I got gift certificates for Xmas from Grandma (in 1984)...still haven't used them...

formerrepuke

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Tue Dec-26-06 01:31 PM
Original message

I got gift certificates for Xmas from Grandma (in 1984)...still haven't used them...

..and could use some advice:

..$20.00 worth, and I feel guilty about not using them. I misplaced them not long after getting them because, well, I was a daft irresponsible kid. Found them again approx 3 years ago. She has long since passed on, and these four $5.00 certicates from SEARS are written out in her own shaky handwriting.

What would you do?

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Rabrrrrrr

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Tue Dec-26-06 01:33 PM
Response to Original message

1. Frame for the memory. They are probably expired.

But, one never knows - if they aren't expired, then either go spend them, or frame them (or one) for a memory of grandma.

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LostinVA

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Tue Dec-26-06 02:07 PM
Response to Reply #1

6. GCs aren't allowed to have expiration dates

Even if they have them, they still must be accepted.

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Lex

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Tue Dec-26-06 02:14 PM
Response to Reply #6

7. Lots of Gift Certificates have expiration dates.

If they have them, they usually print the expiration on the GC somewhere.

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LostinVA

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Tue Dec-26-06 02:35 PM
Response to Reply #7

9. They may have them, but they can't be enforced

I managed a big box retail bookstore, and unless the laws have been cha nged in the last ten years, all fifty states had laws that GCs couldn't expire, since they were an exchange for cash. There's apparently a new loophole with some of the gift cards, but that's not legally an expiration date.

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Lex

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Tue Dec-26-06 02:56 PM
Response to Reply #9

10. Looks like it is a state by state thing

http://www.nolo.com/article.cfm/catId/498F840B-0B7B-4A9A-AE102EC156E16660/objectId/01B5946E-85B3-477F-A002E3136220A38B/104/284/164/QNA/

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LeftyMom

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Tue Dec-26-06 01:35 PM
Response to Original message

2. Put them away.

There's nothing you can get for $20 at Sears you'll cherish for life, but a reminder of a lost relative is precious.

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Radio_Lady

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Tue Dec-26-06 01:38 PM
Response to Original message

3. Don't worry about it, whatever you do. You could get something at Sears that might remind you of

her -- add in some of your money. How about an inexpensive watch? They can be on clearance after Xmas. Just go to Customer Service to be sure the certificates are good.

Or keep them, but you already feel guilty about not using them...

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formerrepuke

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Tue Dec-26-06 01:47 PM
Response to Original message

4. ...thanks for the responses..these are some things to consider...n/t

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LostinVA

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Tue Dec-26-06 02:06 PM
Response to Original message

5. GCs are considered the same as cash -- go use them

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Lex

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Tue Dec-26-06 02:19 PM
Response to Original message

8. Good articles here about expiring Gift Certs and other rules

Edited on Tue Dec-26-06 02:22 PM by Lex

http://world.std.com/~swmcd/steven/stories/gift.html

and

http://www.bankrate.com/brm/news/cc/20061120_gift_card_study_a1.asp

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begin_within

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Tue Dec-26-06 03:01 PM
Response to Original message

11. California has a law that gift certificates can never expire. But those may have more sentimental

value than actual market value, nowadays.

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BOSSHOG

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Tue Dec-26-06 03:02 PM
Response to Original message

12. FRAME THEM

maybe with a picture of your Grandma. Much more valuable that way then cashing them in. A family heirloom you can pass on. My grandfather gave me some war stamps (.25 apiece) back in the early 60's. I'll never part with them.

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