Old Gift Certificate

[goalie000]

I just found a Gift Certificate in an old card. It is for Coles Book Stores or Smith Books. It was purchased in 1998 and I can't find an expiry date on it. Two Questions, Are Coles or Smith Books still in business? and would the certificate still be Good since there's no expiry date. Any thoughts.

 

[biog]

Don't know if they'd still be valid, but Coles and Smiths are still around. Check the shopping centres. I know they're in Markville, Scarb. Town and Fairview to name a few.

I just found a Gift Certificate in an old card. It is for Coles Book Stores or Smith Books. It was purchased in 1998 and I can't find an expiry date on it. Two Questions, Are Coles or Smith Books still in business? and would the certificate still be Good since there's no expiry date. Any thoughts.

 

[Keebler Elf]

This just happens to be quite the relevant topic.

The Ontario government just passed legislation on the issue of gift cards. I can't remember the details, but something to the effect of the card either must have no expiry or you must be able to get your money back if it has expired.

Maybe google it. If the store itself is no longer in business, I think you're shit out of luck.

 

[1HandInMyPocket]

actually Keebler he said gift certificate, not gift card. I believe that law says that they can not deduct a fee from a gift card. Usually companies will deduct a $1 fee a month if there is no activity on the card after 1-2 years. Gift certificates may be different issue altogether.

goaliee, check your gift certificate again if it says anything to the effect of "Coles has the right the cancel this promotion at any time.... etc". If it doesn't I think it may still be valid. Gift certificates can be see as no different than Canadian Tire money.

 

[MuffDiver]

My experience when dealing with corporations is ask yourself "Does what you want benefit you or the corporation?" If it benefits you, you are likely screwed or will have to jump through so many hoops that it is not worth your while.

 

[tboy]

This just happens to be quite the relevant topic.

The Ontario government just passed legislation on the issue of gift cards. I can't remember the details, but something to the effect of the card either must have no expiry or you must be able to get your money back if it has expired.

Maybe google it. If the store itself is no longer in business, I think you're shit out of luck.

That's one thing I always wondered about: How gift cards/certificates with expiry dates are such a cash cow for companies. I mean, I don't know how many times I've received a gift certificate and never used it. If I do it imagine just how many millions the company rakes in for doing nothing but packaging up a piece of paper or pastic card with a mag strip?