dispute with a local business

[smampy]

I have a dispute with a local day spa. My husband purchased a gift card for me 2.5 yrs ago that I use from time to time. The record of the gift card is in their computer system, but today I went in and they would not honor it without the original paper gift certificate which is long missing. I was told to pay or they would take action for me as a non paying customer. I argued with the business owner that they needed to honor it and she threw me out, stating that when I left if I left unpaid she'd take action. I stood on the sidewalk and called the cops. The cop was unable to get her to honor my gift card, and my account is unpaid. The spa has $36 of mine on file and I don't want to pay, but I don't want to go to collections or have her file me as a thief. She already had me banned from the building and the cop said I can be arrested for trespassing if I go back. Should I pay, and then take her to small claims court? Should I leave it unpaid and try to pursue it that way?

 

[Michael Wechsler]

I don't understand - do you not have the gift card? If you do, did they not honor it? Does your husband have a record, e.g. credit card payment, for the gift card? If not, you can always sue them in small claims for the value of the gift card and use an information subpoena to compel the spa to provide you with records of the gift card in their files. Good luck.