ScripSmart is a gift card information service. We simplify gift cards by offering easy to understand gift card reviews, scores, advice and account management services for consumers.
Being smart with gift cards should be easy; unfortunately, it takes a bit more effort. So, we decided to do the heavy lifting and come up with some creative solutions to solving some of the well known downsides surrounding gift cards.
According to our second favorite website, Wikipedia:
"Scrip is any substitute for currency which is not legal tender and is often a form of credit."
In other words, gift cards are a form of scrip. Combine that with our mission of making it easy for people to be smart with their gift cards and you get: Scrip + Smart or ScripSmart!
ScripSmart was founded by Judd Lillestrand in late 2009.
We like things simple and straightforward and we noticed several areas related to gift cards which were not so simple. Things like: quickly spotting great gift cards, knowing what gotchas to look for, understanding gift card laws and remembering to use gift cards before they lose vale, become worthless or are simply lost in the washer.
No. While there is a consumer advocacy component to ScripSmart, we are a for-profit organization aiming to solve real problems for consumers. We like to think of ourselves as they type of company which does good for the community and earns money while doing it.
Technically, no. While ScripSmart is a great place to start your search for a gift card, we simply connect buyers to the companies who sell each gift card. For example, if you take a look at our review of the Amazon.com Gift Card, you'll see a link to 'Buy Card Now'. When clicking on the link, you'll be directed to Amazon.com's webpage for purchasing gift cards.
ScripSmart currently generates revenue two ways:
For example, if you are researching the iTunes eGift Card on ScripSmart and click on the link to 'Buy Card Now', you'll be directed to Apple iTunes and ScripSmart will earn a commission on the sale of merchandise purchased.
No. However, we make every effort to monetize our gift card reviews. The fact is, some companies simply do not offer commission on the sale of their gift cards or products. Ultimately, we want ScripSmart to be the most comprehensive resource for gift cards; as such, we review gift cards regardless of whether they pay commission.
ScripSmart highlights or features gift cards to users on several pages throughout ScripSmart.com. In order to become a 'featured gift card', a gift card must meet both of the following criteria:
Gift Card Score is ScripSmart's trademark for a patent pending methodology of evaluating the consumer friendliness of a gift card. In short, it's an algorithm which takes a bunch of input collected during our gift card review process and automatically scores the product from 0-100. Gift Card Score is designed to allow consumers the ability to quickly determine the consumer friendliness of a gift card.
Yes, however there are nuances to the algorithm which make it smarter than just treating every gift card exactly the same. For example, a Traditional Plastic Gift Card's score is negatively impacted if there is no scratch-off feature. On the other hand, an eGift Card is not impacted for not having a scratch-off security feature, because it just doesn't make sense for gift card which you print or email to have a scratch-off security feature.
ScripSmart's review process is thorough, yet simple. We use a combination of the card issuer's website, phone calls to customer support and even visits to the merchant physical location to collect the gift card attributes required for calculating a Gift Card Score.
ScripSmart's provides gift card issuers with user accounts which allow them to add a custom message for consumers where their gift card is reviewed. This is a paid service and you can learn more in the "Gift Card Issuer Accounts by ScripSmart" section of this FAQ.
Unfortunately, no. However, we strive for 100% accuracy because we know accurate information is paramount to the success of Gift Card Score. In reality, the attributes of a gift card may change without our knowledge or we might experience a brain fart (human error) during the review process. We believe the ScripSmart is the most comprehensive and accurate source of gift card information available to consumers, but it's not perfect.
Umm, be kind and let us know by shooting us an email!
No, currently ScripSmart's Gift Card Score is intended to reflect the gift card currently sold to consumers. It's possible the gift card in your possession is governed by different terms. For example, around August 22, 2010 several bank-issued gift cards changed terms to company with new federal gift card laws and there are Terms for gift cards purchased prior to August 22, 2010 and another set of terms for gift cards purchased on or after August 22, 2010.
Not necessarily. Gift Card Score is intended to make it easy for consumer to find the most consumer friendly and therefore best gift cards. However, the matter of 'best gift card' is subjective and Gift Card Score cannot account for which gift card your recipient will like most. If a gift card has a low Gift Card Score, just be sure to take a closer look at the policies and terms to ensure you know what you're giving.
In the early days it changed quite a bit. For now, we're satisfied with the algorithm and believe it represents an accurate reflection of the consumer friendliness of a gift card. As a result, we haven't made any recent changes. However, we may change it in the future and if it does, we'll re-sore all gift cards and let you know about it via the ScripSmart blog, newsletter, twitter account and any other way we communicate with you.
The algorithm which generates Gift Card Scores does not include the notion of whether or not ScripSmart earns commission. In reality, the majority of gift cards listed on ScripSmart do not pay a commission when gift cards are sold. In order to provide the service, we must also generate revenue. In the end, if you are uncomfortable with ScripSmart earning money, simply do not use the service.
Not necessarily. All gift cards are scored using the same algorithm and we collect the same data points for each gift card review. However, the algorithm was created by humans and is designed to reflect what ScripSmart sees as a consumer friendly. In other words, the factors included and weighing of such factors is inherently subjective.
ScripSmart researches state laws related to gift cards and provides helpful summaries to help consumers understand their rights. Each state is given a State Law Grade based on the state's level of consumer protection.
Each State Law Grades is generated using a scoring algorithm. It's similar to how we generate Gift Card Scores, only instead of getting a score between 0-100, each state receives a letter grade of A-F. Every state is graded using the same algorithm.
No, we're in the business of making gift cards easier and provide summaries of various laws for the benefit of consumers. If you have a specific question regarding a state law, direct it to specialist such as your states attorney general or a lawyer familiar with such laws.
We review the section code of state and federal laws to ascertain the laws surrounding gift cards. We also follow bills before the become laws.
We do our best to make all information on ScripSmart is accurate. However, we can't guarantee 100% accuracy. We monitor changes in gift card laws and update information when laws change. If you believe any information on ScripSmart is inaccurate, please share your thoughts by sending us an email to support@scripsmart.com and we'll look into it!
ScripSmart accounts allow you to take advantage of our helpful Gift Card Alert System. If you're one of those people who tend not to use your gift cards right away a ScripSmart Account will help you:
If you would benefit from any of the services above, you should sign up for a FREE ScripSmart Account now!
After you sign up for your FREE ScripSmart Account, you simply search the ScripSmart database of gift cards and add the cards you own. When you redeem the gift card, just mark it as used and remove it from your account. It's easy.
No, ScripSmart Accounts do not currently use SSL encryption to protect gift card numbers. We recommend adding the gift card name, value and expiration date, but never the gift card number.
We're working to score every gift card, but we have a long way to go. Until we get there you can add a 'Custom Card' to your ScripSmart account.
We live, breath and eat gift cards. BTW, They're great with milk. :)
There's no magic sauce here. We simply follow the industry, monitor company financials and have a complex set of news feeds to give us an indication as to when a ScripSmart Bankruptcy Alerts should be broadcast.
No, but it's a good reason to go out and redeem your gift card! There are two types of bankruptcy protection commonly used by corporations in financial distress:
In either case, when you hear of a company filing for bankruptcy protection, it's smart move to go out and redeem the gift card ASAP.
ScripSmart wants to help make all gift cards better. A great place to start is by looking at the bullets in the red "What could be better column". Also, feel free reach out via email and we can discuss your ScripSmart rating in detail.
Sure, if our data is inaccurate or you update your gift card program, please let us know. We want Gift Card Score to be accurate, fair and transparent. If you believe we have it wrong, just send us a note and we can discuss the matter in detail.
Absolutely not. We want to be the most comprehensive resource for gift cards and intend to score every gift card known to man. If we remove product reviews, we won't reach our goal and we won't help consumers.
Maybe. We want to be fair and are open to hearing your thoughts. Feel free to send us a note and we share more insight as to why companies are placed on the Gift Cards to Avoid list.
While our primary aim is to highlight the best gift cards, we believe this list is helpful to consumers. We have nothing against shopping at the merchants listed on this list, but do not recommend consumers provide an unsecured loan to companies on shaky financial ground.
Absolutely, promoting a gold ScripSmart badge is a great way to let potential customers know your gift card is among the best in the industry. Just sign up for a ScripSmart Gift Card Issuer Account to begin the process. We offer this service free of charge.
You can see the ScripSmart badge in action at Bass Pro Shops and Cinemark.
ScripSmart provides special accounts for those who manage gift card programs listed on ScripSmart. These accounts are designed to give issuers tools to help promote their Gift Card Scores, ensure accuracy of gift card data listed on ScripSmart and control some portions of the branding of the webpage where their gift card is reviewed.
In short, we created them after receiving feedback from gift card issuers themselves. It's important for gift card issuers to participate and be aware of their Gift Card Scores and we believe their participation will help make gift cards better for all.
No, Gift Card Scores are data driven and generated by an algorithm. In large part, the factors which make up a gift card score are listed under the 'What we like' and 'What could be better columns'.
Issuer accounts have both free and paid features. Pricing for paid features is based on a several factors including the number of gift cards listed on ScripSmart. If you'd like to learn more, just send a note to issuers@scripsmart.com and we'll be in touch.
No, Gift Card Scores are data driven and all gift cards are scored using the same algorithm. Ultimately, we serve the consumer and want to help them identify consumer friendly gift cards.
That's cool, just send us an email to support@scripsmart.com and we'll do our best to answer.