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Displaying items by tag: gift cards

Consumer Affairs offers tips on buying gift cards

Consumer Affairs offers tips on buying gift cards

Gift cards are handy presents – especially for people who seem to have at least one of everything. During the winter shopping season, a gift card can be ideal.

But for all the conveniences of gift cards, they often come with fine print that can make them less than perfect. Here’s how consumers can keep that gift card’s policies from dumping snow on their gift-giving this winter:
1. Check expiration dates and fees. In Tennessee, expiration dates, fees and other terms must be clearly disclosed at the time of purchase. The expiration date and fee must be legibly printed on the gift card.
2. Ask about restrictions. Some card issuers deduct a monthly fee from the card or apply inactivity fees, if a card has not been used for a period of time. These fees will reduce the value of the card. Some gift cards do not allow cash refunds for a remaining balance on a card. You will have to either forfeit the balance or buy additional items.
3. Know what it will cost. Major shopping mall operators charge fees for gift cards. Gift cards issued by banks and credit card companies often expire and tend to add fees. Fees – including activation fees, transaction fees, maintenance fees and inactivity fees – can lessen a card’s value.
4. Ask what to do if the card is stolen. Always keep a receipt. Since gift cards are not usually registered to an individual purchaser, they can be easily stolen. Some stores urge customers to access their website and register cards in case they are stolen.
5. Check on purchase exemptions. Ask if the card may be used at both a store’s physical location and the store’s website. Also ask if the card may be used at other locations, not just the specific store where the card was purchased.
6. Get as much information as possible for the card’s recipient. Ask for a toll-free phone number, in case there are problems with the gift card. Ask if a website that provides gift card details is available.
Consumer Affairs (www.tn.gov/consumer/) is a division of the Department of Commerce and Insurance (www.tn.gov/commerce/), which works to protect consumers while ensuring fair competition for industries and professionals who do business in Tennessee.
Published in Gift Ideas
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Gift cards swap for guns event Dec. 10

Gift cards swap for guns event Dec. 10

Kroger is teaming with the Metro police department and Nashville’s clergy to get unsafe, unwanted and unused firearms out of the city’s neighborhoods.

Chief Steve Anderson today announced a Gift Cards for Guns Initiative will take place on Saturday, December 10th, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the parking lot of Greater Faith Missionary Baptist Church at 1803 County Hospital Road in Bordeaux.  Citizens will be able to safely exchange real firearms for $25 Kroger gift cards, no questions asked.

“There are, no doubt, parents, grandparents and other concerned citizens in our community who own or know of guns that are in poor working condition as well as those that may be at significant risk of falling into the wrong hands,” Chief Anderson said.  “This initiative will allow for the safe surrender of these firearms, as well as help families put food on their tables at Christmas time.”

The Reverend Michael Joyner, pastor of Greater Faith Missionary Baptist Church and a volunteer police department chaplain, has seen firsthand the family heartache caused by gun violence.  He is among the pastors who will be encouraging their congregations to get unused, unwanted and mechanically unsafe guns off of Nashville’s streets.

“Gift Cards for Guns promotes the safety of our families, it’s just that simple,” Reverend Joyner said.  “The last time pastors promoted an initiative like this in 2009, citizens turned in some 80 guns in exchange for circus tickets.  Any gun that we stop from falling into the wrong hands will make this program worthwhile.”    

An officer from the MNPD Training Academy will be in the church parking lot on December 10th to receive the guns, ensure that they are unloaded and do not pose any immediate danger.  That officer will then turn the weapon over to an officer from the police department’s property room.

“The ultimate goal of this program is to enhance Nashville’s Safety,” Chief Anderson said.  “I am deeply appreciative to Kroger and members of the clergy for partnering with us in this effort.”

A number of Nashville’s pas

Published in Community Cares
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