Barnes And Noble Unused gift cards charged $1.50/mo. until balance is $.00 Daytona Beach Nationwide
My daughter recieved a Barnes and Noble gift card in 2001. When she tried to use it in October 2003, they said the balance was zero because after a certain amount of time they begin charging $1.50 per month service charge.
When my daughter talked to the person at the 800 number on the back of the card, they just told her the balance was zero. When I called and threatened to write an editorial in the paper, the person gave me an 800 number to call. I unfortunately did not save the number.
I called the 800 number and was told that Barnes and Noble was in the process of returning the "service charge" to the gift cards. My daughter's was returned 2 weeks after the call.
What I wanted to inform people about is that if you did not complain enough you were led to believe there was nothing you could do. So even though "someone" has made them return the money, anyone who destroyed their card because the value was reported as zero has lost the chance to get the money back.
In other words - Barnes and Noble has collected money from people who purchased their gift cards and kept the money!!!!!
Debbie
Port Orange, Florida
U.S.A.
3 Updates & Rebuttals
Jb Jr
Burbank,California,
U.S.A.
No Longer a Problem
#4UPDATE Employee
Fri, July 31, 2009
@ suntherian
If you've only worked for the company for a year, then you have no historical knowledge of the company and can't very well represent them regarding a complaint from 2003, now can you? Besides, you're contradicting yourself by proclaiming BN's primary focus is "customer service" and one sentence later, accusing a customer of "blatant lies."
Here's the facts from someone who has worked for the company for 12 years and has some experience: When Barnes & Noble first went from paper gift certificates to plastic gift cards (around 2002 I believe), there was a period of about 2 years where the small print on the back of the cards stated quite clearly that the banking company we partnered with (Visa or Mastercard I believe) will take $1.50 per month after a specified inactivity period, except in States where it was unlawful. California is one of these states where it was unlawful so it never occurred there. But after many complaints, BN eventually removed this clause (around 2004 maybe?) So currently there are no fees associated with gift cards.
Suntherian
San Antonio,Texas,
U.S.A.
Blatant Lies.
#4UPDATE Employee
Fri, February 01, 2008
I've been working for Barnes and Noble for near a year now and have never had a better company to work for- their primary focus is always customer service and satisfaction (not to mention that they treat their employees with the same amount of respect and consideration), and I can tell you right now: this person is VERY simply, lying.
Barnes and Noble, as a corporation, NEVER charges monthly, yearly, or any other annual fees to gift cards and/or store credit cards. Those cards are treated as money in the holders' hands- and while they cannot be exchanged for actual money, it will NEVER disappear over time due to inactivity.
I have no idea who this person spoke with when the called customer support- if they actually did speak to anyone- but, please, judge for yourself: if you have any doubts about the balance of your current gift cards and/or store credit cards, call 1-800-THE-BOOK (1-800-843-2665). Anyone will happily tell you our gift cards/store credit cards do not expire, and will never receive any inactivity fees or annual charges of any kind.
Also, just FYI: I had someone come through my checkout line a few months back with a gift card design so old we no longer even CARRY that particular design- THAT should say enough.
Danielle
Green Bay,Wisconsin,
U.S.A.
Read the fine print!
#4UPDATE Employee
Wed, June 15, 2005
I work at Barnes and Noble right now. I joined the company in February of 2004, so I've been there a decent amount of time so far. They no longer have a service charge on gift cards. I can't say I know much about a service charge prior to becoming employed with the company, but
I do know that there has been a service charge in the past.
My question here is this: Why didn't you(the person filing the report) read the fine print on the back of the gift card? There's always restrictions and other information on the back of the card that you may not otherwise find out about.
And the bigger question is even more interesting: Why did your daughter wait 2 years to use the gift card? Don't tell me it's because you didn't live near one at the time. You can use the gift cards online.
And how much was the gift card for? Barnes and Noble does not intentionally take and keep money from customers. This is a bogus claim made by a person who didn't have the common sense to read the fine print.
ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS READ FINE PRINT ON EVERYTHING. Maybe now you've learned your lesson and will pay more attention in the future.