Found $164.02 today...

NoGvmnt

Was walking around the hood today and spied what I thought was a credit card on the pavement at a gas station.

I picked it up and discovered it was a gift card for IKEA. I thought to myself, Hmmmmm, usually these are left at the store when the balance runs out and the cashier simply throws it in the waste basket.

So I stick it in my posket and earlier today I called the 800 number on the back of the card, keyed the serial number into the automated system, and it turns out there is a credit balance of $162.04 on it.

As I don't patronise IKEA I figure I can sell it at the door for $120.00.

What cha all think?

Oh yeah, there is no way to find out who originally owned it.

Jim

anoldgoat

Turn it in. They gotta have an address.

Mike

dlimb2

Well wait until Christmas and spend it wisely....

CramptonMotorsports

it's got over a hundred dollars on it, legally you're supposed to turn it into the police.. or is that just for real money? Anyway if nobody claims it in 30 days it yours.

but it's also yours right now too.

mirabela

I'd guess they probably *don't* have an address -- aren't those like phone cards & such? Once they sell, nobody knows who has them. It's a cash business. You might just have to keep it.

That said, I don't know that I'd go near an IKEA again if somebody PAID me $164.02 to go there. Ack!

CramptonMotorsports

you could get soooo much food there!!!

NoGvmnt

They do not have an address. These cards are gift cards just like you get from walmart or a debit card for the CTA . You put a certain amount on it then give it as a gift, there is no buyers information taken.

Jim

kamehameha00

Pardon me asking, but what does IKEA stand for?

CramptonMotorsports

http://www.ikea-usa.com/ms/en_US/about_ikea/timeline/full_story.html

"1943
IKEA is founded by Ingvar Kamprad.
In 1943, when Ingvar was 17, his father gave him a gift for succeeding in his studies. The gift was used to establish his own business. The name IKEA was formed from the founder's initials (I.K.) plus the first letters of Elmtaryd and Agunnaryd, the farm and village where he grew up. IKEA originally sold pens, wallets, picture frames, table runners, watches, jewelery and nylon stockings—whatever Ingvar found a need for that he could fill with a product at a reduced price."

nwcs

That's a toughie. My conscience wouldn't allow me to spend it until I had at least tried to give the person who dropped it a chance to claim it. Either by leaving a note at the gas station or the police or something.

sliderider

My mom found a Home Depot gift card with almost $95.00 on it once.

dlimb2

You have to figure Jim is in a large city Chicago and finding the owner would be next to impossible.

dollardude

I wouldn't spend too much time trying to track the owner down. Perhaps I'd call the 800# again to see if Ikea has any info.

BTW, I just LOVE Ikea! After moving to the DC area, a buddy of mine took me there, and I bought an AWESOME work desk (Jerker). I love the European styling and layout of the store, along with the pricing and ability to get exactly the features on something that you want.

ddbird

Spend it on home supplys and take it to a homeless shelter!

NoGvmnt

Hmmmmmmm, I wonder if they have digital cameras, heeeheeeeeheeeeeeeeeee.

Jim

PutTogether

I spent 600 bucks at IKEA today.

TWQG

I cleaned my bathroom today. While I was doing that I found a big spider behind the toilet.

itsnotjustme

I've spent 600 euros at IKEA recently.

cosmicdebris

If the person who purchased it used a credit card or debit card or even a check wouldn't that be traceable?

kenoshapete

Contact the local police department for their lost and found department... give them a shot. -- The tough part would be dealing with your conscience later. What if it was a gift to a young woman with a couple of kids, who wasn't married and didn't make a very good income. It could impact the kids.... Please consider that before you spend it.

Make an attempt to find the owner somehow.

Take care,
Pete

Theop

You could post something stating "Found... Gift card" and require anyone who tries to claim it to name the store and the approximate amount.

Still unlikely you'd find your owner, but at least you would have tried your best.

Then, give the card away in the forum!