The Connecticut Restaurant Association has followed through with its promise from last year to devise a gift certificate program that will protect consumers.
The association and state Attorney General Richard Blumenthal today announced the “One For One Hundred†Gift Certificate Program which allows consumers to purchase a gift certificate valid at more than one hundred restaurants.
Blumenthal said it is a consumer friendly program that “offers important guarantees to the public this holiday season.”
“This unprecedented program makes restaurant gift cards more protective — and palatable — in uncertain economic times this holiday season. Consumer protection is paramount in creating this network, and ensuring gift cards retain value at restaurants, even if some fail,” he said.
“A rash of restaurant and retail closings last season turned expensive gift cards into worthless plastic. Consumers rightly need reassurance that gift cards are reliable as cash. This program proves that entrepreneurial creativity and collaboration can protect profits, as well as consumers. This gift certificate program should be a model beyond the holidays — for all retailers.â€
I agree. When I was the Watchdog columnist for The Courant I urged in my columns for consumers not to buy gift certificates from most restaurants because of the possibility of losing the money if the restaurant closes. I urged the association to devise a program that meets restaurants’ needs to sell gift certificates during the December holidays that can be used during the normally slow periods in the winter.
Now I wish the restaurant association would take a similar step and protect consumers who pay deposits for use of restaurants and banquet facilities.
More than 100 restaurants, all members of the CRA, are participating in this gift certificate program. Gift certificates are available in the amount of $25, $50 or $100 dollars. For a list of participating restaurants and to purchase gift certificates go to www.ctrestaurant.org . Gift certificates can also be purchased at the Connecticut Post Mall in Milford.
I urge restaurant associations in other states to follow the example set by the CRA.
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My kids are grown up and away from home. As I do not know what they would want on special occasions the Amazon Gift Card is the only way to go. Anything they want they can find on Amazon and at the best price.
I got these gift certificates for Christmas – when I went to use them I found out they are not worth what they say they are. For ex the $25 gift certificate is worth 22.50.
I cant find anywhere where the let you know that in advance.
The certificates are sealed with a warning if you unseal them prior to using them they are void. It’s on the inside where the real value is revealed.