How to Use an Expired Gift Certificate
It can be incredibly disappointing when you find a gift certificate and make a plan to use it, only to find out that it has expired. Unfortunately, this happens to many of us all too often. There may be hope, however. In some states, you will be able to use that gift certificate, whether it expired last week, last month or last year.
- Check out your state's Consumer Protection Laws. Many states have provisions to protect consumers and their gift certificate purchases. Find out if your state offers this type of protection. You can locate this information by visiting your state government's web page, or calling the Secretary of State directly.
- Obtain documentation that your state requires merchants to accept expired gift certificates. If you gained your information by speaking to the Secretary of State, ask him or her to mail you a copy of the consumer protection law. Likewise, if you found the law on the Internet, you should print the web page for proof.
- Visit the business, restaurant or merchant. Be friendly and polite and ask to speak to the manager, as the cashier or server will likely not have the authority to help you. Explain that you have an expired gift certificate that you would like to use. The manager should be aware of your state's laws regarding expired gift certificates, but if they are not, show them the printout of the law that requires them to accept your gift certificate. After speaking with the manager, you should use the gift certificate on the spot. Do not come back another day to have the same discussion over with a different manager.
- Escalate the issue. If the merchant refuses to accept your gift certificate, you should contact your state's Attorney General. Inform the Attorney General of the gift certificate issue. The Attorney General's Office will be responsible for researching the matter and providing you with an acceptable resolution.