I am SO upset!

ping1970

ping1970

Mimi & Nee to Tanius, Aryia, Tobi, Ezra, & Tilly J
Sweepstakes Plus Subscriber
I am SO upset!

I won a $50.00 Sharper Image gift card last year in the Fabulous Savings game. I didn't think I was going to get it because it had been so long ~ so I was thrilled when it came yesterday in the mail. If any of you have ever shopped at the Sharper Image you know that they have some higher end gadgets, but I was able to find the kids a couple of handheld games for next Christmas that I thought would be perfect! Anyway, I went through putting in all my infomation and when I got to the checkout page I got a notice...

The Sharper Image filed Chapter 11 on the 19th of this month and is no longer accepting gift cards ~ WHAT????? To me, this should be illegal. I mean, these cards have already been paid for by someone somewhere. It isn't just me that I am mad for, we are just coming out of the holiday season what about all of the people that bought gift cards for Christmas? Those people just gave Sharper Image their money or what?

I don't know, maybe when they get this mess straightened out they will start taking them again, I just don't see how this is fair. I haven't lost anything, but if I had bought a giftcard for someone I would be so mad right now... :cussing: :cussing:
 
Re: I am SO upset!

Tammy,


I am sorry to hear the bad news and I can imagine you at the cash register with two disappointed girls who had just picked out special items. Ugh! I hope someone here can give you advice, if there is some way you can use your gift card, maybe online (but shipping charges will take a bite out of the $50...).

Here is a little info I found after reading your post. Looks like The Sharper Image will be closing about half their stores:

http://www.bargainist.com/deals/2008/02/the-sharper-image-files-for-bankruptcy/


Hope you can use your GC.
 
Re: I am SO upset!

That's so awful. Have you tried calling and raising holy heck?? I know that's what I would be doing. That's so wrong.
 
Re: I am SO upset!

I'm not that upset about mine ~ like I said, I haven't lost anything...I just keep on going back to the people that spent their hard earned money around Christmas and now they will have nothing...that to me just doesn't seem right! I mean, you take the money for a product or service then provide the money or service ~ period! I just hate it for other "little" ones out there that might have been waiting on something special ~ my kids have plenty! You know that :laughing:
 
Re: I am SO upset!

bunnytoes said:
That's so awful. Have you tried calling and raising holy heck?? I know that's what I would be doing. That's so wrong.
Click to expand...

I am going to see where to start on this one Monday ~ they have a customer service line (to me, at this point is almost laughable) that I am going to call and see where I can get! I think this is probably a lost cause though.
 
Re: I am SO upset!

Unfortunately, it's not illegal. When someone files Chapter 11, any money owed (which would also include reimbursing for gift cards) gets paid out on a first-come, first-served basis. Which means, anyone who wants to recoup money owed to them by Sharper Image, has to file a claim with the court where they filed for Chapter 11.
 
Re: I am SO upset!

Ping, I had the same thing happen when I won $1000 g/c from Wherehouse Music. However, there is hope-after they did whatever it is corporations do, they gave me full value on the gift cards (a year later). I got to be really friendly with the guy who was dealing with their legal mess. :laughing:
That was the worst $1000 win of my sweeping life :crazytongue:
 
Re: I am SO upset!

There are different levels of creditors in a bankruptcy. You would have a priority claim as there are very specific legalities when dealing with gift cards.

To protect yourself, you could file a proof of claim with the bankruptcy court. That way, if the reorganization doesn't work, your claim is on file. I hate to put it this way, but at $50.00, it's probably not worth the hassle. JMHO. But, to be protected, as a creditor, you have to file a claim.

Good luck!
 
Re: I am SO upset!

ping1970 said:
bunnytoes said:
That's so awful. Have you tried calling and raising holy heck?? I know that's what I would be doing. That's so wrong.
Click to expand...

I am going to see where to start on this one Monday ~ they have a customer service line (to me, at this point is almost laughable) that I am going to call and see where I can get! I think this is probably a lost cause though.
Click to expand...

Stick to your guns chickie! Remember, the squeeky wheel....and I would be like nails on a chalkboard! SCREEEEEEEEECCCCCCCCCCCHHHHHHHHHHHH
 
Re: I am SO upset!

Its not that much trouble Wolfie, just a form and a stamp :sunny:. Of course with the amount I was dealing with I also did a delivery confirmation with added another few bucks. Its a lot less trouble than some piddly $10 rebates I've filed for :) (you know the ones "cut out the UPC, write in BLOCK LETTERS on a 3x5 card..." :laughing: )
 
Re: I am SO upset!

Actually there can be a lot more involved than just a form. You are lucky it worked out so well.

I handle these matters for a living and a chapter 11 on a huge corporation is a very complex situation. There are lots of avenues to pursue. There are lots of protections afforded the debtor. The one thing that is certain is that this is far from over.

Best of luck to all holding these cards.
 
Re: I am SO upset!

It was all kinda fun for me really (I have a weird idea of "fun" :laughing:), I got to find out interesting stuff like what "EDGAR" is
http://www.sec.gov/investor/pubs/bankrupt.htm
which was trippy!
Given the current economic climate, this is probably not going to be the last such event. :cry: So not saving g/c wins for Christmas (like many people) might be a good plan, esp. if they are to a smaller company (obviously walmart and amazon will still be with us, but that experience even has me turning over my amazon as fast as I can :error:)
What do you think Wolfie? Or am I just once burned twice shy :crazytongue:
 
Re: I am SO upset!

I agree Red. I am sure CompUSA and SI are the beginning. I love GC wins and usually hang on to them too. But, I bet I use them quicker now. I will also pay closer attention to the financial pages for a while.

I was burned on a GC for a small store in my area. It was a total liquidation. There were no assets. It really sucked, but what can you do. It wasn't a win, my husband gave it to me for Christmas.

Burned once, shame on them, burned twice beat me until I learn my lesson. :laughing:

Here's to hoping people around here start winning some cold, hard cash! Then no worries! :laughing:
 
Re: I am SO upset!

I have a $100 gift card from Carpet One, which I won in a sweepstakes a few years ago. I cannot use it or swap it now...because it is an older card, with no magnetic stripe or numbers on the back. It is just a card with the price and Carpet One logo on the front. I cannot seem to get rid of it. And if I did present it to Carpet One, would they accept it? With no proof that it was legitimate? Grrr......
 
Re: I am SO upset!

I don't know if this information is helpful to anyone, but I just saw it on the Brookstone website, while entering the Brookstone.com - Mad Money Sweepstakes instant win.

Quote:
Consumer Notice:
Do You Have a Sharper Image Gift Card?

We’ll take your Sharper Image Gift Card for ANY AMOUNT and give you 25% OFF
your entire Brookstone® purchase*
(In-store purchase only. Offer not valid online.)

Hurry - Limited Time Offer
Unquote

Here is the link, if you want to look into the details:

http://www.brookstone.com/info/content.asp?cust_serv_id=416&cm_re=HDR*Prm*SI-GC
 
Re: I am SO upset!

Thanks Rita!!! I've got one pretty close to me believe it or not!
 
Re: I am SO upset!

Here is some updated information on Sharper Image gift cards. While not ideal, it is better than before. Basically, if your gc was issued before Feb.19, 2008, you can use it for purchases which are double the amount of the gc...so Tammy would have to spend $25 in addition to the gift card (total purchase $50). Here is the link to a newspaper article which explains it.

http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20080306/sharper-image-will-take-gift-cards-again.htm

Also, when I searched for Sharper Image gift cards, I found a few places (in addition to Brookstone) which will accept them.

Maybe you can look for a stress-reliever-massager. :)
 
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