OS - You may want to think twice before buying that gift card

Also it irked me to purchase a card for $50 at a grocery store only to find they charged $5 for the convenience. Sorry, will never do that again because I inquired about my purchase but was not told of this fee. They didn't like it but I am in advertising and I know there are things one should do to help the buyer, especially when the buyer asks, "why do you keep saying this American Express card is for teens, I am buying it for $50 right? Anything else I should know? can't anyone use it?" I don't care if there was a tiny sign on the aisle kiosk halfway down. I am 5'6" and it wasn't eye level or where I picked the card. I also asked what else I needed to know about the card.

After calling the better business bureau and speaking to a store manager I received my $5 fee back and a gift certificate to the store for my trouble. I was young and burned by the "buyer beware" before. Now I know if I ask and they do not inform, that is an issue.

BTW I will never purchase an American Express card again for this reason. Check any card, I was disheartened to hear some cards take the fee straight off the gift card, mine was worked into the items I also purchased that day so I did not catch it at first. Then I read the card, looked at the receipt and then called the store back. Stinky way of doing business is correct. It is no sweat off their back.

I found it interesting that someone said they felt as if they were robbed. Basically, they were, just in fine print. That is definitely a shady way of doing business.

It's probably worse now, with the proliferation of gift cards, but I got "burned" even in the "old days," after my dh bought a certificate good for a "spa day" and the place went out of business before I could use it. (Admittedly, I'd held on to the certificate for over a year, but it was during the time I was caring for my ailing mother, and I didn't feel like I had time to "relax.") Bummer....