Friday, December 23, 2022

A warning to always use your gift cards immediately even if it reads 'gift card never expires' - don't trust @silpadadesigns

I have been sending and receiving gift cards for ages now, I tend to stick to stores whose gift certificates never expires and better still can be stacked like Macy's and Amazon.

I won a gift certificate from Silpada Designs from a Pinterest Contest. The win included a piece of jewelry from a current collection and a gift card to the site. I hadn't found anything I was looking for to use it on until recently and when I went to use it the website would not take it. Please note I have checked the site on a regular business and never once did I see a 'going out of business' notification.

I reached out to their customer service, but did not get a response of course until I reached out via social media. Apparently most companies don't care about customer service unless it is on Social Media where cancel culture can find them and call them out.

I finally get an answer yesterday and they tell me despite the fact that their gift certificates 'never expire' this particular one was issued under 'previous ownership' so they refuse to honor it despite the fact it has NOT been used, is not a partial amount and the information they requested from me was sent including sending them a photo of the gift certificate. I included the photo above, I redacted the gift card number although I guess I didn't have to since even if someone copied it and tried to use it they would have no luck anyway!

I even left in the fact that they spelled my last name wrong. (which I actually did ask to have corrected when I got in the mail)

I have been super busy lately and haven't even had the time to put up a holiday buying guide yet this year, but this truly got me so angry that I couldn't help but write about it.

For full disclosure I will let you know they offered me a 30% discount code. I already had that from browser attachments that I use to find me deals and discount codes before I check out my cart with any retailer. So they are in essence stealing $100 dollars from me and think I want a discount code that is widely found on the web as a what a 'consolation prize'? 

Instead of using it and using my good money to reward their bad behavior, especially during the holiday season, I thought I would write this article instead and prevent someone from going through the same thing!

DO NOT ENTER A SILPADA CONTEST WITH A GIFT CARD TO THEIR SITE AS A PRIZE. DO NOT BUY SOMEONE A SILPADA GIFT CARD/GIFT CERTIFICATE. AND IF YOU RECEIVE A GIFT CARD FROM THEM DURING THE HOLIDAYS USE IT IMMEDIATELY BEFORE THEY TANK AND CHANGE OWNERS AS THE NEW OWNERS WON'T HONOR THEIR GIFT CARDS. THEY GET THE CON ARTIST/SHEISTER AWARD OF 2022 FROM THIS SITE!

Readers Sound Off: HAVE YOU EVER HAD A RETAILER NOT HONOR YOUR GIFT CARD/GIFT CERTIFICATE? IF SO, PLEASE LET US KNOW WHICH ONES SO WE CAN ALL BE CAREFUL.


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FTC Disclosure: No monetary compensation has been received. This is not a sponsored post. It is however a warning to the wise that Silpada Designs has zero honor/integrity. And as this is my personal experience with them and I have the receipts to prove it, it is not libel. I do have an attorney, most bloggers this day and age should. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 16 CFR, Part 255 - Guides Concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising, you may check our Giveaway and Disclosure Page for additional information regarding Ascending Butterfly Disclosure. 

If you like this article treat me to a coffee, a caffeinated writer is a happy writer! 

paypal.me/TracyIglesias or https://cash.app/$ascendingbutterfly or Venmo: Ascending1

Monday, December 19, 2022

Graduation Day! I completed the Milestone Circles program at @nasdaqcenter #MilestoneCircles

Today is Graduation Day! I completed the Milestone Circles program at @nasdaqcenter #MilestoneCircles is a 12-week program that gives women #entrepreneurs the access, resources, & knowledge they need to grow. Thanks @wellsfargo for making this possible.

Shout out to the amazing #womenentrepreneurs in cohort 68. The last cohort of 2022! A sisterhood of Entrepreneurs in the grind that I can rely on for support, advice and accountability - absolutely priceless!

I am feeling so pumped right now. I have spent the last two years immersed in Entrepreneurial Studies, but this is the first program that actually addressed all aspects of being an entrepreneur. Work/Life Balance, Self-Care - literally crucial to your wellbeing on a daily basis.

I learned that I wasn't focusing on my needs nearly enough, and they have given me so much food for thought for mapping out a personal and professional game plan for 2023. I plan to write a more in depth blog post about the two programs I completed and advice on which order you should take them in if you can.

Readers Sound Off: What is your biggest accomplishment this year?


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FTC Disclosure: No monetary compensation has been received. I participated in the Milestone Circles Program which is free of charge to the students who participate. The program has nothing to do with being a blogger, this post is pure love! I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 16 CFR, Part 255 - Guides Concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising, you may check our Giveaway and Disclosure Page for additional information regarding Ascending Butterfly Disclosure. 

If you like this article treat me to a coffee, a caffeinated writer is a happy writer! 

paypal.me/TracyIglesias or https://cash.app/$ascendingbutterfly or Venmo: Ascending1