Do distance Selling Regs apply to gift vouchers

BeeBee12
BeeBee12 Posts: 1 Newbie
in Consumer rights
Hiya,

does anyone know if the distance selling regulations apply to the purchase of gift vouchers?
e.g. if I buy gift vouchers online or over the phone for John Leiws or Debenhams, can I return them?

Also, do the regulations apply in the same way for both phone and internet purchased?

thanks for any advice anyone can give on this!

Comments

  • bris
    bris Posts: 10,548 Forumite
    First Post First Anniversary Name Dropper
    Yes, they are classed as the provision of a service, so DSR applies if you have not started that service, i.e. you have not either spent or part spent them.
  • Optimist
    Optimist Posts: 4,556 Forumite
    First Anniversary
    Probably, as indeed may the Financial Services Distance Marketing Regulations
    "The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, but wiser people so full of doubts."

    Bertrand Russell. British author, mathematician, & philosopher (1872 - 1970)
  • arcon5
    arcon5 Posts: 14,099 Forumite
    First Anniversary First Post Combo Breaker
    Although the gift voucher will be active and available for use instantly, and usually where the product is a service your right to cancel ends when the service starts. So you may not have the right to cancel
  • Optimist
    Optimist Posts: 4,556 Forumite
    First Anniversary
    arcon5 wrote: »
    Although the gift voucher will be active and available for use instantly, and usually where the product is a service your right to cancel ends when the service starts. So you may not have the right to cancel


    This is why I mentioned the Financial Services Distance Marketing Regulations where there is a 14 day statutory right to cancel.

    As far as I can see a gift voucher would more appropriately fall under the above regulations as it is a financial service ie electronic money.
    "The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, but wiser people so full of doubts."

    Bertrand Russell. British author, mathematician, & philosopher (1872 - 1970)
  • bris
    bris Posts: 10,548 Forumite
    First Post First Anniversary Name Dropper
    arcon5 wrote: »
    Although the gift voucher will be active and available for use instantly, and usually where the product is a service your right to cancel ends when the service starts. So you may not have the right to cancel
    Gift vouchers have their own part in the DSR and they are within the guidelines as being able to cancel them under DSR.
  • arcon5
    arcon5 Posts: 14,099 Forumite
    First Anniversary First Post Combo Breaker
    bris wrote: »
    Gift vouchers have their own part in the DSR and they are within the guidelines as being able to cancel them under DSR.

    Didn't know that but happy to learn something new. What part of DSRs specifically cover gift cards?
  • bris
    bris Posts: 10,548 Forumite
    First Post First Anniversary Name Dropper
    If they are provided as a service then it would be classed as a financial service so the same rights apply as it would in other financial services, so either way the right to cancel is there.

    Do the DSRs apply to the sale of gift vouchers?
    2.15 Yes. In our view, the provision of gift vouchers is a contract for the
    supply of a service. The provision of vouchers that are in the form of
    electronic money (such as a card with a magnetic strip that may be
    accepted as a form of payment) may be considered the provision of a
    ’financial service’ and so the FSDMRs will apply.
  • arcon5
    arcon5 Posts: 14,099 Forumite
    First Anniversary First Post Combo Breaker
    Is the above quote from the OFT?
    As I don't see anything like that in DSR regs. Although it does say 'may be' so seem op needs to give us more information about the gift card purchased (que op..).

    Although will have to leave this one to you guys as in light of yours and optimists post I have to admit I know nothing about this subject (maybe research for another day).
  • shaun_from_Africa
    shaun_from_Africa Posts: 12,858 Forumite
    Name Dropper First Post First Anniversary
    The provision of vouchers that are in the form of
    electronic money (such as a card with a magnetic strip that may be accepted as a form of payment) may be considered the provision of a ’financial service’ and so the FSDMRs will apply.

    There is one thing to bear in mind about this.
    If a service is cancelled under the Financial services distance regulations, the business who provided the service is entitled to make a charge to cover their costs incurred in setting up that service.
    Although I can't imagine many companies actually doing this, they do have the right if they wanted to.
  • Slowhand
    Slowhand Posts: 1,073 Forumite
    arcon5 wrote: »
    Is the above quote from the OFT?
    As I don't see anything like that in DSR regs. Although it does say 'may be' so seem op needs to give us more information about the gift card purchased (que op..).

    Although will have to leave this one to you guys as in light of yours and optimists post I have to admit I know nothing about this subject (maybe research for another day).


    it's from the Guide. Page 8 here:-

    http://www.oft.gov.uk/shared_oft/business_leaflets/general/oft698.pdf
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