Game X Change Credit---Out of Luck...

Rydias

CAGiversary!
Totally going for advice here.

I have a gift certificate from trading in at an old Game Xchange store in Springfield, MO.  This thing is from about 10 years ago and that's the problem, all the shops around here closed up around 10 years ago.  There's one (I think) left in Missouri and some in Arkansas and I've contacted them and the problem is nobody is willing to honor it.  They say that it's because these stores are franchises and that I'd have to get in touch with the owner...but I have no clue who that is/was.

It wouldn't be that big of a deal, except for the fact that we're talking about $227.25.

So it's a desperate plea because I KNOW I'm pretty much screwed, but are there, by chance, any options I may have here?

Also, for what it's worth, nowhere on the certificate does it have any kind of "use by" or expiration date either.

 
You're pretty much screwed, since this sounds like a mom and pop type operation that doesn't have a central company organization.   At least there with GS or other store with a corporate entity, there's something to complain at.

If it was me, I wouldn't have let a $200+ GC disappear. ;)

 
You're pretty much screwed, since this sounds like a mom and pop type operation that doesn't have a central company organization. At least there with GS or other store with a corporate entity, there's something to complain at.

If it was me, I wouldn't have let a $200+ GC disappear. ;)
Well, being nothing more to them but a customer, I can't believe when I told them "Hey, should your lucrative business model of making the local news for buying stolen goods ever not pan out to the point that your go belly up and close your shop, DO give me a call first so I can race in and use this credit." It's like, why wouldn't they let me, just another faceless customer, know they were going out of business?

For the record the place closed up shop it seemed overnight. One day it was open and no mention of "going out of business" was made and in less than a week later, when I pulled up for a casual stop by, the place was vacant with only the name and hours left on the door and not even any shelving inside the unit.

 
Looking at the Missouri Secretary of State business filings website shows that there is an LLC that's still active with the name Game X Change of Springfield, LLC. It also looks like they just filed an amendment to their articles of incorporation in April of this year. There is a contact address for their registered agent so it might be worth sending a letter to that person.

The bigger problem you're facing though is Missouri's 10 year statute of limitations for debts. You're likely over or getting very close to this at this point. On the other hand, if this was considered a contract claim, your statute of limitation in Missouri is only 5 years.

Nevertheless, you are likely out of luck but there's at least a small thread you could follow if you wanted.
 
Well, being nothing more to them but a customer, I can't believe when I told them "Hey, should your lucrative business model of making the local news for buying stolen goods ever not pan out to the point that your go belly up and close your shop, DO give me a call first so I can race in and use this credit." It's like, why wouldn't they let me, just another faceless customer, know they were going out of business?

For the record the place closed up shop it seemed overnight. One day it was open and no mention of "going out of business" was made and in less than a week later, when I pulled up for a casual stop by, the place was vacant with only the name and hours left on the door and not even any shelving inside the unit.
I'm surprised that they did disappear in short order like that, especially if they seemed to be independent franchisees that don't honor each other's gift certificates.

You might want to get in contact with the AG for MO, since the money might have been turned over to the state:

https://www.treasurer.mo.gov/PressRoom/201012/NewsClip20101201.aspx

Also, involving them might be a good idea anyway due to this being a bit of a sticky situation.

Looking at the Missouri Secretary of State business filings website shows that there is an LLC that's still active with the name Game X Change of Springfield, LLC. It also looks like they just filed an amendment to their articles of incorporation in April of this year. There is a contact address for their registered agent so it might be worth sending a letter to that person.

The bigger problem you're facing though is Missouri's 10 year statute of limitations for debts. You're likely over or getting very close to this at this point. On the other hand, if this was considered a contract claim, your statute of limitation in Missouri is only 5 years.

Nevertheless, you are likely out of luck but there's at least a small thread you could follow if you wanted.
Good advice. For that type of mailing, I'd spend the money for certified + return receipt, for two reasons. One, to know for certain that the letter made it there, and two, to show them you're serious about following up with it.

 
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