Simon St. Johns Center Mall, Jacksonville, FL

In June, 2006 I earned two $500 Simon Mall gift cards through work. I used one, but saved the other to use for a trip in June, 2007. Before the trip I tried to use the card, but was told the card had been reported stolen and the merchant was requested to take the card. He didn't and I called the customer service number listed on the card. It is a card center in India. The people are very polite, but ineffective. They advised that someone named Stephen Jones had reported my card as lost and had requested a replacement. They even suggested I call him. Oh, yeah, I'm going to call a thief. Don't think so.

In a month and 1/2 I spoke to India five times. They admitted that the card had not been reissued, but that a hold had been placed on it. On the fifth call a "John" finally said he would contact the "correct" department for a replacement for a $5.00 fee. I finally lost it. He then put me on hold for a long period and returned to say there would be no fee. Now I have to wait for 14 days to receive the replacement which I just know will not arrive.

The amount of time spent trying to secure a return of something that should not have been taken away has been monumental. There is a language barrier with the Indian service center and people have temporary American names so you can't get them back. You know that all of this delay is in hopes you will give up and go away. I imagine many, many people have given up. If you ask me this is outright theft by a major corporation.

I would highly recommend that no one purchase these cards from Simon Malls. It is far better to just give the recipient a check. We haven't even gotten into the monthly fees Simons charges until you use the cards. Check it out.