What's the point of gift cards?

geekgirl

I would be wary of buying gift vouchers now. HMV has just folded and they are no longer accepting gift vouchers.

pmduk

If the Government doesn't bring in legislation to ring-fence the money spent on gift vouchers, I reckon they'll disappear within the next few years. Frankly good riddance, they've robbed consumers of millions of pounds over the last few years (I meant vouchers, but yes, the Government as well)

arbroath_lass

Dave_C wrote: »

Also I get a good night out in the local pub for £20 (about 7 pints) the landlord doesn't accept gift vouchers.
Dave

See, I'd be really unhappy if I gave someone £20 and they wasted it in a pub. You'd be getting a voucher from me, lol.

lazer

arbroath_lass wrote: »

See, I'd be really unhappy if I gave someone £20 and they wasted it in a pub. You'd be getting a voucher from me, lol.

Snap - so would I

Although i generally would never give either cash or gif vouchers (no opportunuity for Bargain hunting - the recipent knows how much the gift cost!)

tigercubx

So that people can buy what they want with it, obviously?

Dave_C_2

In reply to : (my bold)

lucy03 wrote: »

If you give them 20 pounds of cash, it might just get used up on other things and the giver never gets to think they're enabled the recipient to have a night out.

It's always difficult, but it is nice for many people when giving a present to think that the recipient will enjoy a night out, a meal out or entertainment they wanted, even though there is the unfortunate risk the company then goes under.

I posted

Also I get a good night out in the local pub for £20 (about 7 pints) the landlord doesn't accept gift vouchers.

arbroath_lass wrote: »

See, I'd be really unhappy if I gave someone £20 and they wasted it in a pub.

Nope, to me a night out in the pub is not wasted, even though I usually go with SWMBO

What is this, the temperance league?

Dave

edwardw

Faith177 wrote: »

Have you ever tried to spend a Scottish note in London??

90% of retaliers will refuse it as they don't believe it to be legal tender.

They aint legal tender

Scottish Banknotes are legal currency – i.e. they are approved by the UK Parliament. However, Scottish Bank notes are not Legal Tender, not even in Scotland. In fact, no banknote whatsoever (including Bank of England notes!) qualifies for the term 'legal tender' north of the border and the Scottish economy seems to manage without that legal protection.

http://www.scotbanks.org.uk/legal_position.php

lolavix

I have £80 worth of Xmas gift cards for shops I have never shopped in - I'd rather have the cash to buy what I want! I'll only ever buy gift cards for shops I know people will definitely use, but have no problem in just giving cash.

I'd rather someone had a good night down the local than a gift card sat in their wallet unused for months :-)

arbroath_lass

Dave_C wrote: »

In reply to : (my bold)
Nope, to me a night out in the pub is not wasted, even though I usually go with SWMBO

What is this, the temperance league?

Dave

It is to me though which is why I said I'd give vouchers :rotfl:. Which, I think, is what the OP asked. IMO "the pub" is not "special" enough. I wouldn't mind you buying a nice whisky/vodka etc or even some weird beer but the pub is just so meh.

It's just the thought of it.

arbroath_lass

lolavix wrote: »

I have £80 worth of Xmas gift cards for shops I have never shopped in - I'd rather have the cash to buy what I want! I'll only ever buy gift cards for shops I know people will definitely use, but have no problem in just giving cash.

I'd rather someone had a good night down the local than a gift card sat in their wallet unused for months :-)

Sell them and buy something you would like! At least then it is not all wasted.

Or buy stuff and sell it on!

BTW I don't buy vouchers for people I don't know well - I know exactly what shops/websites they use