Unused Gift Card showing zero balance

[jessica2222]

I just tried to use a brand new gift card for $50. It is showing $0 balance. It was brand new, I just removed it from the backing and revealed the code. I have the receipt from the gift giver verifying it was purchased at Meijer for $50 on 12/9/23 and was unopened since then. 

What can be done to resolve this? Thank you. 

[LindsayW06]

I received a gift card for $30 during the holidays. I just went to use it and scratched off the silver strip to reveal the card number and pin. When I went to redeem it, it says a balance of $0. I called customer service and they said the card was activated on 12/17, but then used on 12/25 for two purchases of $20 and $9. The representative said they could not tell me who purchased it, but that it was done online.   It's not possible for me to have used it, considering I just scratched off the strip now AND I was out of the country on 12/25 and the gift card was not even in my possession.  Customer service said there is nothing they can do but I am NOT okay with that, especially since it says "Protect yourself against gift card scams" on the card, and this is exactly what happened.  This makes me NEVER want to purchase a gift card from Sephora in the future knowing there is nothing they can do to help.   

[honeysephora]

I got a $50 card from my friend and it’s saying 0 balance. I took the card to kohl’s and they employee was surprised too as she was the one who opened the card in front of us. 

[keelybt]

@honeysephora  I'm sorry to hear that!  It looks like your private messages are currently turned off. Please send me a private message with your gift card number or you can contact us by phone at 1-877-737-4672 or through our live chat for assistance> https://www.sephora.com/beauty/customer-service
 

[IzzyKoehn]

The same thing happened to me. I scratched off the back, and it said I had a $0 balance. Did you find a solution?

[jessica2222]

Yes. Here was the process I went through: (1) Sephora customer service. They asked for images of the card.  They told me it was never activated by Meijer (the supermarket where my MIL purchased it). They said I'd have to talk to Meijer. (2) Meijer. My MIL had included the original receipt with the gift. So the next time I was in her town, I went to the store with the card and receipts. Meijer immediately took it from me and refunded the cash (or offered another gift card).

But I warned my MIL against buying gift cards at all box stores from now on.  This year she bought a card at Sephora's store.  We'll see if that one works.

[beccabeautyxo]

I just got a $50 gift card for my birthday and it was used on nov 2nd and nov 13th when it was still in the mail. I didn’t even receive the card and open it until november 14th. Sephora basically said too bad. I scratched off the stuff to get the code today dec 1st and it said it had $0.00 value

[DaneeBT]

@beccabeautyxo I'm sorry to hear that! It looks like your private messages are currently turned off. You can adjust your preferences in your settings on a browser, not the app. Please send me a private message with your gift card number or you may contact us via phone at 1-877-737-4672 or via our live chat for assistance. 

[beccabeautyxo]

Messaged you!

[priths18]

Same thing happened to me. I was gifted a new giftcard and I scratched the pin and number myself but its showing 0. 

[DaneeBT]

@priths18 sorry to hear that! It looks like your private messages are currently turned off. Please send me a private message with your gift card number or you may contact us via phone at 1-877-737-4672 or via our live chat for assistance. Thank you!

[oceanandsky]

This just happened to us too! The store and customer service could not help. It was bought at a Sephora store!! Their answer pretty much was too bad! Shame on Sephora, the store admitted they got rid of the rest of the gift card consignments and ordered a new batch that they kept behind the counter 

[emyst]

Similar situation happened with me. I had gotten a gift card for my birthday that was unopened and when I went to use it at the store the balance showed it was zero, is there a fix to this?

[LaurieBT]

Hi @emyst,

I'm sorry about this! I'll send you a message shortly.

Best,

Laurie

[jessica2222]

Update for anyone searching on this: Sephora customer service asked for images of the card, and then told me it was never activated by Meijer (the supermarket) and I’d have to talk to them. My MIL had included the original receipt with the gift, so the next time I was in her town, I went to the store with the card, receipts. Meijer immediately took it from me and refunded the cash (or offered another gift card).

But I am also warning my MIL against buying gift cards at all box stores from now on.

[AM90706]

Hello, I just tried to use my Sephora $50 gc that was purchased at Albertsons by my sister for my birthday and it had a $0 balance. I contacted customer service and they gave me a phone number I plan to try tomorrow (844)646-9393. I hope I will be able to report back with good news.

[keelybt]

@AM90706 I'm sorry to hear that! I will send you a PM. 

[123kids4me]

The exact same thing is happening to me. I received a $50 gift card for Christmas from family. I scratched the back off last night to use it, and got a message that it has a $0 balance. Sephora — this appears to be happening constantly! Is there anything that can be done? 

[LaurieBT]

Hi @123kids4me,

I'm sorry about this! I'll send you a message shortly.

Best regards,

Laurie 

[DaneeBT]

@jessica2222 Oh no! I'll send you a PM.

[dd38]

This exact same thing is happening to me and I'm so frustrated!!

I was given two $25 gift cards, which I tried to use this weekend at a store and was told they have $0 balance, which is not possible because we pealed the seal off right there at checkout. I assumed it was the employee's error, so I came home to try it on the Sephora website and I'm getting the same error message.

These gift cards were purchased at Albertsons one month ago, in March. I called the Sephora customer service line and received no help from the agent. I was told "it's not our responsibility to fix" and that I should try contacting Albertsons. This is a completely unacceptable response!