Gift Vouchers

[bednobs]

Pretty annoyed ... gift vouchers we got for xmas not being accepted in the shop at the moment because they have a card only policy because of covid. Still selling them though!

[THECORBYLOON]

Which shop?

[Eve]

Do you mean contactless card only so they won't deal with an actual gift card? Or are they paper ones?

If a card, could you see if the company could issue an e-voucher instead that you could use online if they have an online shop? Customer service wise, a lot of companies tend to have quite useful teams on Twitter, and are often quite quick to respond.

If something like that doesn't work, there are some hashtags/tags I've seen in the past (noticed them trending) that people were using to tag in something like Watchdog when they are having an issue with a company. I saw quite a few not long back, Covid related, mainly to do with refunds. I noticed that companies seemed to be responding to the tweets, usually asking for the person to direct message them so they can sort it out privately, and likely show Watchdog (or whoever it was) they have responded and are dealing with it. It might have been when the show was on, but worth looking in to. Martin the money expert man was another I think people were tagging in tweets.

[Sqad]

Why do you need a credit card to cash in your voucher?

[Eve]

I get not wanting to have to pay a delivery charge for online items, as you can't use the voucher in the shop, but worth checking if they have a store pick up option for delivery, as that tends to be a free option.

[Eve]

Oh, duh, ignore me about the e-voucher bit, as most vouchers can be used online too, sorry!! I'm having a half asleep brain fog day today!!! I'm off to get coffee...

[bobbinwales]

What sort of vouchers are they bednobs?
The ones we have used have been either on cards which just need to be swiped like a credit card or are printed vouchers with a barcode what you scan

[Bazile]

The way i read this is that the retailer is only accepting card payments for transactions in the shop

They won't handle cash or vouchers

[New Judge]

Get in touch with the issuer and ask for a cash refund. They are taking money under false pretences if they will not honour the voucher as described, Covid or no Covid. Yet another example of "Covidmania" where common sense (and efficient provision of a service) goes out of the window needlessly.

[THECORBYLOON]

Without knowing the store and the terms and conditions for using the voucher, it's difficult to know if it can be refused.

Legal tender can be refused unless being used to settle a debt so could the same apply to gift vouchers?

[Bazile]

Am I correct in my reading of the op?

[THECORBYLOON]

That's the way I read it too.

[barry1010]

I think so, Bazile, which is a nonsense as the stores are still required to accept the return of faulty goods.

Name that store, bednobs

[THECORBYLOON]

If a debit or credit card were used, the refund would normally be made to that debit or credit card.

[barry1010]

Yes, Corby, but they would be handling the item.

[THECORBYLOON]

I was thinking you meant they might be refunded in cash.

[New Judge]

Quite honestly a shop which believes it can continue its business without handling anything that others have touched might as well close up. My local Holland & Barrett tried this when this fiasco began. They required their customers to scan their purchases themselves using a scanner mounted on the counter and would only accept card payments. Probably five times out of ten it didn't work and the assistant had to take over anyway so the idea was quietly ditched. This was also the store which, back in March or April, stuck a notice on the door which read "Only 2 customers allowed in the shop. Do not enter until you see somebody leave." There was one lady outside waiting so I took up my place behind her. After we'd been there 5 minutes I asked her how long she had been waiting "About five minutes longer than you" she said. I had a butchers inside the shop (it was very hard to see as the window was almost entirely blocked out with posters) but I could see nobody inside. So I went in. "How do you get your first customer through the door each day?" I asked. The assistant looked at me curiously. "Because I've been out there for five minutes waiting for someone to come out and this lady (who had by now followed me in) has been out there for ten. Your notice is stupid."

"That's what head office has told us to do." she replied.

I'm afraid Covid lunacy knows no bounds.

[bednobs]

yes baz you have it right - they are not accepting money or vouchers at the moment. It's a local garden centre, not a national chain

[ummmm]

5 times out of 10 tey didn't work, NJ? Really? Seems very unlikely.