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Minnesota House of Representatives

State Representative Joe Atkins

583 State Office BuildingState Office Building
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-4192

For more information contact: Christina Gosack 651-296-5524

Posted: 2006-11-30 00:00:00
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Atkins Wants to "Keep the Grinch from Stealing Gift Cards"

With the holiday shopping season in full swing, top on many buyers' lists will be the increasingly popular gift card.
Yet State Representative Joe Atkins says shoppers should beware. "This can be the gift that keeps on giving or the gift that keeps on taking," said Atkins.

The newly appointed Commerce Committee chair says many consumers may not realize that the terms of some gift cards will prevent the recipient from getting the full value of the gift.

"Some of these cards have expiration dates and exorbitant fees that rapidly erode the value of the gift," Atkins explained. "It's not what the buyer expects when they purchase it, and it's not what the recipient expects."
Atkins plans to introduce legislation in the 2007 Session to protect the value of retail gift cards.

"We want to keep the Grinch from stealing gift cards," he said. "Gift cards are great because you know the recipient can pick out exactly the gift they want. But many are surprised to learn that with some gift cards, if they wait a few months to pick out what they want, the value is gone or cut in half. It's unreasonable."

Atkins' bill would eliminate unfair expiration dates and service fees that eat away at the value of a gift card or gift certificate. The bill would also allow the holder of a gift card, once the card has been used, to get the remainder of the card's value back in cash.

"This law would end the confusion of having different regulations for every retailer," said Atkins. "Until then, shoppers should be sure to ask about any restrictions before they buy."

Atkins' committee will likely take up the bill when the 2007 Session convenes January 3rd.

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