Unused gift certificates
When Peerce's Plantation closed for good, I got several inquiries from people wondering what they could do about gift certificates they had never used. I didn't have any advice.
(The wonderfully depressing photo, by the way, was taken when Peerce's was about to be auctioned off.)
The best advice I can give people about restaurant gift certificates is...
(Jed Kirschbaum/Sun Photographer)
...when you get one, use it. Right away. Most restaurants don't give much, if any, notice before they close their doors. And would you want to eat there anyway under those circumstances?
When a restaurant reopens under new owners, they will sometimes honor gift certificates to get customers to try their place, even though they are under no obligation to do so. But don't be surprised if they don't.
It may sound obvious, but if you're giving a gift certificate, make it to a place that seems rock solid.
One way to go might be to buy Restaurant Association of Maryland gift certificates, which can be used at many different restaurants; but even if they are safer, they don't feel as personal.
Buying certificates from nice chains is another possibility. You know if one Ruth's Chris goes out of business, there's always another one right around the corner.
Comments
Yes, I too was the victim of holding a gift certificate for a closed restaurant - in this case, Taste. I did email their site requesting a partial refund or at least a few bottles of wine from their leftover supply; however, I did not received a bounce back message or a reply. Taste owners certainly must have had an idea that they were closing in Mar/Apr 08 when they sold my boyfriend's daughter the $100 certificate late in December. Shame on them - and I hope no one makes the same mistake again if the owners resurface.
I wonder if there are any restaurants in the area (or in the Baltimore vicinity)that would accept my $100 certificate at less than face value. We always order at a least a bottle of wine and after dinner drinks so the margin would be there.
Posted by: Deb Patterson | May 13, 2008 2:38 PM
VIN in towson is closed. We have a $100 gift card for them however I cannot find any information on the other restaurants? Help!
Posted by: Erin | October 4, 2008 11:28 AM