electronic gift cards

[kia cat]

we found quite a few of these, in the back of father-in-law's drawer.
Do they have a time limit on them?
Most have a receipt some are two and 3 years old. Thanks

[ojread2]

Funny you should ask this - my other half used a gift card yesterday he had had for over 2 years
As you buy them with money, be it paid for with cash, cheque or CC, then there shouldn't be a time limit on usage. I can only think you wont be able to use them if the store they must be spent in has closed down

There is, however, generally, a use by date of vouchers

[erin-x]

It would tell you on the card if there was an expiry date. If you want to double check, just go into the shops in question and ask them to check :-)

[Ratty2E]

I think they should be OK, I have used a HMV one that was a couple of years old and just asked them to scan it to tell me how much was on it and it was fine.

[bednobs]

with the ones i bought for my nephews this christmas (HMV) there has to be some activity on them within 2 years. This activity need not be buying stuff, but could be going into the shop and finding out how much is on there

[Old_Geezer]

There shouldn't be a time limit on gift vouchers regardless of the way they are created, and that always used to be the case; but over the last few years I have seen sellers try to steal the money by putting a tmie limit on so they get their cash but if you haven't used the voucher quickly then they supply no goods/service. Sign of the times I am afraid, if commercial concerns can see a possible way to diddle you then apparently it's ok for them to do so. And putting a date on vouchers is a prime example. You swill note they pull the same con on winning lottery tickets. So I'd say try to use them and see. Easiest way to find out.

[theshedman]

Hi, as others have said there should be something on them if there is a time limit. A lot of them have a website you can visit to tell you if there is a balance on them. It's what I often do to check mine. You could do this first as it will save a trip to the store.