Toys R Us Gift Cards

About Toys R Us Gift Cards

The gift cards offered by Toys R Us, one of the most popular toy stores in the country, work the same way just about every gift card works. You purchase the card for a set dollar amount and the recipient of the gift card uses it to buy his or her favorite toys. Toys R Us gift cards can be used at the following locations:

• Any Toys R Us store
• Online at Toysrus.com
• Babies R Us
• Geoffrey stores

Purchasing the Card

This gift card can be purchased as a "standard" card or you can pay $4.50 extra for a "design your own" card. The card can be purchased in stores or online for the following set amounts:

• $10
• $25
• $35
• $50
• $75
• $100
• $150
• $200
• $250
• $500
• $1,000

When purchasing your gift card online, you may choose from a set dollar amount or you have the option of designating your own amount.

Consumer Complaints

Although gift cards are relatively straightforward as far as purchasing and using the cards, there have been a few complaints lodged against the Toys R Us gift card:

• Fraudulent use – Some consumers complained that they bought the gift card and when they went to use it, it wouldn't work because the balance was zero. This happens if criminals write down the numbers of the cards available for sale at the stores and check the numbers periodically to see if someone has bought the card. When they find the card has been purchased, they quickly use the card number for Internet purchases before the person who bought the card ever gets the chance to use the card.
• Poor in-store customer service – This is a complaint, particularly during the busy holiday seasons. Reportedly, cashiers at some stores will not allow consumers to use the gift card stating that the store is just too busy.
• Online purchase problems – Even though Toys R Us states very clearly that their gift cards can be used to make online purchases, in the past some consumers found that the card didn't work when they were attempting to make a purchase at the Toys R Us website.
• Expired cards – Some people have had problems getting expired cards reissued, being told by a customer service representative that it is not their policy to reissue expired gift cards.

Concluding Tips

Any major store chain like Toys R Us, is going to have some consumers complaints simply by the sheer number of people that purchase their products. You should keep these tips in mind if you plan on purchasing a gift card or if your child has received one:

• Use it as soon as possible – Using the gift card as soon as possible helps prevent the card from being used by thieves.
• Always keep your receipt – If you are purchasing this gift card, always keep the receipt handy. If the card is lost or stolen, you have to have a "proof of purchase" before you will be issued a new card.
• Plan your spending – Balances on the card are not refunded. They are kept on the card. So, if your child receives a gift card for $50 and spends $49, that dollar is kept on the card. If you are familiar with Toys R Us, there really isn't anything anyone can buy there for one dollar, except maybe some candy or a soda.
• Keep the card in a safe place – If your child has received the gift card, keep it in a safe place to prevent losing it because it is highly unlikely that the person giving the card as a gift kept the receipt.