Refunding onto same payment card

texranger

aldredd wrote: »

But that's of no concern to the consumer - and any consumer protection law over-rides any agreement between a merchant & their provider.

If a store told me I couldn't have a refund because their provider doesn't allow it - I'd tell them I couldn't care less what their provider does or doesn't allow - if I'm entitled to a refund then that's what i want, and if the payment card is no longer available, then they need to find an alternative - be it another card or cash - but not gift card (unless of course they're happy with that!)

consumer law says you are entitled to a refund, it is up to the retailer how they refund you if the original card is not present as merchant service agreements are legal documents/contracts which are governed by law.

aldredd

texranger wrote: »

merchant service agreements are legal documents/contracts which are governed by law.

Which only concerns refunding onto another card.

I'm yet to find anything stating that gift card is an acceptable refund method is the original card isn't available. AFAIK, law just states that you are entitled to it a refund. If the card isn't available & the merchant isn't allowed to refund to another card, that's the stores concern, not the customer. If you're entitled to a 'cash' refund, this right doesn't change because you don't have the original payment card - surely?

tomwakefield

aldredd wrote: »

Yeah, i get the reasons why they would *want* to do it this way - I just wonder, from a legal / rights side of things whether they're allowed to refuse to refund another way - as far as I'm aware, consumer law states that proof of purchase is all that is required - not proving *who* made the purchase.

But it is only the purchaser of the goods who is protected by consumer law. If you didn't make the purchase, legally you have no rights.

texranger

aldredd wrote: »

Which only concerns refunding onto another card.

I'm yet to find anything stating that gift card is an acceptable refund method is the original card isn't available. AFAIK, law just states that you are entitled to it a refund. If the card isn't available & the merchant isn't allowed to refund to another card, that's the stores concern, not the customer. If you're entitled to a 'cash' refund, this right doesn't change because you don't have the original payment card - surely?

you are entitled to a REFUND, this is up to the store how they give this if the original card is not available for a refund. giving the refund via gift card does not break any consumer laws as you have been given a refund.

look at the retailers view.

you go into a store with a stolen card, make a purchase before the card is blocked, a few days later you go back with the item i dont like it or its faulty (may not be) my card expired can i have a refund, so the shop refunds you in cash, so whos lost out not the consumer whos ripped off the retailer. this is one major reason card providers insist refunds made to the original card and if not available shops give vouchers and not cash

aldredd

texranger wrote: »

giving the refund via gift card does not break any consumer laws as you have been given a refund

I would disagree. Giving credit which you HAVE to spend in that store, to me, is not a refund as per your rights. That's closer to an exchange - which is ok if you're happy with it, but you're if you're entitled to a refund - then a gift card doesn't cut it.

Example: You buy an iPhone from apple store. You get home, it's faulty. You don't want an iPhone anymore as you're not happy with the product (perhaps you tried a replacement, but got the same issue). You go for a refund - you don't have the card you paid with. They offer you a £500 gift card - what the heck are you to do with that? Buy an iPad?

texranger

aldredd wrote: »

I would disagree. Giving credit which you HAVE to spend in that store, to me, is not a refund as per your rights. That's closer to an exchange - which is ok if you're happy with it, but you're if you're entitled to a refund - then a gift card doesn't cut it.

Example: You buy an iPhone from apple store. You get home, it's faulty. You don't want an iPhone anymore as you're not happy with the product (perhaps you tried a replacement, but got the same issue). You go for a refund - you don't have the card you paid with. They offer you a £500 gift card - what the heck are you to do with that? Buy an iPad?

the onus is on you to provide the card that made the purchase on or a replacement card in the same name. if you cant then thew retailer can refund in any way they seem fit. if you read the agreement you get with your card it will have something about refunding purchases made by the card. as i stated earlier the original purchase may have been made on a stolen card and you just return the item hoping to get the cash

brightonman123

if i recall, refunds should go onto original payment method, to prevent money laundering..

however, if card lost/replaced, show show the loss report / new card covering letter, that should be enough to put onto new card..?

Anacrusis

Can you write to the store + ask them? They'll put their reasons in writing and if there's a relevant law they might quote from it.

bris

As a retailer I can assure you if you don't have the original card then it is a credit note, the law allows this and you will lose it you took it to court, no if's but's or maybe. Trading standards will also tell you this so ask them.

texranger

brightonman123 wrote: »

if i recall, refunds should go onto original payment method, to prevent money laundering..

however, if card lost/replaced, show show the loss report / new card covering letter, that should be enough to put onto new card..?

this is one of many reasons the original card should have the refund placed on it, even with a replacement card/ covering letter the retailer should call their merchant service provider to get approval.

if the original card is not available and they cant provide a replacement card then the retailer can decide on how to refund.