INUVIK - Ruth Wright wants you to enjoy your gift cards from NorthMart.

She had some trouble recently because the cards she had were not activated properly at the time of purchase.

Wright's children had received a few of the Cashlink gift cards as Christmas presents from family members.

Ruth Wright's kids recently tried to use NorthMart Cashlink cards they received for Christmas. Because the cards were not activated at the time of purchase, she was told they couldn't be used without the receipt. - Dez Loreen/NNSL photo

"It was a great idea and good for them, the kids could buy what they wanted," said Wright.

The children tried to use the cards at NorthMart shortly after the holiday was done. NorthMart staff told the children the cards would not work.

"The cards were brought back to me and I went to find out what was going on," said Wright.

She was told at the store that because the person who purchased the cards did not have them activated with the authorization number on the receipt, the cards would not work.

"The staff member even called their head office to find out what to do," said Wright.

"They told me without a receipt, they could not help me."

Wright said it defeats the purpose of a gift if a receipt is given as well.

After two days, store manager Cliff Stringer helped Wright with her card troubles.

"Cliff gave me brand new cards and kept the old ones," explained Wright.

"He was really nice about it and made sure everything was okay," said Wright.

Wright wants to inform those who may want to buy the cards, or those who use them for cash transfers.

"It's a good gift, but make sure they are properly activated on the spot," she said.

Looking for an expiry date is also something to look out for, said Wright.

Stringer declined to comment on the situation and said the incident was just another transaction.