I know you can get them at Shoppers Drug Mart but haven't seen them elsewhere yet — will keep an eye out. And that's $99 CAD total, no tax after that. Compare that to $9.99/month + tax and you'd be looking at ~$135 CAD a year, so by going the gift card route you're saving $36 a year. If you can afford the cost upfront and don't want to split an account a million ways, this is still a decent way to save some money.

I purchased a $100 gift card from SDM to give to my Dad back in May. It’s from the LCBO. He finally tried to use it last week and it showed as no funds available. The LCBO manager told him to take it back to SDM with the gift receipt. I went to SDM, since I also had my credit card receipt for it. Store manager at SDM told me they can’t do anything about it - I have to call Customer Service by going online. I found the number online, chose the option for gift cards, only to be told by a recorded message that there was no one to take my call, even though I called during their regular hours. Sent an email to customer service with pictures of the gift card and the receipts. Received an email three days later that it will take time to investigate since their gift cards are supplied by third parties.

I have never had this issue from any other store that I’ve purchased gift cards from. Never going to SDM for gift cards.

Edit: thanks to everyone who posted with kind comments and helpful advice. I called my credit card company, who confirmed that SDM was the name on the transaction. Since SDM was not helpful and did not respond, Visa reversed my charge. They also had to cancel my card since they couldn’t say whether it was fraudulent on the part of the cashier or an error. I have to cancel all of my autopay accounts on my credit card, but at least I am getting refunded. Lesson learned - giving my Dad cash as his gift.

I bought a spotify gift card from Shoppers because my debit card can't make online purchases because I'm a minor. Anyways, I think the employee forgot to activate it, so I went back and one of the employees told me she couldn't help. I'm just curious to know if anyone knows what to do in this situation. I read about it possibly being a scam but I dont think it is. The back wasn't scratched off and everything seemed normal when I purchased it. Please someone let me know so I dont waste 100 dollars😅