Holiday Gift Cards Beware

[mmckee1952]

FYI - I came across this yesterday evening....

Wanted to give everyone a heads up that if you tend to give gift cards around the holidays, you need to be careful that the cards may not be honored after the holidays.



Stores that are planning to close after Christmas are still selling the cards through the holidays even though the cards may be worthless January 1.



Below is a partial list of stores that you need to be cautious about for both XMAS and new contracts! Some obviously more than others??.not a pretty sight.



Circuit City (filed Chapter 11)

Ann Taylor 117 stores nationwide closing

Lane Bryant, Fashion Bug ,and Catherine's to close 150 stores nationwide

Eddie Bauer to close stores 27 stores and more after January

Cache will close all stores

Talbots closing down specialty stores

J. Jill closing all stores (owned by Talbots) Pacific Sunwear (also owned by Talbots)

GAP closing 85 stores

Footlocker closing 140 stores more to close after January

Wickes Furniture closing down

Levitz closing down remaining stores

Bombay closing remaining stores

Zales closing down 82 stores and 105 after January

Whitehall closing all stores

Piercing Pagoda closing all stores

Disney closing 98 stores and will close more after January.

Home Depot closing 15 stores

Macys to close 9 stores after January

Linens and Things closing all stores

Movie Galley Closing all stores

Pep Boys Closing 33 stores

JC Penney closing a number of stores after January

Ethan Allen closing down 12 stores.

Wilson Leather closing down all stores

Sharper Image closing down all stores

K B Toys closing 356 stores

Loews to close down some stores

Dillard's to close some stores

Shoe Pavillion closing all stores

Mervyns closing all stores

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by mmckee1952

FYI - I came across this yesterday evening....

... Stores that are planning to close after Christmas are still selling the cards through the holidays even though the cards may be worthless January 1...

Thanks for the heads up - my daughter got caught in a similar (health club membership) scam years ago.
Where did you come across this listing, and how reliable is the information?
This is a question, not a criticism.

[dacust]

Originally Posted by GordMay

Thanks for the heads up - my daughter got caught in a similar (health club membership) scam years ago.
Where did you come across this listing, and how reliable is the information?
This is a question, not a criticism.

For one, Home Depot does not issue any store-specific gift cards that I am aware of. Theirs should be able to be redeemed at any location.

Of course, they could be on the list in case you have one Home Depot close to your home that is closing, and the next nearest is 200 miles away.

However, I am always leery of any warning that doesn't include reference links. So, I'm not going to take it as gospel, but as a general warning, it's a good post. Something to keep in mind when getting gift cards. The Visa/MasterCard gift cards might be a little safer, and it gives more freedom to the recipient.

Something to think about. Thanks, mmckee.

-dan

[Ex-Calif]

This is interesting information but is it about sailing?

[Stillraining]

What bothers me just as much is most have an expiration date...Iv never figured that out...hate the things for that reason alone.

[Stranded Mariner]

Originally Posted by Ex-Calif

This is interesting information but is it about sailing?

Guess that's why it is in the 'Off topic' section

[shadow]

Thanks for the list and WOW, funny and odd to see those stores closing!!

[BlueWaterSail]

Originally Posted by GordMay

Thanks for the heads up - my daughter got caught in a similar (health club membership) scam years ago.
Where did you come across this listing, and how reliable is the information?
This is a question, not a criticism.

Yes, this question needs to be answered before any more scaremongering occurs.

BWS

[Ex-Calif]

Originally Posted by Stranded Mariner

Guess that's why it is in the 'Off topic' section

"
Off Topic Forum (9 Viewing)
This forum is for stories, jokes & other general topics. Off Topic content should still remain loosely related to boating."

BluewaterSail is right. I am going to close this thread.

If mmckee1952 sends me the source point via PM I will reopen it.

Dan

{late edit} Thanks to member "skatastrophy" for sending this link to an article in Chicago's Sun Times. It appears that the notice above is partially a hoax.

This thread will remain closed.

'Don't buy gift cards' false rumor spreads :: CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: Nation