Businesses that don't honor gift cards: A pox on you!

[Arugula Latte]

It was a beautiful afternoon, so my husband and I decided to go to a local nursery and spend a $25 gift card that someone had given us last year (it supposedly expires in July of 2010). We thought we'd pick up some herb starts and a few annuals. Well, we get up to the counter, and the couple who runs the place says: "Oh, that was bought under previous owners" (even though the previous owner's name is still on part of the business). Any business person worth his/her salt would have realized that honoring the card would have endeared us to them and made repeat customers out of us (it's a smallish business, not a chain). As it was, after an awkward minute, they offered us a pittance of a discount. We told them "no thanks," left the stuff on the counter, and walked away. We're never going back.

[Gormy Cuss]

1. I hope that you told them you'd never be back.

Another reason why gift cards are bad.

Complain to the AG's office. What the heck.

[Arugula Latte]

2. I should have, but I'm not very confrontational in person.

Maybe I'll write 'em a letter, though.

[Lyric]

3. That's bullshit. When you buy a business, you're also buying the debts of that business.

A gift card is a debt. You should call your AG.