Rosewater Supper Club Gift Certificates

[ondadl]

I have two gift certificates that expire at the end of the month for $50 each. A lawyer friend was actually just telling me that, by law, gift certificates are not alllowed to expire in Ontario anymore? Either way, you have until the end of the month. The catch is that only one coupon can be used at a time.

Looking for $25 each, or $40 for the pair.

[dkedad]

I believe that the legislation applies to "gift cards" not gift certificates

[ondadl]

I believe that the legislation applies to "gift cards" not gift certificates

Is there a difference? I actually just called the restaurant, and they said they'd easily extend the certificate by a few months anyway.

[dkedad]

Is there a difference? I actually just called the restaurant, and they said they'd easily extend the certificate by a few months anyway.

think of it this way.....
a gift "card' is digital (you can't see the value unless you access it through a
reader.....or dialling an access #)
a gift "certificate" is like tender with specific restrictions listed on it.
......just my own "guess"

[sharkhark]

This was the initial proposal:


Ontario to seek ban on gift card expiry dates

Comments (13)

Monday, September 25, 2006 | 09:57 AM ET


Ontario Government Services Minister Gerry Phillips says he will introduce legislation this fall to get rid of the expiry dates on gift cards.
On Sunday, Phillips said he hopes the legislation will pass this fall, but that it may be difficult to have a new law in place in time for the busy holiday season.
Phillips is seeking the ban, he says, because consumers deserve to get what they pay for and so should be able to redeem a gift certificate at any time.
The move would make Ontario the first jurisdiction in the country to ban gift card expiry dates.



This was the result:
Ontario bans gift card expiry dates

Last Updated: Tuesday, May 29, 2007 | 3:19 PM ET

CBC News (http://www.cbc.ca/news/credit.html)


Under a new consumer protection regulation, businesses in Ontario will have to eliminate expiry dates on gift cards — plastic cards loaded with cash value — as of October 1.
"Cash equivalent gift cards will never expire," Government Services Minister Gerry Phillips said on Tuesday in Toronto.
"These changes the McGuinty government is bringing in are fair to the consumers and, I might add, fair to business. We're moving forward with our changes. We have had the support of a wide range of stakeholders, including the Consumers Council of Canada and the Retail Council of Canada."
Ontario is the first province in Canada to regulate gift cards. Manitoba is considering introducing similar legislation.
Under the new regulations, businesses will only be permitted to charge additional fees for the customization of a gift card or to replace a lost or stolen card. Businesses must also clearly disclose all terms and conditions associated with redeeming the card.
The law will not apply to loyalty cards or prepaid phone cards.



This below clarifies confusion on cards vs certificates:


http://www.gov.on.ca/mgs/graphics/stel01_039079.gif (http://www.gov.on.ca/ont/navigation/NavigationController.jsp?PageName=Home&docid=EC002001&lang=en)



http://www.gov.on.ca/mgs/graphics/stel01_039087.jpg (http://www.gov.on.ca/mgs/en/Home/STEL01_039054.html) ABOUT THE MINISTRY (http://www.gov.on.ca/mgs/en/AbtMin/STEL01_045772.html) | MINISTRY PROGRAMS (http://www.gov.on.ca/mgs/en/MinPrg/STEL01_045770.html) | NEWS (http://www.gov.on.ca/mgs/en/News/STEL01_039148.html) | CONTACT US (http://www.gov.on.ca/mgs/en/Contact/STEL01_045739.html)
What’s the purpose of the new law?
The goal is to ensure you get what you paid for by being able to redeem the full value of a gift card at any time. In addition to prohibiting expiry dates and restricting fees, the new law also ensures consumers receive prominent disclosure of terms that affect their card.
When do the new rules apply?
These changes come into effect October 1, 2007.
Are all gift cards covered by the law?
The rules apply to pre-paid and re-loadable gift cards and gift certificates sold by retailers.
Gift cards redeemable at more than one unaffiliated store such as shopping malls, must follow the rules relating to expiry dates and disclosures, but are temporarily exempt from the rules on fees while the ministry examines options to regulate these types of cards.
Will the rules apply to previously purchased gift cards?
No, the regulations only apply to gift cards bought on or after October 1, 2007. But, many businesses have voluntarily eliminated expiry dates and fees on existing cards, so it’s worth asking the retailer if you’re in doubt.

[Merlot]

PM sent.

Also, what does it all mean Sharkhark? Are gift certificates the same as Gift Cards?

Too much for me to compute.


This was the initial proposal:


Ontario to seek ban on gift card expiry dates

Comments (13)

Monday, September 25, 2006 | 09:57 AM ET


Ontario Government Services Minister Gerry Phillips says he will introduce legislation this fall to get rid of the expiry dates on gift cards.
On Sunday, Phillips said he hopes the legislation will pass this fall, but that it may be difficult to have a new law in place in time for the busy holiday season.
Phillips is seeking the ban, he says, because consumers deserve to get what they pay for and so should be able to redeem a gift certificate at any time.
The move would make Ontario the first jurisdiction in the country to ban gift card expiry dates.



This was the result:
Ontario bans gift card expiry dates

Last Updated: Tuesday, May 29, 2007 | 3:19 PM ET

CBC News (http://www.cbc.ca/news/credit.html)


Under a new consumer protection regulation, businesses in Ontario will have to eliminate expiry dates on gift cards — plastic cards loaded with cash value — as of October 1.
"Cash equivalent gift cards will never expire," Government Services Minister Gerry Phillips said on Tuesday in Toronto.
"These changes the McGuinty government is bringing in are fair to the consumers and, I might add, fair to business. We're moving forward with our changes. We have had the support of a wide range of stakeholders, including the Consumers Council of Canada and the Retail Council of Canada."
Ontario is the first province in Canada to regulate gift cards. Manitoba is considering introducing similar legislation.
Under the new regulations, businesses will only be permitted to charge additional fees for the customization of a gift card or to replace a lost or stolen card. Businesses must also clearly disclose all terms and conditions associated with redeeming the card.
The law will not apply to loyalty cards or prepaid phone cards.



This below clarifies confusion on cards vs certificates:


http://www.gov.on.ca/mgs/graphics/stel01_039079.gif (http://www.gov.on.ca/ont/navigation/NavigationController.jsp?PageName=Home&docid=EC002001&lang=en)



http://www.gov.on.ca/mgs/graphics/stel01_039087.jpg (http://www.gov.on.ca/mgs/en/Home/STEL01_039054.html) ABOUT THE MINISTRY (http://www.gov.on.ca/mgs/en/AbtMin/STEL01_045772.html) | MINISTRY PROGRAMS (http://www.gov.on.ca/mgs/en/MinPrg/STEL01_045770.html) | NEWS (http://www.gov.on.ca/mgs/en/News/STEL01_039148.html) | CONTACT US (http://www.gov.on.ca/mgs/en/Contact/STEL01_045739.html)
What’s the purpose of the new law?
The goal is to ensure you get what you paid for by being able to redeem the full value of a gift card at any time. In addition to prohibiting expiry dates and restricting fees, the new law also ensures consumers receive prominent disclosure of terms that affect their card.
When do the new rules apply?
These changes come into effect October 1, 2007.
Are all gift cards covered by the law?
The rules apply to pre-paid and re-loadable gift cards and gift certificates sold by retailers.
Gift cards redeemable at more than one unaffiliated store such as shopping malls, must follow the rules relating to expiry dates and disclosures, but are temporarily exempt from the rules on fees while the ministry examines options to regulate these types of cards.
Will the rules apply to previously purchased gift cards?
No, the regulations only apply to gift cards bought on or after October 1, 2007. But, many businesses have voluntarily eliminated expiry dates and fees on existing cards, so it’s worth asking the retailer if you’re in doubt.

[sharkhark]

PM sent.

Also, what does it all mean Sharkhark? Are gift certificates the same as Gift Cards?

Too much for me to compute.

Yep. all the same. gift card or certificate, all the same. If bought or stamped before oct 1 2007 then they have just the usual expiration, but if bought after oct 1st then they never expire.

[Merlot]

Good too know Sharkhark. Very good info.

[ondadl]

bumping...

[Merlot]

Hey, will you split them up still for $25 each? Where abouts could we meet?

[ondadl]

Hey, will you split them up still for $25 each? Where abouts could we meet?

Yes, they can still be split up. Easy pickup in midtown and North York.

[ondadl]

GONZO