The idea:
Make managing Gift card balances an easy process
The vision: Create a Mint.com type solution that would allow a single click of a "Refresh" button to update all your Gift card balances in a matter of seconds
The prototype: http://www.giftcardmate.com - Gift Card Mate
The marketing plan: Thanksgiving Gift card giveaway to entice people to sign-up to at least try the service (depositing the Gift card prizes to the winning contestant's Gift card mate account).
The reality check: No matter what your idea, vision, or marketing plan, the consumer is the ultimate test of product viability.
Unfortunately the consumers have spoke since I managed to only sign-up 4 users in the past month and a half. Granted I'm not that good at marketing but I'll chalk this one up as a lesson none-the-less.
Cheers!