Complaint Review: The Gift Assistant - Cincinnati Ohio

It is May 2, 2006. Since the time of my original posting, I received an email from someone purportedly with the company who gave me his "personal" cell phone number because he wanted to understand my concerns. I received no follow-up. I have reported them to the BBB and the Ohio Attorney General. I note their website still encourages people to buy these worthless cards with nary a mention that they do not intend to forward merchant cards to you. You are simply out of your money while they take it and tell you they don't issue refunds. Someone needs to do something about this large corporation. Here is the BBB report on them: Cincinnati BBB, Inc. 7 West Seventh Suite 1600 Cincinnati, OH 45202-2097 (513) 421-3015 THE GIFT ASSISTANT 1776 Mentor Avenue Cincinnati, OH 45212 View Location Map Local Phone Number: (877)443-8770 Fax Number: (513)631-4848 Membership Status: This company is not a member TOB Classification: Gift Registries Web Site URL(s): http://www.thegiftassistant.com The information in this report has either been provided by the company, or has been compiled by the Bureau from other sources. Customer Experience This firm first came to our attention in December 2005. The Bureau has sent two requests for basic information to this company but, as of today, has received no reply. Based on BBB files, this company has an unsatisfactory record with the Bureau due to unanswered complaint or complaints and a pattern of complaints concerning delivery issues. Specifically, complaints state that customers never receive the gift cards that they have redeemed from this company. Other complaints have stated the company has agreed to a refund, but the customers' credit cards are never credited. Customers also state this company is hard to reach, and often times the voicemail box is full. When evaluating complaint information, please consider the company's size and volume of business. The number of complaints filed against the company may not be as important as the type of complaints and how the company handled them. The Bureau processed a total of 5 complaints about this company in the last 36 months, our standard reporting period. Of the total 5 complaints in the last 36 months, 5 of those were closed in the last 12 months. Complaints Concerned Sales Practice Issues: 1 Outcome of the complaint - Resolved: 1 Delivery Issues: 2 Outcome of all complaints - No Response: 2 Service Issues: 2 Outcome of all complaints - No Response: 2 ADDITIONAL TRADENAMES, ADDRESSES AND TELEPHONE NUMBERS (513) 631-4440 This is not necessarily a complete list. The information in this report has either been provided by the company, or has been compiled by the Bureau from other sources. BBB reports may not be reproduced for sales or promotional purposes. Report as of: 5/2/2006 Copyright: 2006 Cincinnati BBB, Inc. As a matter of policy, the Better Business Bureau does not endorse any product, service, or company. BBB reports generally cover a three-year reporting period, and are provided solely to assist you in exercising your own best judgment. Information contained in this report is believed reliable but not guaranteed as to accuracy. Reports are subject to change at any time. The Better Business Bureau reports on members and non-members. Membership in the BBB is voluntary, and members must meet and maintain BBB standards. If a company is a member of the BBB, it is stated in this report.

I purchased three gift debit cards for my three children. You buy the cards, then the recipient can redeem them through The Gift Assistant in various amounts with various merchants. One was redeemed on 12/27/05 in the amount of $100 for Old Navy, and one was redeemed 1/26/06 in the amount of $25 for Best Buy. The third is unredeemed. The Gift Assistant was supposed to send out the Old Navy and Best Buy cards, but failed to do so. After numerous calls and emails, I was told 1) they have a problem with their merchants; 2) they will not refund my money; and 3) they could put the money back on the debit cards. The debit cards are unredeemable because there are no merchant cards. They have given me false promises of shipment, false promises of someone in authority contacting me to resolve the problem. There is no indication as of today that their website mentions that if you buy a card from them, it can't be redeemed. I have waited 3 months for the Old Navy merchant card and two months now for the Best Buy card. This is unacceptable, so I have not bothered to redeem the third $50 card. They said they cannot refund my money, but they are certainly holding on to it without a problem. Customer service, while nice, is useless and only placates you with false promises of delivery, and when those dates passed, I called again and was given new dates with new assurances and new explanations of their problems. I have contacted the state attorney's office in Ohio along with the Better Business Bureau. These people are rip-offs and have taken money without providing goods in return.