Gift vouchers and expiry dates: when the gift stops giving

Article


Jones, Nicky. 2009. "Gift vouchers and expiry dates: when the gift stops giving." QUT Law Review. 9 (2), pp. 213-231.
Article Title

Gift vouchers and expiry dates: when the gift stops giving

ERA Journal ID33734
Article CategoryArticle
Authors
AuthorJones, Nicky
Journal TitleQUT Law Review
Journal Citation9 (2), pp. 213-231
Number of Pages19
Year2009
Place of PublicationBrisbane, Australia
ISSN1445-6230
1445-6249
2201-7275
Web Address (URL)http://www.law.qut.edu.au/files/6.Expiry_dates_on_gift_vouchers_JONES_Publish.pdf
Abstract

Gift vouchers are an increasingly popular choice of gift and constitute a significant portion of the North American retail sales economy. However, many gift vouchers are lost or forgotten and expire unused – resulting in enormous profits to the retailers and corresponding losses to consumers. Many Canadian provinces and US States have enacted legislation prohibiting retailers from imposing expiry dates on gift vouchers.

This article argues that it is unjust for retailers to accept consideration for gift vouchers and then refuse to deliver promised goods or services when the vouchers expire. It recommends amendments to Australian consumer protection laws along the lines of Canadian and US reforms to protect consumers from losing the benefit of unused and expired gift vouchers.

Keywordsgift voucher; gift vouchers; gift card; gift cards; expiry date; expiry dates; expiration; lost; unused; Canada; United States of America; consumer protection
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020350605. Marketing management (incl. strategy and customer relations)
480499. Law in context not elsewhere classified
480699. Private law and civil obligations not elsewhere classified
Public Notes

File reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher/author.

Byline AffiliationsSchool of Law
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