Gift Voucher Warning: And Woolworths vouchers special note

Former_MSE_Wendy

If you're planning to buy gift vouchers for friends or family this Christmas, remember they aren’t as safe as cash. If a retailer goes bust, the voucher holder is usually just one in a long queue of creditors. Of course most retailers will be fine, but for pure safety cash is king.

What about section 75 protection?

Yes, if you buy a single voucher or gift card that costs OVER £100 and pay in full or in part on a credit card, then the credit card company is jointly liable under section 75 protection.

What about Woolies?

It’s in administration, but stores are still open and rescue bids are possible. Yet if you've Woolies vouchers or savings stamps it's worth considering spending them sooner.

To discuss 'vouchers versus cash' click reply

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pigginsexy

I went into woolies on Saturday and asked for a refund of the £240 i put on the card before the bonus cut off date. They were very helpful and gave me a full refund plus the £10 bonus, which i was not expecting.

It goes to say, that if you ask nicely and are courteous, they will help you.

alanfp

I have been given some Kingfisher vouchers (by my employer) which should be able to be spent at Woolies or B&Q or Comet - I've just been told by my employer that Comet will not now accept them.

Just a word of warning.

Also, bear in mind that some electronic vouchers have an expiry date, which cash doesn't!!!

maccaandclaire

alanfp wrote: »

I have been given some Kingfisher vouchers (by my employer) which should be able to be spent at Woolies or B&Q or Comet - I've just been told by my employer that Comet will not now accept them.

Just a word of warning.

Also, bear in mind that some electronic vouchers have an expiry date, which cash doesn't!!!

I am also an employer of Woolies and we havent been able to get discount from them since September, its nothing to do with the administration.

On another note, we are taking all gift vouchers and cards, but I would def use them sooner than later and I personally wouldnt buy them for a pressie as there is too much uncertainty.

uniquegirl

I received vouchers last year...one was for experiencedays.co.uk and I tried to book a Pole Dancing Taster Session.....the site told me I had to validate my voucher, I did this, IT TOLD ME HOW MUCH MY FELLA HAD PAID FOR IT (?? where's the surprise in that??) it then said I had to go to another part of the site and print out a confirmation THEN I had to book the day and date and venue !!! After all that the venue was so rubbish that my friend and I rescheduled...only to be told it had been cancelled. We had a lot of trouble getting money back as it took so long both of our fiance's cards had different expiry dates !!! :money:

ALSO.....the other voucher I received was for an hour in a flotation tank at The Float House in Merseyside..the voucher had no details on not even a telephone number and the piece of paper had just some details of the therapy but no address or website......the voucher was purchased in NOVEMBER but they were advised it was for my Birthday ( 1st week in January) ....I put the voucher away and then dug it out over the summer when I needed a break-they flatly refused to honour it, stating that it was only valid SIX MONTHS and they had calculated that that from the day it was sold - BUYER BEWARE ..the man was also rude to me on the telephone..... and I feel awful because I haven't been able to bring myself to tell the person who bought it me that I could not go afetr all !!! :money:

haziec

Our daughter and son in law were given a very large amount of Argos vouchers for wedding presents this year. They are not buying a house until late next year and were going to keep them till then (expiry date is not till 2011) but wonder if they should spend them in the Jan sales and put the stuff away?? Just in case??
Opinions please - thank you

Grapey

oh rude words! I've been saving my cp vouchers to use at Comet for my DP's mum's christmas present. I'm really annoyed and also very sad at the same time because we won't be able to afford it now

sdooley

"i always get given those love2shop vouchers for various things that i can spend in loads of stores - if one of them goes bust i can use them in another - less risky than for the one shop........."

have never heard of love2shop... presumably if they themselves went under your vouchers would not be accepted by the shops

parkysaves

I was in our local Woollies a few weeks before the administration hit the news. A lady at the desk was asking for vouchers and was told they had run out. She was arguing and saying "Not surprised you're supposed to be struggling". I thought this strange at the time as most shops use the top up card things now and wondered whether they weren't issuing vouchers as they knew they wouldnt be here after Xmas.

If that was the reason, then good on Woollies. It makes a change for a company to forward think of the customer and the hassle they would have with people reclaiming.

Even more reason to wonder how a store that is always so busy goes under???!

SCAMPIDOODLE

does anyone know if Halfords is connected to Woolworth, had a feeling they were all part of same group? I have 3 bikes paid but not due to be collected until xmas.

moonshine

alanfp wrote: »

I have been given some Kingfisher vouchers (by my employer) which should be able to be spent at Woolies or B&Q or Comet - I've just been told by my employer that Comet will not now accept them.

Did they say why? Surely if they are valid at B&Q and Comet as well there should be no reason why they won't take them