Today, I found a gift card under my bed that I lost a few months ago for $400 to a store that went out of business last week. FML
I agree, your life sucks (21432) - you totally deserved it (7554)
On 11/17/2009 at 4:19pm - money - by fmfl (man) - United States (Massachusetts)
(+1)If it was a few months, chances are there wouldn't be any money left on it. I've gotton gift cards where it said "value depleats by $25 every week after *month/day/year*" Sux that you missed out on 400 free moniez though OP.
(0)I have yet to see a gift card like that. It kinda defeats the purpose.
#26 - On 11/17/2009 at 6:42pm by iFellytone
(0)It's illegal in Massachusetts (where OP is from) as of 2002(?) for gift cards to deplete over time. I might have the date wrong, however, as I was just a kid when that law took effect. If you read the fine print it'll say something like "it depletes by X for ever Y amount of time you dont use it except where prohibited by law." However, if you then go out of state, and use that card, it's now officially able to deplete. Not that it's relevent in OP's case, since I would guess they're still in MA.
#27 - On 11/17/2009 at 6:48pm by boatkicker
(0)Whatever your law says, I had a Spencers card that said that. and it wasn't like it started IMMEDIATELY after you bought it. After a year, the card starts to run out of money, though it may not have been $25 each time, more like 1 or 2 bucks each 2 weeks.
(0)If that happened you obviously don't live in MA, or that happend before 2002(ish). However what I stated is the current law in Massachusetts, and OP is from Massachusetts. Therefore OP's gift card was equal to whatever it was supposed to be, regardless of how long they had it.
#34 - On 11/17/2009 at 7:44pm by boatkicker
(0)Actually, boatkicker. That's not true. In Massachusetts, "A gift certificate sold or offered to be sold shall be valid for not less than 7 years after its date of issuance. Massachusetts General Laws 200A §5D. A gift certificate without an expiration date will not expire."
I know that says gift certificate, but it also goes on to say:
"Gift Cards – Gift cards are covered under the definition of “gift certificate”. Massachusetts General Laws 255D §1"
There is no law stating that it can "never" deplete.
Also, to the OP, by MA law you may still be able to get your $400 back.
"In some, but not all cases, you may be able to receive some reimbursement for the value of the gift certificate.
If the retailer files for the protection of the bankruptcy court, you should file a document called a “proof of claim” with the court. Include whatever information you have about the value of the certificate, and a photocopy of the certificate or gift card. Bankruptcy allows for the payment of claims depending on assets available. "
(0)I stand corrected. :)
Although still if it had only been a few months, OP's should still be worth the full $400, and they should definitely look into that.
#49 - On 11/17/2009 at 11:08pm by boatkicker
(0)Everyone, it's obviousy Circuit Shitty. I wanted to get a job there, and they promised to call me back 'next week' but those jerks never did. I then prayed that they go out of business and a few months later, they went bankrupt. Karma.
(0)we were gonna call u back, but found that u were far to normal to be seen in our store as geeks with no life work here. we are a crappy store. we are now called Prostitutes Co. give us a call at 1-800-TitsAndToys or visit PleasureInAss.com
(0)Sucks for you! YDI though for not cleaning your room more often...
#5 - On 11/17/2009 at 5:12pm by Bloodknight
(0)Sell it to a random stranger at a reduced price, problem solved.
#7 - On 11/17/2009 at 5:13pm by TheLetterZero
(0)EDIT: Since FML was being really laggy, I couldn't edit properly.
Forget my above comment, try to find another outlet for the store to cash your gift card in, if there is one.
#8 - On 11/17/2009 at 5:17pm by TheLetterZero
(0)Right, because you've never lost anything in your life.
#54 - On 11/17/2009 at 11:57pm by pikantna777
(0)Ahahaha x)
This is why people should give gift cards from huge businesses that aren't likely to go out of business anytime soon. Like Walmart or Starbucks.
#10 - On 11/17/2009 at 5:22pm by Avenging_Angel
(0)Or not give gift cards at all. A coworker gave me a Starbucks gift card a few years ago. I'm a big coffee drinker, but don't go to Starbucks unless I'm not able to make my own (on vacation or something). The $20 gift card only had like $7 on it the first time I used it because Starbucks cards lose value every month after a year or something like that. Give money if you don't know what to get - gift cards suck.
(0)They don't suck. I prefer giving gift cards over money, because it's essentially the same thing, except by picking out a gift card to a certain place, it shows that you put more thought into it than just shoving money in a card and giving it to someone. Like, my brother gives me Starbucks and iTunes gift cards for presents, and it's cool that he took note of things I like. Giving money is just... Blehh. Reserve money giving for high school graduations and bar mitzvahs, stuff like that.
The rule where gift cards run out of credit after x amount of time is still really retarded, but if you know you won't use a gift card anytime soon, regift it.
#41 - On 11/17/2009 at 8:46pm by Avenging_Angel
(-1)YDI...$400? Why didn't U look there b4? Sucks 2B you rt now :-(
#15 - On 11/17/2009 at 5:32pm by b1nOnly
(-1)Seriously it's your own damn fault.. if I received a $400 gift card I'd definitely spend it before, instead of "losing it" (i.e. probably being too friggin' rich to even notice you misplaced it)
#16 - On 11/17/2009 at 5:34pm by marc_with_a_c
(0)You do kind of deserve it. Still that effin blows. fyl
#17 - On 11/17/2009 at 5:48pm by grrrarrrg2
(0)I guess a $400 gift card wasn't important enough to keep in your wallet/purse. That sucks, but there is a lesson to be learned...
#18 - On 11/17/2009 at 5:48pm by Punkartmama
(-1)How did it end up under your bed?
Did you try to have sex with the person that gave that to you? How could you do that to Gammy?
(0)Agreed. Plus the similarity to plexico's username suggests he's just trying to get people to notice his username and assume it's pleixco.
But I agree. Not funny.
(0)Oh my, I knew a lot of people here had massive sticks wedged up their arses on FML, but it seems they've gathered here to pick on Perdix!
Instead of telling him that he's not funny, why don't you spend that wasted effort trying to come up with something clever of your own to say? Assuming your brains will allow this, I mean.
#48 - On 11/17/2009 at 11:02pm by Witchcraft
(0)I never said that I myself was a funny person. I merely observed that perdix was not. I'm allowed to have an opinion, no?
(0)That was not an opinion. That was you assuming Perdix was clamouring for attention.
#59 - On 11/18/2009 at 4:34am by Witchcraft
(0)Hey leave poor perdix alone! He usually is pretty funny, jelous much?
#63 - On 11/18/2009 at 9:22am by Starfire22
(0)Thanks, Starfire and Witchy!
I know they all can't be winners -- I get some hits, I get some misses. What tickles me is sometimes I'll write a comment that I find vaguely amusing, but others love it. That's what makes it fun.
I'll keep you two in mind as I comment on!
(0)I never ASSUMED anything. I merely pointed out the similarity between the two names, suggesting it as a possibility. And I'm certainly not jealous. Never said he wasn't ever funny, I just didn't find that comment humurous. No need to get all worked up about it.
(0)Who's worked up? Pretty sure I was calm when I replied.
No one else looks bent out of shape, either.
#71 - On 11/19/2009 at 2:52pm by Witchcraft
(0)maybe check online to see if they have a website that u can buy stuff n if not see if they have a service line to vcall n see who bought the store name out and they might let u use it with there chain
#21 - On 11/17/2009 at 5:53pm by Starfire22
(0)Even if the company went out of business they HAVE to pay you out because a gift certificate is bought with money, so you are to receive a product. It's the law =P
#25 - On 11/17/2009 at 6:40pm by ScapeWh0re
(0)damn FYL but i bet u can still sell it on ebay cause some people are extra slow,haha
#28 - On 11/17/2009 at 6:53pm by JustaAngel
(0)if someone gave me a $400 gift card, I would have been out shopping as soon as they left. What was your plan here?
#35 - On 11/17/2009 at 7:45pm by alwaysalady
(0)what store was it? im interested for real.
anyway you could prolly go online or find another store thats still open.
the circuit city in our area didnt close for bout a month after their other stores.
#37 - On 11/17/2009 at 8:05pm by facebook123
(0)if you still have the gift card you can take it to your State Department of Finance and they will give you the cash back. When stores close they have to give the department a list of all outstanding gift cards and their values. Since someone gave the company money and you have a card worth that amount of money you are a unsecured debt holder to the company. Therefore the company owes you the value of your gift card. I got $250 from when Sharper Image closed here from the State.
#40 - On 11/17/2009 at 8:36pm by twitter808
(0)According to my reading, it says a guy posted this, that makes no sense, why would a guy have a $400 dollar gift-card?
But funny anyways
(0)So only women receive gifts? Why wouldn't a guy have a $400 gift card? I don't understand your reasoning.
#43 - On 11/17/2009 at 9:09pm by dramakat11
(0)Was it a chain? If they aren't I'd try to sell it on the street to an idiot (People would kill for it if you tried to sell it for like 200)
#44 - On 11/17/2009 at 9:36pm by PATastrophy102
(0)This is why I don't really like gift cards to a certain store. Sucks you didn't find it time. I would've been ripping my room apart had I heard a store I had a gift card to was going out of business.
(0)If it was circuit city they still have a website you can prolly use it at. if not, check online anyway. you've got nothing to lose.
#56 - On 11/18/2009 at 12:58am by DynamicDave
(0)That's why you look for something after you lose it. If you're that upset about losing $400 - hell, I know I would be - then you should've looked harder when you realized that you'd lost it. YDI.
#57 - On 11/18/2009 at 1:00am by blastvortex
(0)Dude, YDI, since you were too lazy to get your ass up and clean your room - space under the bed inclusive.
#60 - On 11/18/2009 at 6:19am by bugmenotmofo
(0)Trust me, the number can get pretty high... Maybe some rich relative or friend felt like being VERY generous... Since it is a big amount... Pretty amazing how he managed to lose it... I would want to spent it as soon as I could... Keep your important stuff somewhere so you don't lose it and clean your room more often... My room is pretty messy but I do know where my stuff is... I keep in my head everything organized :P
#62 - On 11/18/2009 at 7:19am by StaticDown
(0)Get married, and then tell us that. I had more than 1 with 400 on it. granted, most of the gifts over $100 were checks, not gift cards, though.
#67 - On 11/18/2009 at 4:49pm by ozymandias
(0)Call up your state tax office. Most, if not all, states have a program for this. I know in my state if this is the case, or if the card expired unused, you can use a program with the state to get the money back.
#65 - On 11/18/2009 at 12:19pm by ozymandias
(0)So what? You didn't lose any money that you already had. I mean, this wasn't an FML until you found the lost card?
(0)Hm. If they were going out of business, with that money you probably could have bought everything in the store.
#70 - On 11/19/2009 at 2:23am by DameGreyWulf
