Can you believe it’s December already? The holiday season is upon us and stores are beginning to look cheerful and festive. I always feel a bit overwhelmed going to crowded shopping malls and battling the parking lot warzone. If you are a last minute shopper like me, prepaid purchase cards (aka gift cards) can be a lifesaver for those difficult to buy for people. In fact, a survey done by Maritz Research Canada says that more and more Canadians say they are choosing to purchase gift cards (49% in 2010 over 45% in 2009). They also make great stocking stuffers. How could you go wrong?
Expiry dates – are they allowed?
Keep in mind, gift cards sometimes have restrictions or fees. You will want to make sure the person you are giving the card to is made aware of any terms and conditions that apply. By law, gift cards for a dollar value are not allowed to have expiry dates. However, gift cards bought for a specific good or service are allowed to have expiry dates.
Here’s an example:
- $50 gift card for your mom spend at the spa: expiry date not allowed
- Gift card to the same spa for a manicure: expiry date allowed
For more tips and information about gift cards in BC, visit the consumer help page on our website.
Hope this has been helpful and happy shopping!
ADDITIONAL READING:
What happened to the balance on my gift card?
The gift of gift cards
Good news for consumers: new laws in effect for prepaid cards
We have a client in retail business. They sell and redeem gift cards. Is there a rule for businesses regarding writing off old gift cards that were sold before Nov. 2008 and not redeemed?
Hi Eunice,
Thanks for the question. The gift card legislation does not cover cards sold prior to November 1st 2008. Therefore the answer would be no, there are no “rules” for businesses that regulate writing off old gift cards.
Hope that helps,
Michelle
I purchased a groupon certificate for a 2 night hotel stay in a Victoria Resort and Spa for the stay and massage that has an expiry date of June 20th. We are unable to use the $299 certificate and the supplier says they will not extend the expiry date or refund.
Any thoughts of whether I am being treated fairly?
Hi Dave. Thanks for posting a comment. I’m sorry to say that this is up to the business to set their own policies around this. If your Groupon has expired, the right thing to do was to contact the supplier to see if they could assist you in any way. You could try to contact Groupon itself but it sounds like in this case, it was up to the business to determine whether they wanted to extend the date or provide a refund.
With any coupon like this, we always encourage consumers to check the expiry date and make sure they can use it prior to that date. We know that things happen sometimes though!
we are having the same problem with a whistler package Nita Lake Lodge and they just said there was nothing left and we should of called earlier. first come first served! doesn’t seem like that should be legal. Is it???
Hi Fern, thank you for your comment. Are you referring to a Groupon or a general gift card? You may wish to contact Groupon directly as they may be able to help you. If it wasn’t a Groupon, please give us a call at 1-888-564-9963. We will get more details from you and do our best to help you!
We have a $150 Sears Club Rewards Card that we have just discovered has an Expiry Date in tiny letters on the back. Is having expiry date on this type of card that was “purchased” with points OK?
Thanks.
Hi Kevin,
The restriction of expiry dates on monetary gift cards does not apply to products of a “promotional nature”. Because this is a rewards card that was purchased with points, it would be considered one of a promotional nature and an expiry is allowed. I hope this helps!
Can you please clarify whether the rules regarding gift cards apply to companies such as Groupon, Ethical Deal, etc that offer online coupons for purchase. That is, if a voucher of that sort expires before it is used, is the expiry lawful, and can the buyer obtain a refund of at least the cash value they paid for it?
Thanks.
Hi Margaret,
Thank you for your question. Expiry dates are allowed for gift cards/coupons that are of a promotional nature.
We actually did an interview on this very topic that you can check out here: http://bit.ly/oZW9SO
You may also wish to contact Groupon directly if you have questions of them.
I hope this helps!
I have a convenience card with a local coffee shop that in the past I
have “refilled”. Recently the owner of the shop has decided to sit down
with me and demand I agree with his political views. Finally his
actions have become enough that I have decided to not patronize his
place. I instructed him to stop badgering me and he refused, he has
also refused to refund the balance on my card. Is he required to refund
the card when he has made dealing with him so unpleasant that after
warning him I refuse to patronize his shop. I regard his actions as a
willful attempt to drive me out of his place of business after I had just
refilled the card. Unfortunately the card is only usable in his place
of business.
Hi Norm,
Thanks for your question. This sounds like a very frustrating situation! Unfortunately the situation you have described is not regulated under the gift card laws. To answer your question, no, there are no laws which require the shop owner to refund the balance outstanding on the card.
Hope this helps to clarify things,
Michelle
Hi Michelle,
I have a question about the prepaid portion of a discounted voucher (in my case Groupon and LivingSocial are the companies). In BC law am I still entitled to the prepaid portion of my voucher after it’s expired? One is for a $20 food and drink voucher at a restaurant that I paid $10 for. It’s expired, but can I still use the voucher there and it be worth $10 (what I actually paid for it)?
Thanks,
Ashley
Hi Ashley, thanks for posting. We actually responded to a very similar question above on October 5th. The gift card law in BC doesn’t address this area so there is nothing in the law that says that you are entitled to the portion you paid.
You can call the business to ask them about their policy, and perhaps Groupon or LivingSocial as well.
We always encourage people to think about whether or not they can use the coupon by the expiry date before purchasing it. That may actually be a good future blog post for us!
Thanks,
Tatiana
Hey, my girlfriend bought me some clothes at a West 49 store in the mall and got a $20.00 money card with it. She gave me the card but it said only valid between January 1st-31st 2012. I didn’t realize the expiry date until now. Is this allowed?
Hi Nick, thanks for the question. If your girlfriend received the money card as a “reward” for her purchase, this card may have an expiry date even if it is for a monetary value. Cards that are sold or provided for less than face value are considered promotional and therefore may have expiry dates. Check out our information page about gift cards for more info! Here’s the link: http://bit.ly/dB64yZ.
Hi Michelle,
I’m just wondering if a store credit that was given in place of a refund is allowed to have an expiry date? I can’t figure out if these fall into the category of ‘store policy’ or ‘gift cards & their associated regulations’.
Thanks.
Hi Glenda, great question! Store credits do not fall under the same regulations as gift cards. Store credits may have expiry dates and fall under the business’ policies. Hope that helps!
If I have a small amount of money left on a card (eg $2.50 or even 25 cents) am I able to get that in cash, or am I forced to spend that small amount of money there?
thank you.
Hi Hana, there is no legislation that speaks to the situation you are describing. Therefore the decision on what to do with the remainder of cash is up to store policy. It’s been my experience that I am expected to spend it. Hope this has been useful!
I have two cards valued at $10 for a small local shop. I recently purchased items for a total cost of about $10.90. The clerk told me that I could only use one card per transaction, so I put the balance on my credit card.
To me, non-promotional gift cards are a credit note with the shop, and so they shouldn’t be able to limit how many you can use per transaction – in this case the practice employed seems like an excellent way to bilk me out of another $.90 even though I have more than enough credit at the shop to cover the cost.
Is this practice allowable? I think they should honour all gift cards presented at the time of the transaction, not just one.
Hi Barry, I’ve personally never come across that problem before. This situation is not regulated by legislation and therefore stores do have the right to create their own terms and conditions regarding gift card usage. Thanks for your question!
I have received a gift certificate for a restaurant in BC with an expiry date. It does not specify the type of meal that it can be applied to and it also specifies a dollar value on the certificate. Does this satisfy the “specific good or service” requirement or is this not legal? Thanks!
Hi Raymond, if you got the gift certificate after November 2008 and it has a dollar value attached to it, then it sounds like it should not have an expiry date. Feel free to give us a call at 1-888-564-9963 to confirm that though.
Hi, I purchased a 10 class (all-class) punch card for a yoga studio which expired out before I had a chance to use them all. Is this permitted?
Hi Cee, because the punch cards are for a specific good or service, expiry dates are permitted.
If your situation changes, for example you move >30km away, does a punch pass have to be refunded? In this situation they don’t allow you to transfer the pass so I can’t even try to sell privately or let friends use it.
Hi Lindsay, that’s a great question! I don’t believe that they have to give you a refund in this instance. A punch pass doesn’t really qualify as a continuing service contract (the definition is pretty specific) and that’s where the 30 km rule comes in.
Hi.I have purchase 2 vouchers at theredpocket.com for a dinner set at a restaurant. They are expired. I contacted the Red Pocket to have it resolved. But they said once the vouchers are expired, it has no value and refuse to refund or exchange my paid amount to credits.
However, as stated on their company policies (http://www.theredpocket.com/faqs/topic_detail/4), expired Red Pocket vouchers still have values to it. I purchased the vouchers by having read that before.I believe it is very misleading. I am not sure what I can do now. Your advice is really appreciated.Thanks!
I received a gift card for a local restaurant about 6 months ago, and just learned that they have closed down. I checked locally and they have not declared bankruptcy. Do they have to return the $25 to me that was on the Gift Card? How do I prove the value? Is one of those plastic cards with magnetic strip on it.
Hi Tony, thanks for your question. These vouchers are not considered “gift certificates” therefore they don’t fall under the gift card law in BC. Based on the information you have provided, it sounds like they may not following their own policy. You could try contacting your local Better Business Bureau.
I’m sorry we couldn’t be more helpful.
Hello Bob,
I’m sorry to hear about your situation. I believe that if a restaurant has closed down, you gift card loses its value and you can’t get that money back. Unfortunately, the gift card law doesn’t specifically address this type of situation.
Hello,
I have a $25 Vanilla MasterCard Prepaid.
It was purchased December 23, 2010 in BC, and has an expiry date, actually it says Valid Thru, of 06/14.
I tried to use it today, Sept 11, 2012 and it was declined. I checked online and discovered eleven transactions of a monthly service fee of $2.50 had been deducted from the card!
The outer packaging of the card said that fee would commence in the 7th month from date of activation. I assumed the date of activation meant the date I first used the card. It could have been a gift card of $100 for example and I would perhaps use only a portion of it and carry a remaining balance.
Printed on the packaging also is Expires: 06/14
When I removed the card from its packaging I found a Cardholder Agreement paper inside. It states that the monthly fee of$2.50 would begin in the 7th month from the date of purchase. Interesting semantics re: activation vs date of purchase.
Thank you for the comment Sharon. This is an important thing for consumers to know! We always encourage consumers to read the fine print so they are informed.
Also good to know is that credit card type gift cards/prepaid cards don’t fall under the gift card law in BC so they can have fees and expiry dates.
I have paid for a 20 game golf punch card with over half the games still on the card. Paying for the card equates to one free game of golf. The golf course said that after the card expires at the end of this season, they will not honor the card. What is the ruling on this?
Hello there. Under the gift card law in BC, if it’s for a specific good or service, expiry dates are allowed. Unfortunately, in your case, it sounds like the punch card was for a certain number of golf games so that would fall under the service category. If the card had been for a specific amount of money towards golf games, then the card would not be allowed to expire. You can find more information about the law on our website here: http://www.consumerprotectionbc.ca/consumers-other-businesses-home/how-can-we-help/gift-cards.
Do these laws only apply to the kind of gift card that is plastic with the magnetic strip?
My manager got me a gift card to a local restaurant (a general card for food and/or drinks), which is just a folded paper card listing the amount of the gift, who authorized it, etc. I recently found that it had fallen in-behind my bookshelf, but it is now 2 years past the expiry they wrote on it. They refuse to honour it.
Do the laws still apply to local business gift cards? Or do they only apply to the plastic ones with magnetic strips?
Thanks!
Hey, I bought a gift card before nov 10th 2008, but the expiry date wasn’t until june 2010. Would the card no longer be usable or would it be ok because it didn’t expire until after the law passed?
Hi Fhillip,
If the gift card was purchased before the law came into place, the expiry date applies. This would mean that your card is not longer valid I’m afraid. That being said, you could always ask the business if they are willing to honour it.
Hi Jeremy, sorry for the late reply, I missed your comment. Although there are exceptions to what is covered by he gift card law, it is not limited to magnetic strip gift cards. If the gift certificate is for a specific sum of money and it was purchased after November 1, 2008, there should be no expiry date on it.
I purchased a “couvon” coupon for a one hour massage. One week before it expired I called to make an appointment. I was told they were too busy, and said they would not honour the coupon. I was told I should have called much earlier.
Couvon has a 30 day limit on refunds, so that was not an option. Can you tell me if the coupon retains it’s purchased value under the gift card laws of BC? Thanks, Brett
I purchased a “couvon” coupon for a one hour massage. One week before it expired I called to make an appointment. I was told they were too busy, and said they would not honour the coupon. I was told I should have called much earlier.
Couvon has a 30 day limit on refunds, so that was not an option. Can you tell me if the coupon retains it’s purchased value under the gift card laws of BC? Thanks, Brett
I purchased a “couvon” coupon for a one hour massage. One week before it expired I called to make an appointment. I was told they were too busy, and said they would not honour the coupon. I was told I should have called much earlier.
Couvon has a 30 day limit on refunds, so that was not an option. Can you tell me if the coupon retains it’s purchased value under the gift card laws of BC? Thanks, Brett
I purchased a “couvon” coupon for a one hour massage. One week before it expired I called to make an appointment. I was told they were too busy, and said they would not honour the coupon. I was told I should have called much earlier.
Couvon has a 30 day limit on refunds, so that was not an option. Can you tell me if the coupon retains it’s purchased value under the gift card laws of BC? Thanks, Brett
Hi Brett, thanks for your question and I’m sorry to hear about your experience. I would recommend checking with Couvon to see if they will refund what was paid based on the circumstance or if you can use the amount paid towards a service with the business.
Discounted coupons are exempt from the legislation because you are paying less than the value and can expire. So this means that coupons/daily deals such as Groupon, Couvon, etc. aren’t covered by the gift card law.
Our Golf course has put time and purchase restrictions on gift vouchers that are purchased at the golf course. They say they must be used by Sept 30 of the year purchased and can only be used on nonsale items. They are calling them vouchers instead of gift certificates. The vouchers are purchased at face value. $10 voucher purchased for $10.
Hi Larry,
The gift card law doesn’t speak to what the voucher can be used for (so that relates to your non-sale items issue). However if the voucher is for a dollar value ($10), expiry dates are not allowed. It doesn’t matter what you call them – vouchers, gift certificates, pre-paid purchase cards – the law still applies. To be clear though, if the voucher is for a service (i.e. 5 golf lessons) then expiry dates are allowed.
If you have more questions please contact us at 1-888-564-9963 or info@consumerprotectionbc.ca. But based on the information you have provided, it sounds like they shouldn’t be putting expiry dates on those vouchers.
I bought a beauty package of 10 facials and paid in full with my credit card for $390 plus tax in Aug 2010. The owner told me there was no expiry date. After a while it slipped my mind, and I absolutely forgot my purchase. It is now April 2013 and I called to make an appointment for my facial. The owner said she will accept my facial package because she said there was no expiry date. But then she is demanding that I pay her an extra $40 to compensate for the difference in cost of the facial package now…which is now $430. That doesn’t seem right because she said there were no expiry dates with the facials. The hand written receipt that I still have states nothing about expiry dates or having to cough up the difference if the customer lets it drag for that many years. Is she entitled to the extra money? The owner is constantly demanding the extra cash from me because she says she has the right to deny the package as the no expiry date agreement was all verbal.
Hi Zara,
A package of 10 facials would be permitted to expire under the gift card legislation. The reason for this is that prices do change for the delivery of a specific service. But it sounds like there wasn’t an expiry date put on the package you bought. It’s a difficult situation. It sounds like it may be up to you both to decide on the remainder of the terms at this point. If you have more questions or need clarification, please give us a call at 1-888-564-9963.
If we sell a coupon book for green fees can and will there be a expire date for example 2013 passes or 2012 date on the front of them
Hi Dennis,
If the coupon is for a specific service, such as green fees, yes an expiry date is permitted. It would also be permitted if the coupon is offering green fees at a discounted price. If you have any additional questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
I bought a pre-paid Visa PayPower card. I got a $100.00 card which cost me around $5.00. No issue with that because I get them for my kids if they travel without me.
I registered it so we could just re-load and check balances online. When I went online they’ve chewed up $4.95 in July and $4.95 in August for monthly maintenance fees. I contacted them and demanded they shut this ‘account’ down immediately. I’m cancelling my real Visa because these people are snakes.
Please let the public know about this particular scam. Plus, how do I get the remainder of my balance?
Thanks for any help and just sign me
Stupid idiot that should have known better.
Katrina, first of all you are not an idiot. 🙂 We have often advised consumers to read all the fine print on the backs of these types of cards as there can be many fees. We are also always clear that these types of pre-paid credit cards aren’t captured by BC’s gift card law. I’m sorry you had this experience. It’s my understanding that some of these cards no longer have fees.
I’m afraid that I don’t know of a way to get the remainder of your balance. Did they say anything to you about it when you shut down the “account”?
Thank you for your comment though – it’s a good reminder for us to push out the message again on this issue.
Hi Michelle,
I read above that credit notes can have an expiry date. Is there a minimum amount a time that the credit note must exist before it expires? For example, if I receive a credit note is the company allowed to have it expire 2 weeks later?
Regards,
Kendrianne
Hi Kendrianne, can you tell me a little more about what you mean by a credit note? The law that we are responsible for speaks to gift cards – is this what you mean? With gift cards from a store, if it is for a dollar value (versus a specific type of service), then it can’t expire. There are some exceptions but if you give me a bit more detail, I’ll see how I can help.
Thanks!
Hi Tatiana,
I was specifically referring to credit notes that you receive from companies. For example, if you were to return a sweater after the last return date and they don’t give you the full amount back but give it in the form of a credit note. Do you know if they are allowed to have the credit note expire within 2 weeks for example?
Unfortunately store credits for returns are no covered under the gift card legislation and would be permitted to expire.
Hi Michelle,
My Dad gave me a gift card for Christmas for a store I have always shopped at on Boxing Day, but when I went in there I discovered that they no longer manufacture their own brand (which is a substantial change to the nature of the business). They referred me to their website and told me shop online.
As I have no interest in their other merchandise, and my Dad had no knowledge that they made dramatic changes to their business…is there any possible recourse?
Regards and thanks,
Jim
Hi Jim,
It will be at the discretion of the store whether or not to give a refund for the gift card. My understanding is typically they will not.
I purchased a prepaid bell mobility card for a friend the other day at a Husky gas station. I purchased the topup for 25 dollars and they charged me tax on it. Is that right? I’ve never been charged tax on gift cards or prepaid phone cards before.
Hi Chris. I was able to find the following information from the CRA on how tax and gift cards work.
http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/tx/bsnss/tpcs/gst-tps/gnrl/txbl/cpns/gft-eng.html
Hope this helps.
does there have to be an expiration on a discount coupon from a business? or can the business determine and not accept the coupon that they generated?
Hi Monique, Thanks for your question. No there doesn’t have to be an expiration date — it’s up to the business’s discretion.
I have a question similar to gift cards.
I bought my wife a 20 time pass for a yoga studio. She currently has 10 visits left on the pass. There was no expiry on the purchase.
The studio has been bought and is run by a new owner, and she says she will not honor people’s passes.
Is this legal? I thought if one buys a company they take on both the assets and liabilities?
Hi Will. It will depend on the terms of sale between the old and new owners. As it doesn’t fall under Consumer Protection laws we can’t comment on the legality. You may want to consider filing a complaint with the Better Business Bureau. Feel free to call us!
Shantel, I wonder what makes you say Will’s situation does not fall under consumer protection laws. Section 25 of the Business Practices and Consumer Protection Act entitles a consumer to cancel a contract for continuing services if there is a material change in the services provided by a supplier. Section 25(4)(b) says a material change in the services provided by a supplier occurs (among other things) when “the services are no longer available, or are no longer substantially available as provided in the contract, because of the supplier’s discontinuance of operation or substantial change in operation.”
Isn’t the sale of the studio to a new owner who refuses to honour the contract a “substantial change in operation.” If the studio was bought by a new company, it would also be a discontinuance of operation by the prior supplier.
Can you please comment?
Hi Alison, Thank you for your question. In this situation, the person does not have a membership or contract but simply a punch card for a specific service. If it were a 12 month membership at the studio your interpretation would be correct.
Hi, I would like further information about a funeral voucher my father purchased while he was living in BC. He bought this so his children wouldn’t have to deal with the stress of arranging a funeral. My father now moved to Ontario and is in the process of going into a nursing home so he no longer can use this voucher seeing it is in BC. Unfortunately my brother had passed away in a car accident in BC and services were arranged at the same funeral home. I am kindly asking the Funeral home to refund my father but they are saying the cannot. I don’t see why they cannot? Can you advise me what to do seeing my father is on a fixed income and desperately needs the money?
Hi Nicky — I’m very sorry for your loss. In BC, consumers do have certain rights when it comes to cancelling preneed cemetery or funeral services contracts (here’s some information on our website: http://www.consumerprotectionbc.ca/consumers-cemetery-and-funeral-homepage/consumer-tips/645-cancellation-rights-for-preneed-contracts). Would you be able to give our Inquiry Centre a call (toll free at 1-888-564-9963) so we can get some additional information about your specific situation? Our call centre is open Mondays through Fridays, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. PST.
Just purchased a gift certificate for $200 from hotel/resort and when it arrived it has an expiry date of one year from now. Is this acceptable? I didn’t book a room etc I strictly got a cash value gift certificate to be used at the resort. please advise. thanks!
Hi Pam — thanks for your question! There’s a few circumstances where an expiry date would be allowed under the law. For instance, the gift certificate could expire if you bought it for a discounted rate (for example, say you paid $150 or if you bought it from a Groupon/Dealfind-like service). It could also expire if it’s for a specific good or service (such as one night at the hotel). Please feel free to contact our Inquiry Centre and provide more information if you wanted us to help you assess whether or not it’s allowed to expire. You can reach us at info@consumerprotectionbc.ca or 1-888-564-9963.
Hi, we received a gift card for a restaurant. The restaurant owner decided to close the business (but did not go bankrupt). Are we able to pursue reimbursement for the value of the card from the business or the owner?
Hi Bob — If the business has closed and hasn’t filed for bankruptcy (meaning that you don’t have the option to make a claim with the bankruptcy trustee), you would have to pursue reimbursement through Small Claims Court.
[quote name=”Melaina”]Hi Bob — If the business has closed and hasn’t filed for bankruptcy (meaning that you don’t have the option to make a claim with the bankruptcy trustee), you would have to pursue reimbursement through Small Claims Court.[/quote]
Thanks Melaina. I assume we’d approach the restaurant owner first seeking reimbursement before filing the Small Claims action
Hi Bob — That’s up to you, but it’s important to know that as the business has closed, he may not be under any obligation to provide you with a refund. Cheers, Melaina
Based on every question and reply here, it seems there is one thing consumers in BC should know: this gift card law covers almost nothing (as every situation seems to somehow be an exclusion). Apparently, aside from expiration dates, businesses can pretty much put any other ridiculous conditions they want on a gift card in order to deem it useless to the customer. Doesn’t it make sense that a gift card for a certain dollar amount should be worth that dollar amount at that establishment, pure and simple? If I go in with $10 cash, I can spend it how I like; if I go in with a $10 gift card they get to tell me what I can use it for? WHY? I’ll tell you why – because they already have your money at that point, so they don’t have to be concerned with making you happy, and there’s absolutely nothing we can do about it because all the power is in the hands of the businesses. But rest assured, consumers, that gift card you have can’t expire. You just won’t be able to use it for anything.
Hi Harris — Thanks for your comment.
BC’s gift card is in place to determine what qualifies as a gift card (for example, a Groupon-like coupon is not a gift considered a gift card under the law), information disclosures (to let consumers know, before buying, if there are any limitations to the use of the gift card) and when expiry dates and fees are (and aren’t) allowed. For example, while expiry dates are allowed for gift cards sold for a specific good or service (such as a haircut), expiry dates are NOT allowed for a gift card sold for a general dollar amount (such as $50 at a hair salon). There is more comprehensive information about what’s included in BC’s gift card law on this page on our website, as well as a link to the full law: http://www.consumerprotectionbc.ca/consumers-other-businesses-home/how-can-we-help/gift-cards
And while Consumer Protection BC is tasked with administering BC’s consumer protection laws, it’s important to know that we do not make law. If you would like to see BC’s gift card law changed, an option would be to contact your local MLA.
I hope this information was helpful!
Hi Shelley, thank you for your question. Unfortunately there are no laws which require the business to refund the balance outstanding on the gift card. I hope this information clarifies your question.
This question was asked a few years back on this posting but I was wondering if the laws have changed about refunding the remaining balance of a gift card if it is under a certain dollar amount? The reason I ask is because around Christmas time one of our local radio stations said it was in fact true yet I can’t seem to find any recent information about it. Thanks!
Hi,
I purchased a gift voucher for Christmas as a present for a lesson package. The recipient used 1 of 5 lessons and the owner of the business cancelled the last 2 lessons. I just heard from her and it’s been 1 week since I emailed her.
I asked for a full refund so the recipient of the gift card can go somewhere else for lessons and she is refusing to refund me. She sent me an itimized invoice of the cost of the 1 lesson outside of the package and said it is worth 150$. The package was a Christmas special and she said we got a great deal.
She said she will refund me 200$ since I have already used a lesson.
Does she have to give me a full refund since she cancelled two lessons?
I received a gift card as a gift from my staff to a spa with a dollar amount but no specific service attached. Purchase date was 2012. The business will not honour it as they said the business changed hands 4 months ago and my gift certificate is not on the list that was provided to them by the old owner. Surely this can’t be the case. Follow up question is the “authorized by” line is blank. They are also saying that this voids it as well. Your advice would be appreciated. Cheers!
Hi Nicky, thank you for your question. We have heard of similar situations before and unfortunately the gift card law is silent on this matter. When businesses switch hands, it’s former business owner’s responsibility to pass on the information regarding gift cards. You may want to contact Better Business Bureau about this, http://www.bbb.org/mbc or http://www.bbb.org/vancouver-island/ if you are on Vancouver Island.
I belong to an ethnic club that requires members to buy restaurant vouchers at the same time as they renew their memberships each year. The vouchers are for $7.00 each and can only be used in the restaurant. There are restrictions as to how many vouchers may be used on any given night. Since they have a dollar value (as opposed to a promotional value), are the coupons allowed to have an expiry date?
Hi Gerry, thank you for your question and I am so sorry for the late reply. If you have paid $7 for the voucher that is worth $7 in the restaurant, then it will be considered as a gift card with dollar value, therefore, should not expire. However if you are purchasing the voucher at a discounted rate, it may be considered “promotional” and may have an expiry date.
If you have any further questions please feel free to contact our inquiry centre at 1-888-564-9963.
I purchased a gift card at the Dirty Apron. I’m moving and want to return it for a refund but they are refusing. Is this legal?
Hi I got a gift card for the mall in 2012 for $100 we moved and it got packed I just found it and it is now down to $20 as they have been taking $2.50 a month off. Is there anyway of fighting this? So frustrating!
HI Tammy — Thanks for your question and yes, that’s very frustrating! Fees are allowed for cards that can be used at multiple unaffiliated sellers (commonly known as mall cards), and you can learn more about the rules here: https://www.consumerprotectionbc.ca/consumers-other-businesses-home/how-can-we-help/gift-cards
Hi Julieta — fun! Nothing is more tasty than fresh pasta 🙂 Now for your question, you’ve probably read our information about when gift certificates can and cannot expire, right? (See this page if you haven’t had a chance to take a look: https://www.consumerprotectionbc.ca/consumers-other-businesses-home/how-can-we-help/gift-cards. Now because gift certificates for specific services (such as a cooking lesson) can expire and gift certificates for dollar amounts (such as $150) cannot, we’re getting into some grey area. My suggestion to you would be to make it clear the gift card is for a service (pasta lesson) and to indicate the expiration date clearly on the gift certificate. You could put text saying “suggested retail value of $150” if you wish, but maybe consider having that information on the envelope or in some manner that isn’t confusing for your clients. Does that help?
Hello Melaina, I offer private cooking lessons and wish to offer my customers the ability to purchase gift certifcates this Christmas. If the gift certificate is for example a “Fresh Pasta Making Lesson” (a service), can it somewhere on the certificate indicate the value (i.e. Valued at $150.00)… just so the recipient knows how much the gift-giver gave / purchased and what the course is actually worth?
Thanks for your time.
Julieta
Glad I could be of help, Julieta and happy cooking!
Hello Melaina! Thank you so much for your quick reply! Yes, I did read that a gift card for a service can expire and I am glad that I can add an expiry date. I was just unclear if one is allowed to also indicate on the certificate what the service was worth / or the value of it. To prevent confusion, your suggestion of having the value noted somewhere else is helpful. Thank you. 🙂
We received a gift card from a local restaurant, as a gift. The restaurant has apparently been recently sold. They say the previous owner ran an ad that all cards had to be redeemed by a specific past date, and therefore the card is now void. I didn’t see any ad, but presumably it ran. Is the card now void?
Hi Joe, thank you for your question. We have heard of similar situations before and unfortunately the gift card law is silent on this matter. You may want to contact Better Business Bureau about this, http://www.bbb.org/mbc or http://www.bbb.org/vancouver-island/ if you are on Vancouver Island.
I bought a $50.00 gift card for Google Play at a 7-11 in British Columbia last week and I was charged tax. Is it legal to charge tax on gift cards?
Hi Babaghan, thank you for your question. While Consumer Protection BC is responsible for certain aspects of gift cards, issues relating to taxes on gift cards fall outside of the laws that we administer. The gift card laws that Consumer Protection BC are responsible for speak mostly to expiration dates and allowable fees – not to taxes. I believe this may be a question better answered by the BC Ministry of Finance. Here is a link to a page on their website about tax in the province with some contact information for you: http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/taxes/sales-taxes
It’s my understanding that taxes shouldn’t be charged when someone buys a gift card. However, I might suggest you check with the Ministry of Finance to make sure that’s correct.
I hope this helps and best of luck!
I purchased a punch card, good for 10 sessions at a sport club. There was no expiry date, and it was clear There was no expiry date.
Now, they have sent out an email saying that it is too difficult to manage, and the cards will expire March 2021. They have offered 2 options:
1. Purchase a new 10-session punchcard, and add the unused sessions from the now-expired punchcard or
2. Purchase an annual membership, and apply a credit in the amount of the unused punches.
They have said that if option 1 or 2 isn’t selected, unused punches will be lost, and are not redeemable for cash.
Can expiration dates be applied at a later date, when it was clear upon purchase that it had no expiration date?
Can they decide not to redeem unused sessions for cash, when each session obviously has a cash value, since they will apply it as a credit on an annual purchase?
Hi Sam, thank you for reaching out to us. We would like to get a bit more information and (if possible) take a look at the contract or any paperwork you may have from your sports club. Would you be able to submit a formal complaint using our online form? It is located on this page of our website. Thank you.
Ok. Thank you. I’ve done that.