Gift card query

BearPear

Not sure if this is the right place to post, but here goes..

My daughter has been given a gift card for a high-street store, the value is £30. She tried to use it on-line and the message she got was that the voucher hadn't been activated. I have come across this problem before with another card which have been bought but, for whatever reason, the cashier at the till hasn't activated it. In that case I had to go back to the person who bought it and ask for the receipt (and was lucky that they had kept it).

The card was a gift from my daughter's boyfriend's mum and she feels awkward saying "thanks for the gift, but it's not activated" - my question is, if she went to a store are they obliged to honour the card if there has indeed been an error at point of purchase (and she has no proof of purchase with it being a gift)?

Thanks

McKneff

Try at the shop first, if they dont help, I dont see any reason why she cant mention it to the BFs mother.
I'm sure she would be only too glad to help, I know I wouldnt mind (and probably neither would you really)

mountainofdebt

You can buy gift cards for high street stores at Tesco so say for example someone was to try what you're suggesting having stolen the card from tesco -not saying that is what happened here but just giving you an insight as to why that wouldn't work?

To be honest the only way forward here I'm afraid is to be up front with the giver of the present.

(I know tesco give you two receipts when you buy one of these cards , one is the normal receipt and the other is a activiation receipt)

Can you use the gift card on line - I know, for example, you can't use WH Smith gift cards on line - goodness knows why though!

BearPear

if it was me I would gladly try to help out, but she would be mortified to ask the BF's mum (she's only 17 and thinks it would be rude to say anything!)

mountainofdebt

BearPear wrote: »

if it was me I would gladly try to help out, but she would be mortified to ask the BF's mum (she's only 17 and thinks it would be rude to say anything!)

She may think it rude but surely the mum is going to ask at some point what she's bought with the card ?

And not as annoying to find out she didn't say anything and I've effectively wasted £30!

If she doesn't want to say anything, can the boyfriend say something ?

BearPear

I think I may go with her to the store to see if there really is a problem, so far it's just the online attempt which failed. I can't force her to speak to the mum (she would rather gouge her own eyes out than make this an issue, she's quite shy!); the BF might be an option.

I understand that ultimately this could be a write-off, after all these vouchers can be picked up anywhere and without activation are useless.

wealdroam

Are these the type of cards where there is a rackfull in say Tesco?

They have no value until activated at the till.
At the till you are asked how much you want on the card, aren't you?

If the card really has not been activated by mistake, when you go back to the shop they will have no idea of the value that should be on the card.
I cannot imagine the store saying "how much should I put on the card?" "£30, ok".

Without a receipt I think you are onto a loser.

Of course, if I have completely mis-understood the type of card involved, then please disregard this post. :beer:

BearPear

I think it is the card with the value printed on it, but still require activation at the till.

texranger

a card it activated once the payment is added to the card, if its not activated then their is no value added to the card, so you will need the receipt

BearPear

Thanks everyone, you have clarified what I kind of expected. She either has to "man up" or write it off!

McKneff

pleasw advise her not to write it off, that would indeed be extremely insulting if the giver ever found out. I would be absolutley mortified at her actions as well as it being a total waste of money.

It's not rude at all, and she is nearly an adult.