[popotamonga]

In one of my businesses, hotel booking, i also sell gift cards and market them agressively in festive seasons.1 year validity. 45% goes unclaimed, its now 20% of total profit (all legal here, expiry date in a large font)

[el_benhameen]

That seems deeply unethical and, at least in California, illegal. Not something I’d brag about in any case.

[nicenewtemp84]

Is it really illegal that for a discounted fee you get access to a hotel room during the next year? If that's the agreement you make? If I could pay $100 now to get my whole family into Disney land any weekday in 2024, I'd pay for that.

That's not the same as putting $100 on a hotel gift card which you can use anywhere anytime at the hotels many properties, maybe to cover a pet fee or cleaning fee or parking, or to reduce the cost of a room during a peak cost period like 4th of july.

[steve_adams_86]

I can see that leading to resentment among your clientele over time.

There's almost always a consequence for not providing value, and if 45% is unclaimed, that's not valuable to anyone but you.

I'd also wonder why so little goes claimed. I'd be worried about my product or service if people didn't want it, even if it was gifted to them.

[exabrial]

Sleazy, unethical, and probably illegal. As an example: Kansas for instance, among other states, has unclaimed property law and these things must be turned over to the state.

[benburleson]

That seems...sleazy.

[triceratops]

Serious question: what should a business owner do? Track down every gift card buyer and refund their money?