2008 - Gift Certificates for Cash

County of Los Angeles
Department of Consumer Affairs
New Consumer Laws 2008

GIFT CERTIFICATES: REDEEMABLE FOR CASH IF VALUE IS LESS THAN $10

Civil Code Section 1749.5

Existing law prohibits the sale of gift certificates that have an expiration date. Existing law also provides that any gift certificate sold after January 1, 1997 is redeemable for cash or subject to replacement with a new gift certificate.

This new law gives consumers the right to redeem any gift certificate for cash if the gift certificate has a cash value of less than $10. Donated gift certificates are exempt.

This law also prohibits gift certificates for food items from having an expiration date or service fee, unless the gift certificate is for perishable food products.

May be reprinted for non-commercial use if a credit line is included acknowledging the County of Los Angeles Department of Consumer Affairs.

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For more information:
County of Los Angeles Department of Consumer Affairs
B-96 Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration
500 W. Temple Street * Los Angeles, CA 90012-2706
Telephone (800) 593-8222 (within the County) * (213) 974-1452
web site: dca.lacounty.gov