Non disclosure of expiry of gift cards and usage

I received several gifts for my baby shower which I returned and the credits were passed on to a gift card. I recently found the gift card and to my surprise, was informed by Edgar’s clearwater that I can not use the card and funds lost. I find this rather strange as staff fail to tell you upon issuing the card of the t’s and c’s. Who actually reads or accepts this condition. Since when does money expire. I am utterly unimpressed and would like to have my funds traced and re- allocated. It’s bizzare that these funds just disappear. It’s day light *******.