Legal Question in Consumer Law in North Carolina
I have a gift certificate to a restaurant in Raleigh, NC that is several years old. It has no issue date and no expiration date. When I contacted the retaurant as a courtesy to let them know I'd be coming to use it soon - they told me the place was sold in the interim period and that they would only honor gift certificates since they've been they owner. The restaurant is in the same location and has the same name. This gift certificate is also unusual in that is bears no "authorized signature", logo, or bar-code and was received by me as an award from another local business where I used to work.
Do they have to accept it? What are my options?
Thanks.
1 Answer from Attorneys
You must have suspected something due to the call you made.
Based on the facts posted, I think the restaurant should honor the gift, unless it has the old owners' names on it somewhere as a limitation. Often, when a business is sold to new owners, the new owners take over the liabilities and obligations of the sellers.