Use your gift cards quickly

SPRINGFIELD, Mass (WWLP) - Gift cards may be convenient but many people lose money when a business closes its doors.

With the closings of major retailers and restaurants, millions of dollars in gift cards are lost.
People are beginning to reconsider buying the cards because they don't want to waste money.
Others are learning to spend them quickly.

"I do not purchase them. I don't even like getting them,” Lillian Baginski told 22news. "When you make a purchase and then they leave in the extra two dollars or a dollar instead of just giving you the balance. And, plus, with everyone closing today, I don't know."

"What it is, is what it is, I mean it does happen,” said Ron Kaeble. "You can't run around being suspicious all the time, sometimes you've got to have faith in the companies and their management."

Gift cards are good for seven years.

A gift card sold by a business that falls under bankruptcy protection may have no value. However, the card holder may have a claim against the bankruptcy estate.