Don't donate your money to stores. Use up those gift cards! The figure seems shocking to me.

Accounting: How States And Companies Make Money Off Of Unspent Gift Cards

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I had always assumed that unused giftcards were just profit to the issuing store, but I have learned that many states have enacted laws that require the store to split those profits with the state. I find that morally repulsive.

Cathleen

We got a gc to a resteraunt that we don't necessarily care for as a Christmas gift in 2006, and I had completely forgotten about it. I found it in an old purse, so I called the 1-800 number on the back of the card to check the balance, and it still had the full amount on it. So we gave it to a couple friend of ours, so they could go out to dinner for their anniversary!! But honestly, I can't imagine buying or receiving a gc and not using it!! That's just dumb if you ask me!!

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~*~ Angie~*~
Wife to Brian
SAHM to Sarah & Andy 2/11/2000

Great idea to give it to a friend who could use it if it's not something you could you. I would never not spend one either but apparently there are a lot of people out there who do!

We gave friends $100 gift card to a store for their wedding. About 6 months later we found out the store was going out of business so we called to let them know that if they hadn't spent it yet, now was the time. They later told us they never got around to it. So in the end we made a $100 donation to a store that went bankrupt. I felt cheated even though it was a gift to them!

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That is insane. All I can say is that I have never let a gift certificate go to waste! And I'm really sorry about that $100.00 gift certificate that you bought your friends. That would bug me too!

Uhg...that would just make me sick.

I remember hearing a news story about unused gift cards during the holidays. They were saying you could stop just about anyone on the street and they would probably have an unused gift card on them. I know my husband hangs onto his Home Depot cards until he accumulates enough to buy what he wants.

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Jenny, wife to Brad, mommy to two crazy little kids with one on the way!

I didn't realize the company just didn't get to keep all the money. That doesn't sound fair to them at all. It is amazing how many people just lose or forget about their gift cards.

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Proud mommy to adorable Kinsley

MY BLOG!

I also thought that the store got to keep the money.

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