Deseret News | Gift-card gripes: Cards often have catches that can drain their value

Reader comments
Gift-card gripes: Cards often have catches that can drain their value

Bob G | 5:07 a.m. Dec. 5, 2007

Gift cards should be outlawed as scams and a consumer hazard. Those giving these cards do not care if they are useless, they feel they have done a kind deed. But it's their money they are throwing away, and the receipent is left with nothing but headaches and frustration. Anyone buying these cards are the worst givers and should feel ashamed of themselves for doing so. If condisering a gift card why not just give the person some cash, it is usable anywhere for full value. I have yet to receive a gift card that I have or could use, I never shop the stores they are for and have just ended up in the trash, cut up of course. It's sad that people think they are being generous but they are being generous to the wrong recipient, the card company. Not even the store gets a benefit until the card is used and a purchase made, often for more than the card is worth. The FBI should be raiding these companies for making illegal money in the form of plastic. Only the US Mint can make our money and none of these come from the US Mint.

Harmons and Smith | 7:58 a.m. Dec. 5, 2007

Who does your Math? Your Sports reporters?

12 months surcharge a $2 per month is only $24, not $48.

Easy mistake to make for the Deseret News who is more interested in making the story "drama" rather than factual.

Kent | 8:47 a.m. Dec. 5, 2007

Great story. I've been on both the receiving and giving end of many gift cards over the past few years and my experience has generally been very positive. However, I recently used a gas station gift card that was about a year and half old only to find that most of the value was gone. My brother had purchased it in Utah for a brand of gasoline we don't have in the state where I live, so I had a hard time ever finding an opportunity to use it. I had never noticed the fine print (too small for me to read it without my reading glasses) that told about the non-usage fees. Until then, I wasn't aware that such fees even existed. I wish I had seen an article like this one a couple of years ago. I'm still a gift card fan, but I'll be much more careful in the future.

Comments continue below

dbf | 9:47 a.m. Dec. 5, 2007

Bob, you need to chill. And acutally the store gets paid up front for the card so if you don't use it they get the gift not you.

No More | 10:18 a.m. Dec. 5, 2007

After reading this and seeing a spot about this on the 10 o'clock news I have decided to stop giving gift cards and just give cash or a check. Gift cards are nice, because it gives the recipient an idea of how to spend the money. However, I say just put a note with your money saying "Take a night out to dinner with this gift". Rather then getting them a gift card to a specific restaurant that they may not like anyway.

better idea | 10:37 a.m. Dec. 5, 2007

Send your loved ones cold hard cash in those obvious money-sized envelopes and clearly label them saying, "CASH--DO NOT BEND."

Please. Gift cards are convenient as well as practical. And anyone not using a gift card within 12 months probably really doesn't care or is ungrateful to receive one. Go figure.

Catherine | 11:58 a.m. Dec. 5, 2007

What a scam. I guess any company that we buy gift cards from can't just be happy with their $30 profit if Aunt Mable didn't use her $30 gift card. They've got to slap more ridiculous fees on top of that. What a racket.

I agree | 12:04 p.m. Dec. 5, 2007

with "better idea". Gift cards are great! I love getting them and love using them and I always use them soon after receiving so I never lose out on the full amount!

Guaglione | 2:53 p.m. Dec. 5, 2007

Wow, Bob G,you've never figured out how to use a gift card? I feel sorry for you. Really.

The problem with giving cash is in most cases it just ends up being used for paying bills or other such things. With a gift card you can encourage people to do something fun, even try something new. I would much rather get a gift card than cash--cash is just tacky (a check even more so). Even if the gift card is only usable at a place you've never been, why not go try it out rather than throw money in the garbage (cut up, of course).

Just because there are people who don't understand what gift cards are or how to use them or are too busy to put on their reading glasses doesn't mean that gift cards are evil; maybe they're not for everyone, but they definitely serve a purpose.

UTWoodsman | 4:24 p.m. Dec. 5, 2007

Gift cards have their place, but from the issuers' viewpoint are just a another iteration in a sizable portfolio of highly profitable financial incentives and tools: rebates, traveler's checks, frequent flyer miles, reward/loyalty programs and extended warranties. An estimated 40%-60% of all rebates are never redeemed. Traveler's checks are a little better, but all these programs are built on the tried and true fact that consumers are disorganized, lazy or forgetful enough to leave a lot of this "pseudo money" lying on the table (or in the issuers'/retailers' bank accounts).
A file folder where you put all your yet-to-redeemed gift certificates/cards, traveler's checks, rebates, etc, and which you look at once every couple of weeks, goes a long ways toward reaping all the financial benefits you've earned. Unfortunately, if we all did that, these perks would quickly go away, so, on second thought, forget everything I said!

Craig | 4:31 p.m. Dec. 5, 2007

Larry H. Miller gift cards loose value over time. My wife and I decided to go and see a movie and when I presented the card the teller said that they have lost most of their value due to being 11 months old. The guy you know?

Daniel | 4:40 p.m. Dec. 5, 2007

Don't have this problem in California, the law says the amount can't expire. Now we just need to get another law that says they can be exchanged for cash...

Anonymous | 7:35 p.m. Dec. 5, 2007

So I guess all those who get gift cards for Christmas better go shopping in Jan!!

(note to self: use that gift card sis gave me for my birthday 2 months ago ASAP!!)

Vern | 9:49 p.m. Dec. 5, 2007

My sister in Vegas used to send us gift cards every year for Christmas. We waited just too long and had no idea that Chili's gift cards died at the rate of two bucks a month after one year. The five dollar ones faded to zero mui quick. Kinda frustrating.

Samantha | 8:44 a.m. Dec. 9, 2007

I make my own gift card put my favorite seeds for the TickleMe Plant into a card and mail it. These plants move when you tickle them and are something that changes the way you look at plants for life.

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