Attention Bakersfield!  Beware of Jack in the Box.  If you recently purchased ,or received as a gift, a JACKCASH gift card, then beware when trying to cash it out when you have less than $10 remaining on your balance.  According to California law, passed in early 2008, any gift card with less than $10 can be redeemed for cash.  That is, unless, you are trying to recover it from Jack in the Box.  I was refused to cash out my gift card by two local Jack in the Box restaurants when I tried to cash out the remaining $1.53 left on my card.  I know, it seems like such a little amount, but this is a multi-billion dollar industry and we are being scammed.  You have the right to cash out any gift card with less than $10 remaining on it from any store, restaurant or business.  Do not let them lie, or get away with keeping your money.  I hope and pray that this story is picked up by local media, or that the citizens of this county stand strong.  It's your money, not theirs.  Please report any abuse to local media, local law enforcement, or any other avenue you deem appropriate.  Sincerely, ScottyJ  "A concerned citizen!"

Addendum...

I was mistaken concerning the law and gift cards as they pertain to food products.  I must apologize, here is the law as it stands...

Update: Beginning January 1, 2008, California law requires merchants to provide cash back to the purchaser or holder of any gift certificate with a balance less than $10.  (This is a retro law that governs all gift cards issued back to 1997, providing they fall under the appropriate jurisdiction of this law.)

The bad news is the law, as always, has several loopholes.

The biggest of these loopholes is that if the card can be used to buy goods or services from multiple unrelated stores, such as an American Express™, MasterCard™, or Visa™ gift card, that card is not covered by the California law. Luckily, federal law governing nationally chartered banks requires that such cards prominently display any expiration date on the front of the card, and the fact that there is a monthly fee and how to obtain additional information (by providing a toll free number or website address, for example) on the back of the card.

The second biggest loophole is that while gift cards cannot have an expiration date, they can have a redemption date, which is a date by which the recipient of the card must use it. What is the difference, you may ask? Well, a seller that chooses to put a redemption date on a gift card must give the purchaser a full refund of the amount paid for the card if the recipient does not redeem it by the redemption date. So at least you haven't just thrown your money away if the recipient of your gift is a little slow.

The third biggest loophole is that while gift cards cannot charge a service fee, they can charge a dormancy fee for non-use. Again, the difference? Well, a dormancy fee can only be charged if:

• the value remaining on the gift card is $5.00 or less; and
• the dormancy fee is $1.00 per month or less; and
• the card has been inactive for 24 consecutive months (for example, no purchases, "reloading," or balance inquiries); and
• the holder may reload or add value to the card.

The card must contain a statement in at least 10-point type stating that the fee is triggered by inactivity, the amount and frequency of the fee, and at what point the fee will be charged. This statement may be on the front or the back of the card, but it must be visible to the purchaser prior to purchase. So at least you know what you're buying before you buy it.

Finally, the California law doesn't apply to prepaid calling cards, cards distributed to consumers without charge under an awards, loyalty or promotional program; cards sold below face value at a volume discount to be used for fundraising purposes if the expiration date is 30 days or less after the date of sale; or cards issued for food products or grocery items.

As you can see, I was wrong, Jack in the Box has no legal responsibility to follow this law due to the fact that they sell food products.  I would like to thank Jack in the Box for responding to my email and I would like to let you know that they have decided to honor California law and give consumers the option to cash out their JACKCASH gift cards when the balance is $10 or less.  I believe they have already started training, for their employees, on how to refund the cash, per my discussion with a JIB corporate spokeswoman.  I was told by corporate, that here in Bakersfield, namely, at the JIB on Chester and Columbus, the training has already been completed.

Although I was wrong, a change of policy took place.  It's amazing what can happen/change in this world when we put a little effort in to it. 

Additionally, I wonder what would have happened if I had used my gift card to purchase the Jack in the Box antenna balls.  Clearly they are not food, and I wonder if I would have still been denied the option to cash out my gift card, but because Jack in the Box took my complaint seriously, I guess the point is mute.

Best Wishes and Happy New Year, ScottyJ

P.s. "theColorNine, don't give up.  Email and/or call Barnes and Noble corporate HQ.  Don't give up.  Additionally, email/call the Department of consumer affairs. 

I read the above article, and unless your gift card was a Visa/MC/American Express you should have a fair claim.  Also, I believe Jack in the Box took me seriously because I threatened to go to the local media.  By the way, they were definitely concerned that I understand their policy had changed and that I could now get my money.  They specifically asked me if I had contacted the media yet.  To their relief, I let them know that I had turned down CH. 17 for an on air interview.  Which is the truth.  Fight on Kern County!!!

P.s.s.  "Shwaine"  Props go out to Petsmart.  If only all business would post the law, giving both consumer and employee a chance to be informed and educated as to their rights.