Discount Gift Card Seller Fails to Deliver: Buyer Beware

When an offer appears to be too good to be true, it generally is. Such is the case with discounted “Deal-of-the-Day” gift cards offered by Cardilly Deals Inc.

Be Advised
Operating as Cardilly.com, the company advertises second-market gift cards from such major retailers as Walmart and Best Buy at a 20-50 percent discount and promises delivery in two to four weeks. However, as reported by the American Consumers Protection Group (ACPG), a Pittsburgh-based consumer advocacy organization, there have been numerous complaints about gift cards that have not been received months after purchase. Many complaints were focused on the offer of a $100 Walmart gift card for $50.

An ACPG investigation revealed that despite Cardilly Deals’ Florida mailing address, the company is not registered with the Florida Secretary of State, a requirement for operating as a legal entity. The American Consumers Protection Group is continuing its investigation of Cardilly and has issued a statement urging consumers to avoid making any purchases from the company. In addition, it is monitoring the Web to ensure that the owners of Cardilly Deals do not set up similar sites under different names.

What to Do If You Placed an Order
If you have purchased a gift card from Cardilly and did not receive it, the American Consumers Protection Group advises that you take the following steps:

E-mail [email protected] and request that your order be cancelled and that a refund be issued to your credit card. The ACPG suggests that you state in your e-mail that you expect confirmation of your cancellation and refund within 24 hours. The ACPG indicates that Cardilly probably will not respond, but you need to take this step before your credit card issuer will get involved.

Contact your credit card company if you haven’t gotten a confirmation in 24 hours and ask to file a dispute for “merchandise not received.” The ACPG also recommends that you follow up your request with a letter detailing the dispute, that you send it via certified mail to the billing dispute/billing address on your statement, and that you note that the letter is a follow-up to your phone call.

File a complaint with the Attorney General’s office in your home state, and/or contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at 877-382-4357.

Buy Smart
Legitimate second-market resellers such as Plastic Jungle and Swapagift do offer reasonable and legal discounts. Still, it is always wise to investigate the reputation of resellers on consumer sites and forums. Always use your credit card when making a purchase to ensure that you will have recourse if the gift card does not arrive or if it is not as advertised. Finally, as advised by the FTC, avoid buying gift cards on auction sites…they may be counterfeit or stolen. A little caution will go a long way in assuring those discounts really are a bargain.

Sources:
Sun Sentinel

American Consumers Protection Group


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