Jim-
Since you brought up Disneyland I can tell you that much of my retail
experience is associated with Disney and they do put expirations on their
gift certificates but not their ticket packages.  They do not on Ticket
packages to entice people into purchasing more days, but a ticket purchase
today would only be usable at parks in existence when the ticket was
purchased and not on any new park that was opened.  Also, there was a time
limit on those e-tickets, I almost positive that they are not honored today.
If someone comes in with one they  might (but I don't think so) still be
able to apply its face value to a current ticket, but they would not just
get admission into the park.

Also, because The Disney Stores (yes this is a part of the corp.) do put
expiration dates on their gift certificates they have a standing policy to
allow Management to okay any expired gift certificate, but they are not
required to accept them. We often listened to why people had not redeemed
them in time and tried to be fair.  In fact, where I worked, only once did
we ever turn away an expired gift certificate and that was because we were
positive it had been stolen from someone who was probably collecting the
decorative gift certificates.  Also, gift certificates are only good for
merchandise and not for tickets or Disney Dollars.

The only type of certificate that currently does not have any expiration is
Disney Dollars which is used just like cash.  This money is accepted at all
venues owned by the Disney Corporation and is therefore the most flexible.
These dollars can be exchanged for cash and are good on any product except
gift certificates.  These are more popular than gift certificates but only
because they can be purchased at any store or park and used everyone
including food vendors.

Tracie



----- Original Message -----
From: Carucci James GS-11 30CES/CEVPC <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Friday, December 08, 2000 11:35 AM
Subject: Re: Gift Certificates


> I love the internet.
> Just when I think I understand an issue, some intelligent, sensitive
person
> posts a contrary view that completely changes my frame of reference, and
> convinces me that my preconceived (or ill-conceived?) opinion was wrong!
>
> When, before, I thought it best to allow all gift certificates to "time
out"
> and become worthless, I now must agree with Audra's eloquent position
> (below).  It really is reasonable to allow gift certificates to be
redeemed
> AT ANY TIME.  Think of these facts: your gift shop prices will always
> continue to inflate, but a 10-year-old gift certificate will not (it is
not
> a zero coupon bond, after all); libraries accept overdue books decades
after
> they are checked out (kind of the same principle, only in reverse).
>
> But most importantly, before Disneyland switched to a one-price admission,
> an "E" ticket purchased in 1960 was good in 1975.  Since all life in
> southern california revolves around disneyland, we must at least assume
that
> they have the right idea.  The least the museum community should do is
> consider the "E Ticket Model" of full-face value redemption at any time.
>
> If I were in charge of the gift certificate program at a small museum, I
> would have the certificates nicely printed and sequentially numbered.  You
> could leave the denomination blank, but only sell them in increments of $5
> or $10, or whatever.  Then, when each one is sold, record the particulars
in
> a tracking log (certificate number, face value, date sold, validation by,
> etc.).  Then simply track them as outstanding checks.  Simple.
>
> jim carucci
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Audra Oliver [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: Thursday, December 07, 2000 1:24 PM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: Gift Certificates
>
> As a consumer, I'd say you should honor a gift certificate whenever it is
> presented.  After all, you've had the money in the bank earning interest.
> You're not out anything by redeeming it years later.  You only gain by the
> consumer's delay.  It certainly isn't a discount coupon of some sort.  I
> have to say, that by stressing that the certificate was expired you'd
offend
> me.  You might say in a very, very friendly manner, something about them
> having it for quite a while. I think you should act incredibly happy that
> they were finally able to visit and redeem your certificate.
>
> Their friend bought it.  It hasn't cost you anything to "store" their
money
> for however long they've had it.  Sorry listers but this response hit a
> nerve with me.
>
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