SC6 Consumer Alert: Careful of Which Gift Card You Give This Christmas..

Not All Gift Cards Are Equal This Year, And Why....

Hey, i'm not sure if you noticed this lately, but the economy is kinda in the pooper this year. Luckily, we have Christmas coming soon, and that usually takes the sting out of it a bit - if only for a day. However, I got an e-mail from a friend in Hilton Head that really did make a little sense. Today, we pass this info on to you to tell you to shop wisely this year...

If you're like me, you HATE picking out gifts. Although sometimes I've given some really thoughtful gifts, most of the time I have hard time doing it, so I opt for gift cards. It's easier... But, while it may be easy, you do need to be careful this holiday season. Why? Many businesses large and small are tanking, and a lot of them will be closing their doors after Christmas. What becomes of those gift cards then? If the store is closed, they're basically useless.

So, to give you an idea of what big retailers are cutting back, or cutting and running, here is a list I got of what businesses are hitting the skids....

Circuit City (filed Chapter 11)

Ann Taylor 117 stores nationwide closing

Lane Bryant, Fashion Bug, and Catherine's to close> 150 stores nationwide

Eddie Bauer to close stores 27 stores and more after January

Cache will close all stores

Talbots closing down specialty stores

J. Jill closing all stores (owned by Talbots)

Pacific Sunwear (also owned by Talbots)

GAP closing 85 stores

Footlocker closing 140 stores more to close after January

Wickes Furniture closing down

Levitz closing down remaining stores

Bombay closing remaining stores

Zales closing down 82 stores and 105 after January

Whitehall closing all stores

Piercing Pagoda closing all stores

Disney closing 98 stores and will close more after January.

Home Depot closing 15 stores

Macy's to close 9 stores after January

Linens and Things is closing all stores

Movie Galley Closing all stores

Pep Boys Closing 33 stores

Sprint/Nextel closing 133 stores

JC Penney closing a number of stores after January

Ethan Allen closing down 12 stores.

Wilson Leather closing down all stores

Sharper Image closing down all stores

K B Toys closing 356 stores

Loews to close down some stores

Dillard's to close some stores

What if a stores listed is one you plan to buy a gift card from? Easy, just ask them if they are planning on closing.. They'll usually be honest with you. Happy shopping, and be careful out there..

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