Gift cards are rapidly becoming one of the most appreciated items at the holiday season — and one of the easiest to buy.

Although gift cards continue to grow in popularity year after year, all cards are not equal. The fine print on the back outlining terms and conditions can mean the difference between a wonderful shopping experience for the recipient and one that is memorable for the wrong reason.

The ABA has information on gift cards to share with your communities through a video news release and also a traditional news release. This information presents background on the good and the cautionary aspects of these cards.

Although the ABA-prepared video news release on gift cards was produced a few years ago, the information is current. You may want to give a copy to one or more of your local television stations courtesy of your bar association. Here is a link to a preview of the video: http://www.abavideonews.org/ABA302/preview.htm. After you view it, if you would like broadcast-quality tapes to send to your local stations, please contact the ABA Broadcast Manager Julie Brown at 312-988-6133 or brownjd@staff.abanet.org.

The following is a proposed news release on gift cards you can send to your local newspaper. It includes a link to a checklist on consumer tips for giving and receiving gift cards found on the ABA Section of Business Law Web site.

(News Release for local bar association letterhead)

___________ Bar Association advises consumers to ask questions about gift cards in advance

Gift cards have become the go-to way to give loved ones a shopping experience along with a gift they select. They're also a great way to handle last-minute shopping.

To make sure that the gift card you give provides the gift you intend, the __________ Bar Association suggests some simple questions to ask. By finding out the answers before you buy, you can be sure you and the recipient will be pleased with your purchase.

You will want to know whether you are buying a store card, good in one specific shop or chain only, or a national card that can be used like cash at any number of stores across the country. You need to know if there is an expiration date and what it is so you can give that information along with the card.

You also need to know if there are any fees attached to the card. In all cases, keeping the receipt and card number is important until after you know the card has been used. When you receive a card, retain the original packaging as it can list information concerning expiration dates, fees and other terms of use.

For a complete list of consumer tips on giving and receiving gift cards, the ____________ Bar Association suggests you visit the American Bar Association's Web site at www.abanet.org/buslaw/committees/CL230000pub/giftcard/home.shtml.

(Bar association boiler plate)

Back to top.

© 2007 American Bar Association