Article: GIFT CERTIFICATES TRIGGER TIMELESS DEBATE.(BUSINESS)

Byline: Michael Liedtke Associated Press

SAN FRANCISCO -- Here's a little holiday shopping secret that many retailers aren't eager to advertise -- gift certificates are good forever in California, no matter what the fine print might say.

Since 1997, state law has prohibited expiration dates on most gift certificates in California. Still, many merchants keep adding warnings that threaten to wipe out the value if they're not used by a certain date.

"Retailers are still out there trying to skin the public," said Myron Klarfeld, a San Diego lawyer who helped write California's law against gift card expirations.

The alleged violations have spurred a flurry of ...

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