I purchased a $100 gift card from SDM to give to my Dad back in May. It’s from the LCBO. He finally tried to use it last week and it showed as no funds available. The LCBO manager told him to take it back to SDM with the gift receipt. I went to SDM, since I also had my credit card receipt for it. Store manager at SDM told me they can’t do anything about it - I have to call Customer Service by going online. I found the number online, chose the option for gift cards, only to be told by a recorded message that there was no one to take my call, even though I called during their regular hours. Sent an email to customer service with pictures of the gift card and the receipts. Received an email three days later that it will take time to investigate since their gift cards are supplied by third parties.

I have never had this issue from any other store that I’ve purchased gift cards from. Never going to SDM for gift cards.

Edit: thanks to everyone who posted with kind comments and helpful advice. I called my credit card company, who confirmed that SDM was the name on the transaction. Since SDM was not helpful and did not respond, Visa reversed my charge. They also had to cancel my card since they couldn’t say whether it was fraudulent on the part of the cashier or an error. I have to cancel all of my autopay accounts on my credit card, but at least I am getting refunded. Lesson learned - giving my Dad cash as his gift.

Bought a $150 prepaid visa from SDM a few days ago. Noticed today that the balance was empty, it was used to load up a Starbucks gift card in Vaughan. I didn't do that.

After some googling, apparently this is a known issue with SDM. I have the receipt for the prepaid visa that I bought, the last 4 digits on the receipt do not match the last 4 digits of the card itself. Someone is stealing the cards, taking them out of their package, marking down the number, resealing the cards using a clamshell packaging device, putting them back up on the shelf, then waiting for someone to buy it and activate it. Could be a SDM employee themselves, who knows.

If you ever buy a prepaid visa or any kind of gift card from SDM, make sure the last 4 digits printed on the receipt match the physical card, and do it in-store!