[live+let_live]

You’re right in that the State taking unused gift card monies is tantamount to theft. But so is the way the companies use these.

Gift cards are great for the companies and soon, the government, but a big loser for the consumer.

I especially hate how some cards lose value after a certain amount of time passes. Now, that’s theft!

[craig_eddy]

I especially hate how some cards lose value after a certain amount of time passes. Now, that’s theft!

Believe it or not, there is a cost to maintaining the inventory of outstanding unused gift cards. It's not theft.

[Steve_Seattle]

"I especially hate how some cards lose value after a certain amount of time passes. Now, that’s theft!"

There is a cost to business for issuing gift cards. First of all, there is the cost of designing and manufacturing them, and setting up the software to process them. Plus, from an accounting standpoint, an issued card goes on the books as a debit to cash and a credit to a liability account. I think it's only when the card is redeemed that the sale is recorded and the liability liquidated. So there's a lot of accounting work associated with these cards that you don't have with an ordinary sale.