Dec 26, 2007 1:45 pm US/Pacific
Wal-Mart Forced To Turn Down Gift Cards
Computer Glitch Hinders Chicago-Area Stores, May Affect Entire Franchise
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
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A computer glitch is preventing some Illinois customers from redeeming Wal-Mart gift cards.
AP
Wal-Mart's gift card system has been shut down by a computer glitch on this, one of the busiest shopping days of the year.
The manager of the Wal-Mart on Route 59 in Plainfield, Ill., said the system won't let customers -- many of whom are seeking post-holiday bargains -- use their cards.
Customers at both the Plainfield store, 20 miles west of Chicago, and a store in Merrillville, Ind., told CBS station WBBM-TV in Chicago that they were unable to use the cards. A customer at the Merrillville store on U.S. 30 said she was unable to use a $25 card and was forced to pay cash for her purchases.
The manager at the Plainfield store said it's a problem across the entire franchise, but that could not be immediately confirmed. A spokesman at the Wal-Mart headquarters in Bentonville, Ark., said the company had just heard of the problem but had no comment.
Wal-Mart, the nation's largest retailer, is counting on gift card sales to boost its bottom line after a rather sluggish pre-Christmas season.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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