Comet Gift Card

Prairie_Rose

Wasn't sure where to post this query so am copying here as well...

Hi there,

I wonder if anyone can possibly help. We have a Comet Giftcard which had a value of around £600 (it was a electrical replacement card we had been sent by our insurance company) which we had been saving to put towards a new TV once we had saved up the remaining balance.

On Wednesday evening we went to the store to purchase the TV only to be told that the card had expired. The salesguy tried to call Head Office re this but as it was early evening they were closed. So we went away with the intention of calling ourselves the following day which, of course, was when the news broke of Comet going into administration.

Firstly we were told (obviously wrongly) by BeValue (who issued the card on behalf of our insurance company) that the card had no expiry period plus I have since read that the cards expire after a certain period of inactivity although 'activity' can include just asking for a balance enquiry which we have done so the card should not have expired. Does anyone know if there is anything we can do? Comet are obviously not taking calls, I can't get through to anyone at BeValue and not even sure they still exist. It's such a lot of money for us to lose if anyone can offer any helpful advice I really would be very grateful.

Many thanks,

Prairie Rose

wealdroam

Try this thread...

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/56925097#Comment_56925097

CoolHotCold

When did you get the gift card?

peachyprice

I would call your insurance company as they are the ones that had the card issued to you, perhaps they can get another issued, preferably not Comet!

It's unusual for insurance issued ones to have an expiry, we've only just finished using one for jewellery that was from a burglary about 12 years ago.

Prairie_Rose

Many thanks for your replies..... in answer:

wealdroam - I have been looking at this thread but can't see anything that would help in my case.

CoolHotCold - the card was issued in Dec 09 and I think we activated it sometime early in 2010 when we used part of the balance to buy a laptop.

peachyprice - I will give my insurance company a call and see if they can help. As I mentioned I specifically asked BeValue about expiry and was told there was none so didn't worry when we wanted to wait until we had enough money to buy a higher spec TV.

The card is actually an 'electrical replacement card' and was issued to us after a burglary but the guy in Comet on Wednesday told me it would be treated the same way as a gift card.

Prairie Rose

Prairie_Rose

Just an update for anyone who may be in a similar situation to me, I called my insurance company and explained the situation and they have said that they will confirm the amount I am owed with Comet/BeValue and then refund the cash into my bank account. Am waiting for a phone call from them to confirm when this will happen but hopefully there won't be any problem. Thanks so much to those that replied to my post, am very relieved.

Kind regards,

Prairie Rose

kerry_lever

Hi

I am in exactly the same position as you and I have £500 left on my card and have now found out its out of date. Did your insurance company offer to pay you the money on the card straight away.

Kerry

peachyprice

Prairie_Rose wrote: »

Just an update for anyone who may be in a similar situation to me, I called my insurance company and explained the situation and they have said that they will confirm the amount I am owed with Comet/BeValue and then refund the cash into my bank account. Am waiting for a phone call from them to confirm when this will happen but hopefully there won't be any problem. Thanks so much to those that replied to my post, am very relieved.

Kind regards,

Prairie Rose

Glad you got it sorted. Well done!

It may well be that the insurance company were unaware that BeValue have been issuing cards with an expiry date, hopefully they'll address the issue.