Homebase Voucher Policy - customers lose money!

salfordmate

Hello all,

I just wanted to let you know about my recent experience at Homebase.

For our wedding last year we got a number of Homebase vouchers which we used yesterday.

My total spend came to £22.95 and I had £23.70 in vouchers. Having pennies left on a couple of card vouchers I used these first then came to use 2 x £5 paper vouchers at the end. After using them I stodd patiently at the till waiting for my 75p change which never came.

I asked where my change was and I was informed that change was not given for vouchers. I asked if I could have the change put on a card voucher (i'd had a refuned put onto a card voucher a week earlier so why not this 75p?) or if it could go to the charity tin but I couldn't do either of these! I was stood awkwardly and embarrased at the till thinking they would find me stupid quibbling over 75p and ended up walking away.

I since read the back of the voucher and begrudgingly I admit it says you should use it for purchases above the amount of the voucher BUT I didn't want to purchase something above the value of the voucher, I was not told at the till I would not get my change and where does the 75p go that I did not receive in change, does this go to Homebase profits?

They may be operating legally but I think morally this is disgraceful, taking money from customers who buy vouchers in good faith!

I complained in the right way and was told I will have been told at the till (which I hadn't, and my husband can witness this) and that it does say on the back of the voucher, which I do admit it does but they would not answer my question about where the money goes and why couldn't I have the change put on a gift voucher.

I'm just disgusted that money can be kept in this way by a large company.

:mad:

Meadows

I would have picked up a 75p or £1 item to use the remainder, you can get many cheap things around the tills including a bar of chocolate. You can not blame the company when it clearly states that you had to spend the amount or more to use the vouchers.
The other option would have been to say forget the sale and give me my vouchers back if you feel that strongly that they shouldn't have done what the T&C's state they do!

mjm3346

Not unusual for paper vouchers.

Nearly all vouchers are best avoided anyway, firm goes bust and the vouchers become almost worthless.

salfordmate

I know, I appreciate what you are saying. By the time I realised I wasn't getting my 75p back there was a line forming for the till and I felt uncomfortable by this point.

I don't understand why the change can't just be issued on a gift card, I already had one it could have gone to. It really frustrates me thinking a large company such as this is making profit in this way.

Meadows

salfordmate wrote: »

I know, I appreciate what you are saying. By the time I realised I wasn't getting my 75p back there was a line forming for the till and I felt uncomfortable by this point. I don't understand why the change can't just be issued on a gift card, I already had one it could have gone to. It really frustrates me thinking a large company such as this is making profit in this way.

They wouldn't add the remainder to the card as the card was the first thing to be presented and classed as a separate form of payment, so money was taken from that leaving the remaining balance outstanding which you paid for by vouchers and they were none refundable for amounts not used.

bullshot

I got change using Love 2 Shop vouchers at Homebase, I was buying something for £12.50 and had various denomination vouchers...I was fumbling with them , trying to find 2 £5 ones and to pay the rest on my credit card when the SA asked me to give her 2x £10 ones ' to save all the messing about'( her words) it would be better for me to have the £7.50 change in cash....she said the till was geared up to give change ' no probs'....and it was, it was a very straightforward transaction....it was only when I got home and looked on the back of one of my remaining vouchers it does say ' No change given'....