Customers Express Outrage as Joann Fabric Stops Accepting Gift Cards During Closure Sales

The fabric and craft retailer's decision to immediately cut off gift card redemption has sparked particular anger among customers who still hold unused store credit. Many have taken to social media to express their dismay at what they see as an unfair business practice.

"I just want you to know how incredibly upsetting it is that you cut off our ability to use gift cards," one customer commented on the company's March 3 Instagram post that encouraged shoppers to take advantage of going-out-of-business sales.

Another frustrated customer didn't mince words: "Regardless of the fact that you are closing, your business took money and now refuses to give the product in exchange for it. Wrong."

The sudden policy implementation has left many cardholders feeling cheated, with one shopper lamenting on X that they had missed their opportunity to use their card, effectively losing $40.

While liquidation sales are expected to continue for months as the retailer winds down operations at all of its U.S. stores, gift card holders appear to have permanently lost the ability to redeem their store credit, intensifying the disappointment surrounding the chain's nationwide closure.