Mowerman Posted February 25, 2015 Share Posted February 25, 2015 SWMBO ,having a clear out , found a gift voucher in amongst some old (birthday and Christmas) cards. When we tried to use it to buy goods we were told 'its no longer valid as it is over 2 years old,you should have read the small print on the back. Have you ever read the small (Microscopic) print on the back of a gift card? Is this a con trick or can they claim it is fair trading? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
denis parkinson Posted February 25, 2015 Share Posted February 25, 2015 They will just say it is in their terms and conditions on the reverse of the card. Just how many of us really reads the tiny terms and conditions on anything we buy? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Levanter Posted February 25, 2015 Share Posted February 25, 2015 Conned is a bit strong isn't it? Most things have an expiry date especially vouchers. It's is a pity you didn't find it at the time. That is hardly the fault of the issuer and presumably someone gets an overdue thank-you note. Unfortunate - yes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Skilbeck Posted February 25, 2015 Share Posted February 25, 2015 We found one when going through my Mums old things, it was a M&S gift card about 30 months old, and we were advised that it couldn't be used. Fortunately only £20, so we've lent M&S £20 interest free for 30 months and now they get to keep all the money. Don't tell George Osbourne or he'll be putting the same small print on £20 notes......................... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sharpy1071 Posted February 25, 2015 Share Posted February 25, 2015 Never been keen on vouchers for specific stores, but, if as we have been told, that we could go into deflation they would be a good investment, maybe, depending on the amount of deflation. Spend £20 now and get the goods later, but cheaper! If it is to great a figure the stores would probably withdraw them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Skilbeck Posted February 25, 2015 Share Posted February 25, 2015 Posted by sharpy1071 on 25/02/2015 18:41:38: Never been keen on vouchers for specific stores, but, if as we have been told, that we could go into deflation they would be a good investment, maybe, depending on the amount of deflation. Spend £20 now and get the goods later, but cheaper! If it is to great a figure the stores would probably withdraw them. It's still £20 you have handed over to the shop for them to bank and keep until you decide to spend it. Rather than buy a card just send me £20 and I'll give it back to you when you've decided to buy something (terms and conditions apply..................) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fly boy3 Posted February 25, 2015 Share Posted February 25, 2015 H Mowerman, I agree with you. Should be a law regarding the actual size of fonts etc on some of the "small print". My wife bought new furniture (no names,) and I failed to read the small print even with glasses, as it was tiny not small. Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuck Plains Posted February 25, 2015 Share Posted February 25, 2015 Yeap. Beware Amazon vouchers. They expire after 12 months!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avtur Posted February 25, 2015 Share Posted February 25, 2015 Retailers like to sell us vouchers knowing they can be either forgotten about or lost, both of which are a gain to the retailer and a loss to the customer. There's another down side of vouchers if a retailer goes out of business; when a business goes down tubes all too often any vouchers in circulation are immediately worthless. There are many good reasons why vouchers are bought but if you want to be sure that someone receives the full value of a cash gift then giving cash is the only guarantee (OK you could loose the cash, but I think we're generally better at looking after real money!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ted hughes Posted February 26, 2015 Share Posted February 26, 2015 Mowerman, why did it get chucked into the back of a drawer? The gift was received as thoughtlessly as it was given, and the store profited, and why not? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John F Posted February 26, 2015 Share Posted February 26, 2015 Posted by Chuck Plains on 25/02/2015 22:15:37: Yeap. Beware Amazon vouchers. They expire after 12 months!!!!!!! No they don't, they last for 10 years! **LINK** The thing with gift vouchers is that it is legal to have a withdrawl timeframe. It is down to the individual to ensue they know when it expires and stating the small print is too small is not an adequate reason for not using it. To be honest, as Ted says, if a voucher is found at the back of a cupboard it possibly was not appreciated enough. There have been times when a company has offered an exchange for an in-date voucher but that is generally for a few quid rather than the last 20p. They don't have to exchange but it is worth trying if you write to the company head office with the voucher attached, sent by registered post. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mogs Posted February 26, 2015 Share Posted February 26, 2015 Keep it and present it again at a different checkout. Make sure you chose the one with the part time youth that doesn't look like they care or want to be there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
.. Posted February 26, 2015 Share Posted February 26, 2015 Retailers love gift cards, there was a piece on the radio a while back that gave the percentage of money not reclaimed from them , I can't recall the exact amount but it was huge. I can understand your frustration but I think ripped off is a bit harsh. Email the customer service department ? It's worth a shot you never know till you ask. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Privett Posted February 26, 2015 Share Posted February 26, 2015 Posted by John F on 26/02/2015 06:23:15: No they don't, they last for 10 years! **LINK** That only applies to cards issued since July 2013; "Previously Issued Gift Cards. Gift Cards issued on or after July 1, 2013 may be redeemed toward the purchase of eligible products up to ten years from the date of issuance, notwithstanding any stated expiration date. Any Gift Cards issued prior to July 1, 2013 expire in accordance with their stated terms." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
i12fly Posted February 26, 2015 Share Posted February 26, 2015 Note that Book Tokens expire after 2 years but can still be redeemed after they expire. You have to email them with the details and you will be issued with a new card. You can also refresh them in any participating bookshop by having them scanned -that extends them for another 2 yrs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mowerman Posted February 27, 2015 Author Share Posted February 27, 2015 Ted Hughes - The card was not 'chucked into the back of a drawer' as you suggest and I find your assumption that it was treated thoughtlessly some what offensive. The card was misplaced by accident partly due to SWMBO (age 74)suffering with dementia. Roy Hindley Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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