PEOPLE looking to buy Christmas trees are being asked to use their gift cards now.
Christmas Tree Shops are about to undergo nationwide closures and shoppers in Connecticut can only use their gift cards for a couple more weeks.
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The store has four locations across the state.
On Friday the Department of Consumer Protection Commissioner Bryan T. Cafferelli and Attorney General William Tong made an announcement telling customers that their deadline for using gift cards is July 21.
This is because Chairman Marc Salkovitz testified in court that lenders have asked for closing sales to begin on July 7 "so that we don't have to pay September rents because we would be done and out of those stores before the end of August."
After that date, the stores will no longer be able to accept them, a Fox affiliate reported.
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If shoppers are unaware of a gift card balance, it can be checked on the store's website.
To do so, they will need the gift card number and its pin number.
“When companies close, the time consumers have to use gift cards can be unpredictable,” Cafferelli said.
He added that it could be a good reminder for future mass closures.
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"This is a good reminder to use gift cards to any business soon after receiving them. While gift cards do not expire in Connecticut, sudden store closings and bankruptcies may prevent consumers from using gift cards," Cafferelli said.
Tong encouraged customers to take advantage of the store while they can because it could quickly affect returns and refunds as well.
"With all Christmas Tree Shops set to close, time is running out to use gift cards and to make final returns,” Tong said.
“Consumers should act quickly and get their money's worth now, especially since you should not necessarily expect to receive a refund or any other compensation from the store.”
Christmas Tree Shops initially filed for bankruptcy back in May.
The store has also recently defaulted on its loan.
The company announced it would liquidate the 70 stores that are left including the four in Connecticut.
The remaining four locations are in Danbury, Manchester, Orange, and Waterford.
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