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Raise App Review: Buy and Sell Discounted Gift Cards

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Written by: Kate Starr
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Key Takeaways

  • Raise is a legitimate platform that allows you to buy and sell gift cards. You can list your unwanted or partially used gift cards at a discount, while as a buyer, you can purchase these cards to save money on your purchases.
  • To sell a gift card on Raise, you set up an account, enter the card details (store name, serial number, balance, PIN), and set a selling price. Raise deducts a 15% commission from the sale price and pays you via check, PayPal, or direct deposit.
  • The time it takes for your gift card to sell on Raise varies depending on the brand, discount you offer, and market conditions. Popular brands like Best Buy, Macy’s, and Walmart tend to sell more quickly. As a buyer, you can save 1-5% on average by purchasing discounted gift cards through the app.

Raise App Review

raiseapp logo

The Raise app allows you to buy and sell discounted gift cards. This can free up cash from unwanted cards, or help you to make purchases at a discount.

Safe & Legit

Fees

Ease of Use

Payout Process

Pros

  • Sell partially used gift cards
  • Save money on gift cards
  • Easy to use app
  • Access discount codes

Cons

  • No sales guarantees
  • 15% commission on all sales

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How Does Raise Work?


You can use the Raise app to buy or sell gift cards. This can help you earn money on your unwanted cards or save money on a purchase. 

As a Seller:

Raise allows you to;

  • Set up your account and enter the store name of the gift card.
  • Select “Get Started” and enter the card serial number, card balance, PIN and selling price, then click “Continue Listing”
  • Review the details and confirm the listing.
  • Sell your gift cards and get paid by check, PayPal or direct deposit

The amount you discount your card will largely depend on the competition currently on the app. For example, if other cards from a particular brand sell with a 7% discount, you may list your gift card with a 7.5% discount. This will allow your card to filter to the top of the display list. 

There is no timeframe for cards to sell. Some cards sell almost immediately, while others may not sell at all. Raise shows the current discount rates for cards of the same brand. So, listing your card with a larger discount is more likely to sell quickly. 

Raise Brands:

Since Raise is an open marketplace, there are no limitations on the cards you can buy and sell. However, you need to bear in mind that more popular stores will have more competition, so if you’re buying, you’re likely to see lower discounts, and as a seller, you may need to sell for less.

The most popular brands on the Raise app include:

  • Best Buy
  • Macy’s
  • Lowe’s
  • Sears
  • Target
  • Starbucks
  • Walmart
  • JCPenney
  • Airbnb

Gift cards from popular stores tend to sell more quickly, even with a small discount. So, if you want to save money on your weekly groceries, even saving just 1% can quickly add up. 

More popular brands of gift cards sell more quickly.

How Much Can You Earn on Raise?


How much you can earn on Raise generally depends on the type and value of the card. If you sell a gift card, the company deducts a 15% commission before paying you. Therefore, if you list a $25 Amazon gift card and it sells for $20, you will be paid $16 for your gift card.

How Fast Do Cards Sell on Raise?


There are no hard and fast rules on how quickly cards will sell on Raise. Your selling time will depend on the specific brand, the discount you offer and the current market conditions. 

So, while there is no guarantee of how quickly your card will sell, you can be assured that you will receive your funds within a matter of days after the sale.

Who Is Raise Best for?


Raise is meant for;

  • People who want to make money by selling discounted gift cards
  • Those who want to make some extra cash selling unused or even partially used cards
  • Buyers who want to save money by buying discounted gift cards

Ways to Earn Money With Raise?


Sell Gift Cards for Cash

One of the best ways to make money using Raise is by selling gift cards. After creating an account, you list and sell your gift card. Once your account is live, you’ll be prompted to enter the store name of the card and choose to get started.

Buy Gift Cards to Save Money

Besides selling cards, Raise allows you to buy discounted gift cards and save money. For instance, if an Amazon card is worth $25 you can buy it at a discounted rate of $20. This can help you save lots of money in the long run.

Raise Requirements


  • Be at least 18 years of age.
  • Have an account with Raise.
  • Download the app.
  • Have gift cards to sell, especially Amazon gift cards.

Raise Payout Terms and Options


After your card sells, you will receive an email that confirms when the funds are available for you to withdraw. 

ACH direct deposits can take up to three business days to arrive in your bank account. PayPal payments take the same amount of time, but there is a $5 minimum withdrawal. 

You can also request a check, which incurs a $30 fee and can be delivered in up to 14 days. 

Raise Reviews: Is Raise Legit?


Raise is a legit platform that lets you make money and save by selling and buying cards. With a rating of 4.2 on G2, 3.7 on Sitejabber, and 1.5 on Trustpilot, most users liked the app and praised it for its ease of use.

While sellers argued that Raise allowed them to make extra cash, Buyers were happy that they could save a lot of money by buying discounted cards.

In addition to this, Raise offers a money-back guarantee. So, if you buy a card and find that balance is inaccurate, the card is not active, or the card is for a different brand, Raise will provide a refund. 

Unfortunately, some users commented that they had a bad experience with customer service, who never helped them after their cards refused to work. Others also said that Raise sold them a gift card with zero balance.

There are also some solid Raise ratings:

App StoreRating
G24.2
Sitejabber3.7
Trustpilot1.5

What Are the Raise Pros & Cons?


Raise Pros

  • Save money on your purchases
  • Access other discount codes
  • Solid customer support
  • Easy to use

Raise Cons

  • It is an open marketplace
  • Discounts are not always significant

How Is Good Raise Support?


Raise offers superb customer support. In addition to a comprehensive FAQ section, email and phone support are available Monday through Friday, 9 am to 7 pm central. 

You can also select a card from your purchase or sales history and report any problems with this order online. 

This variety of options to contact the Raise support team makes this platform far more accessible than many other app-related companies. 

Raise Review Verdict: Is Raise Worth It?


The Raise app can be a good option for making extra cash from unwanted gift cards and for saving money when making purchases. You can buy discounted cards for stores where you make purchases and typically save 1% to 5%. 

Raise allows you to earn cash back on purchases and access discount codes or other rewards. 

While there is a 15% commission on any cards that you sell, you can set your own discount rate and wait for a buyer to purchase your card. Raise will then handle all the other aspects of the transaction. They will message you to confirm when your funds are available for withdrawal. 

How to Sign Up With Raise?


The signup process for the Raise app is quite straightforward. To get started with Raise; 

  • Go to the website and choose to create an account with Facebook or email
  • Enter a valid email address and password 
  • Receive a confirmation email to verify your details
  • Add your payment information so that you can pay for your discounted gift cards
  • Set up your preferences for your payouts. You can either choose PayPal or ACH approval

These processes can take a business day to confirm, and after this point, you can get paid for any gift cards you sell.

Raise FAQ


What Is the Raise App?

Raise is a money-saving platform that aims to help people to sell or buy discounted gift cards. The company claims to have helped buyers to save over $150 million on their gift cards. You can also use Raise to make extra cash by selling unused or partially used cards. 

Generally, you can make money on more popular brands, but Raise allows you to sell practically any card. 

The Raise app also provides access to discount codes and coupons. So, if you’re planning on making a purchase, it is worth checking out the app to see if there is a promotion that can save you some money. 

You can use the app to buy or sell discounted gift cards.

Is Raise a scam?

Raise is not a scam but a legitimate site that allows you to sell discounted gift cards and offers a money-back guarantee.

How long does Raise take to process?

Raise ship’s physical cards in three to 14 business days. However, electronic gift cards are processed within 24 hours and delivered instantly. 

Can you return a Raise gift card?

Every purchase made through the Raise app is final. But, the company does offer a one-year money-back guarantee. This applies should any issues prevent you from redeeming the card with the appropriate merchant. 

Do you earn cash with Raise?

Raise allows you to instantly earn cash from over 150 retail partners when you buy face-value cards.

What can Raise Cash be used for?

You can redeem Raise cash toward purchases of gift cards and other closed-loop products solely sold on the Site.

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Kate Starr

Dollarbreak

About the author:

Kate Starr is a personal finance, FinTech and MarTech writer. Her areas of expertise include making money, investing, and money management.

From earning money as a beginner entrepreneur to advanced investing in the stock market, Kate’s guides can help you to get more ideas on how to earn income online and increase your wealth.

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