Warning - Potentially Valueless JJB Gift Vouchers

Scoobie2

We've oredered gift vouchers on-line for our UK-based family many times using voucherexpress (so far) without problems but we recently wanted to send JJB Sports vouchers (NB we live abroad). To check that the vouchers we were considering would be valid, we emailed JJB and also telephoned the shop where the vouchers would most likely be used. We have been told that it is not possible to buy valid JJB vouchers on-line as they are only available in the stores.

The JJB vouchers advertised by voucherexpress are "SayShopping Gift Vouchers" supplied by affiliate company Sodexo. I emailed both voucherexpress and Sodexo inviting a response to the fact their vouchers are potentially worthless in JJB (see below). Neither company responded (except for an autoreply from Sodexo stating the firm would respond in 24 hours, which it didn't). We will not be ordering. Be warned!

>from [Scoobie2]
>to [Sodexo customer care]
>cc [info voucherexpress]
>date 15 February 2011 14:50
>subject JJB Sports Gift Cards
>
>
>Hi
>
>Please would you comment on the email below, from JJB Sports, explaining that the only gift cards redeemable are those that are bought in-store. This makes the Say Shopping vouchers valueless in JJB.
>
>I have also spoken to Mike at the Bedford JJB store and he advised me that the only vouchers redeemable are those that are purchased in JJB stores.
>
>Regards
>
>[Scoobie2]
>
>Email from JJB:
>
>>from [onlineenquiries jjbsports]
>>to [Scoobie2]
>>date 15 February 2011 13:33
>>subject JJB Gift Vouchers
>>
>>Many thanks for contacting the JJB Sports online customer services team.
>>
>>JJB gift card can only be purchased and used in JJB stores.
>>
>>Customer Services Call Centre Agent
>>
>>J.Morgan
>>Customer Services,
>>JJB Sports plc,
>>Whelan House,
>>Martland Park,
>>Challenge Way,
>>Wigan,
>>WN5 0LD
>>

cybergibbons

I think you have jumped the gun.

"JJB gift card can only be purchased and used in JJB stores"

i.e. the card you can buy in JJB can only be used in JJB. It doesn't say that the SayShopping vouchers can't be used.

Why not just give cash and let the recipient decide what they want?

Helix

Would avoid buying JJB vouchers anyway as they seem dangerously close to falling into Administration, from what I have read from various sites.

DCFC79

cybergibbons wrote: »

I think you have jumped the gun.

"JJB gift card can only be purchased and used in JJB stores"

i.e. the card you can buy in JJB can only be used in JJB. It doesn't say that the SayShopping vouchers can't be used.

Why not just give cash and let the recipient decide what they want?

this is my thoughts as well, the gift card can only be bought and used in jjb, the paper style vouchers that can be used in other shops as well as jjb may well be accepted(but this all depends on whether jjb actually accept paper style vouchers as some shops dont give out paper ones anymore)

but yes surely cash is a better alternative

DCFC79

Helix wrote: »

Would avoid buying JJB vouchers anyway as they seem dangerously close to falling into Administration, from what I have read from various sites.

ive heard that for some time but not seen much lately to suggest it was imminent, i think thats the reason why dave whelan left jjb or sold his share and opened up DW stores as a rival

dacouch

DCFC79 wrote: »

ive heard that for some time but not seen much lately to suggest it was imminent, i think thats the reason why dave whelan left jjb or sold his share and opened up DW stores as a rival

They asked their landlords about a week ago for a help with the rent

DCFC79

dacouch wrote: »

They asked their landlords about a week ago for a help with the rent

just remembered jjb are apparently involved in a takeover by jd sports

bluenoseam

Just having a look in my local JJB would tell you they're down the pan - all it is is football shirts for 3 teams, cheap Patrick training gear & about 2 dozen styles of trainers, have been going steadilly downhill for 2-3 years!

vuvuzela

They raised sufficient capital today to fend off administration in the ultra-short term, but will need a lot more soon. http://www.cfoworld.co.uk/news/risk/3261921/jjb-sports-raises-315-million-in-bid-to-stave-off-administration/

Scoobie2

cybergibbons wrote: »

I think you have jumped the gun.

"JJB gift card can only be purchased and used in JJB stores"

i.e. the card you can buy in JJB can only be used in JJB. It doesn't say that the SayShopping vouchers can't be used.

Why not just give cash and let the recipient decide what they want?

Hi cybergibbons

It was the wording of the email that prompted us to ring the store. We were told in no uncertain terms that no vouchers other than those which are sold in JJB stores would be accepted.

As for giving cash - the recipient is our grandson, age 14, with no bank/savings/post office account. As stated in my original post, we live abroad. To transfer money to the UK would necessitate the use of Western Union or a Moneygram - WU don't allow transfers to anyone under 17. The Post Office has a minimum transfer amount of £600....

Thanks for your comments, though.

ifonlyitwaseasier

scoobie, the sayshopping vouchers are like the love2shop once or highstreet vouchers, all useable in a number of different stores which have agreed to take them in order to hopefully increase their business.

from a person formerly in the know