Off Topic but important - Awareness About Gift Cards - Hidden fees, etc.

[Guest guest]

About Gift Cards:

Don't know what to give? A gift card will do the trick--unless it does a trick on your recipient first. Gift cards sometimes come with a catch: Some cards charge hidden fees, while others actually expire before they're used. Consumers love gift cards. We'll spend some $45 billion on them this year, up from last year's $36 billion price tag. While gift cards do have many advantages for both the giver and the recipient, Consumer Reports cautions that some cards have little-known restrictions.

Beware the Hidden Fees: A growing number of companies are charging the recipient "dormancy fees" for using their gift cards, especially if they hold them for several months. After six months, gift cards from the Mall of America decrease in value by $2.50 a month. After 24 months, Circuit City charges $2 a month for the gift card, while Starbucks tacks on a $2 per month charge after a year.Beware the Expiration Date: Some gift cards actually come with an expiration date. Pay attention to that or you could be left holding a worthless hunk of plastic. One good deal: Gift cards from The Gap have no fees and never expire.