[Chris Saper]

Hi Julie,

Notwithstanding that you should always have an expiration date attached, I think you have a potential problem at hand. Because your certificate is for a product, not a dollar amount, you are pretty exposed. I have had many experiences where the gift is not redeemed within the time frame, but then I do list an expiration date, and only donate a set $ amount TOWARD the portrait. So it never really matters to me when it's redeemed, since I've probably already had a price increase along the way.


Aside from the financial problems above, I have had two situations where the buyer gave a gift to someone who really had no interest in a portrait, and yet who had approval authority. Please take my work for it that this is an unhappy road to travel.

My advice is to let it go. When you give yourself a price increase ( which you should do regularly, even if it is a small increase) take the opportunity to send out a mailing letting ceritficate holders ( whose certificates have no expiration date) know that your new prices are $xxx, and that their gift certificates will be converted to a credit for a value at the old prices. Then they will either need to act, pay you the difference, or let it go too.