Homebase store card misleading

michodge

On making a recent purchase of tiles I was offered a Homebase store card on the basis that I would get 3 mths interest free and more importantly for me I would get £60 in vouchers to spend in store.
The key thing here is I was told I would get £60 to spend, NOT that I would get a load of 10% vouchers the biggest being £20 off if I spend £200 which if i used them all (on different items, on separate occasions, which are part of the terms & conditions) would knock £60 off the total I spent so effectively in order to get that £60 I would have to spend £600+ :mad:
If this has been explained to me I would have refused the card and used my Tesco credit card to get clubcard points which would have given me a potential £40 to spend on various items at Tesco.
Anyone got any pointers on what I should do?

MWAUGH1983

michodge wrote: »

On making a recent purchase of tiles I was offered a Homebase store card on the basis that I would get 3 mths interest free and more importantly for me I would get £60 in vouchers to spend in store.
The key thing here is I was told I would get £60 to spend, NOT that I would get a load of 10% vouchers the biggest being £20 off if I spend £200 which if i used them all (on different items, on separate occasions, which are part of the terms & conditions) would knock £60 off the total I spent so effectively in order to get that £60 I would have to spend £600+ :mad:
If this has been explained to me I would have refused the card and used my Tesco credit card to get clubcard points which would have given me a potential £40 to spend on various items at Tesco.
Anyone got any pointers on what I should do?

As a ex employee of homebase I would advise you to spend little on the card and once clear get shot! You can always take them back to get refunded if still possible and then just go elsewhere. Think there is little you can do tbh as its prob in the small print - and besides they have said 60 quid off vouchers; technically you have that.

What I would say; the pressure put on staff to get customers to take out on of these is unfair! You would be given a target of one per hour and when people aren't spending in a recession it makes it difficult! They would even split the staff into teams and the team that got the most would win a prize or something!

I was so glad to get out!

TadleyBaggie

Well the website says:

If your application is successful, you will receive exclusive discount vouchers worth £60 when you receive your card.

The word "discount" suggests money off to me.

McKneff

and the word 'vouchers' plural

Why bother spending anyting on the card, just ring them up and cancel it. Then cut it up.

(then use the vouchers, as and when)

MWAUGH1983

Yeah they arent a retailer I would advise to people. They talk a good game about service but theirs is alot to be desired.

Karlosx

How much was put onto the card? If it is a small amount you can get a refund on to the card and then cancel it.

The only benefits the card really has it the buy now pay later function, period depends on how much you spend. Sadly if not paid off within the time limit you get back dated interest for the debt.

I don't think there is a Homebase which sell the card to the letter of how it is supposed to be. I hear rumours which will stop shops trying to sell these cards to customers and will be left to advertise via posters so customers can ask about it rather than being led into taking one out

I will say as advice. Do not take anything out from a retailer without first reading all the information provided, leaflets terms and conditions etc.

chattychappy

Well.. you could sue them for £60! You can kick things off online. (Bear in mind though if it ends up in a hearing, it could be a court local to them.) Of course you have to pay a fee - which you can get back if you win. If you lose, they can't get costs from you (except to a very limited extent).

If you're keen, write to them first. Tell them what you intend to do unless they give you £60 in proper vouchers.

Whatever the T+Cs say, if some member of staff did promise you it was a real £60 quid and on that basis you signed up, then you have a claim - either for misrepresentation or that this was an additional term incorporated into the written agreement.

Homebase might make you an offer just to avoid having the expense of drafting a defence.

If it goes to a hearing, it's your word against theirs. A judge would decide on the basis of what he thought was most likely.

kaych

return all items purchased, pay off homebase CC, cancel it then buy everything with your tesco CC again?

Karlosx

chattychappy wrote: »

Well.. you could sue them for £60! You can kick things off online. (Bear in mind though if it ends up in a hearing, it could be a court local to them.) Of course you have to pay a fee - which you can get back if you win. If you lose, they can't get costs from you (except to a very limited extent).

If you're keen, write to them first. Tell them what you intend to do unless they give you £60 in proper vouchers.

Whatever the T+Cs say, if some member of staff did promise you it was a real £60 quid and on that basis you signed up, then you have a claim - either for misrepresentation or that this was an additional term incorporated into the written agreement.

Homebase might make you an offer just to avoid having the expense of drafting a defence.

If it goes to a hearing, it's your word against theirs. A judge would decide on the basis of what he thought was most likely.

I find it amazing how people think they can sue for anything and everything.

Homebase will not admit to anything as there is no proof. The OP has signed a contract which she should have read through before and understood before signing. it is sadly her own fault regardless of what was or was not said.

The most OP can do is go into the store discuss with a Manager what has happened and they will refund the items to the card and seek another means of payment(perhaps a discount for the inconvenience, Depends on the manager) and cancel the card.

chattychappy

Karlosx wrote: »

I find it amazing how people think they can sue for anything and everything.

...

The OP has signed a contract which she should have read through before and understood before signing. it is sadly her own fault regardless of what was or was not said.

I find it amazing that people dish out ill-informed advice such as this. Saying it is "regardless of what was or was not said" completely ignores the law.

ILW

chattychappy wrote: »

I find it amazing that people dish out ill-informed advice such as this. Saying it is "regardless of what was or was not said" completely ignores the law.

Proving what was said would be nigh on impossible, whereas a signature on a contract is fairly solid.