If you don't want a gift card... go to the store and make a purchase for a few dollars more than the value of the card. Then just return it the next day and you'll get the cash! I do it all the time! I've also had a card that the retailer said was not activated. Thankfully my mother had included the receipt along with card when she gave it to me. So now I always include the receipt when I give a gift card as a present. Posted by: Erin | Jan 31, 07 07:54 PM

Everyone should watch this episode. I always new that anti-bacterials were something to be avoided, but I did not know that Triclosan was the chemical that is used... and I had no idea that it was in toothpaste! I will definitely be looking for it on labels of products I buy now. Thank you so much for this great education!!! Posted by: Caitlin | Jan 31, 07 08:03 PM

I could never understand why anyone would purchase these gift cards in the first place and limit the gift receiver purchasing power to one store. It could make sense if some kind of incentive were part of the deal like maybe a discount, say $100 gift card costing $90. So why buy them, just give money so the gift receiver can purchase their own gift from a store of their own choice. So don't go blaming the stores for abiding by the rules they set out in the first place. This time you were being unfair the the retailer. H. Fagan Posted by: Helene Fagan | Jan 31, 07 08:04 PM

Re: Gift cards You want to give someone a gift card that is: - 100% refundable - Good at any store, and I mean any store, from the small corner store to the largest department/box stores. - Never expire - Without service charges - In short: the ideal gift card. Besides, no need for government legislation (let the MP/P's deal with other more important matters. And the name of this "magic" giftcard is: CASH, CASH, CASH. Don't be ashamed and when asked: "What would you like to receive for your birthday/anniversary etc."? Say: CASH PLEASE!!! Problem resolved. period!!! Posted by: Sam | Jan 31, 07 08:04 PM

I just watched your program on gift cards and thought i would add my experience i had not two weeks ago. five weeks ago i gave birth to a baby boy and had a few complications and wasn't able to get around very well. i was given 200 dollars in gift cards to Toys 'R Us. My mother, doing me a favor, went and picked up a few items that i needed. When she brought them to me we realized she had picked up the wrong breast pump. Knowing i couldn't get out before i needed the pump she went back to the store with the pump and a bottle set and picked up the correct pump. Figuring she was doing a basic exchange she took the items and did the exchange. When i recieved the items i was suprised to see another card. This one said Merchandise Credit on it. when i asked her about this she kind of laughed and explained the story. Apparently with the items exchanged and the new one purchased there was a credit owed to her. To her suprise it was all of a penny. Yes one cent. she figured no big deal. But low and behold, the cashier gave her a card with a credit of one penny on it. she explained that the store policy on gift cards was that they could not give cash back at any point. so now i'm wondering how i'm supposed to use a card that has a credit on it of a penny. Overall i'm thinking the company has spent more than a penny on the card and the time it takes a cashier to key in value on this card. I have been to other stores and some have had a policy that they will cash out a card if it has less than $5 on it with a purchase which i can understand, but producing a new card for a penny instead of cash seems a little much even for me. Just thought i would share my experience with gift cards. Posted by: chrysty | Jan 31, 07 08:06 PM

I agree with your comments on antibacterial soaps. You are incorrect in your thoughts on Colgate Total. Although viruses are responsible for colds and influenza, bacteria causes peridontal(gum) disease. Colgate Total has significantly reduced the incidence of periodontal disease. Triclosan does not kill the bacteria in gum disease but it interupts the reproduction. The change in oral health of our clients has been dramatic. Thank you for your time. Posted by: Sandra Gibson RDH | Jan 31, 07 08:09 PM

I watched your program on gift cards. I wonder why the lady just didn't ask for money instead. If she did not need anything why not ask for what you want. Posted by: Alyson | Jan 31, 07 08:20 PM

For 2 yrs M&M advertised that with a 100.00 purchase you would receive a free turkey. I purchased 3 $100.gift certs but did not qualify for the free turkey. Why? Not their policy. They still got their $300.00 but I didnt get my turkey. I really dont think thats fair. Do you Posted by: Margaret Nunn | Jan 31, 07 08:23 PM

Thanks for your expose on gift cards and antibacterial soap! I have another bad gift card story. My mom who lives in Vancouver bought me a gift card while I was pregnant so that I could enjoy their pastries. My husband and I live in Moncton. I tried to use it in the only Starbucks in Moncton and was told that since it was a franchise in Chapters, they don't accept gift cards. I thought that was preposterous - Starbucks stores in Chapters in Alberta and BC accept gift cards. But it says right on the Starbucks gift cards that not all stores will accept them. I emailed corporate Starbucks and received no satisfaction so I ended up giving the gift card to someone in Alberta. Posted by: Radya Rifaat | Jan 31, 07 08:41 PM

Unbelievable! I grew up in the 80's when we played outside with other kids, ate each others gum, and drank from the same coke can. We got sick, we got better and we are now growing up to: crazed bacteria worried world. What happened to us? We’ve forgotten how to just live. We are so worried about germs, getting sick. What did they do in the 1930's? If germs were really that bad we'd all be dead by now! We need to learn to RELAX, take a deep breath of OUTSIDE air and live without the fear of GERMS!!!! Thank you for your show, it's great! Posted by: Kristine | Jan 31, 07 08:57 PM

Excellent piece. Good to have the public aware of this, and especially the potential for build-up of resistance in bacteria. Posted by: Alex Bielak | Jan 31, 07 08:58 PM

I really liked this show. But, the lady in Calgary has no reason to complain. It says on the packaging of the gift card no cash value. So why does she think she can get her $7 back? Posted by: Bob | Jan 31, 07 09:48 PM

THANKYOU!! FINALLY! I can not tell you how absolutely Crazy it drives me that people think Antibacterial products are "Superior"! I work in the health field, and it really irks me that companies are even ALLOWED to have antibacterial agents in their products. The rate of antibiotc-resistant bacteria is rising at an ALARMING rate! I feel totally helpless when i walk into the cleaning/soap isle at any grocery store and literally have to SEARCH for the products that are not hiding antibacterial agents. Thank you for bringing this topic up, hopefully now at least some people will see the light and quit it already with this antibacterial crap! Posted by: Melissa | Jan 31, 07 10:03 PM

boo hoo! to the home depot gift card recipient."I can't get my money back". Hey lady the idea was to get something for your house not stick $500 in your bank acct.May be your wedding invitations should have said only give us gifts we want. Sorry no sympathy here.Whatever happened to the old saying "never look a gift horse in the mouth.A simple thankyou would have been the right thing to say. Posted by: ian mcarthur | Jan 31, 07 10:08 PM

This was the first time I have watched the show and I was very informed. I will be sure to tune in again. Good Job Posted by: Kristine | Jan 31, 07 10:31 PM

Although I do agree that all gift cards should have no expiry date and no administration frees, I do disagree strongly when it comes to people wanting cash back or the balance refunded or returned. If you don't want a gift card, tell your friends. It's not the company's responsibility to decide on the gift choice for you. Why should they be out the transaction that they had originally entered into. Let's get real, consumers are becoming way to demanding. Posted by: Darryl Nelson | Jan 31, 07 10:56 PM

I find it amazing that you could develop an entire show based on people who had received gifts, in the form of gift cards, that wanted the cash more than the option of purchasing something that they nedded or wanted. In my mind the purchaser of the gift card intended that the recipient be able to go out and purchase something that they needed rather than been given an item that they really did not want. I think the "victims" on this episode really only wanted cash...nothing else. They're the losers.....to question a gift or try to cash it in for something else is just poor.....period. The only issue here is once a gift card is purchased is to insure that the retailer has activated the card properly...not the wishes of the recipient. This was a waste of a show on your part...it dealt with personal issues rather than issues that may have helped people with companies than are really trying to "screw" people around. Posted by: Paul Birks | Jan 31, 07 11:01 PM

We were appalled at the mindset of the people with the gift cards who seemed to think they were being ripped off because the store would not "refund" them "their money". Gift cards are given in the expectation that the recipient will translate them into tangible gifts. We certainly would not be thrilled to discover that someone had simply traded the card in for cash! Posted by: Joe Wright | Jan 31, 07 11:41 PM

I took my extra foods gift card to the store and was told it had expired. I was not aware that they where activated at the time of purchage. I contacted extra foods consumer department. They said "sorry there is nothing i can do". I told them you are stealing. Again she said sorry.I no longer shop extra foods. I am out $25.00. They are out a shopper. Who lost? I think they did. Geraldina fisher Posted by: Geraldina Fisher | Jan 31, 07 11:42 PM

I have a different situation but also related to gift cards. In error my 70 year old mother purchased two Virgin Mobile airtime gift cards from a Best Buy store in Ottawa. I had asked for Best Buy gift cards to put towards a computer in the future. I don't subscribe to Virgin Mobile Cellular service so the cards are no good to me. I went back to the store and customer service told me that the cards are not refundable even though I explained my situation and that I just wanted to exchange them for their gift cards for a future purchase. They said they couldn't help me and suggested I sell them online. I don't want to tell my Mom because she will feel bad that she made a big mistake. She has a reading disability and saw the rack with all the different cards and just picked one up. I might try to go to my newspaper and see if they can help me. Do you have any suggestions. Your program was very informative and it was interesting to know that I am one of many. Thanks. Posted by: Kim Smith | Feb 1, 07 12:12 AM

As with the triclosan story, I'm a organic chemistry student minoring in microbiology and the fact of the matter is, triclosan is essentially a type of antibiotic, in the same family as penicillin and other antibiotics prescribed for bacterial infections. The use of this compound actually does contribute the resistance of bacteria! Cold and flu are caused by VIRUSES, not bacteria... They're two totally different organisms and triclosan (and antibiotics) have no effect on viruses. I've been trying to avoid antibacterial products whereever I can, especially with hand soap, since regular soap works even better. In fact, if you look at the kind of soap that your doctor uses (or even myself in the lab) the kind of soap that is used is regular liquid lotion soap. The one area that I cannot help but avoid triclosan is toothpaste. I've been trying to find a toothpaste that does not have triclosan in it, but I can't seem to find one... if anyone out there knows of one, could you please tell the rest of us? Thanks! So ya... be sure to try and avoid triclosan as much as possible... and by the way, alcohol-based hand sanitizers are totally safe because they are made (usually) with ethanol as their active ingredient (the same kind of alcohol that is found in alcoholoic beverages). Ethanol kills bacteria in a totally different way than antiobiotics do, so it does not contribute to bacterial resistance. Posted by: Brian Wong | Feb 1, 07 01:07 AM

Also, with the gift cards, I always read the fine print and I've always noticed those random fees and expiry dates. The best giftcard that I've use so far is the one that Starbucks provides; there's no fee and no expiry date... a few years ago, there was a 12 month expiry date and a $2.00 administration fee that was applied to the remaining balance every month after that. But a few years ago, either because it was a smart business move or because a lot of customers were ticked off, Starbucks abolished the fee and expiry date! Also, I tell my friends to only get gift cards from certain stores to make sure that I will be spending the money there. Posted by: Brian Wong | Feb 1, 07 01:08 AM

I was aware of the fact that using Antibacterial was not good, but to think Tricolsan is in our toothpaste etc is horrifying i will be reading labels more carefully. These manufactures have no concern for the public health! Posted by: darlene mcintyre | Feb 1, 07 07:59 AM

In regards to your story on gift cards aside from the first couple who had the inactive cards from Dominion, none of the other persons had a legitimate complaint, especially the woman who had the cards from Home Depot. What 'entitlement' world do these people live in?!? Posted by: C. Gillet | Feb 1, 07 09:15 AM

Health Canada must restrict the use of so called "anti-bacterials" in commercial products as soon as possible. Their use is as cynical a marketing ploy as I've seen with the net result being, as mentioned in the article, infiltration into the foodchain and the distinct possibility of increasingly resistant bacteria. This should be a clarion call to those who insist that industry self-regulation viz. health concerns is the only reasonable or rational position. I'd also like to say that while Marketplace has been among my favourite programs for several years, certainly the better of the Marketplace/Venture dyad, the increasingly sensationalistic tone of the show has me on the verge of tuning out. It smacks too heavily of U.S. branded exploitation TV and reflects poorly on the CBC. That said, keep digging, consumers do need a high profile champion. Posted by: Mark J. Hayman | Feb 1, 07 10:05 AM

Anti-bacterial soaps etc are also very harmful to the environment. they'll stop septic tank action dead. They'll ruin any recreational vehicle's waste water system. Not only that, but because some people believe the hype, they don't wash properly. Posted by: Paul Lewis | Feb 1, 07 11:00 AM

Sears does not give you back money on refunds if purchased by a gift card. They will give you a gift card instead of cash!!!! Also, they will not give you any cash for amounts left on your gift card after any purshase. You MUST use up the amount by purchase of items only even if it one cent. Posted by: Isabel | Feb 1, 07 11:02 AM

For Brian Wong, re triclosan: Look for toothpaste in the Health Food section of your supermarket, or in a Health Food Store. There are some excellent choices. They're expensive, by comparison, but seem to last a lot longer too, and do a much better job. Posted by: Helen Albright | Feb 1, 07 11:16 AM

Thank you so much for your program into the drug "triclosan" in various products such as toothpastes & soaps... I haven't used these regular products for many years now... (this was part of my health improvement) It is amazing how people change their ways once they obtain certain knowledge. Posted by: Priscilla Peltier | Feb 1, 07 11:39 AM

I have had no trouble with gift cards but gift certificates from local stores are another thing altogether! In my town it seems they expire from 6 - 12 months and even though they have the money they are able to refuse to give the service/product paid for if you try to redeem it after their predetermined date!! How fair is that? So it may cause them a little book-keeping adjustmants, too bad. Posted by: Mary W. | Feb 1, 07 12:21 PM

Thanks for the report on actibacterial soaps. It has been known for quite some time that they contain a chemical Triclosan, registered as a pesticide by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. It has been reported that the chemical formulation and molecular structure of this compound are similar to some of the most toxic chemicals on earth, relating it to dioxins and PCBs. The EPA gives triclosan high scores both as a human health risk and as an environmental risk. Triclosan is a chlorophenol, a class of chemicals which is suspected of causing cancer in humans. Long term exposure to repeated use of many pesticide products can damage the liver, kidneys, heart and lungs, suppress the immune system, and cause hormonal disruption, paralysis, sterility and brain haemorrhages. Let's educate ourselves better on what the industry wants us to buy: detergents, fabric softener, perfumes, deodorants, hair sprays, all contain toxic chemicals. Posted by: c. Mosso | Feb 1, 07 12:22 PM

If "Health Canada recommended avoiding antibacterial products" then why are they still on the market? Posted by: G Pool | Feb 1, 07 12:34 PM

NEWS FLASH. Two old fashioned remedies. Baking soda. It's the best toothpaste cleaner and highly recommended by the dentists. Listerine mouth wash, while not as refreshing as other products, kills the bacteria. OR use Vodka as in the Movie Butterfield 8. There is no better bacterial cleanser, apart from Vinegar. You can use either diluted in a spray bottle. The cost relatively speaking is the lessor the the chemical products! Posted by: marlene stobbart | Feb 1, 07 01:03 PM

I use Crest with Scope and it does not contain Triclosan. I think it was only the one style - "Complete" that I could find with this in it. Posted by: Bob | Feb 1, 07 04:29 PM

Gift cards are excellent gifts especially for teenagers. I don't want to give money to teenagers or some adults. I don't want them to be able to cash in their cards. This way I know the money won't go to drugs, gambling, etc. I can't believe the people that just want the cash instead of Gift Card. I think they are ungrateful. Posted by: Sheila Morgan | Feb 1, 07 05:06 PM

Why is it considered so terrible to simply GIVE A CASH GIFT? In most cases, this is the very best way to be sure the recepient has the ultimate choice in selecting what they really want or need, even if it is used to pay off another debt, that's fine with me. It is a wonderful way to avoid the stress of shopping at peak times of the year and it eliminates the difficulties encountered with gift cards. Let's start a new movement to AVOID BUYING GIFT CARDS...PROBLEM SOLVED...NO MORE CONSUMERS BEING CHEATED ONE WAY OR ANOTHER. Posted by: Lucy Belvedere | Feb 2, 07 10:49 AM

I have been aware of the potential for bacterial resistance for years. But just you try to find products that aren't "anti-bacterial". Specifically convenience products like liquid hand soaps. It's hardly possible. Just look at the shelves! So I still use the darn stuff. Posted by: G Scott | Feb 2, 07 02:06 PM

Wanted to share a story on gift cards we had from a few years age. We wanted to buy a digital camera with a Wal Mart gift card we were given. We went to the closest Wal Mart store which was 250 km away and the camera we wanted to buy was on display, but they did not have any in stock. We found the same camera at another electronics store in this town for the same price. Wal Mart had no problem giving us cash for our card so we could purchase the camera we wanted. Thank you very much Wal Mart! Posted by: Rick Schlosser | Feb 3, 07 11:20 AM

to whom it may concern , i ahve a comment about your story on 500.00 card for home depot , about not gettin her cash from the card , it would of been simpler for her to go buy something for $500.00 return it and then get her money back , just a simpler thought Posted by: Denise caron | Feb 4, 07 09:10 AM

Arm and Hammer toothpaste does not have Triclosan in it, or at least the 'sensitive' one doesn't. Posted by: Ema | Feb 4, 07 11:39 AM

It would be a lot easier to find triclosan-free toothpaste if the manufacturers were required to list the ingredients! As it is, reading the fine print will do you no good. (I checked.) Posted by: Alaric Posey | Feb 4, 07 03:26 PM

To Brian Wong: Triclosan is effective against viruses (it is antimicrobial). Having said that, I will still try to stay away from products containing triclosan precisely because it is antimicrobial and continues to hang around in the environment long after use. Posted by: Andy | Feb 4, 07 05:38 PM

if you're looking to avoid triclosan in toothpase just use the plain/anti-cavity (and cheaper) varieties from the crest or colgate. they don't have the whitening crap (a chemical bleaching agent which is hard on your teeth) either! Posted by: robin | Feb 4, 07 06:03 PM

Hi Brian and anyone else looking for toothpaste without Triclosan. Check out www.toxinfreefamilies.com for certified organic toothpaste, without Triclosan or any other toxinc chemical!!! Posted by: Kelly | Feb 5, 07 02:25 PM

Our organization purchases gift cards at a discount and then sells them at face value. Great Fundraiser! If the merchant has given a discount they are obviously not going to give cash back. We have sold thousands of $ in Cards with no problems. Posted by: Jenny | Feb 5, 07 09:05 PM

Hi, If you are looking for toothpaste with out chemicals, try your local natural foods/organic products store or aisle. Tom's of Maine is a toothpaste brand I highly recommend - tastes great, no chemicals and it works - no cavities here! There are lots of soaps that do not contain chemicals - look for natural olive based soaps and check the labels. Posted by: Alex Delange | Feb 5, 07 09:52 PM

ECZEMA sufferer. For four and a half years I have suffered with extremely bad eczema. I knew when the problem started, when we received a new sanitation program at work. I thought the probem was the gloves that we had to wear but I had since switched jobs in our store and haven't worn the gloves for two years. Still the eczema continued. I also noticed that several others suffered from skin problems, in our company, when I had never heard any complaints before we got this program. I have tried everything under the sun to put a stop to this eczema. Even the dermatologist that I went to couldn't believe what I had tried. I basically was way beyond cortizone creams and on to creams that have a cancer risk, apparently. The only way I could really find relief was to put my hands under the hottest running water I could stand. This would stop the itching for 20 - 60 minutes. There were days when I wanted to cut my hands off because the itching and pain were so bad. At one point the eczema covered just about all of my body. You can't believe how I have suffered with this! The other day I started to think maybe it's the antibacterial soap. Here something I figured should be good for me especially when I work with the public and get so many wounds on my hands,maybe there is something in it that I'm allergic to. That day I stopped using antibacterial soap. That night I saw your show and knew I had made the right choice. It's been a few days and my hands have been so much better! I have hardly had any itching! Posted by: Karri | Feb 6, 07 01:36 PM

Slightly related to the topic that i wish was covered but was not .... If I give a gift and pay by Visa, i would have to go with the person if that gift needs returning, as the store needs the original card and receipt to make the return). This is not generally practical, especially if the gift is for someone out of town. Also, most people do not have enough free cash lying around to not use a credit card. Gift receipts are generally given so that the original receipt is not required, allowing the person receiving the gift to easily return it (doesn't fit, received three other toasters etc). Well, I recently received a gift as a present, which came from HBC (a toaster oven!). However i did not need the toaster oven and went to return it with the gift receipt that i was given. I was told that I could not get my money back for the gift and that a GIFT CARD is given for any item returned with a gift receipt. They told me that "there must be something else in the store that i can buy". But this gift card policy makes it extremely hard to return anything. Why should i be FORCED to buy something at HBC if the original item i receive does not suit my purposes? As most people give gift receipts, the only purpose of this policy is for HBC to ensure sales and profits. However, being told i HAD to buy something from HBC instead of getting my money back, is not a good policy for keeping your customers happy. Is it really worth it to the company, if you continue to upset your customers??? I will think twice at buying something from HBC next time. Everyone beware. When buying gifts, PAY by cash!!!! Give the original receipt!!! Posted by: Mike | Feb 7, 07 02:38 PM

Before Christmas I saw a couple of items on Roots.com that I wanted. My sisters each bought me gift cards at a Roots retail store. After Christmas when I went to purchase the items on Roots.com I found out that you can't pay for items on the Roots website with a Roots giftcard!!! Ah!!! Posted by: Christine | Feb 8, 07 01:06 AM

I'm an environmental chemist and have to comment. First, a semantic point. Folks should stop looking for products with "no chemicals in them". At least specify "no toxic chemicals". Everything we touch or feel, including oxygen, water, and organic toothpaste, is made of chemicals. Seems trivial but it indicates a larger issue with chemical literacy. Second, chemicals like triclosan are very difficult to manage. It really does good in some situations, but is overused and probably harmful in the environment. Is a ban the right thing? Could it be “regulated”? Health Canada does not have the budget to test everything it should (write your M.P.) so they depend on available research. Unfortunately, science takes time and underfunded science takes even longer. If policy is made before the science is ready, we will cheer half the decisions but complain that the other half are reckless. We should not expect a quick fix, but recognize the urgent need to address a large number of questions. Posted by: Stephen Brown | Feb 8, 07 05:07 PM

Re: Hospitals and hand washing. My husband was in the hospital for 7 months after a stroke. I brought hand sanitizers to his room. When I asked the nurses to use the sanitizer they would say oh my hands are clean. The worst thing I saw was at a hospital in Sudbury after one of his operations a nurse removed bloody bandages from a patient's abdomen and go to my husband's bed and check his i.v. without washing her hand's. If you say something the nurse is offended and you do not get good care. In the 7 months he was in the hospital I saw a lot of things that were scarey. Posted by: Margaret | Feb 8, 07 08:29 PM

I have been educated 3 years ago about several household products that are harmful to us. I have been introduced to a wellness company that contains no Triclosan in their dental line. Contact me if you want to know more about toxic free household products. Posted by: C. Bradley | Feb 9, 07 01:51 AM

In regards to the married couple with two of everything who wanted to redeem their gift cards for cash. How fortunate you are to want for nothing - why not dontate your Home Depot gift cards to an organization that could benefit someone less fortunate than yourselves. I'm sure the friends who gifted you the cards would prefer this gesture as well. Posted by: Darlene | Feb 10, 07 11:32 AM

There's more handwashing at the bathhouse than in some Canadian hospitals. I'm shocked. Posted by: Gav | Feb 10, 07 03:55 PM

I just went on this site to inquire about the disinfecting benefits between Lysol and Febreeze and found comments and a video clip about antibacterial soap. Does that mean Lysol disinfectant and Febreeze antibacterial should not be used? How well does Mr Clean work in cleaning our sinks and toilets? Posted by: Lisa Godin | Feb 13, 07 08:33 AM

All your shows should be segmented in such a way to allow people to send any subject that you cover to friends and family. The purpose is to get the information and enlightenment you provide out to the greatest amount of viewers hopefully in order to create change. P.S I think that the work that your show does and the information that it provides is invaluable! Please keep up this excellent work! Thank you for everything wonderful that your reporters and support people provide! You are all the cat's meow! Posted by: Steve | Feb 14, 07 11:33 PM

If one has a septic system you have to stay away from anti-bacterial soaps & cleaners as they will kill the needed GOOD bacterial action in the system when flushed down your drains. Speaking of septics, I've GOT to find a source of 1-ply toilet paper! Only RV dealers have it. Posted by: Kerry | Feb 15, 07 08:04 PM

ERIN SAID"If you don't want a gift card... go to the store and make a purchase for a few dollars more than the value of the card. Then just return it the next day and you'll get the cash! " Well Erin thats not always the truth. When you take the product back for a refund they will look at the sales receipt and see that you paid with a gift card. The store may reissue that card or give you a store credit . You may not get the cash back . Posted by: JEFF | Feb 17, 07 09:10 AM

Last summer I had a bottle of moisturizing hand sanitizer in my car for a few days until I noticed that a few drops leaked onto my hard plastic console causing it to dissolve! If this product dissolves plastic what is it doing to my organs once it is absorbed by my skin? Posted by: pauline | Feb 22, 07 12:52 PM

It's interesting that some provincial governments are now imposing rules regarding expiry dates on these cards. But I think this is a case of buyer beware. I think these points club programs are a bigger issue. One big chain had a promotion where an entry in a raffle could be purchased in exchange for redeeming club points. Raffles in this country can only be run by charity, school and church groups. The only clause that stopped this promotion from beginning illegal was that an essay could be written instead of giving up points. How many people have time for an essay? Posted by: al | Feb 24, 07 02:08 PM

Could somebody explain the difference between a Gift card and a gift certificate., especially from a recipient point of view. Posted by: KK | Feb 25, 07 02:56 PM

I've now stopped using my Colgate toothpaste. i'ts quite sad that a company does not respect the people that keep them in business Posted by: Ronald Freedman | Feb 27, 07 10:26 AM

If you don't want gift cards then you should tell people before they buy them. The store should not have to give you the money back because it is not your money but the money of the person who bought you the gift. I had an expired one that was extended with no future expiry date. I don't believe you should get interest on the money since if the person had bought a gift instead of a card you would have the item and you don't get interest on something you own. If you don't use the full amount on one purchase, the stores I deal with will give you the remaining on another gift card. Posted by: glenn | Mar 5, 07 07:10 PM

Hi.I was just looking for info on 'Triclosan'when I came upon this site.(Glad I finally looked it up).I was wondering,if you have products that contain this,how can you properly and safely dispose of them?Thanks. Posted by: Lisa | Mar 17, 07 01:01 PM

Gift Cards are really simple.Someone has entered into a contract with the merchant to exchange cash for product. All the merchant is obligated to do is provide the credit to purchase the product. If you change your mind or don't want the product, TOUGH. There are online places where you can sell your gift card or exchange it with people from all over the country. Why is the merchant being prosecuted for providing the service that is offered? In Canada, the merchant is ENTITLED to give store credit (gift cards) to customers instead of cash refunds. Posted by: DeeV | Apr 5, 07 02:19 PM

I am aware of 4 people who had "prostatitis" symptoms that disappeared after discontinuing toothpaste with triclosan. (prostatitis symptoms: frequent need to urinate, urge incontinence, pain in genitals/perineum etc.) triclosan is a lipophilic (fat soluable) pesticide. One wonders if it's bioaccumulating in the central nervous system cells to toxic levels? Health Canada scientists should be ashamed of themselves for failing to protect Canadians from this evil chemical. Posted by: Thomas | May 29, 07 01:58 PM

I just watched the show on giftcards and I am absolutely disgusted. The people who took on Home Depot are the greediest people I've ever seen. This show was supposed to be exposing the dark side of giftcards and instead all it showed was the increasing greediness of Canadians. Anyone who is shocked or surprised by these "giftcard catches" should open up their eyes and learn to read the small print. Posted by: Theresa | Jun 23, 07 06:46 PM

As both a consumer and small business owner of a retail establishment, I found Wendy Mesley's story on gift cards quite disturbing. If the gift giver's wanted to give cash they would have. The cash was that of the giver, not the recipient. I think it's both rude and offensive to want to cash in a gift card given as a gift. Anyone can find a thousand very usefull things for any home or apartment at Home Depot- my advice? Be more appreciative of any gifts received and count yourself lucky enough to be a recipient. Spend it in good faith and enjoy what you get for free. As for the Dominion card mistakenly not loaded with the amount- find the receipt from it being purchased and I'm sure Dominion would be happy to help. With so much fraud these days, it's up to the consumer to prove you aren't trying to scam the retailer. The original purchase receipt would solve the problem. As for retailers counting on the recipient coming in and spending more than the gift card amount? It's an age- old scam to get consumers to patronize a quality retailer, find out how many beautiful and wonderful things they offer of interest to the consumer and then purchase things to enhance their life- in short, we retailers like to call this MARKETING. It's all very legitimate and part of a consumer enjoying the full experience of shopping at a quality retailer. Everybody's happy. Posted by: Peter Alyward | Jun 23, 07 07:02 PM

Regarding Gift Cards. Are you kidding me? I cannot believe that people even have the time to complain about this stuff. It's a gift card not money you earned. So what if a company makes a few extra dollars on a gift card. If it bugs you that much buy some gum or something to make up the cost. For everyone that demands refunds, try to remember what refunds are meant for. A product that you bought is faulty in some way. You cannot just take products back to the store because you don't want something or just changed your mind. In terms of "contract writting", READ IT! Take some responsibility as a consumer. Remember, the world in which we live in today is based on laws and contracts. Posted by: Mandy Delaney | Jun 23, 07 08:56 PM

Thank you very much for doing that program! Me and my parents are always doing our best to stay away from chemicals that are not absolutely needed, so the information about antibacterials was very helpful. One question though, how come the toothpastes don't actually have all the ingredients listed? Thank you again! Posted by: Anastasiya Boika | Jun 24, 07 11:50 AM

There was on Gift Card view that was not explored on the show. Loss Prevention. Retailers give gift cards to people who are processing receipt less returns "often times these receipt less returns are theft" when the shopper has not even paid for the merchandise in the first place it is generous of the store to provide them with any sort of refund - even a Gift Card. If you return an item or items to our store that you purchased with a gift card and an additional $2 to make up the difference in hopes that we will be stupid enough to give you cash back you will be disappointed. You will get $2 cash and the balance back on a Gift Card. That is smart business. On the other hand in a legitimate circumstance - the purchaser of a gift card can always get their money back when they produce the original receipt. Posted by: Cathrine | Jun 24, 07 04:51 PM

Be careful with those gift cards! Check with the retailer first to see HOW you will be refunded, some (like HBC) refund you right back onto a gift card, leaving you right back where you were in the first place. Posted by: Nicole | Jun 25, 07 09:10 AM

Have always said Chemicals will kill us!!...Now we have of all things foods imported from China. Watch what you buy folks. Our food chain is totally saturated with chemicals folks from planting to harvesting, then preserving them.Animals don't smoke or drink but die from cancer at an alarming rate. I lost two of my pets to cancer...Makes you wonder.Lost a husband from working in a foundry as a result of exposure to dioxins and other chemicals....He was 62 years old and had been ill for 5 years.Tell me about chemicals? Don't think so. Posted by: blythe ann kriewall | Jul 5, 07 08:15 PM

I have read and re-read most of the comments, and past shows about cancer and the great work you both have done to keep viewers informed and aware. I am trying to study laundry detergent, as my family history has increased chances of cancer- non-hodgkins lymphoma, and staying away from chemicals is a non-stop job. Anything with 'benzene' included should be avoided. I am working on a web page to keep family and friends up to date and what to avoid. Wish all laundry products were forced to display contents. It is so good to know more, and help future generations. I tried to write Avon, hoping their products were safe, because they support breast cancer research, hopefully they are a leader in prevention, but I never got a reponse. Thanks for the hard work you both do, love your show. Catherine L Posted by: c.piorkowski | Jul 11, 07 11:12 PM