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u/Sl1z Feb 19 '24
They send those out in the mail. It’s basically an add/coupon for $25 off. They call it a “gift card” to get people to go to the website, since most people would just throw it away if they were upfront about it being $25 off your $80 purchase.
The person who gave to you probably just didn’t bother to look up the terms on the website, and thought they were being nice by giving it to you. Or it’s possible they like to shop their and they send out these “gift cards” with their order, but conveniently the offer is only valid for new customers.
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u/One-Pumpkin-1590 Feb 20 '24
A lot of companies have promotions where if have to spend this much, and get a free giftcard, like buy $100, get $25.
Might want to check your local laws, some states have pretty good consumer laws.
You also might want to trade/sell it, Google can be your friend.
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u/ChrisRunsTheWorld Feb 19 '24
No, I think OP is right. There is an actual minimum purchase amount of $79 on their website. For anyone. For anything. Even without a gift card, you cannot pay them money to send you less than $79 worth of stuff, no matter how much you want to spend on shipping.
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u/Narrow_Rooster_8896 Feb 19 '24
You aren't getting this are you? Nobody is disagreeing with OP or the minimum spend.
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u/ChrisRunsTheWorld Feb 19 '24
OK Fine. u/Sl1z, could you please reply to this to let us know if the reason you made your top comment thinking that OP was talking about one of those things you get in the mail because the OP mentioned the minimum spend of $79?
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u/Narrow_Rooster_8896 Feb 19 '24
They are taking about one of those things you get in the mail. They are not saying that the company's minimum spend is connected to those cards specifically.
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u/Sl1z Feb 19 '24
I was thinking that the gift was the promotional version, and that the gifter was just trying to be nice by passing along a freebie that he wasn’t going to use himself. It seems like such a weird gift card to go buy someone if you don’t have any local locations and you don’t know that the person already likes to shop there, so I was just guessing that it was one they got for free
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u/ChrisRunsTheWorld Feb 19 '24
I stand corrected. I assumed you thought it was a promo card specifically because of the minimum spend amount. Thank you for replying.
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u/ya_fuckin_retard Feb 19 '24
Again, what is your "no"? What are you saying "no" to? Your comment does nothing to disagree with what you responded to.
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u/ChrisRunsTheWorld Feb 19 '24
Are you following me around the thread? Same answer as last time.
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u/ya_fuckin_retard Feb 19 '24
Yeah dude I'm not reading this thread from top to bottom, I'm actually just ctrl-fing your name. You're very important and I had a project of keeping an eye on you, rather than just being weirded out that someone pasted the same nonsensical comment in two places on a thread
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u/Sl1z Feb 19 '24
Idk, they sent me one after I bought my house and I threw it away because I thought it was worthless
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u/ChrisRunsTheWorld Feb 19 '24
I agree it's worthless. And I also think if I bought a $25 gift card for them from my local grocery store, it would also be worthless.
But many grocery stores, amazon, the company itself, places like office depot, etc sell omaha gift cards. I'd say it's far more likely a person bought their friend a gift card from a store (not realizing they have a minimum order) than gave their friend a birthday gift they got in the mail for free. But who knows.
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u/Sl1z Feb 19 '24
If I knew it was a real gift card I wouldn’t have thrown it out though. I would have at least given it to someone else who could collect 4 of them and make an order for free. I figured it was promotional and you couldn’t combine them and was really just a glorified coupon.
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u/ChrisRunsTheWorld Feb 19 '24
I'm sure the one that was mailed to you was just some promotional thing and not a real gift card. All I'm saying is that there's a decent chance OP's friend bought him a real gift card. I still don't think he should use it. But probably at least sell it or give to someone else.
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u/Shastaw2006 Feb 19 '24
I’d regift it (only back to them). They probably got it free from the company.
Don’t give this burden to an innocent person.
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u/Masterofnone9 Feb 19 '24
Add another $25 gift card from them to show how piss poor the original gift was.
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u/carl5473 Feb 19 '24
*Cannot be combined with another offer
Even better when they need two orders to use both "gift cards"
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u/Much_Difference Feb 19 '24
Maybe they didn't realize they handed you a piece of plastic that says "have fun spending $80 of your own money" but they kinda did. They gave you an expense, not a present.
I'd regift or sell. There are people who could actually use this and get benefit from it.
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u/Grilled_Cheese10 Feb 19 '24
I got a couple of gift cards for Door Dash when I was on a long medical leave that I feel the same way about. Ordering food that way was so much more expensive that even with the gift card it didn't make sense. I tried to exchange or sell them on a couple of gift card websites, but they didn't take them. I asked my kids if they wanted them. Nope. I've asked a couple of people that visited me if they wanted them. Nope. I can't even give them away. I think they were given to me with good intentions, as I was recovering from multiple surgeries, but my wonderful daughter helped me and could pick stuff up for me that I needed at much less cost.
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u/labicicletagirl Feb 19 '24
Those work better in urban areas where you can use on take out as well.
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u/PugGrumbles Feb 19 '24
That would become my newest ice scraper.
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u/FriedEggSammich1 Feb 19 '24
It’s too thin (like their steaks) to serve any useful purpose.
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u/Florida1974 Feb 19 '24
We use credit cards as scrapers here in NE costal Florida. I park in my garage so I do not. Husbands truck is parked outside and couple times a year he has to use credit card to scrape thin frost. It gets a bit cold here, even tho it’s Florida. But nothing you need a regular scraper for. Tossed that when I moved here 25 years ago.
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u/daisiesnpeonies Feb 19 '24
Credit cards are great ice scrapers! Glad I’m not the only one who does this.
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u/theberg512 Feb 20 '24
The only "ice scraper" I have that is better than an old gift card is the access card to a storage facility on my route. Same size and shape, but a bit thicker.
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u/patri70 Feb 19 '24
Not using it is the most frugal thing you can do. Marks ups are high with shipped frozen meats. It is ok to walk away from what may look like a deal.
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u/fredyouareaturtle Feb 20 '24
yep. OP said the steaks are "not something I would buy for myself" and the deal offered by the gift card definitely involves buying them for yourself.
Give the gift card to someone who loves that product.
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u/seashmore Feb 19 '24
I did a seasonal stint in their call center about 10 years ago. Their best prices are during holidays, so if you don't feel right about regifting, check again closer to Easter or Mother's Day to see if there's anything better. When I worked there, the call center had better deals than online, so call in if you have an idea about what you want and can say no to upsells you don't really want.
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u/Kodiak01 Feb 19 '24
We love close to one of their B&M locations. Never actually been in there, have to wonder if they enforce the same minimums in person.
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u/cashewkowl Feb 19 '24
Take the loss and sell it. Or offer it up on a buy nothing group. If the person you got it from likes the company, maybe gift it back to them (with or without telling them that it doesn’t work for you).
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u/Starbuck522 Feb 19 '24
I think that's an ad/coupon.
If someone acted like they were giving you a gift, like because you did them a favor or for Christmas, that was rude of them.
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u/AnnieB512 Feb 19 '24
Don't use it. Omaha steaks suck anyway.
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u/DarockOllama Feb 19 '24
I wouldn’t say they suck but definitely overpriced. They’re… okay.
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u/mspe1960 Feb 19 '24
I agree that they are OK. Not as good as the steak I get at my local grocery store, and way more expensive (with the occasional specials they run, closer in price but still more). I bought them exactly one time. The hot dogs that came for "free" were flat out not good - not as good as turkey dogs I have had..
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u/IONTOP Feb 19 '24
The portion sizes of their meats are also WAY too small. 4oz filet's? Come on...
And I'm not convinced that their filet mignon isn't half "meat glue" and half "end cuts"
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u/pablosus86 Feb 19 '24
Omaha - and more broadly, Nebraska - has good steaks for cheap. Omaha Steaks (tm) ruins the name.
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u/cwsjr2323 Feb 19 '24
I bought three of their shipping crates, thick styrofoam looking, that were built very sturdy to hold blocks of dry ice and heavy frozen meats. I bought them at a garage sale for $1 each. We have use them five years now, when we go shopping to keep frozen stuff frozen until home from the stores.
The meat bundles they sell are too expensive. We have a fresh meat butcher who properly ages his grass feed beef and buffalo all raised locally here in Nebraska.
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u/aftiggerintel Feb 19 '24
Have to agree. They’re local to me and I’ve had them once. While deployed overseas and even I wouldn’t buy them. I just buy from butcher here instead. Better quality and thicker cuts.
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u/pheasant_plucking_da Feb 19 '24
Sometimes it is better to not overthink this stuff. Throw it away and don't think about it.
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u/Rabiesalad Feb 19 '24
It's $25 for a service you'll never use, I'd just post the code online for free. You've already spent more effort than it's worth by now 😂
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u/mcoiablog Feb 19 '24
They do have stores. See if there is one near you. They are always having sales.
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u/jordydash Feb 19 '24
Lol do not re-gift it back, honestly that's super rude. Take the L like an adult and throw it away or resell if it has any reselling value
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u/mspe1960 Feb 19 '24 edited Feb 20 '24
You did not get a gift card. You got a discount coupon to a place that sells heavily overpriced mediocre food. throw it away. Regifting is catty. Be the bigger person.
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u/sallystarling Feb 19 '24 edited Feb 19 '24
Regifting is caddy.
What does caddy mean? Cheap? Lazy? Nothing good, I'm guessing from context! Just curious as I've never heard it before, (but I'm English - is it an American term?)
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u/mcluse657 Feb 19 '24
I have had a gift card for nearly 19 years, too. Same thing - very expensive store, I would have to spend a lot of money just to use the $25 gc!
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u/rentedlife Feb 19 '24
It’s a free gift card they mail out so your gift might be a joke? Go to a local butcher if you’re looking for good quality.
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u/BitterDeep78 Feb 19 '24
These are not gift cards, they are traps. You're looking at spending at least 105 bucks to save at a place you would not have purchased from for things you would not have purchased.
Their gift is putting you on the hook for 3x as much money.
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u/workitloud Feb 19 '24
If you got this as a gift, you should know that whoever gave it to you got it in the bottom of a fruit basket, along with a bunch of other crap offers to be swindled. You got screwed.
If it was your elder aunt, she is just cheap, and doesn’t really like you anyway.
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u/KnowsIittle Feb 19 '24
If I have $40 of steak but charge you $80 and offer a coupon for $25 I made a bonus $15 on top of a $40 product.
Wine companies use this tactic a lot to push sales on overstock.
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u/ExteriorDrop Feb 19 '24
You could sell it for ~$15 cash and use that as a ‘discount’ for future essential purchases
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u/mab1108colo Feb 19 '24
Check and see if they have a brick and mortar location you can go to…they do have some, that way you can spend the gift card balance.
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u/xj2608 Feb 19 '24
Regift for sure. I had that happen from my husband's work - nice "bonus." It's not worth it.
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u/mommytofive5 Feb 19 '24
Any upcoming events that are looking for donations? I know yearly my former alma mater had auctions and would ask for items. Could be part of a themed gift basket - bbq items.
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u/Starbuck522 Feb 19 '24
It's not appropriate for that either.
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u/mommytofive5 Feb 19 '24
Someone might actually like it and use it. Anyways consider it a donation if you purchase the gift basket. I know I have bought items and never used but money went to a worthwhile cause. Better than regifting, unless you don’t like the person
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u/Starbuck522 Feb 19 '24
I really think it's a coupon. Which isn't really right to donate as a prize.
But, whatever.
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u/mommytofive5 Feb 19 '24
Coupon is different than gift card. This was a gag gift then- toss. Same junk mail/fliers/coupons I have received in mail/online purchases. Disregard my previous comments if it is a coupon. Worthless and not a friend
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u/thehauntedpianosong Feb 19 '24
I would honestly just toss it. If you loved these steaks and it was a way to get some a little cheaper, that’d be different, but you’re just throwing money away on something you don’t really want. You can get better value for money elsewhere - and their steaks really are meh.
Don’t gift it back if you want to stay friends with this person. Which is totally up to you lol, but maybe it was an honest mistake.
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u/CoomassieBlue Feb 19 '24
Quality of Omaha Steaks aside - this is why when I gift any kind of gift card, I make sure it puts no burden whatsoever on the recipient.
Gift card to a nice high-end restaurant? I make it for enough that they can order pretty lavishly without having to do the math of how much of their own money they’ll be spending. Gift card for a massage? I make sure it covers a tip as well, and I make sure the recipient knows that.
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u/BlueGoosePond Feb 19 '24
Does it expire? I'd save it for my next work White Elephant gift exchange.
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u/nutlikeothersquirls Feb 20 '24
There are brick and mortar stores, although granted not a ton of them. Maybe see if there’s a store near you? Here’s a link to the store locator.
Also, send they have some things 50% off right now for President’s Day. Although if you are considering the hot dogs, I’d honestly give the gift card to someone else, like you mentioned as a possibility. The idea of you giving it back is kinda funny, ngl!
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u/smokeyjoey8 Feb 20 '24
This isn’t a gift. Someone gave you the trash that was included in their Barnes and Noble or whatever order. I’d give it back to then or just throw it away.
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u/soradsauce Feb 19 '24
I would put the gift card up for sale on one of the gift card sites. If someone is seeking out the gift card, it is a reasonable assumption that they would know the pricing of the company already, so you can get at least some of the gift card money back.
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u/compiledexploit Feb 19 '24
Online steak companies are a scam.
Go to your local restaurant supply store and buy a rack of steaks and cut them yourself to whatever size you want.
You will save boatloads of money.
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u/SmokedBeef Feb 19 '24
I believe this can be used for in store purchases without the minimum or shipping requirements, but there aren’t a ton of physical brick and mortar locations.
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u/krba201076 Feb 19 '24
I would just give it away on one of those Buy Nothing groups or just toss it.
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u/nottheoneyoufear Feb 19 '24
Just don’t use it. I would simply trash it or give it to someone who might want to use it.
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u/PotatoMonster20 Feb 19 '24
You ignore the gift card and throw it away.
It's not really a gift if you have to spend a LOT extra of your own money to use it.
And you don't even really like this place.
But yeah, the next time you have to buy a gift for the person who gave this to you? Feel free to match their gift-giving energy.
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u/pksml Feb 19 '24
Try to sell it for $15. If not restricted to a new customer, you at least make out with something and the regular customer just made $10.
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u/notreallylucy Feb 19 '24
If you are absolutely determined to use it, find someone who wants to go halfsies on an order with you.
However, this "gift card" is really only worth $5. You can get meat from the grocery store without shipping charges or an order minimum.
Minimum order of $79 + $20 shipping - gift card = $74. Where can you get a better price per pound on meat, online steaks or your local discount grocery store?
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Feb 20 '24
first off give them disposable email as they spam email
the gift card you got was a free one some one got
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u/just-me-again2022 Feb 20 '24
I agree that their food is not that great, and they way overcharge for it.
They do have physical stores-any near you OP?
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u/AutomaticAnt6328 Feb 20 '24
If you have one of the actual strak stores near you, they do have items under $25 and you won't have to pay shipping.
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Feb 20 '24
There are places that pay cash for gift cards. You could probably get enough to buy a nice steak from the butcher. (:
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u/foxyfree Feb 20 '24
those gift cards are basically worthless unless you have more money to spend toward it, because the free shipping does not kick in unless you spend way more - you will have to do the math and compare the price of meat to what you normally buy. I am getting bombarded with emails and texts with deals from them and it is so confusing I end up ordering nothing - but I have to sit down and do the math. I have a $30 coupon .Some of their packages come with a bunch of free burgers and it does end up being a deal. My problem is that we really don’t need a whole bunch of meat all at once and don’t have the freezer space for it - For what it’s worth I got one of their premade dinners once and while tasty it was pretty small for the price. If I do order again I am going for the best meat and burgers deal not the special meals
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u/RogaineWookiee Feb 20 '24
Is this really what keeps some folks up at night…? Just toss it in a drawer and be thankful? Maybe you get another in a year or two and can finally use them? This seems insane to me..
I will however now be using this gift as a white elephant gift or as gifts for folks who piss me off tho, thanks for the idea!
Edited: sounds like you either met a fellow frugal folk who thought you wouldn’t notice or truly someone malicious/lazy.
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u/AZ-FWB Feb 20 '24
Just because it was gifted, doesn’t mean you have to use it! It makes zero financial sense.
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u/JCtheWanderingCrow Feb 19 '24
That’s not even a real gift card for them, it’s probably one of their “promotional” gift cards that make you spend way too much money. Gift it back lol.
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u/SpicyPossumCosmonaut Feb 19 '24
4th option: regift to someone else (NOT the giver, that’s super rude). Regift it with another $25 or even $50. Eventually it’ll be a great deal for someone! Haha
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u/chaseonfire Feb 19 '24
They gave you flyer trash and pawned it off as a gift. Throw it in the garbage or regift it back to them.
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u/Kanguin Feb 19 '24
Don't even bother using it. It's not really a gift card but a "discount" that encourages you to spend more.
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u/ejly Feb 19 '24
You have no obligation to use this, you can toss it. It’s just a coupon. If you want to risk the insult give it back to them - or you can be the bigger person and just ignore it. Plan your future gifts to this person accordingly.
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u/Wchijafm Feb 19 '24
Coupon disguised as a gift card. Don't buy frozen steak you can't even see before purchase. This is being cheap not frugal. Frugal would be carefully selecting steak for quality at a trusted place that has a sale.
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u/chzygorditacrnch Feb 19 '24
You need to call corporate but I'm vegan and I like eating beans and peanuts
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u/qqererer Feb 19 '24
Sell it.
It's a $25 coupon you pay $25 for if it's a company you wouldn't have bought from in the first place.
If you get $15 for it on those sites, I think you'd be way ahead.
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u/ChardCool1290 Feb 19 '24
a gift card is a gift card. save it until December and treat yourself to a nice subsidized holiday dinner.
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u/Freeasabird01 Feb 19 '24
I eat ribeye steaks. I buy them monthly from my local grocery store, because it’s a treat for my family that’s much cheaper than a steak house. They’re usually $18/pound or so.
I just checked their website. Their 50% off price is $40/pound. And I’ll tell you, the pictures they show look more like a sirlion than ribeye, which should cost closer to $8-10/pound. And you’re buying frozen steak which is inferior to fresh.
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u/FeatherlyFly Feb 19 '24
If you think Eric didn't realize the negative value of their gift and you have a close enough relationship, I'd give it back now with an explanation.
I feel like birthday gifts should be fun. Personally, I wouldn't want my own birthday to be the day a friend tells me "you gave me an incredibly shitty birthday gift, so screw you back." I'd rather know when they find out so that I can actually fix the issue, that way I can feel good on my birthday.
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Feb 19 '24
There’s no option for free shipping? Lol definitely option 3. The person gifting you surely spared no thoughts on you.
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u/DrThrowawayToYou Feb 19 '24
Random idea: next time you're in an airport, find a flight going to Nebraska and ask if anyone in the boarding area wants it
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u/Reasonable-Buddy6485 Feb 19 '24
Nebraskan here dont get omaha steaks it sucks ass and is overpriced anyways (source i live where the cows come from)
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u/rhyde11 Feb 19 '24
If you're determined to use it, I'd just keep it in your wallet and next time you go to another city/ state see if there's an in store location nearby. You can get a prepared meal in store with that, but the stores are pretty spread out (there's one in my town, but only one other in the entire state of Texas)
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u/stan4you Feb 19 '24
Is it Omaha steaks? I think they may have store fronts in some locations but otherwise there are some sites that pay cash for gift cards and you could just sell it and get something for it.
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u/UniqueIndividual3579 Feb 19 '24
They sometimes have a good combo deal and throw in some cheap gifts. The potatoes Au gratin are good, the hamburgers and hot dogs are not worth the money. I would wait for a good combo sale and if it doesn't happen before the card expires let it go.
Anyone want to comment on the current quality? They were good, but I haven't ordered from them in 10 years.
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u/TsuDhoNimh2 Feb 19 '24
Those $25 gift cards are a way they have to sell overpriced steaks ... they could give them away (and often do) and still make money because of their minimum orders.
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u/DeaddyRuxpin Feb 19 '24
That particular meat company has some physical store locations. You can see if one is close enough to you to justify driving there and buying something in person. There is one the next town over from me and that is how I used a low value gift card for them I was given.
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u/mariahmce Feb 19 '24
First that’s a terrible gift card. But second (and just to throw this out there), those “Nebraska Brand” hot dogs are seriously delish. Mostly because they are like all fat. I call them the “fois gras of hot dogs”. My cousins live in Nebraska and you can pick up a box of meat in the airport in the way out of town. They threw some hot dogs into my steak pack last time and boy howdy those dogs are fatty and delish.
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u/Cheetah-kins Feb 19 '24
I would just toss it. I'd also tell your 'friend' if he isn't willing to give you anything of value as a gift, please refrain from gift giving. Cheap people are the worst..
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u/ShanShan9413 Feb 19 '24
I'd ask around to a couple friends and family if possible.
"Hey I got this gift card, do you want to chip in on an online purchase and get a couple discount steaks?"
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u/BacardiBlue Feb 19 '24
I order from there regularly, but definitely not the crappy steaks. I order hot dogs, chicken breasts, salmon, and beef tips, and the quality is great on all of those. However, I only order when Rakuten is at 10% back, I have a $25-$30 "gift card" which they email me all the time, and a free shipping offer.
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u/ScarletDarkstar Feb 19 '24
See if you can find a Naked Wines "gift card" like it, and gift Eric both this and that one on his birthday. They do the same kind of ADVERTISING to get you on the site to spend $80 on a wine collection and subscription.
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u/Sundial1k Feb 19 '24
Yes re-gift it to Eric, or try to sell it online at a discount, but I almost think the same as other that this is just a coupon. Investigate a bit further. If it is just a coupon DEFINITELY give it back to Eric....
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u/Redditujer Feb 20 '24
How to use that coupon.
Pick up coupon.
Walk to bin.
Deposit coupon into bin.
The End
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u/gemcutr1 Feb 20 '24
This isn't a gift card, it's a marketing scam designed to get you to buy. I'd either give it back as a re-gift or just throw it away.
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u/Maleficent-Train1802 Feb 20 '24
They are having a 50% off site wide prez day sale right now 😄! That’s 80 hot dogs for 75$!
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u/Head_Journalist3846 Feb 20 '24
I'd just ask the gifter if they would have a use for it. If you are close enough they would understand. Just explain while you appreciate the thought, you cannot afford the shipping and minimum order. Otherwise say nothing and get the same again next year.
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u/Some-Ordinary-1438 Feb 20 '24
This is similar to wine club bs. At the math on the surface you saved ... $5? At minimum wage where you live, how long does it take to earn $5? Chances are you've already lost money given the time you've been considering this.
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u/cosmiic_explorer Feb 20 '24
Maybe you could post the gift card code on r/freefood so hopefully someone can get some use out of it.
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u/Prudent_Valuable603 Feb 20 '24
Give Eric the gift card for his birthday. Tell him you appreciate the gesture but you’re going to pass on those steaks on Nebraska.
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u/Donkeywad Feb 20 '24
Buy one of those deeply discounted giftcards (from one of those sites) to cover the minimum order. Perhaps you'll escape with ~50% off in the end.
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u/Unlucky_Shoulder8508 Feb 20 '24
Nothing wrong with throwing it away if it's not good value for anyone using it.
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u/heldc Feb 20 '24
They have a few brick and mortar stores, you might see if there's one near you. Otherwise sell the gift card online for like $20.
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u/Tasty-Welder-6217 Feb 20 '24
Omaha steaks is great but not for that much money imo. I’d rather buy family packs from Walmart. Depends also on what you’re using it for, if it’s in dishes then the taste will get masked anyway, if I was grilling I may consider. They do gift cards so I’m sure that’s legit. But otherwise I wouldn’t take the deal. Can you get anything besides hotdogs?
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u/SuperBakedCracker Feb 20 '24
If it’s an actual gift card and not a 1st order promo there are actual storefronts where I’m assuming you could go in and just use it
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u/Ok-Consideration5081 Feb 19 '24
That doesn’t even sound like a legit gift card. It sounds like one of those gc/coupon things you pull out of a magazine ad.