GIFT CARD

A new law in Calif mandates retailers give cash change when requested
if the amount if less than, think its $10.

Dear Valued Customer,

"Thank you for contacting us about Borders.

Unfortunately, the e-mail we received from you was blank. We want to
respond to your request for assistance, so please take a few moments
to resend your e-mail or restate your request. We apologize for any
inconvenience this may cause."

PLEASE REFUND ME $2.61 CENTS BECAUSE I DO NOT WANT AT THIS TIME TO
PURCHASE ANYTHING ELSE UNDERSTAND? I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO BUY SOMETHING
MORE IN ORDER TO GET THE $2.61 CREDIT PERIOD.

Borders here is the contact information refund the 2.61 and stop
avoiding the issue.

So they're following the terms and conditions stated right on the back
of the gift card in order to benefit their company???
AND they expect you to not send them a blank email in order to
understand your issue so that they can resolve your problem???
Keep me away from Borders!! How crazy!!
All joking aside, reread your letter. Your tone and expectations are
unrealistic. Their registers might not even have the capability to
refund you in cash when they show that you used a gift card. It's
$2.61. Not to sound like that's disposable, but a lot of people have
that much money between their couch cushions and on the bottom of
their purse. Volunteer for a cause like helping world hunger and gain
some perspective on the important things in life. This is not it.

It states on the back of the gift card that it is not returnable or
redeemable for cash except where required by law. Someone else
mentioned Visa gift cards. The problem with those is that unless you
use it all within a matter of months (I think about six) the balance
starts losing money due to fees. A coworker had one for $50 and didn't
try to use it for almost a year after he received it. He was very
surprised to find out the balance was about $35 by then.

Why can't you use it towards your next purchase?

Someone gave you this GIFT card because they thought you like books,
or CDs, or movies. I don't know a single person who doesn't like any
of those things. Why can't you just hold on to the money and use it
next time you buy a book, CD or movie?

I don't mind saving the card and using it up, but that said sometimes
it is a Pain.

I had a Shell Gift Card. The third time I filled up at the pump it
left 55 cents on the card.

The next time I stopped at Shell I scanned the card to use it up. The
pump showed a message that said see attendant. I went inside (even
had the last receipt showing the balance), and she scans card and says
it is no good. I said not true! It has a 55 cents on it. She said
NO.

I go home and call Shell using the 1800 number on back of card for
balance checks and hear I have a balance of zero dollars and 55
cents.

I pressed buttons until I got a CS on the line. He said yes you have
55 cents....but you need to transfer it to another gift card from
Shell. I said I don't have another Gift Card. He said the system
blocks out charges below 2.00 dollars on Gift Cards. I said so
basically you are telling me you are stealing .55 cents. Anyway he
said go inside next time and tell the clerk you have 55 cents. I did
and it worked. Still not sure he didn't just say that to start with.

It was just a hassle!

What you say is true, and common knowledge. Bookstore prices are
high, and some customers won't redeem their cards or the full amount
on them. Does this benefit the store? Of course!

But this is known to the people who buy the card. You are aiming your
venom in the wrong direction. The terms of the card are known by the
purchaser when it is bought. This is neither Borders fault or
concern. You obviously have an attitude about Borders, so you should
be upset with the purchaser for giving you the thoughtful gift that
they chose. But that really wouldn't be appropriate, would it?

When you say "your choice your money," in this case that comment is
for the purchaser, not you. The purchaser had the choice. You were
not given money, you were given store credit. There is a big
difference.

"Your gift cards are designed only for the benefit of Borders."

Wow, really? I learn something new on the Internets everyday!

I understand your point, but it is most likely outlined in the "Terms
and Conditions" on the rear of the card.

I am also with you regarding store gift cards. It would make sense to
stop buying them in these economic times.

If one is so inclined to give you a gift card, request a Visa Gift
Card that many banks/credit unions/ financial institutions issue.
While there is a nominal fee to purchase it, they are accepted
wherever Visa credit cards are accepted, and are governed by Visa
policies. Other companies have these cards too, but Visa is the
primary provider of such service and they are available pretty much
anywhere.

Yes, gift cards ARE designed for the benefit of the retailer (and less
so, the convenience of the consumer). The whole point of a retailer's
gift card is to keep money in their store.

And that's why, in my experience, most retailers will NOT refund you
the remaining balance on a card (or refund the card at all). It's not
in their best interest to give you money back to spend somewhere
else.

I agree with you about purchasing gift cards as gifts, though. My
grandarents always ask for a gift card to a local restaurant. As
usual, that's what they got this year, and after 86 years in business,
this restaurant went out of business. With so many companies going
belly up, it's just not smart.

Here in Calfornia, if a guest ask to have the cash returned to them
for a gift card issued for your company, you have to give it to them.
Check the laws in your state because the average cashier/counter
person does not know about these laws. We managers have kept it under
wraps so our employees don't advertise it.

Most bookstores now have greeting cards, nice bookmarks, candy,
chocolate, etc. You could have found a way to use the card up. The
terms of store cards are usually pretty clear that you can't get cash
back from them, although some stores do so when the amount is under
$1.

Isn't that the concept of a gift card, that it benefits the retailer?
It isn't like sending cash, that the recipient may use anywhere. The
card itself must cost money.

I'm not a huge user of gift cards, so maybe I'm wrong. It is possible
some states have laws allowing you to get cash back. Good luck.