BARNES & NOBLE REFUSES TO HONOR GIFT CERTIFICATE North Haven, Connecticut

About 1 year ago I had purchased a gift card at the North Haven CT. Barnes & Noble. I used it once to purchase a book at the same store and had a remaining balance on the card. The cashier checked me out & wrote down the remaining balance on the card holder.

When I returned to the store in December 2012 they refused to honor the card. I was told there was no balance on it. I was irate to say the least. I assured the cashier that there was most ceetainly a balance on it. She said sorry & advised me to contact customer service. 

That same day I contacted customer service & was initially told the card had a zero balance. I advised the rep ( a gift card CSR ) that I used the card once & that there was a remaining balance on it of $18 and that I would like to use the card. I also told him that I am aware that some companies 'eat away' at gift card balances over time but that I lived in CT. where this is illegal. I then asked for the history of purchases on this card,assuming there must be a record. He put me on hold & came back a few minutes later. he said he was able to see the purchase I made the previous year, but the system showed there was no balance on the card. He advised me to speak with retail customer service. He then transferred me.

The next rep I spoke to , again, told me there is no balance on the card . She also added that there was NEVER  a balance on the card & that that particular card number NEVER HAD A BALANCE BECAUSE IT WAS NEVER LOADED WITH MONEY !   I was furious & reminded her that that was not possible since the last rep was able to track down my initial purchase with the card. She then stated that that was impossible, no one there has access to any records of purchases made with gift cards. She then told me I would have to come up with a receipt to prove I used the card !!  I couldnt believe what I was hearing !

I then advised her that I would in fact find the receipt.  I did call my credit card company & they had no record, so it was paid for by debit card. Being that it was purchased a little over 1 year ago i would have to pay for them to research past history purchases, which would not be cost effective for me. So here I am.

I would NEVER even consider buying a goft card OR ANYTHING else from Barnes & Noble. This is a pure & simple rip-off. They obviously do not abide by consumer protection laws,never mind keep accessible records. In this case, there was no record at all. It is very clear that they took back the money from this card which is illegal in many states. I do not shop rip off artists & I will no longer shop at this store..