"smears"? What?

This is a travel website. If someone reports a problem with being overcharged at a hotel or receiving inferior service at a restaurant and mentions the name of it -- is that a smear?

Part of the value of this website is to provide information to others. Honesty SHOULD prevail. And as Keith says, clearly he didn't even mention the name of the place until I asked. That's hardly a smear.

And I'm still waiting to see or understand why a business which has just been given $100 in business feels it's necessary to charge $10 for the stamp and envelope and the 10 seconds of time it would take to address it. Your first paragraph to describe that in this situation is really a lot of BS in my book, hmmm. And I say that as a long time business owner.

It seems that the OP is not complaining about the fee. Or shouldn't be complaining: he paid it.

The OP was simply asking if this kind of fee is becoming common.

I can answer that by saying that if people continue to pay the fee then it will become common.

I have the opposite problem. I recently bought some restaurant gift certificates on restaurants.com. $25 gift cert goes for $10. 80% off sale reduces that to $2. Such a deal.

I believe the most recent coupon code to use at checkout was SANTA (80%) or THANKS (70%)(tip from txtravelpro)

hmmmm, if it's so isolated an instance that it isn't worth automating, it's also isolated enough that someone can address an envelope in their downtime. Are you telling me the manager or maitre d' is busy 100% of the time? Just bad vibe and should be bad for business (won't be, but should be).

Businesses spend huge amounts of money advertising in the newpaper, TV, and radio, HOPING to get customers. In the case of a gift certificate, they not only get a guaranteed customer, they get paid in advance. And if the person doesn't ever show up, they get to keep the advance payment in addition to any interest earned. Their return on that card, stamp, envelope and labor is huge.

You gotta figure that there is a reason that Wal Mart has dozens of cute and distinctive gift cards (FREE!) for you to choose from and load up with cash!

I'm glad you pointed out this new tactic, Keith. Hope you let management know you won't be patronizing them in the future.

If the customer doesn't EVER show up, they get to keep way more than the value of the card plus interest -- because they also don't have the costs involved with provided the product or service; it's all profit.

It's pretty funny that I just now opened this thread as I just returned home from using a gift card at Barnes and Noble. I had the certificate for three years and it was still good for it's full value!
The clerk told me that there is never an extra charge for their gift cards and they are good forever. Hooray for Barnes and Noble!!

I never said the OP smeared anyone. I was refering to the body of the thread. However, when one suggests that he won't patronize the establishment again because of the charge he is suggesting something was improper (or improvident) about it. Still, calling it a "rip-off" and the "Perfect Caper," connote criminality or immoral practices.

There's an awful lot of hyperventilating about the charge which was clearly disclosed ahead of time, and, voluntarily paid by the customer. Can one really get "stunned" and "outraged" about that exchange that was freely entered without coercion?

Do we need to suppose about "deadtime" some poor employee was squandering so we can get outraged about the restaurant charging for that hypothetical underworked employee's services?

I'v had a very successful business for many years furnishing professional advice to businesses. I don't sell gift cards; I don't even accept credit cards. I don't impugn the motives and morality of folks who employ business methods I don't understand or don't embrace. If I don't like the terms of a proposed transaction, I refrain from engaging in it. I'm happy to still have the choice.

I hope the OP's brother enjoys the restaurant and appreciates the sacrifice his sibling made on his behalf. Merry Christmas

I didn't read the other answers, however, when I was told about a similar charge the service rep explained that the fee includes insurance in case the certificate falls into the wrong hands.

"Still, calling it a "rip-off" and the "Perfect Caper," connote criminality or immoral practices."

Huh?

No. Calling it "Perfect Caper" is just proper. That is the name of the restaurant!

LOL

Perhaps it's a good time for a Rosanne Roseannadanna mea culpa re Perfect Caper

"Nevermind"

And, calling it a "rip-off" and the practice "gouging" is what? Feigned "victimhood," perhaps?

hmmmm, in the current economic times, in my humble opinion, a restaurant selling a $100 gift card and then charging $10 extra to mail it locally is a RIP OFF. In my book, they should be glad someone is willing to even buy one without a discount these days. You can call it good will, a slight inconvenience, a worthwhile charge, or anything else you want. I'll call it what I believe it to be, thank you.

You are right that the OP didn't have to accept the terms and if you read you will see he never blamed them for anything. He was so dumbfounded by the charge he went ahead and paid it. That doesn't mean he must forfeit his right to discuss the charges, does it? Well, maybe in your world it does.

NP: Very glad that the forum exists to have the discussion. As I've said, if the charge doesn't agree with you, don't pay it. No sense getting the vapors about it. Nice to have a sense of proportion.

Silly, stupid charge.
Silly for OP to have paid it, but stupid for others to try to justify the restaurant's rip-off.

I have given gift certificates to resturants for both Christmas and Anniversary gifts and I have never been charged anything to send it to the recipient and they have always gotten there quickly.

Now that the charge has been identified as a "rip-off" by the wise and gifted who are uniquely qualified to make decisions for us, let's have some bureaucrat with big, manly arms protect us from our own tendencies to make poor choices and ban the practice for the good of personkind.

I like to give and receive gift cards but was surprised this week when I purchased a GC for a teacher atv a local mall. Any store in our mall honors it for 100% value for 12 months and then starts deducting percentages from it. After 20 months, it's null and void. PLUS.....they tacked on a $2 service charge to the card. Augh!!

My opinion, I can see you going along with the $10.00 extra fee Keith because the GC to their restaurant is what you wanted to give your brother for Christmas. But I would have been ticked off too regarding their extra fee. Sometimes we pay an extra expense due to circumastances but that doesn't mean we are pleased about the extra fee. I can't help but think about the airlines charging for checking a bag, their fuel charges and their other charges for drinks, water, food etc. But often we bite the bullet but that doesn't mean we are happy about it. Anyway I sure understand your thinking.

I don't even think the fees are as bad as the factg that so many cards decrease in value if they are not used in a certain amount of time. They were paid full price for the card and decreasing the value really does seem like a rip off. I know some states are not allowing this practice.