Gift Card for store that closed

[dahrjo]

My DB bought my parents a $25 gift card to a local restaurant about a week before Christmas. I drove by the place last week and it was all closed up with for lease signs!!!

No one answers the phone of course. There is not another location.

Are they just out of luck?

We just didn't think it was fair that they let him buy it one week and closed the next.

 

[surfgirl]

you are an unsecured creditor. just chalk it up to lesson learned... that's the peril of gift cards. (and why I was so leery of many of those great deals this year).

 

[eclairemom]

yup your out of luck. Sad fact is the employee's who sold it the week before Christmas probally didn't have any idea they were closing either.

 

[disneyfreakk]

The only thing I can think of is if she purchased the gift card with a credit card (or even debit card) I would call and try to dispute the charges through her bank.

Disputing rights is the one of the main reasons I buy everything with a credit card.

 

[daisyduck123]

I have been afraid of things happening like that lately & was leery of giving gift cards this past Xmas....so I stuck mostly with giving cash, except for Starbucks gift card that we gave to DD14's teachers.

 

[dahrjo]

I will check and see how he paid for it. Maybe he used a credit card and we can try that. I have a feeling he may have used cash, though.

We didn't have any idea it was even thinking of closing, we were very surprised!

 

[snowgooseltd]

This year, with all the rumors of closings, we purchased AX gift certificates for everyone on our list. That way they can use the whole card or part of it anywhere that accepts AX. Because we're card holders, there was an offer, in late fall, for no fees and they even imprinted the person's name on the gift card for free. It was perfect! I was finished with my shopping in October and they were delivered to my house. I didn't even have to go out. Not quite the same feeling as the buzz you get with Christmas shopping but certainly easier and safer.

 

[ryanshana]

yup your out of luck. Sad fact is the employee's who sold it the week before Christmas probally didn't have any idea they were closing either.

Or even worst the employee did know about it and didn't care to say anything

 

[a1tinkfans]

The only thing I can think of is if she purchased the gift card with a credit card (or even debit card) I would call and try to dispute the charges through her bank.

Disputing rights is the one of the main reasons I buy everything with a credit card.

I agree, worth a call!

 

[NMW]

Even though I had not heard anything about the stores closing, we used our gift cards right away. My kids got large amount Hollister and Abercrombie gift cards from my parents and in-laws. We used them the day after Christmas. The crowds were bad but, there was still lots of merchandise left and lots of in store sales too. Both boys literally had 4 large, jam packed shopping bags each. My friend went a few days ago and most of the sale items were gone. I think it was worth the crowds.

I do have a Macys card (a gift for me) that I have not used yet and I plan to get on that since I have heard about the Macy store closings.

 

[Jsme]

Even though I had not heard anything about the stores closing, we used our gift cards right away. My kids got large amount Hollister and Abercrombie gift cards from my parents and in-laws. We used them the day after Christmas. The crowds were bad but, there was still lots of merchandise left and lots of in store sales too. Both boys literally had 4 large, jam packed shopping bags each. My friend went a few days ago and most of the sale items were gone. I think it was worth the crowds.

I do have a Macys card (a gift for me) that I have not used yet and I plan to get on that since I have heard about the Macy store closings.

Wow as expensive as those 2 stores are they must have had a huge amount on their cards. We went in ours on the same day you did your shopping and my kids said they were not wasting their money in there. Wish we had better sales here.

 

[ntink]

The only thing I can think of is if she purchased the gift card with a credit card (or even debit card) I would call and try to dispute the charges through her bank.

Disputing rights is the one of the main reasons I buy everything with a credit card.

I second this. We bought DH's parents a restaurant GC, the restaurant was well established but closed up overnight and I disputed it with my CC and they said they would try to recover the $ but took the charge off for me.

 

[hoosiergirl7]

I do have a Macys card (a gift for me) that I have not used yet and I plan to get on that since I have heard about the Macy store closings.

There are 11 stores closing and 2 of them are in the state you're in.

Here's the list for those who want to know:

Los Angeles, CA
Colorado Springs, CO
Westminster, CO
West Palm Beach, FL
Island of Hawaii
Indianapolis, IN
Brooklyn Center, MN
St Louis, MO
Natrona Heights, PA
West Mifflin, PA
Nashville, TN

The problem for department stores is that malls are becoming a thing of the past. I avoid them if I can and prefer to shop at places where I can run in and run out without having to schlep through the mall. The big trend is kind of going back to the individual stores set up similar to a downtown setting where you go from one to the other on the outside. It also allows you to park go into one store with ease and then leave.

As to a suggestion for the OP - I agree if DH payed for it with a credit card then dispute it. Also, I would replace the $25 gift card with another one. You don't want to leave them giftless.

 

[horseshowmom]

The only thing I can think of is if she purchased the gift card with a credit card (or even debit card) I would call and try to dispute the charges through her bank.

Disputing rights is the one of the main reasons I buy everything with a credit card.

Me too, and it has definitely come in handy in the past!

I have been afraid of things happening like that lately & was leery of giving gift cards this past Xmas....so I stuck mostly with giving cash, except for Starbucks gift card that we gave to DD14's teachers.

Same with me. The only gift card I gave this Christmas was for Wal-Mart (and that was just the one).

The problem for department stores is that malls are becoming a thing of the past. I avoid them if I can and prefer to shop at places where I can run in and run out without having to schlep through the mall. The big trend is kind of going back to the individual stores set up similar to a downtown setting where you go from one to the other on the outside. It also allows you to park go into one store with ease and then leave.

Me too. Also, it's gotten to the point that on the weekends many malls are full of kids/teens just hanging out and things are very crowded. It's not worth it to me to fight the crowds (and sometimes less than desirable behavior).

 

[JoiseyMom]

Wow as expensive as those 2 stores are they must have had a huge amount on their cards. We went in ours on the same day you did your shopping and my kids said they were not wasting their money in there. Wish we had better sales here.

ITA. We went to the mall the same day. MIL was taking DD12 Chanukah shopping. We had never been inside those stores . OMG...I would never call the clearance at Abercromie sales... DD didn't see anything she liked so we moved on to Hollister. Better I guess..DD got 3 things that cost about 70'ish total. I picked out for her the softest hoodie ever..but I don't think I would have picked it out if I was paying for it .

BTW...how can you shop in store that is very very dark, and very very LOUD!!! I found it very non condusive to browsing. And I love to browse, but if the stores don't make it comfortable..I am not shopping.

We made out really well at Aeropostale. Wow..the sales there were great!! I have been back 2x since LOL. She is done though...she is ready for the winter season. She now has a new favorite store!!

 

[delmar411]

There are 11 stores closing and 2 of them are in the state you're in.

Here's the list for those who want to know:

Los Angeles, CA
Colorado Springs, CO
Westminster, CO
West Palm Beach, FL
Island of Hawaii
Indianapolis, IN
Brooklyn Center, MN
St Louis, MO
Natrona Heights, PA
West Mifflin, PA
Nashville, TN

The problem for department stores is that malls are becoming a thing of the past. I avoid them if I can and prefer to shop at places where I can run in and run out without having to schlep through the mall. The big trend is kind of going back to the individual stores set up similar to a downtown setting where you go from one to the other on the outside. It also allows you to park go into one store with ease and then leave.

As to a suggestion for the OP - I agree if DH payed for it with a credit card then dispute it. Also, I would replace the $25 gift card with another one. You don't want to leave them giftless.

Which Indy location? I have a $50 GC that I've been sitting on so I guess I'd better use it up!

 

[mountdew1]

BTW...how can you shop in store that is very very dark, and very very LOUD!!! I found it very non condusive to browsing. And I love to browse, but if the stores don't make it comfortable..I am not shopping.

It's great for kids. Ever notice how many youngun's listen to their music real loud? Or sit half in the dark on their computer or tv? (The dark also helps to hide flaws in the clothing) They love it! (Gee, this post makes me sound old. : ( )

 

[peyton18]

Which Indy location? I have a $50 GC that I've been sitting on so I guess I'd better use it up!

Lafayette Square mall location