California Law, and Gift Certificate Expiration Dates and redemption

[RushWilliams]

noxxic stated :

<< Hmm... Shouldn't "gift cards" be the same? I have one of these from Circuit City, completely forgot about it and when I tried to redeem it I was told it expired. I'm in CA also... Anyone know of a page I could show them? >>



I believe so. I had a Blockbuster $5 gift card that expired in Dec 2000 while I lived in NC. On the back, it stated the expiration date and excluded several states (CA bing one of them). Since I knew at the time that I was moving to CA, I kept the gift card and used it this past June. I've recently gotten a new Blockbuster $5 gift card (my wife gets them as part of some internet points program) and the back of it just states "Expiration date void where prohibited by law".

I would think the same would apply for phone cards, and other giftcards.

 

[BruinBill]

thanx for the heads up .. BUMP ^^

 

[riznick]

Gift cards follow under this rule as long as something in value was exchanged for them.

The same rule applies for gift certificates. If they were given as compensation for something
then value has been given to them. (the compensation). If any value was exchanged for the
gift certificate, then it cant expire, and you can exchange it for cold cash.

A coupon labeled as a gift certificate can expire as long as it has the expiration date in 10 point
font on the front. If nobody put any value into the gift certificate, then it really isnt a gift cert, is
it? Companies should be smart enough not to label coupons gift certificates, just because this
sort of questioning can come about from it.

 

[Kingofcomputer]

is it only applied to gift cert. bought by someone given to you?

 

[dc]

hm, i bought a cdnow $25 for 12.50 long ago. expired in 2000. time to harrass them.

 

[clstrfbc]

Good info,

I migrated to Cali and did not know that either, very good stuff.

 

[riznick]

<< hm, i bought a cdnow $25 for 12.50 long ago. expired in 2000. time to harrass them. >>



DC:
Let us know what you get from it... I hope you get at least the $12.50 you put into it back.
Fight on!!

 

[LoverBoyJ]

<< Hmm... Shouldn't "gift cards" be the same? I have one of these from Circuit City, completely forgot about it and when I tried to redeem it I was told it expired. I'm in CA also... Anyone know of a page I could show them? >>




This is really good info, but where can we find that law?? (Never mind I saw it)

It would be a good idea also to know what "Civil Code" to get back at those old GC's, one more thing, does anyone know what year was this implemented??

 

[labooboo]

That's good to know.

 

[Jingoro]

Has anyone successfully got a new Gift Certificate from Amazon? I had a $25 Amazon GC from that Ofoto deal... totally forgot to use it

 

[kweepa]

so if I have a GC from amazon I have to ask them for another one? or the one I have will work?

kweepa

 

[emaij]

damn i live in cali and i've probably let a few hundred dollars slide over the years.

Anyway, how would this apply to webcertificates *ssholes who started taking money out of my account 10 months ago because I hadn't been active enough? Can I demand the $$ back? They have almost completely depleted my $.

 

[masterxfob]

hey, schweeet! my uncle gave me a gc for a custom tailored suit several years back which i never used. if the place is still in business, i'm heading over there!

 

[Kriegsmarine]

<< hey, schweeet! my uncle gave me a gc for a custom tailored suit several years back which i never used. if the place is still in business, i'm heading over there! >>



Well, if your uncle purchased the gc before January 1, 1997 then you are SOL...

 

[seatidex]

I heard someone said MA has similar law. Please confirm. Thanks.

 

[DDCSpeed]

arg.......i deleted my gift certificate. BUT I WILL KNOW NOW.

THANK Q very much.

 

[riznick]

In New Hampshire, it is unlawful to:

XIII. Selling gift certificates having a face value of less than $100 to purchasers which contain expiration dates. Gift certificates having a face value of $100 or more shall expire when escheated to the state as abandoned property pursuant to RSA 471-C. This paragraph shall not apply to gift certificates for which monetary consideration is not given or that are distributed to a consumer for promotional purposes. Nor shall this paragraph apply to season passes or coupons that are nonrefundable and nonredeemable.

According to:
CHAPTER 358-A
REGULATION OF BUSINESS PRACTICES FOR CONSUMER PROTECTION
Section 358-A:2