Failed Giftcard

[Sunsetsky]

So, my in-laws are in town this weekend for the baptism of my daughter tonight. I haven't had a haircut for quite a while and I figured that since I had a giftcard for Cost Cutters, I'd get my hair cut so I would look decent for tonight. I had used the card before and I decided to double check to see how much left on the card and saw there was plenty for a cut and a good tip. The women there were nice and the one did a good job, but when it came time to pay, my gift card wouldn't work. We tried several times and one of the women told me that Cost Cutters didn't use the type of card I had anymore and they have been out of use for three years. I got the card in November and I know for a fact that the people it was received from didn't hold onto it for three years before sending it. I ended up having to pay out of pocket for it and I'm irritated because I wouldn't have gone to get my hair cut if I had known the card wouldn't work. I'm on maternity leave for another three weeks, so we're watching what we spend since my husband is the only one working right now. I am going to call the company and tell them, but I am tempted to ask for a free cut or something especially if the card is useless.

[sms001]

arrg! Hate unexpected costs, no matter the reason.

How did you "double check" the card? I think if it is good, I'd probably ask for the cash if possible as restitution, and they can take it off the card.

[An Haddock]

Can you look it up on their web site? Many stores that offer gift cards have a web page where you punch in the code on the back and it gives you the balance.

[Sunsetsky]

I had checked the card balance on the website that was printed on the back on the card before I went in and there was plenty still left on the card. I'm just confused as to why there is still a store selling these cards if they are supposedly not in use anymore.

[An Haddock]

I had checked the card balance on the website that was printed on the back on the card before I went in and there was plenty still left on the card. I'm just confused as to why there is still a store selling these cards if they are supposedly not in use anymore.

BAIT AND SWITCH!!!eleventy!!

[Sunsetsky]

BAIT AND SWITCH!!!eleventy!!

It seems like it!

I just sent them a message about it. I was polite, but notably annoyed.

[Dreamstalker]

The same thing happened to me a few years ago; I had been sent a gift card for a computer store, and in the time I got it and decided to use it the store had changed their systems. Not only did they no longer accept that type of card (card looked identical to the ones they had on the rack), the system to check balances had also changed and it wouldn't accept the 'old' cards at all.

The person who gave it to me didn't have the activation receipt so couldn't tell me what was on it; if I had the receipt I probably could have gotten it honored.

[ADeMartino]

All this is why I have a deep-seeded mistrust of gift cards. Buying one involves an incredible amount of trust, if you think about it. Even the Visa and MasterCard gift cards are risky, in my opinion. I got a $50 Visa gift card as a 'holiday bonus' for Christmas in 2012, used it to buy $20 worth of gas.... and then couldn't use the card again for like six weeks - which pissed me off thoroughly, I can tell you. Nowadays, if I get a gift card, I use it immediately and make damned sure I use up the ENTIRE balance when I do.

[Ironclad Alibi]

Nowadays, if I get a gift card, I use it immediately and make damned sure I use up the ENTIRE balance when I do.

I do the same. I prefer to get a present rather than a gift card. I don't like giving them, but sometimes have no other option.

[Monterey Jack]

The person who gave it to me didn't have the activation receipt so couldn't tell me what was on it; if I had the receipt I probably could have gotten it honored.

This is why I advise every customer buying a gift card at work to hold onto the receipt, otherwise they'll be shit out of luck because we cannot accept returns on gift cards without them. They should probably be included when giving said cards to another person...it's not like they won't know what you spent on them (which is usually why you see customers peeling price stickers off of merchandise before they even leave the register, especially around the holidays), and it would avoid unnecessary grief later if they don't work.

[Sunsetsky]

I heard back from them today and she is going to look into reimbursing me and then removing the card balance. She said she will contact me again soon.