The Final Word

Well, it took a while, but I think we've got the final word on this Gift Certificate Controversy. We are, in fact, breaking the law if we put an expiration date of less than four years on our Gift Certificates. Maryland's annotated code #14-1319 states this, effective July 1 2006. My sister sent me a link which clearly notes that gift certificates are different from gift cards. Gift cards are not subject to this ruling, I think because they cost more to produce and process. So, while I would not welcome Mr. O'Brien, with his threats and bullying tactics, I will change the expiration dates on future gift certificates to reflect this new information. I wonder how many other people were unaware of this legislation, and either were continuing, like me, to put expiration dates on their store's gift certificates, or as consumers, were tossing out gift certificates that they thought had "expired"?

Thank you, GG, for doing the research that I suppose I should have done in the first place, eh?