Getting refund on HMV vouchers bought through Amex 20% Promo

enigma368

Hi All,

This is a thread for those who bought HMV vouchers through the Amex promo that ran in Nov and Dec 2012 (you can still see it here http://www.cardmemberoffers.co.uk/ba/)

Now that HMV have gone into administration, a lot of us have been left with vouchers we cannot use, bought with our American Express cards. I thought it might be an idea to have a separate thread so we can discuss a strategy to getting our money back and also so people can pass on any useful information of success stories.

For now Amex seem to be playing a "wait and see" game. If it turns out that HMV do not start accepting vouchers again, I think our main options are:

1) Chargeback: Amex ran this promotion that barely ended 2 weeks before HMV went under. Out of good will if nothing else, they should refund the transactions. Also, chargebacks apply to orders where you have not received what you paid for. Arguably, we have not been able to redeem our vouchers so we have not received what we paid for.

2) Section 75: For those who used their amex credit card for a voucher purchase over £100, then it is possible you are protected by law. However this seems to be untested according to MSE and Amex told me this morning that vouchers were not covered by this. Adding further to the confusion is that we did not purchase the vouchers directly from HMV, but from a third party called SVM Europe.

Has anyone heard anything concrete from Amex other than the standard "we are looking into this and deciding how to proceed"?

I think there a lot of us in this boat and Amex values its loyal customers. If we band together, I think we stand a good chance of getting our money back.

Icey370

Last time I heard administrators stated they were still accepting vouchers (was on bbc news a couple days ago) has this changed?

CoolHotCold

Icey370 wrote: »

Last time I heard administrators stated they were still accepting vouchers (was on bbc news a couple days ago) has this changed?

No, even before administration (the last 2 or 3 hours of opening pre admin) they refused vouchers, the administrators still are not accepting vouchers because of the amount out there.


Blockbuster are, maybe you got mixed up with them.

lukieboy96

Apparently, some stores in certain areas are accepting the vouchers.

lukieboy96

Asda and tesco will refund vouchers if they were brought there.

blinxster

Amex offer involved e-vouchers, not physical vouchers and as such are not subject to other stores "accepting" these.
I am sure Amex will get it right, it is fair that all parties wait a while to see the eventual outcome.
I will be very happy if HMV online starts up again so I can use the e-vouchers.
Especially if there is a fire-sale with further discounts.
I guess we have to just be patient.

callum9999

Good luck with getting the good will gesture but you don't have a legal leg to stand on. You ordered and paid for vouchers and you were provided with vouchers.

tpi_176

I think it's horrific what HMV did. Selling useless vouchers just before administration, even if they were saved a lot of people are going to think twice about HMV and its voucher service

lisyloo

Good luck with getting the good will gesture but you don't have a legal leg to stand on. You ordered and paid for vouchers and you were provided with vouchers.

When peacocks went into administration. Capitalone one did a chargeback for me.
This was not a goodwill gesture from CapOne as it's Peacocks bank that paid.
Either their understanding of the law is different or they simply hoped the bank would not appeal (which they didn't).

lisyloo

lot of people are going to think twice about HMV and its voucher service

People should think twice about vouchers - full stop.
This has happened a number of times now.

I understand the desire to give someone something rather than just cash, but is it worth this risk in this climate?

I personally still have a few vouchers myself and must get roudn to spending them.

callum9999

lisyloo wrote: »

When peacocks went into administration. Capitalone one did a chargeback for me.
This was not a goodwill gesture from CapOne as it's Peacocks bank that paid.
Either their understanding of the law is different or they simply hoped the bank would not appeal (which they didn't).

Or Peacocks bank refunded in good will. I fail to see what law could possibly authorise a charge back (not that I claim to be an expert on such matters!). Vouchers specifically state that they have no cash value on them anyway - so what exactly have you paid for that you haven't received?