
    75
  • Value
    71
  • Shipping
    62
  • Returns
    44
  • Quality
    63
30
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How would you rate CardPool?
Top Positive Review

“CardPool Worked Fine For Me! These Other Reviews Are Probably Stupid lol”

John C.
2/13/18

I'm not sure why this site has so many bad reviews. As a person who used to own a survey site, it's probably from people not following directions, or trying to use the card after they sold it. It worked perfectly for me, I sold two cards, a Macy's card that I got from swagbucks and a Victoria Secret card that I gave to a Tinder chick and took it back from her after I found out she got some more side dudes without asking me first. Got my check in about 5 biz days.

Top Critical Review

“Scam! They take your money and take forever IF they send you your gift card!”

Megan P.
4/1/19

I bought gift cards for one merchant and they were electronic but took too long to get to me through e-mail (which should be almost instant)... the item I was trying to purchase went out of stock and then back off sale back to its original price which was double the amount. $300 instead of on sale for $150 when I bought the gift cards. I've been e-mailing for a month now and NO responses, not a single one! Then I purchased a gift card last week and still have not received it. Other sites I've used I get the gift card within 15 mins... this one I'm lucky if I get it at all and definitely no refunds whatsoever... don't waste your money even if they price for a bigger discount it's not worth losing a couple of hundred dollars or more. The screenshot shows their one automated response saying they will get back to me... but when? In a few years?

Reviews (761)

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Reviews that mention popular keywords

gift card (481) customer service (161) gift cards (481) phone number (54) business day (81) credit card (76)
Thumbnail of user tomr18
1 review
1 helpful vote
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July 8th, 2012

Well...
I bought a gift card code from them, and it arrived. But you know what else arrived for the first time shortly after the purchase? The first fraudulent use of my credit card number in over ten years of online banking. I can't prove carpool was involved, but I'd be interested to see if anyone else has this experience after their purchase. Look for small transaction amounts (generally around $10) on your account, and let everyone else know if the same thing happens to you...

Thumbnail of user jiml38
1 review
0 helpful votes
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September 16th, 2013

They have sort of good deal than others. But never try to talk with their customer service, it will be nightmare! The best way is just cancel the order. They sound like don't have enough sleeping and will ask you so many questions but not tell you why.

Thumbnail of user johnnys38
1 review
2 helpful votes
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April 7th, 2016

I downloaded Cardpool's app and I searched for giftcards that would amount to $320, they found 2 cards one worth about $210 and the other $110 for $#*!'s Sporting Goods. I paid $265. I punched both gift cards into the $#*!'s website upon checkout ad encountered ZERO problems. Worked like a charm. Great way to have saved $50+ on a $#*!'s order. Happy with purchase.

Thumbnail of user jos6511
1 review
1 helpful vote
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January 25th, 2017

I'm still trying to get payment for a card I submitted two months ago, they keep telling me they've sent it out, they'll send it out again, etc. but nothing ever comes. The only way I got a response at all was to post a complaint on facebook.

Thumbnail of user mikes323
1 review
2 helpful votes
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September 30th, 2015

I learned about gift card exchanges earlier this year, while I mostly use Raise and really like them for how fast, new and refined they are. For the more limited selection of common gift cards I use Cardpool since they normally offer bigger discounts.
After verifying my account with them, I've sold 1 gift card and bought 7 with no issues ever. I mostly do the electronic ones and they're delivered quickly, I'm really surprised by all these bad reviews I wonder if I've gotten lucky or if they're mostly good and these folks got unlucky.

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Thumbnail of user cathyd182
1 review
0 helpful votes
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March 5th, 2020

I've purchased 3 different physical gift cards and have received them within a few days - one for a convenience store, one for a fast food place and one for a casual dining restaurant. They have all been of the value promised with no problem redeeming them. While the discount is not great, I'm happy to save a few dollars on places I frequent. The one I used today was coupled with a $10 off $25 newspaper restaurant coupon. $10 plus $2.50 off - half price total!. Haven't sold any gift cards but purchasing experience has been fine.

Thumbnail of user jenniferr496
1 review
4 helpful votes
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May 10th, 2019

Complete rip off. Seems legit, you type in your card number, they supposedly place funds on Amazon. It's the most important part, the placing funds part that didn't happen. Weeks later I'm left calling and emailing. Calls are hung up on with the message the call volume is too high and emails are not responded to. Now I have to waste time following up on this to get the money. Not fun, not something I'd do again. At this point, I think I'd rather just have the card instead of the aggravation of getting ripped off.

Thumbnail of user vincei2
1 review
3 helpful votes
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February 1st, 2017

I've read some pretty dismal reviews on Cardpool's service (and good ones as well), but I decided to give them a shot. I exchanged 3 gift cards for a total of 75 bucks. I was offered $58.44 on an Amazon e-gift card. Unlike some reviews, I was not required to actually mail in the 3 cards; I submitted the card numbers and PINs on the web site and received a confirmation email stating my Amazon card would be emailed within one day. This was on 1/3. Long story short, (and not ALL Cardpool's fault) I finally got my Amazon e-gift card on 1/26. I redeemed it almost immediately without problems. Bottom line, Cardpool does provide the service they advertise, just don't expect your transaction to happen overnight. Be patient, allow a couple of weeks. Other than the wait, I was pleased with how effortless it was to exchange my unused gift cards for a card I would actually use.

Thumbnail of user suzannep100
1 review
3 helpful votes
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November 21st, 2018

My purchase included two (2) e-gift cards. A receipt listing both e-cards was emailed to me. They emailed me only one (1) of those e-cards. After three (3) emails to them, in which they did respond several days later each, they kept sending me the same e-card that they originally sent. I am now disputing the charge for the e-card I didn't receive with my credit card company. NEVER AGAIN!

Thumbnail of user carlh59
2 reviews
9 helpful votes
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January 14th, 2017

Several years ago i wrote a negative review about another company that buys and sells gift cards. I recommended cardpool as a good alternative. AT that time I had been using them for several years and never had a problem. In the intervening years I have only had one problem and they issued an immediate refund. Unfortunately, something has changed in the last 6 months or so. They are perpetually sold out of everything except restaurant cards. Even worse, there have been numerous complaints about sending cards and not receiving money or buying cards that turn out to be worthless. As a result I won't buy from them again and would advise others to avoid them.

Thumbnail of user joshuac203
1 review
5 helpful votes
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January 5th, 2019

I submitted my card 11 BUSINESS days ago. I get it was the holidays, they say it takes 2 business days but maybe more over the holidays. Cool no problem. After 6 business days and 0 updates to my listing (still in Review) I email their support seeing if something is wrong or just really to get any sort of feedback on my pending listing.

5 more business days later not a single word from their support nor any change to my "in review' listing. F that I'm out. Come here and read some horror stories! Dodged a bullet it seems. I'll sell my card at a much more reputable place.

Thumbnail of user juliee169
1 review
4 helpful votes
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July 11th, 2019

I sold (3) gift cards over a week ago. Their site claims that it takes 1 business day to review and process. As of today my cards are still in "review". I sent an email two days ago and have yet to receive a response from them. I wish I had've read reviews before I trusted this company.

Tip for consumers:
Find another way to sell your gift cards!!!!

Products used:
Sold gift cards for cash.

Service
Value
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Thumbnail of user ralucak
1 review
4 helpful votes
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December 3rd, 2018

Cardpool sold me a fraudulent paper gift card face value $50. I purchased it for$39. I tried using it at the restaurant and balance was $0. I was embarrassed, as you can imagine!
I sent out two emails to ask cardpool to solve this matter. They have never returned email or a phone call.
I am very disappointed and dissatisfied with the way they conduct business. They are unreliable. You are loosing you money more than save by going business with them.

Thumbnail of user mazieb
3 reviews
8 helpful votes
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September 29th, 2015

I purchased 2 cards from them and both cards came as invalid when I tried to check out online. The cards were supposed to have $215.00 dollars on them. When I sent an email explaining the situation, all I got was a generic email saying they got my email. After that nothing. First thing in the morning I will be calling my card company and reporting fraud. Update: They finally fixed my order. I had to go thru hell to get it done. I still stand by my earlier assessment. Steer clear!

Thumbnail of user maries376
1 review
0 helpful votes
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March 17th, 2020

Over 3 months after I listed several gift cards, still waiting for them to return one card that they claim was invalid or had no value (which is not true), and they cancelled what they owed me for the "good" cards. Canned responses from customer service as well as replies that made no sense in terms of what I was waiting for. At one point, they claimed that the card had been returned to me as of a date that was over 4 weeks in the past, claiming that it was taking 4-6 weeks for returned cards to be received. Well past the 6 week mark now and still no card. While I had very good experiences with other gift card buying services, this one was beyond disappointing. I will not ever do business with them again and would discourage others from doing so.

Thumbnail of user wendys141
1 review
4 helpful votes
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January 3rd, 2018

I had been both a buyer and a seller over a year at carpool. Over the past 2 months, something has drastically changed! I mailed in 6 separate transactions using their labels & didn't think much about it since I had been a client & customer in the past. This time, they told me they have not received any of my cards. They have unanswered most of my inquiries and have refused to provide any additional contact information. This is horrifying because it's a company I had grown to trust. Now I am contacting the better business bureau and reporting them.

Thumbnail of user rachelb153
1 review
4 helpful votes
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January 15th, 2018

***EDIT 1/29/18*** - I received an email last Wednesday that my gift card that I sold was FINALLY received & my Amazon credit would be processed the following "full business day". I finally received it TODAY (definitely more than a full business day later). So, if you are patient - I hope you get your credit! Such a pain. I will be going elsewhere in the future for business card sales, such as Raise, Ebay or hell. Just using the damn gift card. **end of Update**

I sold my gift card on 12/29/17 for an Amazon credit. I've used Cardpool twice in the past and had a positive experience so I thought this would be the case. I dropped my card off in the mail on 1/3/18 and have yet to receive any sort of return compensation. I emailed customer service on 1/12/18, and on 1/15/18 they said they haven't received it yet & to give it more time. What the what?!? Something isn't right here. Stay away if you can!

Thumbnail of user luisr125
1 review
3 helpful votes
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April 13th, 2019

"They stole 65.50 bucks from me. Took my gift cards but never delivered the check. Never received my check there is no customer support. Email will go unanswered. Don't be fooled. Total scam. They should be shut down."

Thumbnail of user steved558
1 review
4 helpful votes
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October 24th, 2019

6 months ago I posted a Google Play card for sale. For 6 months the status was "pending". I sent at least 3 emails to their non existent customer service group to find out what was going on but never got a response from anyone. Now I find out that they have cancelled the listing with no notice or explanation.

How do I cancel my account? I don't even want them to have my information anymore.

Thumbnail of user mattg35
1 review
15 helpful votes
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March 12th, 2015

I ordered a large amount of Home Depot e-gift cards for a remodeling project. I missed the verification call later that evening. Since then, I have tried to call back 15+ times and left several messages. Nobody is ever available to talk to. Also, I sent the support team multiple e-mails and have not received a response. It has now been a week and I have no gift cards and no communication from Cardpool.

This morning I sent another e-mail to cancel my order and disputed the charge with my credit card company.

Service
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Thumbnail of user amberc25
1 review
5 helpful votes
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January 9th, 2016

After a 8 days I got email stating one of the cards I sent in had a zero balance and had no information or balance for the other card. My computer is secure and nobody else had the code but them. I checked the balances on giftcard's website and they were not at zero. Looks like I'm out of that money, thanks for the scam! Too good to be true, yes it was!

Thumbnail of user ginaw4
2 reviews
4 helpful votes
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May 28th, 2019

I ordered a gift card several weeks ago. It was a simple, 50-dollar card to a clothing retailer. I never received it. After 2 weeks I contacted Cardpool and have received no response. Their online "chat" feature is an absolute joke. THE worst automated chat engine I have ever encountered. So now I'm out $47, with no idea where to go since they do not respond to inquiries.

Thumbnail of user alexc444
4 reviews
7 helpful votes
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November 14th, 2020

I used to only use Cardpool for discounted gift cards because of their 1 year guarantee. However, since September 2020 they have now gotten rid of that and only offer 60 days. So the first time I ever had a problem with them was recently when I made an order and received a zero balance gift card. I read their guarantee and found that the email written within it does not exist so my email could not be delivered. I then googled their customer service phone number and called it only to find that the number is not in service. The only email I found that is real is *******@cardpool.com, however no one has replied to me in 4 days. Don't waste your money on here, there is a better alternative! I have recently started using the Honey extension and you can purchase a discounted gift card in exactly your amount due with one click! Much easier and you never get a zero balance gift card!

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Value
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Thumbnail of user dineshs1
1 review
1 helpful vote
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June 3rd, 2012

Big cheaters. Stay away from cardpool.com. I sent them the target gift in mail with their shipping label and cardpool claimed that they have never received this and blaming usps. The card was used and the balance is $0. I saw several people complained the same.

Thumbnail of user michelleb732
1 review
5 helpful votes
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May 7th, 2019

First, I submitted my gift card ($400.00 Apple store) and then after reading the reviews, I immediately canceled. I sent an email to the company to ask why are customers having such a bad experience. I had an immediate response advising the company was recently sold and the new owners are trying to clean up "a mess". So after a few back and forth correspondences, I decided to give them a chance, knowing this could end up in a nightmare situation. However, the complete opposite. I submitted my gift card and within 7 weeks received a check in the mail. Thanks Ryan for the great experience and we will definitely be back!

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Buy discount gift cards up to 35% off. Sell gift cards for cash at Cardpool - the most trusted and popular gift card exchange. FREE USPS Shipping.

Company Representative

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Candice B.

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