Complaint Review: Blackhawk Network Inc.

I received a $100 gift card AS A GIFT for my birthday this Summer and held onto it for a few weeks.  When I finally tried to use it, it was declined and I was told that there was only a balance of $.05 on it.  I called the number on the back the same night and was told that a ticket would be opened and someone would contact me and that there was nothing that could be done to resolve the problem that night.  Luckily I had some money that day.

After not hearing back from anyone I followed up by phone the next business day and started getting bounce around from person to person who couldn't help me.  Finally I got a supervisor on the phone who wouldn't do anything unless I provided the original purchase receipt.  I calmly and politely explained that IT WAS A GIFT and that I didn't have access to the receipt.  At this point they tried to dismiss my issue and threaten to "close the ticket if I didn't comply within 30 days."

I asked the person who gave me the card for the receipt but of course they didn't have it weeks after the fact.  I contacted the retailer where the supposed $99.95 purchase was made and they at least looked into the matter.  Roughly a week later Blackhawk and it's affiliates were still no help to me.

I had to call Blackhawk again since no one from their Risk Management department ever did and I told them that I didn't have access to the receipt but I had the card in front of me.  I was then told that the card itself was not proof of ownership and that unless I could prove I owned the card they wouldn't look into the matter further.  

Needless to say nothing ever got resolved through Blackhawk but the original gift giver felt bad and gave me $100 in cash.

Fast forward to today and I get a letter from Blackhawk stating, in essence, that since I didn't supply them with any documentation "no further action will be taken on their part."

What a joke of a company this is.  I will never buy another gift card of ANY KIND because of this experience.