Gift Card Warning

I love giving and receiving gift cards at Christmas. That way the person can buy something they need rather than receive something they don't really want. However, this year more than others, we need to be careful about some gift cards because of the economy. I received an email from my friend Lisa warning about stores selling gift cards and then possibly going under or closing after the holidays. One of my local news stations posted a story with the following list of stores that may be in danger in January, given to them by the local Better Business Bureau. If you receive a gift card from one of the following stores, try to use it right away, preferably before January 1st.

Circuit City (filed Chapter 11) - closing 155 stores
Home Depot closing 15 stores 1 in NJ ( New Brunswick )
Lowe's to close down some stores
Linens and Things closing all stores
Sharper Image closing down all stores
GAP closing 85 stores
JC Penney closing a number of stores after January
Ann Taylor 117 stores nationwide closing by 2010
Lane Bryant, Fashion Bug , Catherine's to close 150 stores nationwide
Eddie Bauer to close stores 27 stores and more after January
Cache will close all Luxe stores - closing 21 stores
Talbots closing down specialty stores
J. Jill closing all stores (owned by Talbots)
Pacific Sunwear (also owned by Talbots)
Footlocker closing 140 stores
Wickes Furniture closing 38 stores
Levitz closing down remaining stores
Bombay closing remaining stores
Zales closing down 105 stores
Whitehall closing all stores
Piercing Pagoda closing all stores
Disney closing 98 stores and will close more after January
Macys to close 9 stores after January
Movie Galley and Hollywood Video - Closing 400 stores
Pep Boys Closing 33 stores
Sprint/Nextel closing 133 stores
Ethan Allen closing down 12 stores.
Wilson Leather closing down 160 stores
K B Toys closing 356 stores
Dillard's to close some stores
Pier 1 Imports - closing 25 stores
Dell - closing 140 mall kiosks
Sprint - closing 125 stores

According to the article, internet lists that are circulating are rumors because troubled businesses haven't confirmed their plans for after January. However, since the Better Business Bureau put out this list of stores to be watching, I thought I would share it with you just in case.