WH Smith Gift Cards Rip Off

vikingaero

Atomised wrote: »

Not much use if you can't get to the shop , though!
People shop online a lot now , so stores will miss out
if they continue with this policy.

Next time , buy a Amazon voucher (other online only retailers are available)

The problem with these Gift Cards is that they are stored value magnetic cards. You don't know how much is on the card (unless it states a value) or how much is left. Therefore there is no way for you to transfer that value onto an online transaction.

The difference is with some GVs are that they contain a unique self-validating code that the system can check to see if it has been redeemed or not - a bit like the ZZYWX-1DFGD-XYYS codes on the Walkers BritTrip crisp packets.

hollydays

Atomised wrote: »

Not much use if you can't get to the shop , though!
People shop online a lot now , so stores will miss out
if they continue with this policy.

Next time , buy a Amazon voucher (other online only retailers are available)

Some people shop online-plenty don't

BlindJak

DCFC79 wrote: »

How is the gift card a rip off, did it say on the card you could use it on the website ?, did you not think about checking first if it could be used on the website ?, maybe someone could confirm this but isnt the online store different from the high street store whioch would explain why the prices are cheaper on the internet

I didn't check as it was purchased for me as a gift but I'm sure it was bought in expectation of being able to spend it at any smiths outlet. Online or physical. If online is a separate business then surely they should not be using the company name, logo, marketing etc.

BlindJak

omen666 wrote: »

Pay for the books with your debit/credit card, get them for the knockdown price of £22.95 and save £9 on the high street price and then voila you still have a full £30 in vouchers to spend instore on a subscription to Steam Railways monthly or Razzle.

lol! Or I could buy a whole load of birthday cards for all my 2009 birthdays!

BlindJak

vikingaero wrote: »

The problem with these Gift Cards is that they are stored value magnetic cards. You don't know how much is on the card (unless it states a value) or how much is left. Therefore there is no way for you to transfer that value onto an online transaction.

The difference is with some GVs are that they contain a unique self-validating code that the system can check to see if it has been redeemed or not - a bit like the ZZYWX-1DFGD-XYYS codes on the Walkers BritTrip crisp packets.

The info is also stored on computers as at any time you can sign onto the net, enter the unique 21 digit code on the card and hey presto it tells you your balance. If they can do that why can't they hook it up to their online store?

p1an0player

I agree about giftcards eroding in value! A £50 giftcard will lose about £2.50 of its value in a year.

The other main problem is time limits on giftcards! often after 2 years it will expire! it's easy to leave these things in a cupboard and forget about them

DCFC79

BlindJak wrote: »

I didn't check as it was purchased for me as a gift but I'm sure it was bought in expectation of being able to spend it at any smiths outlet. Online or physical. If online is a separate business then surely they should not be using the company name, logo, marketing etc.

the website and the high street store are both wh smiths but most likely the website is classed as a separate company like asda and asda online, the website is using the logo as its whsmiths website,

hollydays

it's easy to leave these things in a cupboard and forget about them[/quote]

Really-not in our house

BlindJak

DCFC79 wrote: »

the website and the high street store are both wh smiths but most likely the website is classed as a separate company like asda and asda online, the website is using the logo as its whsmiths website,

I get that from a business and accounting perspective but the ordinary consumer in the street sees it all as the same company (which it effectively is).

aharding85

This the same everywhere I'm afraid!