Help with a House of Fraser gift voucher

brilloboy

Hi guys, not sure where else this could go!

I've got two £10 HoF gift-vouchers, and I've just noticed a code on here for free delivery so thought I'd put them to good use!

You have to scratch of a panel similar to a scratch card to get the voucher number. I did the first one with my fingernail but it wasn't really working, so tried a coin, but that was a bit too aggresive, like I've cut through the paper a little and almost rubbed away a letter, but anyway that worked fine.

So I did the second voucher, using the coin again but moving it up and down this time which worked a lot better, but its as if there were no letters underneath the panel! I got halfway a long before this was obvious, the yellow colour behind where the letters should be is different, but yeah, its as though there never were any numbers, I scratched off some with my nail, gently and again it is just yellow, I can make out very fine lines that could have formerly been letters, but I can't make out any of them/they may just be bits of the panel left.

All over the site it says, void if this panel is removed etc, so it looks like I wouldn't be getting my money back! So I was wondering if I stood any chance of getting something back (i doubt it) or if anyone else had had this problem?!

Thanks! Feel like I've just threw a tenner away

thriftymanc

I might be wrong, but as you're only meant to remove the panel to use the voucher online, I would imagine "void if removed" means that you can't spend a voucher with a scratched-off panel instore as the staff don't know that you haven't already spent the value online. However, in this case, surely staff instore could see that the codes physically can't be read, meaning you couldn't have already used them online, and should use their common sense to allow you to exchange the vouchers instore, or swap them for new vouchers to take away with you. That's what I would hope, anyway. I'd give it a try if you have a branch near you, or failing that ring their customer services and see what they say.

paddyrg

Those silver strips come in all kinds and qualities, and on the second card you may have inadvertantly removed the whole strip containing the voucher number printed on the strip itself? Head into a store and ask them for help, or contact them via email with photos asking for help!

brilloboy

Hi guys, thanks!
I emailed them a massive explanation with photos, and they said take them instore and see what they say there. I guess that's better than a flat refusal.
cheers!