beware of gift cards rip - off
By clorissa123
@clorissa123 (4926)
United States
September 18, 2009 3:21pm CST
Some of us might like to purchase gift cards from the well - known stores or famous restaurant chains, and give out those gift cards as a perfect gift to your friends or family relatives durign the holiday seasons. You give out those gift cards because you knew your friends always like to shop at those stores, so they can pick whatever they like. What if, that particular stores, or restaurant chain no longer in business after your gift cards are purchased? You lost money for sure, and would it be an embarrassment if your friend arrived there, and that card no longer redeemable? So, watch out that rip - off from those stores.
1 person likes this
3 responses
@rosepedal64 (4188)
• United States
18 Sep 09
Hi clorissa...Wow that would be horrible..I had never thought of that before. I think now that you brought it to my attention I will stay with a store that I know will be around for while. You know like the famous Wal-Mart...Great information and you have a nice day...
@clorissa123 (4926)
• United States
19 Sep 09
Well, that is what I am talking about, because you won't know when the store gonna closed, and you might waste your money in purchase those gift cards. I wonder what gonna happen if you already purchase those gift cards and the store not gonna be around.
@rosepedal64 (4188)
• United States
19 Sep 09
I wonder that too. I wonder if the store closes if you could get ahold of the main office and see if there is a refund policy..Still in the long run look at he hassle that comes from it. I'll just stick with the more popular ones..You have a good day...Keep smiling
@suspenseful (40192)
• Canada
19 Sep 09
I just got a gift card from Best Buy. They used to be redeemable no matter how long, now it seems that the e cards are only redeemable up to the beginning of December and only on what is in the store. So if you are intending, as I do, to save it to get either a Macbook Pro or an iPOD, IF there is no 17 inch computers in the store or no 1pod classics, and if there is no videos that I like, I am out of luck. And I have a disabled husband so cannot go there any time.
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
18 Sep 09
I was listening to Clark Howard today, but I can't remember if I heard it on audio archive or if it was the live show and he was talking about the same thing. It is so sad that things have come to this. I remember when I was younger I loved getting a gift card as a gift because I felt like it was the most thoughtful thing that a person could do for me. They didn't know what size I wore or what I enjoyed so it was easier to get a gift card.
Now, as so many well known retailers are going out of business, it is definitely becoming the case that cash is king. If you don't know what to give your friend or family member for Christmas, you should just give them cash that they can spend anywhere that they like.
@clorissa123 (4926)
• United States
19 Sep 09
Definitely cash is the king. I could do better with the cash on hand, and I can buy whatever I wish for. But for gift cards, unless you know the stores gonna be around for the next decades or so, otherwise, a close - out business won't be a good sign for purchasing a gift card, they won't honor it.
