Whether you like it or not, you probably received a gift card this holiday, and it should go without saying that it's wasteful if you don't put it to use. Nonetheless, we continue to let gift cards go unused in mass quantities every year. This doesn't have to happen, and there are things you can do to make sure your gift cards are not wasted each year. First, we're going to take a look at your rights as a gift card holder to help you avoid getting screwed (that's right, you actually have rights related to gift cards), and then we'll look at some good options to make sure your gift card is put to good use.
Will your Gift Card Go Unused
Consumer protection laws exist across the whole of the United States and many have specific statutes pertaining to gift cards. For example, the state of California doesn't permit the expiration of gift cards—meaning any expiration date is rendered invalid if issued in California—and you can exchange your gift card for cash if the balance is $10 or less. Massachusetts has a similar law in which you can redeem your gift card for cash once 90% of the value has been spent. California and Massachusetts are both good examples, but most states rate poorly when it comes to consumer protection laws. If you want to know how your state stacks up, ScriptSmart offers a state-by-state gift card law summary that can help you out. The best thing you can do to avoid wasting your gift is know the consumer protections that are in place to help you out. There are several instances in which a gift card will claim to expire because it can in certain states, but your state may not legally allow that. Knowing your rights, in this regard, can keep you from losing the entire value of a gift card that you chose to hold on to for awhile.
Will your Gift Card Go Unused
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