My MIL gave me a gift card to ON for Mother's Day which was really unexpected and very sweet. I finally went today, shopped around, and went to pay using the gift card. The cashier informed me that there was 0 balance and that I should call their 1-800 number. Turns out money was never put on it to begin with. I'm sure it was a mistake of some sort as she has given these to me before with no issue. Would you politely inform your MIL or just let it be?
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I'd let her know. If she still has the receipt it should be a quick fix.
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Yes, in the nicest way possible!
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Yes, tactfully! That's one of my fears of giving gift cards, something goes wrong and the recipient never tells me. I include the gift receipt when possible.
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In that case I would because knowing my MIL she would pull up the credit card charge and at the very least dispute it.
For most people, I just wouldn't say anything.
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Yes definitely! Especially with family!
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If it were given to me by close family, probably. Otherwise no, because I would assume they regifted it to me and had not realized it was used or something and the whole thing would be too uncomfortable lol.
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Yes, I would mention it. I hate the idea of my family or friend getting ripped off!
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I'd let her know! My mil would love to know and go rip a strip off someone to make it right... haha.
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I had it happen and didn't say anything. But it was a wedding present that I didn't use till 6 months or so later since it was for a store I rarely visited.
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@Raspberry: that's how I feel too! I keep receipts for gift cards because I'm afraid of that!
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Under these facts I would. I would feel awkward if it was someone more removed but not my MIL. I agree with PP I would want to know if this happened to someone I gave a gift card to! I'm always worried about that sort of issue.
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I would say something. If she paid for it and the money didn't go on she should get her money back.
This happened at Christmas with a gc my Oma gave DS. Intold my mom and they went through her receipts. Turned out it got missed in all the gc's she bought so she sent a cheque.
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This happened to me with a faulty link from an e-card. I chose to inform my MIL even though I was conflicted about it and she called and "fixed" the problem but the links still never worked. I know they are on a tight budget so looking back I don't think I should have said anything. I think it just caused her a lot of unnecessary stress . At Christmas this year we did specify "please no e-cards" as gifts because I didn't want them to waste any more money.
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Yes! Unfortunately it's pretty common that giftcards get hacked at purchase, where the buyer pays the money, then the balance is electronically stolen. Has happened to me at Target and Gap. I would def let the buyer know (apologetically, because it's more work for them) so their CC company can handle it.
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If it's someone close like your MIL, I would definitely politely ask is she has the receipt of paid with a credit card because there must have been a glitch in getting it activated. I wouldn't say anything if it wasn't someone close. I'm always scared that's going to happen when I give a gift card.
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This is my biggest fear with gift cards. I hate giving and receiving them because I have so much anxiety they won't work. I probably wouldn't say anything because if they don't have the receipt or paid debit they won't be able to fix it and will just feel guilty. If I do give gift cards I usually include the receipt. Not sure if that would help the receiver sort the problem out.
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@Peasinapod: I do that too!! Last time I asked at target the cashier just gave me my whole purchase receipt that reflected all six (!) GCs, and I had to hold up the line because I was insistent that she give me one per gift card. She just had to do a balance check but she acted like she didn't know how so some other employee did it. Weird.
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I would absolutely say something ... only because your MIL was likely charged for the card.
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Does the gift card have a scratch off pin on the back? Was it scratched off?
I heard through my Target FB group that scammers will scratch off the back and put the card back on the shelf. So when you go to put money on it, they will use the money since they have all the info on it. Crazy what scammers will do nowadays. I need to remember to check gift cards before I load money on them.
Yeah, I would nicely and tactfully tell her about it.
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@bluestriped bee: No, the cashier did it so I am sure it was just an honest mistake. DH is going to tell her so It's less awkward.
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