WH Smith Gift Cards Rip Off

uktim29

BlindJak wrote: »

So how exactly am I blowing this out of proportion?

You scream rip off simply because you're not aware of a very common term that everyone else does that applies to most places.

BlindJak

uktim29 wrote: »

You scream rip off simply because you're not aware of a very common term that everyone else does that applies to most places.

Covering old ground here…… Not everyone knows about this. My friends, family and I are living proof of that, even if we only represent a small minority. The fact that I’ve been thanked by a couple of poster on here would suggest at least a couple of other people out there were also unaware of this.

And just because a term may be very common it doesn’t make it any less of a rip off. A £20 gift card can not buy you as much as £20 cash due to the companies limitations on where it can be spent. There is no logical explanation as to why this should be (as yet I’ve not seen a response to my question of why companies do this if not to rip consumers off). If it’s not meant to trip consumers up and help companies maximise return why is it only buried in the small print rather more clearly stated? Or even, why do till staff not mention this when a gift card is purchased?

As I’ve also put though put this thread, this is my opinion. You disagree, that much is clear, and as I have also put in replies to you, fair enough you’re entitled to your opinion as much as I'm entitled to mine.

uktim29

BlindJak wrote: »

Or even, why do till staff not mention this when a gift card is purchased?

I'll tell you exactly why. If you read this forum a lot you'll see "they should have told me at the till" hundreds of times. This is one of 100 possible things people will think they should have been told at the till. If every time you buy something and the cashier states everything everyone has ever said "they should have said at the till" you'd be stood there an hour or two. It's simply not practical, especially with more well known things.

As I already mentioned, there is a logical explanation, they are two separate companies!

marleyboy

I much prefer a £20 note to that of a £20 Voucher, I can spend my £20 anywhere I wish, on whatever I choose. Cash will always be King to me

uktim29

marleyboy wrote: »

I much prefer a £20 note to that of a £20 Voucher, I can spend my £20 anywhere I wish, on whatever I choose. Cash will always be King to me

I know, it's one of the most pointless presents invented!

BlindJak

uktim29 wrote: »

As I already mentioned, there is a logical explanation, they are two separate companies!

For accounting purposes yes but they are effectively the same company so I don’t buy that argument (at least not with a gift card :-) ) As I said before consumers treat physical and online stores alike so why can’t the companies? As a matter of fact loads of companies advertise products as available in store or via their website, so from and marketing perspective both elements are treated the same anyway.

To me the accounting excuse is a load of phooey, and as the gift cards have unique numbers and an online element, they can be use electronically, the companies simply chose not to. Also bare in mind you can order from Smith online and pick up in store at no extra charge. So any argument that online saves the company money which they them pass on is made redundant.

Not to mention that when reporting profits to the city, while Smiths break down in which division profits come from they report one set of figures for the whole PLC. So they are not really separate companies.

uktim29

BlindJak wrote: »

Not to mention that when reporting profits to the city, while Smiths break down in which division profits come from they report one set of figures for the whole PLC. So they are not really separate companies.

You're making things up to please yourself. They are seperate companies full stop! Accounting & tax can't be taken lightly. If companies get things wrong in this area they can end up breaking laws and get fined. If they're seperate companies then they need to operate that way.

BlindJak wrote: »

Also bare in mind you can order from Smith online and pick up in store at no extra charge. So any argument that online saves the company money which they them pass on is made redundant.

Thats got nothing to do with anything. Thats just like posting it to your work address instead. The other store isn't selling it to you are they!

uganda

Well, I think WHSmith could be clearer. I understand your frustration at the duality of the two practices when it would obviously be simpler for the customer to have one. These dualities do sometimes cut both ways of course, as sometimes you can find better prices at the same store by scratching the surface a little.

The fact that WHSmith stores and WHSmith online are separate entities is a red herring. They can still both charge what they see fit and it has nothing to do with 'tax and accounting'. I would prefer that they charged the same in both places but they don't, it's not against the law and I'm afraid there is nothing we can do about that.

I don't use WHSmith simply because I find some of their prices extortionate. I'm not saying they're greedy, they can charge what they like, they overcharge for many items, or are simply undercut elsewhere, so I go elsewhere.

I appreciate your mate has given you a voucher and you now can't go elsewhere, which is frustrating for you. All I can say is that you may have warned others off buying vouchers as presents, at least not without checking the Terms and Conditions, which may bring a positive result for a lot of other people, even if not for you.

And that's exactly what these forums are for, warning people not to get caught by high prices, smallprint etc. So thank you.

marleyboy

I generally give the cash equivalent as a gift, I think "vouchers" are just another way to limit a customer to a particular store or stores, particularly kids, prefer the freedom to choose their gift where and how they see fit, as for adults I find its just an inconvenience. If the customer wants to buy a book, you can use "cash" to buy it, anywhere you wish, at the cheapest cost you find it, and the choice of book you wish to read.

timnicebutdim_2

Just to say there's a few WH Smiths money off vouchers floating around on the web to spend instore if you havent spent it already :money: :money:

Here's a linkage that should work: http://whs.emreact.com/aem/clients/WHC001/vouchers/pdf/WHS0769FourVouchers.pdf