SanDiegoRestaurants.com

Dear Revdex.com,unfortunately, we were unable to solve the issue over the phone as the customer was incapable of having a conversation, kept screaming, calling names and using profanities.As per California Laws:http://www.dca.ca.gov/publications/legal_guides/s-11.shtmlQCan a gift
certificate or gift card contain an expiration date?ANoHowever, this general rule is subject to the following exceptions:A gift card that can be used with multiple unaffiliated sellers of goods or services may contain an expiration date.9 If so, the expiration date must be printed on the card.We already offered a solution to this matter and we will be happy to resolve this issues directly with the customer.Thank you*** ***Restaurant Agent Inc

Revdex.com:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and have determined that this proposed action would not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.
The business was the one who was not capable of having a normal conversation. Right off the bat I was confronted with rudeness and unwillingness to assist. This business is clearly out for their own enrichment, not to help their "customers". I use this term lightly in connection with this establishment. It's very cute how the business cited the gift card law, since that's clearly all they know, however there are other things to consider here. By offering to "extend" the expiration for a fee of 20% of the value of each gift card, they are trying to enrich themselves doubly on top of receiving a percentage when the gift card is used. The business has been paid, yet no service has been received. You may inform them that this matter will be referred to the Attorney General as directed by the California Consumer Protection Agency and as stated previously to international consumer protection agency since this business defrauded a customer overseas. It must be clear to you that this is not how a legitimate business firstly responds to a customer complaint and secondly does business in general. 
Regards,
[redacted]

Review: My parents gifted me four (4) $50 sandiegorestaurants.com gift certificates for my birthday last year, August 2014. All four certificates show an expiration date of "8/11/15", however California does not allow an expiration on gift cards per Civil Code 1479.5. I tried making a reservation online today on the business' website and it showed expired gift certificate. I called the phone number provided on their website and a male answered the phone. I told him my dilemma about the expired certificate and he rudely asked "So what's your question?" I explained to him that there shouldn't be an expiration date as its against California law. He said "Oh so you read up on the law and then you call me accusing me of something illegal? You should probably read the whole thing because you're wrong. " That comment immediately raised a red flag. I explained to him that I wasn't wrong and that he was and told him that I received the certificates from my parents as a birthday gift. Again he rudely asked "So what's your question?" I told him that I needed my gift certificates without an expiration date. After again telling me rudely that I had no idea what the law was, I asked him what the remedy was for an expired certificate. He then told me that he had a program that could extend the certificate another year and it would cost $10 per certificate. My response was that he was unprofessional and operating illegally and then disconnected. I would like this matter resolved within the legal parameters, which means either a refund of $200 or an unexpired certificate of the same amount. If he interprets the law according to the exception for sellers of gift cards of "independent, non-affiliated products or services", which in this case doesn't apply, he may also refer to the exception rule that clearly states that the expiration date has to be printed in capital letters in 10 font. His certificate does not follow the guidelines. Either way, I am in the right and this business is shadyDesired Settlement: An unexpired gift certificate of $200 or a refund of $200 cash. Since this transaction went across international borders I will also notify the correct authorities in the country where my parents purchased these certificates. The U.S. consumer Protection Agency has been notified as well. Illegal business practices are not tolerated.

Business

Response:

Dear Revdex.com,