Gift Cards

**Texasgirl** · 08-16-2009, 08:08 PM

Ds#2 received a Vanilla Brand gift card for Christmas.
Expiration date on the card 9/12
He went to use it the other day and was told it was empty.
He had never used it before.

We went to the web site and it shows that they charged a $2.50 monthly maintenance fee even though the card has never been used.

Their maintenance fee had used up the total amount on the card.

I sent them a email letting them know that I would not be purchasing their type of card anymore and that I felt that we had been ripped off.

Never again will a gift card be purchased at Dollar General

**mauimagic** · 08-16-2009, 08:11 PM

That is just wrong and unprofessional of them. glad you shared your thoughts with them - too bad they don't know how far reaching your message will get via FV. Mahalo for letting us know.

**monkeywrangler71** · 08-16-2009, 08:48 PM

That's illegal here. So many people were being ripped off that they added it to the Consumer Protection Act and now stores are no longer permitted to have expiry dates or transaction/inactivity fees on gift cards.

**dianeeileen** · 08-16-2009, 09:51 PM

Hi, you need to check this out a little bit more, I believe it is illegal for them to do this in all states. It was a big deal a few years ago and laws were passed. I thought it was the whole country. Diane

**2ndGenGranola** · 08-16-2009, 10:04 PM

Last Christmas we saw warnings all over the news about gift cards having service fees and expirations dates. There were notices all over the place to check the policy of the company you were dealing with.

**Texasgirl** · 08-17-2009, 12:08 AM

Received a reply from the company and this is what they said
Good evening. We do apologize for any inconvenience your son has experienced with the card. The service fee information can be found on the back of the card, on the Cardholder’s agreement that was inserted in the sleeve that the card came in, and on the Vanilla Visa Website, www.vanillavisa.com. The card was purchased and activated before we changed the terms in April 2008. In order to comply with the terms and conditions printed on the back of the giftcard we have issued a one-time courtesy credit in the amount of $16.00. Please use the remaining funds by 08/19/2009 to avoid another service fee in the amount of $2.50. If you have any other questions or concerns please feel free to email us back.

Best regards,

At least it is something.

**mauimagic** · 08-17-2009, 12:58 AM

it's something and at least you kept at it. Mahalo for sharing.

**cissylu** · 08-17-2009, 02:58 AM

Well that just stinks.what a rip off. well at least they are giving you something.

**mom2bobsarah** · 08-17-2009, 08:12 AM

I am glad they gave you the credit but geez, they could have given you a little more time to use it.

**geckoace** · 08-17-2009, 10:00 AM

That happened to us.... Same GC my dh's boss gave him one as a "bonus" we tried to use it 8 months later and I was only worth 1/4 of the balance!!! Pissed! I often have bad experiences with visa GC so now when I get them I use them right away

**JanieD** · 08-17-2009, 11:15 AM

I've concerned purchasing a "pre-paid" Visa or MC to do on-line shopping. I'll be sure to read over the fine print before I buy. Thanks for the "tip"... I haven't thought about additional fees or charges, just the purchase fee. You have to so careful to avoid these sorts of scams!

It bothers me that they gave you $16 back on the card & you have 2 days to use it before another $2.50 fee. Talk about customer service! I guess its better than nothing. I plan to avoid Vanilla gift cards! Thanks for sharing.

**Texasgirl** · 08-17-2009, 12:34 PM

I went to town today and used the $16.00 card for some grocery's I needed to pick up.
The cashier asked me if I wanted the card back I told her to throw it in the trash where it belongs.