Cadillac Fairview – Bah Humbug

So as I was waiting in line to buy a Cadillac Fairview giftcard for a departing employee (how the heck am I supposed to know what she wants?) - I was thinking “hey this maybe this is the answer to Christmas this year!” I can’t stand Christmas shopping in general and anything that makes it better makes me happy… so this could have been a great option.

Then I bought the card, and it all changed! First there’s a “service charge” of $1.50 which is not cool. Then when you read the “terms and conditions” you find out that after 15 months (yes just over a year) they start charging a $2.00 “account maintenance fee” every month PLUS tax. It will be “deducted from the outstanding balance” – to be honest outstanding balance screams debt owing in my mind. It can’t be replaced or reloaded so it’s essentially a piece of crap… I would have returned it but I’m pretty sure the departing employee can use it shortly.

Instead I’ve decided on something else this year for Christmas… maybe not totally cheap but hopefully exactly what everyone on my list will like - CanadaHelps.org online charitable contributions I can give each person an amount that they can donate to the registered charity of their choice – sweet! Philanthropic and personalized… I love it entirely. Plus no more crap presents to find and ship!