Hellobee Boards Topic: If someone gives you a zero balance gift card, do you tell them?

Hellobee Boards Topic: If someone gives you a zero balance gift card, do you tell them? https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 21 May 2026 23:19:37 +0000 Coral on "If someone gives you a zero balance gift card, do you tell them?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-someone-gives-you-a-zero-balance-gift-card-do-you-tell-them#post-2742200 Wed, 31 May 2017 12:04:43 +0000 Coral 2742200@https://boards.hellobee.com/ @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. BSB on "If someone gives you a zero balance gift card, do you tell them?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-someone-gives-you-a-zero-balance-gift-card-do-you-tell-them#post-2742194 Wed, 31 May 2017 11:54:45 +0000 BSB 2742194@https://boards.hellobee.com/ 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. littlejoy on "If someone gives you a zero balance gift card, do you tell them?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-someone-gives-you-a-zero-balance-gift-card-do-you-tell-them#post-2742188 Wed, 31 May 2017 11:50:43 +0000 littlejoy 2742188@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I would absolutely say something ... only because your MIL was likely charged for the card. 2littlepumpkins on "If someone gives you a zero balance gift card, do you tell them?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-someone-gives-you-a-zero-balance-gift-card-do-you-tell-them#post-2742116 Wed, 31 May 2017 10:13:00 +0000 2littlepumpkins 2742116@https://boards.hellobee.com/ @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. Peasinapod on "If someone gives you a zero balance gift card, do you tell them?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-someone-gives-you-a-zero-balance-gift-card-do-you-tell-them#post-2742084 Wed, 31 May 2017 09:30:39 +0000 Peasinapod 2742084@https://boards.hellobee.com/ 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. Mrs. Blue on "If someone gives you a zero balance gift card, do you tell them?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-someone-gives-you-a-zero-balance-gift-card-do-you-tell-them#post-2742011 Wed, 31 May 2017 07:52:33 +0000 Mrs. Blue 2742011@https://boards.hellobee.com/ 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. lioneyes on "If someone gives you a zero balance gift card, do you tell them?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-someone-gives-you-a-zero-balance-gift-card-do-you-tell-them#post-2742010 Wed, 31 May 2017 07:52:06 +0000 lioneyes 2742010@https://boards.hellobee.com/ 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. Modern Daisy on "If someone gives you a zero balance gift card, do you tell them?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-someone-gives-you-a-zero-balance-gift-card-do-you-tell-them#post-2741962 Wed, 31 May 2017 06:27:54 +0000 Modern Daisy 2741962@https://boards.hellobee.com/ 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. ALV91711 on "If someone gives you a zero balance gift card, do you tell them?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-someone-gives-you-a-zero-balance-gift-card-do-you-tell-them#post-2741952 Tue, 30 May 2017 23:27:24 +0000 ALV91711 2741952@https://boards.hellobee.com/ 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. psw27 on "If someone gives you a zero balance gift card, do you tell them?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-someone-gives-you-a-zero-balance-gift-card-do-you-tell-them#post-2741949 Tue, 30 May 2017 23:25:03 +0000 psw27 2741949@https://boards.hellobee.com/ 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. birdofafeather on "If someone gives you a zero balance gift card, do you tell them?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-someone-gives-you-a-zero-balance-gift-card-do-you-tell-them#post-2741942 Tue, 30 May 2017 22:06:40 +0000 birdofafeather 2741942@https://boards.hellobee.com/ @Raspberry: that's how I feel too! I keep receipts for gift cards because I'm afraid of that! Miss Ariel on "If someone gives you a zero balance gift card, do you tell them?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-someone-gives-you-a-zero-balance-gift-card-do-you-tell-them#post-2741925 Tue, 30 May 2017 20:03:39 +0000 Miss Ariel 2741925@https://boards.hellobee.com/ 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. Mrs. Champagne on "If someone gives you a zero balance gift card, do you tell them?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-someone-gives-you-a-zero-balance-gift-card-do-you-tell-them#post-2741923 Tue, 30 May 2017 19:58:17 +0000 Mrs. Champagne 2741923@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I'd let her know! My mil would love to know and go rip a strip off someone to make it right... haha. 😬 Raspberry on "If someone gives you a zero balance gift card, do you tell them?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-someone-gives-you-a-zero-balance-gift-card-do-you-tell-them#post-2741881 Tue, 30 May 2017 17:24:25 +0000 Raspberry 2741881@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Yes, I would mention it. I hate the idea of my family or friend getting ripped off! JerricaBenton on "If someone gives you a zero balance gift card, do you tell them?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-someone-gives-you-a-zero-balance-gift-card-do-you-tell-them#post-2741879 Tue, 30 May 2017 17:21:30 +0000 JerricaBenton 2741879@https://boards.hellobee.com/ 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. travellingbee on "If someone gives you a zero balance gift card, do you tell them?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-someone-gives-you-a-zero-balance-gift-card-do-you-tell-them#post-2741873 Tue, 30 May 2017 17:07:54 +0000 travellingbee 2741873@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Yes definitely! Especially with family! 2littlepumpkins on "If someone gives you a zero balance gift card, do you tell them?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-someone-gives-you-a-zero-balance-gift-card-do-you-tell-them#post-2741857 Tue, 30 May 2017 16:38:31 +0000 2littlepumpkins 2741857@https://boards.hellobee.com/ 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. SweetCaroline on "If someone gives you a zero balance gift card, do you tell them?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-someone-gives-you-a-zero-balance-gift-card-do-you-tell-them#post-2741853 Tue, 30 May 2017 16:32:58 +0000 SweetCaroline 2741853@https://boards.hellobee.com/ 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. matador84 on "If someone gives you a zero balance gift card, do you tell them?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-someone-gives-you-a-zero-balance-gift-card-do-you-tell-them#post-2741852 Tue, 30 May 2017 16:32:47 +0000 matador84 2741852@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Yes, in the nicest way possible! youboots on "If someone gives you a zero balance gift card, do you tell them?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-someone-gives-you-a-zero-balance-gift-card-do-you-tell-them#post-2741851 Tue, 30 May 2017 16:27:50 +0000 youboots 2741851@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I'd let her know. If she still has the receipt it should be a quick fix. Coral on "If someone gives you a zero balance gift card, do you tell them?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-someone-gives-you-a-zero-balance-gift-card-do-you-tell-them#post-2741850 Tue, 30 May 2017 16:22:24 +0000 Coral 2741850@https://boards.hellobee.com/ 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?