Why is there so much contraversy about gift card fees?

Question

I just read an article that kmart and the company that owns the Olive Garden are in trouble with the FTC for charging gift card recipients dormancy fees after 24 months of non-use. I just wonder why so many people "sit" on their gift cards? I usually use mine within a few weeks of getting them. I think two years is plenty of time to use the gift card. Even if I get a gift card at a store that I do not usually shop at, I still use it. It is free money!!! I mean, how long do people expect the gift cards to be valid? An eternity? What do you think?

Answer 1

Because people are idiots and they like to whine about everything.

Answer 2

The controversy is that the gift cards are in a sense "money", and they are charging a fee for you not spending the money. The big deal is, they've already gotten paid, and they're asking for more money because you've opted not to use it in a certain time frame, basically bringing down the value of a dollar. If u were to give somebody cash and they put it in a savings account, it'd actually earn interest. Gift cards are supposed to be just like money, so charging for non use is ludacris. It's a dirty little scam these retailers are using to make more money, and the FTC is not a fan of scams.

Answer 3

Wow, you're really judgemental. Other people don't have to do things the same way as you. I think if you want to keep a gift card for 2 years and then use it, that's fine. It's only 600 days. I know that some people don't go 2 days without buying something, but some of us are very busy and don't shop much.

I do things a certain way but I don't expect you to change your life to match mine. What a boring world that would be. Maybe less shopping and more time learning to spell words like "controversy"?

Answer 4

yeah I agree with you, even if people lose them, they should still be able to find them within the 24 months.