Watch Those Gift Cards

[Waynem]

I received this in an email and I am posting it as I received it. I would suggest you do a search on any store you have a question about to see what the WEB reports. An example is Wilson Leather. Most reports on a search say they are closing mall stores, and not independent stores. Anyhow - it's sad.
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" Watch those store money cards and gift cards.. and credit slips! Stores that informed the Security Exchange of closing plans between October 2008 and January 2009. PLEASE PASS THIS ON TO ALL YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS.

Circuit City stores... most recent (? how many)

Ann Taylor- 117 stores nationwide are to be shuttered

Lane Bryant,, Fashion Bug ,and Catherine's to close 150 store nationwide

Eddie Bauer to close stores 27 stores and more after January

Cache will close all stores

Talbots closing down all stores

J. Jill closing all stores

GAP closing 85 stores

Footlocker closing 140 stores more to close after January

Wickes Furniture closing down

Levitz closing down remaining stores

Bombay closing remaining stores

Zales closing down 82 stores and 105 after January.

Whitehall closing all stores

Piercing Pagoda closing all stores

Disney closing 98 stores and will close more after January.

Home Depot closing 15 stores 1 in NJ (New Brunswick)

Macys to close 9 stores after January

Linens and Things closing all stores

Movie Galley Closing all stores

Pacific Sunware closing stores

Pep Boys Closing 33 stores& lt; BR>
Sprint/ Nextel closing 133 stores

JC Penney closing a number of stores after January

Ethan Allen closing down 12 stores.

Wilson Leather closing down all stores

Sharper Image closing down all stores

K B Toys closing 356 stores

Loews to close down some stores

Dillard's to close some stores. "

[richfaa]

Although very true much of the above list is "old news" much of the information in that E mail goes back several months and many of the closings and reduction have already happened. The Home depot and Disney information first came out in May of 08. One does have to be very careful with the gift cards. .. Wayne..you upset the apple cart,,there are folks who say if you don't read that stuff it will get better. But then again if they don't read it they won't read this and since they don't know will buy gift card to defunct stores..but we won't... and we will further hurt the economy..shame on us????? We are listening to meet the press right now and they are discussing the auto buyout. I should not be hearing that stuff.I will just make it worse by understanding.???

[DarMar]

Of course, it's better to be an informed consumer than not, your timely post should remind all of the pitfalls that WILL lie ahead. I would expect most every retail outlet, that doesn't need bankrupcy protection, to hold out till January and try to reap whatever business the consumer will offer during this peak selling season. Come January it's a whole new ball game in retail. A lot of retail stores do the bulk of their yearly business during the Nov., Dec., and early Jan. time frame. After that your best promotion is your "Going Out Of Business Sale", so there will be a whole new round of closings coming. In todays market an offered warranty or guarantee may have little or no value! One can ignore this trend if they wish buuuuuuuut!

[richfaa]

30% of the retailers business is done in the Holiday season. The TV here is already full of discount sales of 40/50%. I hope it is a successful season..but doubt it.

[Mrs. CountryGuy]

Anyone got a bucket of sand, or a dark hole??

(ooops, sarcastic again, sorry friends.)