My husband was thoughtful enough to stop by and purchase a "Gift Card" from Robinson's for my birthday. They were having a big sale, and he thought it would be more convenient for me than carrying around a bunch of cash for a shopping trip I was planning to take with my mother.
A month prior, I was in the store at Christmas time, and happened to be in the gift wrap section - which is the only "customer service" area that they have available. While I was sitting, and waiting for my packages to be wrapped, a customer came in and asked if she could cash out the gift cards that she had received from fellow co-workers. The clerk at the counter told her that she just needed to bring them in, and that there would be "No Problem".
So, with the previous experience in the back of my mind, My mother and I went shopping with my "Gift Card". After a couple of hours of shopping, we decided that we were done, and couldn't find anything else that we wished to purchase at Robinson's. We then went up to the "customer service" area, and told the clerk that I wished to "cash out" the balance of my card. I was informed that I was unable to do so.
I told the clerk that I was not satisfied with that response, and told her of my previous experience at Christmas time. She called a "Manager" who informed me - get this... That since my husband paid cash for the card, he was unable to give me cash back! Oh, and that if I had brought the card in before using it, that he would have done it then!
Stunned. I followed him into the "Executive Offices" where there were several "Managers" standing around. I told Nancy the Operations Manager what had just transpired, and that I thought their store policy was illegal. I also asked her to show me where it states in writing that after you purchase a "Gift Card" that you have to spend the entire amount in the store.
Unable to do so, she told me to go home and bring back my receipt. She said to bring it back to the "Customer Service" area, and they would issue the refund. My mother and I went home, and brought back the gift receipt with the card. I presented my "Gift Receipt" which was given with the card to the clerk. She then called Nancy, who informed her that she would not issue my refund. She said that I needed to bring in the original receipt that my husband received when he purchased the card!
Apparently, a "Gift Receipt" is worthless! Furthermore, they made me feel like a criminal by suggesting that the card may have been issued as a result of a previous return! I have NEVER heard of a store refusing a credit or return using a Gift Receipt. The point is, that it is a GIFT! Stunned, I left the store.
I am going to research the law further, as my husband is an Attorney. He was floored and disgusted when he learned of my treatment. To say the least... My family will NEVER shop at Robinson's-May again. Apparently, the store is not doing well, and needs the money more than I do.
As far as I am concerned, a Gift Card is the same as cash. I have always been handed the balance back as change at other stores when using their Gift Cards. The Operations Manager blatantly lied to me, and made me feel like a criminal for trying to honestly get what was rightfully mine. So, PLEASE BEWARE! I'm not telling anyone not to shop at this store, but to be careful when purchasing "Gift Cards" for other people.
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