Help Me Hank: Gift Certificates

It was a big day for Diane and Brian--married 25 years! And their friends threw them a huge surprise party!

Diane
"It was great."

Another surprise: The gang gave them a gift certificate for a romantic weekend in the New Hampshire hills!

Diane
"We loved that too."

But Christmas came, they didn't take the trip, New years, they didn't go, Valentines Day, no, Thanksgiving, no, the next New Years, still no!

Diane
"I forgot completely about it."

They eventually rediscovered the $125 gift certificate.

Hank Phillippi Ryan
"How much time went by before you found it again?"

Diane
"Well I hate to say it, 2 ½ years."

But when Diane called the inn, the owner said it was too late.

Hank Phillippi Ryan
"so bottom line, they said what?"

Diane
"He said oh I'm sorry that gift certificate has expired."

There was an expiration date on it, but to Diane, that didn't make sense. She reminded the innkeeper: Her friends paid cash for it!

Diane
"I said expired, how could cash expire?"

The innkeeper didn't answer.

Diane
"He said sorry you're out of luck, goodbye."

That's when Diane called Help Me Hank. So we went right to the top: the New Hampshire Department of Justice.

Hank Phillippi Ryan
"Is this gift certificate still good?"

Kristin Spath, NH Attorney General's Office
"Yes it is."

That's because according to New Hampshire law gift certificates cannot have expiration dates! As Diane thought: cash cannot expire.

Kristin Spath
"It would be an unfair advantage for the business to just be able to keep this money without having to provide a service or a product."

This time we called the innkeeper and read him the law. Diane's gift certificate was good as new, and as a result, there was room at the inn!

Diane
"So I'm going to be making reservations shortly."

And maybe by their next anniversary Diane and Brian will head for the hills.

Diane
"My husband and I will enjoy a nice romantic evening together thanks to our friends."

You should know the rules on gift certificates are different in different states. In Massachusetts they may expire.

To find information on gift certificates in Massachusetts, log on to the Mass. Consumer Affairs web site.

For information on gift certificates in New Hampshire, visit the NH Consumer Division of the Attorney General.

So what battle are you fighting? Maybe I can help. Send it to helpmehank@whdh.com