Citizens 1st visa gift card, think twice about giving one to someone

[gratton]

We received one from a friend who came to visit us, we didn't use it right away because we went away for a while plus we forgot we had it. When we went to use the card it had $2.50 a month deducted from it as a service charge, We had the card for 12 months so 30.00 was deducted, this is a ripe off by the bank.

[nhsnowbird]

Here in NH this practice has been front page news for some time. The local mall is no longer charging this fee due to the negative publicity they received.

[JohnN]

LOTS of gift cards do that, it's horrible

[redwitch]

California made it against the law to charge like these fees several years ago. Sadly, the practice is pretty common in many states. Your best bet is to petition state legislatures to ban this practice (and of having expiration dates on gift cards). Get the media involved although I doubt the Sun or any TV media will support this but perhaps Ocala and Orlando media will. It truly irks me that a company will make the money via interest and investments on the unused gift cards and then charges an individual for not using them promptly.

[nONIE]

Gift cards are a huge rip off. We have lost a lot of money. We either lose them if we dont use them immediately, or they expire. I know it seems like an easy and sensible solution when you dont know what to buy someone but they have become a real frustration to us.

Best thing if you receive one is to get right out there and use it immediately, at least in our case. We have told the kids, please dont waste your money, hang on to it because most likely you will not be getting ours! LOL

[The Gray Hog]

Who has ever used (unless for gasoline) the exact amt. on a gift card?
Let's see: I get a card that has $25. on it.
In store, I find an item I like for $23. or one for $27...never the exact amt.
Either way---I loose. ::)