BT Phonecards

Buzby

I came across a cace of BT (Holographic) phone cards my mother used to by - ostensibly to give to me so I could phone home without problem, wherever I was.

Of course, BT switched the technology to Chip-based phoecards, and they could no longer be used (before they abandoned that dea to). My problem is I've now inherited a pile of phonecards - still sealed in their little envelopes - that have a face value of over £100. I realise soe collectors prize these highly, but clearly not to the mnetary value of an unused card.

An email to BT resulted in a 'sorry we do not do them anymore, and cannot assist' - so I'm stuck. Anyone been in a similar situation and resolved it?

DrScotsman

How long ago were they purchased? Got proof of purchase? (although the existence of the cards might count as proof of purchase...)

If it was more than 6 years ago then I'm pretty sure you have absolutely no rights in law.

If it was less than 6 years ago, do they come with any terms and conditions for you to read?

Buzby

Well over 6 years - and as the package these cards are in are sealed (confirming their face value) I'm reluctant to open them. T&C's were on the BT website at the time, but are long gone as they are no longer sold.

The issue is more complicated due to them having a stored credit value, which is retained withing the encoded strip - unlike equivilant store cards which only contain a reference code to 'look up' a value on a back-office system.

I realise this is not the same as premium bonds, but I would have hoped BT would still be prepared to honour refunds in view it was THEM who introduced, then remoived the technology.