This really is outrageous. I suppose it would be one thing if your GC patterns were unusual, like some posters on this board, but people buy gift cards as gifts all the time! I know of many coworkers who frequently purchase Visa or MC giftcards as gifts for their assistants or other staff members at work (holidays, admin prof day, retirements, etc.)... and b/c they are strapped for time, they usually do the most convenient thing which is to walk across the street and get them from a drugstore.