HMV administration and returning goods?

wealdroam

Some retailers are exchanging HMV gift cards if purchased from them.

Notably Asda and Tesco, but read this MSE news article for more detail.

Mallotum_X

To be honest in this day and age where we all know of stories about shops going bust that anyone who doesn't spend vouchers ASAP only has themselves to blame. Giving a voucher as a present is a pretty poor move. Don't give vouchers and if you get one spend it ASAP and you won't lose out.

railbuff

Mallotum_X wrote: »

To be honest in this day and age where we all know of stories about shops going bust that anyone who doesn't spend vouchers ASAP only has themselves to blame. Giving a voucher as a present is a pretty poor move. Don't give vouchers and if you get one spend it ASAP and you won't lose out.

Most if not all out of town shopping centres sell vouchers to be spend in shops within their centres, which i would say are the safest type of vouchers if you are going to buy vouchers.

Zandoni

The bottom line for me is that stores should suspend the sale of vouchers if they are in financial difficulties. HMV have known for a very long time that they were going down, yet they continued to take money via these sales.

SuzanneBryant

Thank you for the insight I have gained from this forum - of course those of us with vouchers are angry but I feel a little less so when I understand how it works. I say a little less, don't get me wrong I am still angry, however, my beef comes from the fact that I was sold a voucher the day before they ceased trading (Monday), I don't blame the staff in any way, but surely the company should be held responsible for the sheer unethics of what was in effect taking money for nothing, that, in my eyes IS stealing. I would really appreciate someone justifying this for me. Also, I have not seen any links or instructions how we register as a debtor to this Deloitte company. Any advice?

prowla

wealdroam wrote: »

You mean like this...

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/shopping/2011/12/be-careful-buying-gift-cards-and-vouchers-for-christmas

That'll be it!

However, I also recall seeing the recommendation to buy discounted cards for instance to save money on petrol.

prowla

It may also be unethical to stop selling vouchers before the shop has actually gone into administration, a bit like insider trading.

Perhaps the equivalent of voucher schemes could be run by the credit card companies, as pre-paid credit cards.

peachyprice

SuzanneBryant wrote: »

Also, I have not seen any links or instructions how we register as a debtor to this Deloitte company. Any advice?

I think it's a bit soon at the moment, they're still trying to rescue the company. If they find a buyer it could be back to business as usual and the vouchers may be valid again.

If they go to liquidation or part of the rescue is to start afresh with all debts wiped out there will be a form to fill in which should appear online somewhere.

timbstoke

arcon5 wrote: »

Why should gift vouchers be ring fenced and not for example rent money? Or stock money? Etc etc? The knock on effects to suppliers and LLs can be a lot more devastating than some gift vouchers.

Another short sighted post

Because gift voucher users are consumers, not businesses. Everyone else a flailing firm deals with does so on a B2B basis, and makes a conscious, and contracted, choice to extend credit terms to them. Consumers do not enter into such a contract, and do not choose to extend credit to HMV. Therefore, they should not be classed in the same boat as creditors who choose to take that risk. Gift vouchers should be covered under SOGA in my book - if they were purchased from anywhere other HMV, return them as they are not fit for purpose.

If they were purchased from HMV, you're stuffed as far as the law is concerned. However, I have to admit I would simply enter the store and remove goods to the value of the voucher, grabbing the attention of a staff member and leaving the voucher on the counter on my way out.

railbuff

Zandoni wrote: »

The bottom line for me is that stores should suspend the sale of vouchers if they are in financial difficulties. HMV have known for a very long time that they were going down, yet they continued to take money via these sales.

been in financial difficulties does not mean they are going down. I can guarantee a majority of businesses will be in financial difficulties at the moment, so does this mean all these businesses are going down. HMV may of gained a financial investor which woulkd of saved then from administration.
Also Administration is just a method for an appointed auditor to look over the business and attempt to see if they can save the business by looking at it with a fresh set of eyes, it is not a method to close down a business. they suspend voucher use etc. until they see if they can see what can be done to save the business if the can. also voucher payments were made to hmvgroup limited, but during administration they become hmvgroup (in administration) limited which no voucher payments were made too