The High Street Gift Voucher - Love2Shop - Argos Refusal

Beano67

Morning all and Happy New Year to everyone that reads this. Friends and family have been budgeting for Christmas and provided each other with High Street Gift Vouchers (from Love2shop scheme) when some of the Children have tried to use them at Argos they've been told that they cannot use them. As the Vouchers display the brand 'Woolworths' they are 'the old style' and are not valid, even though they are genuine and in date 31st March 2011.

I've contacted Argos customer services (0845 6403030) and there appears to be some confusion at their end but after some further checking they've confirmed that this is the case. I asked were they still a member of the High Street Gift Voucher Scheme and they advised they were. But, they were not accepting any voucher that displayed the Woolworths brand (which is shown along with many other retailers as well as their own). One store mentioned that it was because they (the Woolworths inclusive voucher) could be photocopied. But, the security features, although basic (reflective strip) would not be replicated by photocopying.

So the Children were really upset and disappointed. The adults who had saved up and presented them as gifts are really embarrassed and annoyed. Surely if there was / is an issue with the vouchers then High Street Vouchers Limited should have contacted their customers and the participating retailers should display something to prevent the awkward confrontation at the checkouts between children, adults and staff and provide clear instruction regarding a Plan B.

Taints the generosity and efforts of peoples Christmas giving and starts 2010 with tears and upset. Well done High Street Gift Voucher and Argos! (and any other retailer who may decide they prefer one version of the voucher in favour of another)

Shame on them

redagila

This has come up before somewhere on the forums.

I can understand your frustration and how upsetting this must be for all concerned.

I suggest that a letter to Argos HO is a starting point as this is going to be an on-going problem & will not help their customer relations.

You could also contact the voucher issuers and ask them to replace with new vouchers not showing the Woolworths logo? Although this probably won't happem as I have just checked a couple I have and they have Woolworths on them and don't expire until 2012!

I have used some recently without any problem but think that was in Homebase - not much good for the children.

Will be interesting to hear if you resolve the problem.

NGlady

I know this is cheeky! But... Have they tried going to another store? It may just be that the manager there is extra picky and another store wouldn't be as bothered.

cidergirl

didnt they ask people to send the vouchers back and replace them with new ones not so long back something to do with security issues??

gghh

cidergirl wrote: »

didnt they ask people to send the vouchers back and replace them with new ones not so long back something to do with security issues??

Yes they did that quite a while ago but the new ones issued still had the Woolworths logo on them, I think it may have even been 2008 that they did that "re-call" so Woolies would've still been around anyway.
I work in another store that accepts these vouchers, that's how I know, and just for the record, we are still acccepting the vouchers with Woolworths on as long as they are still in date!!

jenniewb

I had this same thing happen to me at Boots. I tried to use an old voucher and I was told no by the manager as they "didn't match the new picture" of the vouchers they had posted for the staff by the tills.

I was annoyed at this and being stubborn and irritating I then and there called up the voucher company to ask why I was not able to use my vouchers which were within date!
There was a very nice lady on the phone who said the vouchers were valid and I could use them, I said the manager would not let me and asked if she wanted to speak to the manager. I then handed over my phone to the manager of the Boots store who at the end of the call begrudginly let me use the vouchers- a grimance more then a smile but I did get to use the vouchers! They were given to me in good faith and completely legal so I had no problems making a fuss. I'd suggest others in a similar position either call up the number on the vouchers or the head office for the store they attempted to use the vouchers in,- better yet, get the store themselves to call up the voucher people on your behalf (this is what should have happened- I should not have had to make the call/use up my credit!)

kimmy112

Beano67 wrote: »

Morning all and Happy New Year to everyone that reads this. Friends and family have been budgeting for Christmas and provided each other with High Street Gift Vouchers (from Love2shop scheme) when some of the Children have tried to use them at Argos they've been told that they cannot use them. As the Vouchers display the brand 'Woolworths' they are 'the old style' and are not valid, even though they are genuine and in date 31st March 2011.

I've contacted Argos customer services (0845 6403030) and there appears to be some confusion at their end but after some further checking they've confirmed that this is the case. I asked were they still a member of the High Street Gift Voucher Scheme and they advised they were. But, they were not accepting any voucher that displayed the Woolworths brand (which is shown along with many other retailers as well as their own). One store mentioned that it was because they (the Woolworths inclusive voucher) could be photocopied. But, the security features, although basic (reflective strip) would not be replicated by photocopying.

So the Children were really upset and disappointed. The adults who had saved up and presented them as gifts are really embarrassed and annoyed. Surely if there was / is an issue with the vouchers then High Street Vouchers Limited should have contacted their customers and the participating retailers should display something to prevent the awkward confrontation at the checkouts between children, adults and staff and provide clear instruction regarding a Plan B.

Taints the generosity and efforts of peoples Christmas giving and starts 2010 with tears and upset. Well done High Street Gift Voucher and Argos! (and any other retailer who may decide they prefer one version of the voucher in favour of another)

Shame on them

i work at wilkinson and we still take em. nobody has ever told us we cant

jools61

Used my old style vouchers at Debenhams, no problem there either.

Beano67

Thanks for the replies. These 'Old' style vouchers were supplied by Park Hampers in Sept 2009.

The mixed pack of £10 & £5 vouchers don't have 'Woolworths' on them. However, when Park Hampers supplied booklets of £5 vouchers, these are the one with Woolworths on them.

The problem (confusion) appears only to exist at Argos (at the moment) and Christmas and New Year falling the way they have this year means High Street Vouchers Limited (Love2shop) aren't open until Monday.

I'm going to contact Park Hampers aswell and ask why are they furnishing their agents with obselete vouchers.

They just can't help making hard times get a little harder - excited little faces transfromed to tears and a sorrowful return journey home empty handed. Will keep this post updated with what transpires.

marionsteve

i have just ised some in argos.....and they had woolworths printed on them..... funny thing was, i couldnt even see argos printed on them.... just used £25 a second ago, as I was a bit worried, as i had given some for presents...... i have spoken to one of the recipients, and they have used theirs in boots. i would try another argos store, as it seems you may have got a jobsworth, or I was lucky!!

Februarycat

I had this problem a couple of years ago, when I tried to use them in Woolworths, they gave me a phone no and I ended up sending the old vouchers back and got the new style ones.