Is it legal to force the Costumer in order to use your Merchandise Certificate to purchase double the value?

Question

The Sharper Imagine stores came with a new policy for Customer Gift Card & Merchandise Certificate Policy. I have a $100 Merchandise Certificate that I tried to use yesterday and they told me I would have to spend and extra $100 if I want to redeem my credit.

Even though they filed for Bankruptcy, is that legal to force your costumer that have already paid for a product to spend more money?

Answer 1

They cannot force you to spend more money, but they do not have to accept the certificate otherwise.  You have the option not to redeem the certificate at all.  You can file with the bankruptcy court as an unsecured creditor owed $100.  You may eventually get the $100 back (probably not).