cash refund on gift card?

mishmash02

Hi all, thanks for reading.
I'm just wondering what (if any) are my rights on getting money returned which was put on a gift card.

I saw a bed frame and mattress on Argos, both which were listed as being in stock.
I telephoned a customer service agent to ask if I was able to purchase it online with delivery included on a gift card and was told yes.

So I went ahead and loaded funds onto the card based on this information.
When the card arrived and I had activated it, I went to order it - it still stated the items were in stock. However when I got to the checkout and delivery, it said it was unavailable for delivery.

This was 3 months ago.
I've made several phone calls, sent messages on facebook etc. And I'm being fobbed off time and again with the same excuse.
Sorry, it should be in stock soon. But we are definitely getting more in.
The status has now been updated as being out of stock and I've had enough now of not being told anything.

I want to go elsewhere for the bed, I'm disgusted at how I've been treated.

The problem is, the money was loaded on an argos gift card for over £600 and I have no intention of spending anywhere near that in there after this incident.

I was well aware the terms stated no refund would be given, but I accepted this as I had every intention of buying the item which has now been out of stock over 3 months.

I have a record of dates and times I've contacted Argos.
Would I have a case to argue for the money back?
.

CoolHotCold

Yes, but only back onto the gift card.

marliepanda

Firstly you are overreacting. Being ‘disgusted at how you’ve been treated’ because a bed is out of stock? Bit much...

Anyway, why did you buy the gift card? Why didn’t you just pay cash? Doesn’t really make any sense. Anyway, as far as Argos are concerned, you bought a gift card. Not a Bed number 012345 gift card, an Argos gift card. You can use it on anything you like.

‘After this incident’ it’s an item that’s out of stock. It happens. It happens in every shop. Either sell the gift card or find something in argos vast array of goods that you want.

paddyandstumpy

OP, did you buy a gift card using one of those ‘employee benefit’ schemes where you can get up to a 10% discount on the voucher value?
I can’t think of any other reason you’d buy a gift card just to spend at the store?

Irrespective, I can’t see you have much of a case for a refund, given you accepted the T’s & C’s when you made the purchase...

Perhaps do your Christmas shopping there for a few years and chip away at the voucher that way?

peachyprice

marliepanda wrote: »

Anyway, why did you buy the gift card? Why didn’t you just pay cash? Doesn’t really make any sense. Anyway, as far as Argos are concerned, you bought a gift card. Not a Bed number 012345 gift card, an Argos gift card. You can use it on anything you like.

Probably an employer discount scheme, load £600 to the card only pay £550.

my OH has a similar scheme, we learnt the hard way with Currys (although not to the tune of £600!) never to load anything to the card until the item is 100% guaranteed in stock.

Op, tough, you're stuck with £600 on the Argos card, putting money on it doesn't guarantee stock levels. You could always try to sell it on eBay.

neilmcl

Or try this place - https://www.zeek.me/

mishmash02

It seems I haven't quite been clear with a few things.
I didn't pay cash/card as this was through employment scheme as others have mentioned.

No money has yet been deducted from the card. The full amount remains on the card - which is for use in argos only.
What I meant when I said refund - was the cash value I used for the card to be took from the card and credited into my account.

I'm aware the card can be used for other items, but I don't buy lots of stuff, I buy only things I feel are essential. However I had moved home and a new bed was something I desperately needed.

I accept that items can be out of stock. I understand a supplier must provide more.
But over 3 months? I have telephoned on several occasions enquiring if and when it will be in stock.
To which I was told it would be coming in stock soon on one occasion, 2 weeks on another.
I'm left in limbo.
They can't even tell me when it will be back in stock.
I'm pretty sure someone in the company knows if more stock has been ordered, if yes - they should have a rough shipment date. If no - what delays are causing this. I happily accept things go wrong. But they haven't even apologized or even tried to get answers. And that's what good customer service is. They don't tell me anything new when I ring up for an update, its pretty frustrating when it's actually an item I really do want.

Thanks to those with helpful advice.
I did look at seek, The card has to have under £500 so this won't be an option.

theonlywayisup

mishmash02 wrote: »

They don't tell me anything new when I ring up for an update, its pretty frustrating when it's actually an item I really do want.

Possibly because there is nothing new to tell you. Delays in stock can be caused by any number of things.

Is there not another bed you can buy from them. Surely that's preferable to being "in limbo".

bris

The bed and the gift card are two different issues. You seen a bed so loaded a giftcard, that's not Argos to blame.


You will never get a cash refund on a giftcard. You should also check the expiry date, they more often than not have one.

Ectophile

There's no guarantee that it will ever be in stock again. If the manufacturer has stopped making that model, it will never be in stock, and will be removed from future catalogues.