Gift Cards

hb1

Hi

If I bought a gift card from Tesco for somewhere like, let's say HMV, and HMV subsequently went bust, do I lose the value of the gift card or do I have some protection given that the card was purchased through Tesco?

MattMattMattUK

You lose the value of the gift card.

bris

No you have no rights. Tesco sell you a gift card, they have done their bit, their side of the deal is done.

Why buy a gift card when you can just buy direct, gift cards are for giving as gifts, in fact I hve no idea why people buy gift cards at all, 2 ten pound notes are better than any single store £20 gift card.

gettingtheresometime

bris said:

Why buy a gift card when you can just buy direct, gift cards are for giving as gifts, in fact I hve no idea why people buy gift cards at all, 2 ten pound notes are better than any single store £20 gift card.

This ☝️completely.

A gift card to me smacks of saying to the person that the giver didn't know what to get but is dictating where the gift is to be bought.

Carrot007

gettingtheresometime said:

bris said:

Why buy a gift card when you can just buy direct, gift cards are for giving as gifts, in fact I hve no idea why people buy gift cards at all, 2 ten pound notes are better than any single store £20 gift card.

This ☝️completely.

A gift card to me smacks of saying to the person that the giver didn't know what to get but is dictating where the gift is to be bought.

As much as I 100% agree, I can see why.

Some people are bad with money.

These people still want things.

So these people as for gift cards as presents for some place they want soemthing from so they can "save up" for whatever.

They know if you give them cash it will be fritered away.

However even given that I would only do it for a gift card I think is a sure bet. Amazon for example are unlikely to go awawy and have a ten year gift card life. (though I guess are an easy place to spend on things you do not want).

I think you have the entirely wron side of why peoople buy gift cards for people. Although it is still not a good idea for many many places in the current environment. And people recieveing them do not help themselves by keeping them for too long.

It's a complex argument.

hb1

bris said:

No you have no rights. Tesco sell you a gift card, they have done their bit, their side of the deal is done.

Why buy a gift card when you can just buy direct, gift cards are for giving as gifts, in fact I hve no idea why people buy gift cards at all, 2 ten pound notes are better than any single store £20 gift card.

It was a hypothetical question....my husband wanted a HMV gift card as one of his Christmas gifts, I don't like buying gift cards as I don't fancy running the risk of the money vanishing if the company went bust...then I spotted all the gift cards that Tesco supply and it made me wonder about the consumer rights  😊

hb1

gettingtheresometime said:

bris said:

Why buy a gift card when you can just buy direct, gift cards are for giving as gifts, in fact I hve no idea why people buy gift cards at all, 2 ten pound notes are better than any single store £20 gift card.

This ☝️completely.

A gift card to me smacks of saying to the person that the giver didn't know what to get but is dictating where the gift is to be bought.

It was a hypothetical question....I wondered if buying the cards from the huge range that Tesco supply offered any protection to the consumer.  I'm not a big fan of giving gift cards as gifts, not for the reasons you have given but because I prefer to know my money is safe.

Aylesbury_Duck

For all the reasons above, I'd just enclose the cash sum in an envelope, with a card saying "I hope you're able to enjoy spending this in HMV x"

Pollycat

MSE have something to say about gift cards:

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/shopping/giftcards/

We're not generally fans of gift cards and vouchers. There are three main reasons why:

1. If the shop goes bust, they can become worthless and there’s little recourse. So if you get them don’t hold them for long – and make sure it’s a big solid, reputable store, or one you can use at multiple stores. 
2. Often they have dates (sometimes hidden) by which they need to be used.
3. Cash is far more flexible. It has no expiry date and you can use it anywhere.
   

born_again

And given HMV have already been down the "Administration" route twice in 6 years 2013 & 2018. It would be one of the many that would be best left alone.

You could just create a IOU to your husband with a card saying that "It has a £X value to spend at HMV" and you will pick up the tab.
That way, your money is safe & husband gets to choose what he wants from them

DiddyDavies

JohanXV said:

What do you expect when you sell a gift card?

The OP wasn't wanting to sell a gift card. They were asking (almost 4 weeks ago) about their rights when buying a gift card.