WHY is "invalid" text appearing when i click GV li

[sheikyerbouti]

alrighty then,

with the help of others, this gift voucher scenario is mostly figured out. i successfully created the product GIFT_25, i purchased a gift voucher, i went to the admin side and validated it, it appears in my shopping cart as a valid amount, i sent a gift voucher to another email address and that person received the "a gift from Joe Blow" email. In that email it says "to redeem please click" and it gives a link.

when you click that link it takes you back to the shopping cart and the title of the page (along with the header on the page) declares: Redeem Gift Voucher. The page displays some text about checking out the FAQ for more information. All of that is GREAT.

But then it says:

The Gift Voucher number may be invalid or has already been redeemed. To contact the shop owner please use the Contact Page

i know where (gv_redeem.php) that text is generated but i don't know WHY it's showing up on the page right now because the Voucher has not been used previously. What setting is wrong or what do i need to change to make this disappear now, but appear when there IS a situation that it's called for?????

PLEASE HELP?!!!

pete