http://finance.yahoo.com/banking-budgeti...-Lose-Them

Quote:Your card may end up as a gift to the state. More states are treating unused gift cards as "abandoned property" as a way of shore up their own finances. Gift cards that aren't used after a certain period can be claimed by the state as abandoned property in as little time as a few years. When this happens, the state requires the retailer turn over the gift card amount to the state, which returns the abandoned money to the rightful owner. Of course, since there is no name attached to the purchase of gift cards, this is, in reality, impossible to do. When the money is not claimed, the money goes to the state treasury.

Starbucks allows their card holder to register their cards online. If they are lost or stolen, Starbucks will replace them.

California law requires that gift cards never expire, but you have to wonder how long a company will carry an open card on its books.

(01-02-2009 09:12 PM)smn1256 Wrote:  California law requires that gift cards never expire, but you have to wonder how long a company will carry an open card on its books.

Then either they shouldn't sell them...or a company should be required to refund them for cash.

A gift card is inherently beneficial to the company...I have no problem with that. But, when they take it to an extreme that hurts the consumer, they need to be reined in.