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Blocked Debenhams Gift Card - I'm going round in circles help!
Charliezoo
Posts: 1,732 Forumite
I've been having problems with a Debenhams giftcard I got back in November in return for goods I had returned that were 'exchange only'.
I phoned the automated giftcard balance phoneline to check the balance and it said 'this card has been blocked'. I phoned customer services who had never heard of this happening before so they transferred me to head office who checked the card, confirmed that it still has £32.50 on it but also said it was showing as blocked. They said that I'll have to go to a store and speak to a manager. I waited 45 minutes in the Sutton store for the assistant to return saying there was nothing he could do and I needed to go back to the store I got the card in (Hemel Hempstead) on a weekday when the Gift Card call centre was open and they would then have to call them for me. I went to the store and the assistant phoned the line while I was there and the call centre person told her it would be unblocked in 72 hours. One month on and it's still not been unblocked.
I returned to the store and the same assistant served me, she was very apologetic and again phoned the Gift Card line. The call centre staff member seemed very confused and said she would refer it to her manager, taking my email and phone number. No surprise - this was over a week ago and I've had no contact from them. I tried phoning the Gift Card line myself today and they told me to return to the store and speak to them ARHHHH!!!
I've had enough now, this card has now been blocked for 5 months! They can clearly see that there is £32.50 on the card so if they can't unblock it then why can't they just issue a new one and just destroy the blocked one? I don't really have the time or the patience to start writing letters but I'm guessing this is the only way I'm going to get anywhere.
If anyone has any advice as to how to get anywhere with this before I go round the bend it would be greatly appreciated.
I phoned the automated giftcard balance phoneline to check the balance and it said 'this card has been blocked'. I phoned customer services who had never heard of this happening before so they transferred me to head office who checked the card, confirmed that it still has £32.50 on it but also said it was showing as blocked. They said that I'll have to go to a store and speak to a manager. I waited 45 minutes in the Sutton store for the assistant to return saying there was nothing he could do and I needed to go back to the store I got the card in (Hemel Hempstead) on a weekday when the Gift Card call centre was open and they would then have to call them for me. I went to the store and the assistant phoned the line while I was there and the call centre person told her it would be unblocked in 72 hours. One month on and it's still not been unblocked.
I returned to the store and the same assistant served me, she was very apologetic and again phoned the Gift Card line. The call centre staff member seemed very confused and said she would refer it to her manager, taking my email and phone number. No surprise - this was over a week ago and I've had no contact from them. I tried phoning the Gift Card line myself today and they told me to return to the store and speak to them ARHHHH!!!
I've had enough now, this card has now been blocked for 5 months! They can clearly see that there is £32.50 on the card so if they can't unblock it then why can't they just issue a new one and just destroy the blocked one? I don't really have the time or the patience to start writing letters but I'm guessing this is the only way I'm going to get anywhere.
If anyone has any advice as to how to get anywhere with this before I go round the bend it would be greatly appreciated.
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Comments
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Write a letter, keep a copy. Do this now, sometimes gift cards get stripped of all value at 6 months. At least by writing now, you have a paper trail in place to show that you are not at fault.Hi, we’ve had to remove your signature. If you’re not sure why please read the forum rules or email the forum team if you’re still unsure - MSE ForumTeam0
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