Christmas shopping warning--they do! At a party I was given a lot of various gift cards, including a $50 American Express card. I decided to tuck it into my wallet for a rainy day. Well it "rained" and guess what. The card had expired. It was only good for 13 months. It's been 15. It had no value. After being informed it expired, I looked closer at the card and it does list an expiration date.
I'll bet the purchaser was not aware it would expired. He paid $50 for it. Since when does money expire? I never thought to look.
Just wanted to warn others.
2007-11-30 04:17:18 · 12 answers · asked by Karrose 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Holidays ➔ Christmas
Over one billion dollars last year was lost to un redeemed cards.Of course for business that was free money but lost to the consumer so all you who keep trouting the gift card should be aware you may not of given a gift after all,if it went unused,or expired.
2007-11-30 19:43:36 · answer #1 · answered by peppersham 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
1
2016-10-21 17:40:32 · answer #2 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Unfortunately you will never see a dime. Always use your cards before they expire. Just think, they did not need to put an expiration on it. Why do it then? So people forget they have a card and get nothing.
2016-04-06 05:32:34 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
That is a rip-off. What a waste of money.
Always check the expiration date on the card and alert the person recieving the gift of when the card expires so that they use it.
2007-11-30 08:40:25 · answer #4 · answered by Silver Moon 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most all gift cards expire and many have monthly maintenance fees too. USE IT OR LOSE IT! Have been several news paper articles lately, this is nothing less then legalized theft.
I have a friend that receives Wal-Mart gift cards from work each month for safety and has been saving them. Contacted Wal-Mart and their policy is NO EXPIREATION DATE or MAINTENANCE FEES, EVER. They will not replace lost, stolen or defaced cards. The dog ate it won't work at Wally world.
State Gift Card Consumer Protection Laws: http://www.consumersunion.org/pub/core_financial_services/003889.html
Start your research here: http://www.google.com/search?q=gift%20card%20expiration%20dates&sourceid=groowe&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8
Make it a great day!
2007-11-30 05:27:58 · answer #5 · answered by Hokiefire 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A lot of gift cards expire, much to the chagrin of consumers everywhere. It really sucks because it's usually in the fine print somewhere and you don't know about it until you go to actually make a purchase.
2007-11-30 04:21:31 · answer #6 · answered by no_um_4_u 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yep, I knew that. The Visa ones also expire. I got one for my baby shower in July.. and in October I happened to be going through my gift cards and noticed I only had 2 weeks left on it!!! I think that is cheap.. they should give longer time.. at least 3 years.
2007-11-30 04:23:57 · answer #7 · answered by Cupid 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There have been a few news stories about this practice. I personally think it's a ripoff. A person should be able to use the card when they want to, not on the schedule of a company.
2007-11-30 04:27:45 · answer #8 · answered by Otto 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I know, I think those things are a rip-off, my friend had one that had a "fee" for when you first used it!! I'd rather have one to a certain store that I know who charge me to use my card!
2007-11-30 04:20:01 · answer #9 · answered by Katy B 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Thanks for the warning. I would call American Express and see if they can do something about it. Chances are they won't but it's worth a shot. Happy Holidays!
2007-11-30 04:20:26 · answer #10 · answered by steeny_2004 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋