Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Making use of gift certificates

Muriel Stevens' shopping column appears Wednesdays. Her dining column appears Fridays. Reach her at [email protected] or 259-4080.

Merchandise certificates are generally a fine gift, but not if the certificate is purchased at a shop not normally frequented by the recipient.

When I received a generous gift certificate for the St. John store in the Forum Shops at Caesars I was delighted. Last year, when St. John debuted its line of watches, I attended the media party and was taken with the handsome designs. I knew just the one I wanted. With my gift, and some added cash, it would soon be mine. What I didn't know was that the watches had a very short retail life and were no longer available.

It was disappointing, but I was certain there would be other things to buy. Sound easy? Well it wasn't. I didn't want fragrances. I have my own favorites, so that was out. They do carry accessories, but I wanted a watch, not a handbag, belt or jewelry.

After wandering the store more than a few times I spied in one of the showcases a handsome leather organizer. I didn't need one of those, either. For a recent birthday I had received a Kate Spade organizer I loved, but this would be an ideal gift for an executive friend who was having a birthday. The obliging saleswoman removed it from the showcase. Gorgeous. My friend will love it. I opened the organizer. The first thing I saw was a 1999 calendar!

"Of course, you have a 2000 calendar," I said. "No. I'm sorry, we don't," was the answer. But you can buy one that fits. It's a standard size." Spend $245 for an organizer that doesn't have a current calendar, buy one that doesn't match and give it as a gift? Not likely. The saleswoman called over the manager. "Why don't you have a refill for this organizer?" I asked. "I'm so sorry, we don't make this anymore."

In the end I purchased a handbag I didn't need or want and had to add an amount almost equal to my gift.

Better gift certificates: Better gift certificates are available. The Forum Shops and the Fashion Show, Boulevard, Galleria and Meadows malls all sell generic certificates that are good in all of the stores. If you can't find what you want in one, just go to the next.

Here's where to purchase these more desirable gift certificates: Forum Shops -- go to the management offices next to Gucci; Meadows -- buy at the service desk on the lower level near Dillard's; Boulevard -- purchase at the service desk just inside the valet entrance on Maryland Parkway; Galleria at Sunset -- go to the customer service desk just inside the main entrance; Fashion Show -- go to the concierge desk between Neiman Marcus and Macy's.

Only the Fashion Show mall charges a fee for purchasing gift certificates; $1 for each $50 certificate. I balked when they wanted to charge me $5 for five certificates!

Don't blame the fee on the Fashion Show local management. They don't like it, either. This is a corporate decision and it's one that is not making friends. It's certainly not fair to the shops, either. Rather than pay $5 for nothing, I bought a gift certificate that could only be used at one store, rather than all of them.

I got the feeling that if I had complained loudly enough someone would have waived the $5, but why should making a fuss be part of buying a gift certificate? If enough consumers call the Fashion Show office (369-0704) protesting the fee, maybe corporate management will get the message.

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