I know this isn't OB, but OB knows things.

I have a gift card for a company that has filed chapter 11 bankruptcy. I went to the store today to use it, and they won't accept it. I went to their online store, and it says they can't be used for online orders either.

My question is, what are the repercussions of me walking into the store tomorrow, grabbing what I want, putting the gift card next to the register, and walking out? I wouldn't take more than what the value of the gift card holds. I'm in TX because I'm sure location matters on this one.

Theft

If you do it in Austin, San Antonio, or Houston, you can steal it and the DA won't prosecute, unless you are a republican. The Dallas DA actually does prosecute. If you're in a smaller town like Waco, Amarillo, or Lubbock, etc, you will be prosecuted.

The risk of not using gift cards is the company going bankrupt.

Can you see the GC balance online? if so print a screenshot, take to store, grab merch, go checkout and ask for a manager if they refuse.

What store?

The store is Express. The location is College Station, and the location is closing. I was told I could use it at another location that isn't closing, but that's like 70 miles away.

Hmm…gift card has $50 on it. So, I'm looking at a potential class C misdemeanor. No jail time and a potential monetary fine.

Honestly, going in there and taking the stuff isn't quite off the table yet.

This is a joke right?

No, but my emotions are a little high right now. I tried talking to their customer service about this, and the dude just hung up on me.

Basically, I feel slighted and justified in just going in there and collecting. Maybe cooler heads will prevail after I sleep on it.

This is weird.

Talk to the manager.

Maybe I should have taken this to F16. I bet they would just tell me what I want to hear:

"Go in there and take what's yours! 'Merrica!"

I am not an attorney but you are basically a creditor at this point and have to get in line with all the other debt holders they are trying to discharge during the bankruptcy. In effect, you are hosed. I have been burned multiple times over the years. Moral of the story for everyone else is spend retail gift cards asap when received.

Or cut their trees down. It's the OB way.

If this were a $500 card from Cabelas you might get a little more empathy, but I bet most on the OB haven't bought anything at Express either a. Ever or 2. In 20+ years.

For $50 I wouldn't even care about the principle of it and would throw it away. Hell, I might even throw away a $500 Express card.

Mas89 said:

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Talk to the manager. If that doesn't work maybe leave a deuce in the dressing room under the clothes you try on.

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The deuce in the dressing room is a new one …. Can you imagine when the cleaning crew smells poo down the dressing room isle..

This is a gift you received, yes? You didn't actually purchase a gift card for yourself, right? So you're going to steal something to make up for the money you never spent.

Hate to break it to you, but you're not exactly Ocean's 11 material.

Sell the GC on eBay and move on. It's pride month so Express is in demand.

Did anyone else have to google what Express is?

Gift cards are such a racket. It's earmarking money to a specific business that can and will never be converted back into money. Never give them as gifts. Just give money.

Wait only $50, thats barely half a tank of gas, cut losses and move on

Whoop Delecto said:

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Sell the GC on eBay and move on. It's pride month so Express is in demand.

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Just sold it to one of those gift card buying companies. I guess that's the end of my drama.

MoreCushing4thePushing said:

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Whoop Delecto said:

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Sell the GC on eBay and move on. It's pride month so Express is in demand.

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Just sold it to one of those gift card buying companies. I guess that's the end of my drama.

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Will this be the end of your time on the OB or can we expect you back for more?

Mas89 said:

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Talk to the manager. If that doesn't work maybe leave a deuce in the dressing room under the clothes you try on.

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Screw the manager, go straight to the district manager!

TH36 said:

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MoreCushing4thePushing said:

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Whoop Delecto said:

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Sell the GC on eBay and move on. It's pride month so Express is in demand.

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Just sold it to one of those gift card buying companies. I guess that's the end of my drama.

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Will this be the end of your time on the OB or can we expect you back for more?

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He gone…

MoreCushing4thePushing said:

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I know this isn't OB, but OB knows things.

I have a gift card for a company that has filed chapter 11 bankruptcy. I went to the store today to use it, and they won't accept it. I went to their online store, and it says they can't be used for online orders either.

My question is, what are the repercussions of me walking into the store tomorrow, grabbing what I want, putting the gift card next to the register, and walking out? I wouldn't take more than what the value of the gift card holds. I'm in TX because I'm sure location matters on this one.

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The gift card value is zero. So as long as you steal nothing, you are good to go.

TH36 said:

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MoreCushing4thePushing said:

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Whoop Delecto said:

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Sell the GC on eBay and move on. It's pride month so Express is in demand.

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Just sold it to one of those gift card buying companies. I guess that's the end of my drama.

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Will this be the end of your time on the OB or can we expect you back for more?

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I'll be back when I have a grainy photo of a Nissan Altima's paper plates that just sideswiped me on 290 and need the owner's info.

Capt. Augustus McCrae said:

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Gift cards are such a racket. It's earmarking money to a specific business that can and will never be converted back into money. Never give them as gifts. Just give money.

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A similar premise is when holding a festival of some sorts, you sell tokens and don't allow cash or credit card transactions, everything is paid for with tokens. More than a few are bought and never redeemed.

Please title that thread "Porky Rides Again" so I don't have to spend as much energy reading OP usernames.

Whoop Delecto said:

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Sell the GC on eBay and move on. It's pride month so Express is in demand.

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100% lololololololol

$50??? Not worth the time. Holy cow, let it go, OP and go do something worthwhile.

Whoop Delecto said:

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Sell the GC on eBay and move on. It's pride month so Express is in demand.

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Thread ender!
If this was real, what an amazing thread.
If not, A+ on the troll.

A long time ago I went to a Convenience store in Seadrift early on a Sunday morning before a fishing trip and walked up a 12 pack forgetting about blue laws. The clerk reminded me I couldn't buy beer before 12:00. I left a $20 on the counter and informed her I'd be stealing it and walked out. Based on the lack of reaction I don't think I was the first to do that

Whatcha get….some stretchy chino's?

MoreCushing4thePushing said:

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Hmm…gift card has $50 on it. So, I'm looking at a potential class C misdemeanor. No jail time and a potential monetary fine.

Honestly, going in there and taking the stuff isn't quite off the table yet.

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Go on.

I'm kind of disappointed that no one mentioned Tannerite as a solution for a post on the OB.