Gift vouchers - physical vs online

cwoz01

I received gift vouchers for a local restaurant for Christmas. They sell restaurant vouchers alongside "dine at home" vouchers, my dad mistakenly bought the restaurant ones. At the time of purchase, we were in tier 3 so no in-dining allowed, and obviously no end date to restrictions. 
I've since spoken to the restaurant, and been advised that they're 2 separate businesses so the vouchers are not interchangeable. They have refused to allow the vouchers to be used for a click and collect website order, nor allowed an order to be placed over the phone. They don't offer refunds on vouchers.
They're not 2 separate businesses according to Companies House. Are they legally allowed to offer 2 separate voucher schemes (aside from the ethical question around taking cash for a service they're not legally able to provide right now - they must be very sure that the business will survive).
As an aside, we are a shielding household so won't be dining in a restaurant probably until well after the vouchers have expired - I know this is of no concern to them, but even that didn't seem to make any difference. Am I being unreasonable to be really annoyed and frustrated by their stance?

Aylesbury_Duck

cwoz01 said:

I received gift vouchers for a local restaurant for Christmas. They sell restaurant vouchers alongside "dine at home" vouchers, my dad mistakenly bought the restaurant ones. At the time of purchase, we were in tier 3 so no in-dining allowed, and obviously no end date to restrictions. 
I've since spoken to the restaurant, and been advised that they're 2 separate businesses so the vouchers are not interchangeable. They have refused to allow the vouchers to be used for a click and collect website order, nor allowed an order to be placed over the phone. They don't offer refunds on vouchers.
They're not 2 separate businesses according to Companies House. Are they legally allowed to offer 2 separate voucher schemes (aside from the ethical question around taking cash for a service they're not legally able to provide right now - they must be very sure that the business will survive).
As an aside, we are a shielding household so won't be dining in a restaurant probably until well after the vouchers have expired - I know this is of no concern to them, but even that didn't seem to make any difference. Am I being unreasonable to be really annoyed and frustrated by their stance?

Yes, they can set the terms of the vouchers as they wish (as long as they aren't breaking any laws).  It's no different to me having a store voucher for example, that can't be used to buy scratchcards or cigarettes, and that's the same company.

I'd be frustrated with your father for not checking what he was buying, to be honest.  He also bought vouchers in the midst of a pandemic when the rules are changing regularly and there was no certainty that either service might be provided anyway.

cwoz01

Aylesbury_Duck said:

cwoz01 said:

I received gift vouchers for a local restaurant for Christmas. They sell restaurant vouchers alongside "dine at home" vouchers, my dad mistakenly bought the restaurant ones. At the time of purchase, we were in tier 3 so no in-dining allowed, and obviously no end date to restrictions. 
I've since spoken to the restaurant, and been advised that they're 2 separate businesses so the vouchers are not interchangeable. They have refused to allow the vouchers to be used for a click and collect website order, nor allowed an order to be placed over the phone. They don't offer refunds on vouchers.
They're not 2 separate businesses according to Companies House. Are they legally allowed to offer 2 separate voucher schemes (aside from the ethical question around taking cash for a service they're not legally able to provide right now - they must be very sure that the business will survive).
As an aside, we are a shielding household so won't be dining in a restaurant probably until well after the vouchers have expired - I know this is of no concern to them, but even that didn't seem to make any difference. Am I being unreasonable to be really annoyed and frustrated by their stance?

Yes, they can set the terms of the vouchers as they wish (as long as they aren't breaking any laws).  It's no different to me having a store voucher for example, that can't be used to buy scratchcards or cigarettes, and that's the same company.

I'd be frustrated with your father for not checking what he was buying, to be honest.  He also bought vouchers in the midst of a pandemic when the rules are changing regularly and there was no certainty that either service might be provided anyway.

Does it make a difference that there are no T&C’s on their website at all relating to either voucher scheme?

Aylesbury_Duck

I don't think so.  What does it say on the vouchers?

Sandtree

If he bought in store then there is no statutory right for "change of mind" and it all comes down to their T&Cs.

Whilst a little OTT for a single restaurant its common for companies to have multiple business units running separate P&Ls etc just as you get "directors" and "executives" who are not statutory directors so not listed on Companies House despite being the COO or such.

cwoz01

Aylesbury_Duck said:

I don't think so.  What does it say on the vouchers?

Absolutely nothing. It’s a blank business card with £50 written on it, a 3 digit number and an expiry date (all handwritten) 

Aylesbury_Duck

cwoz01 said:

Aylesbury_Duck said:

I don't think so.  What does it say on the vouchers?

Absolutely nothing. It’s a blank business card with £50 written on it, a 3 digit number and an expiry date (all handwritten) 

That sounds....legit.   Did your dad actually pay anything 

cwoz01

Aylesbury_Duck said:

cwoz01 said:

Aylesbury_Duck said:

I don't think so.  What does it say on the vouchers?

Absolutely nothing. It’s a blank business card with £50 written on it, a 3 digit number and an expiry date (all handwritten) 

That sounds....legit.   Did your dad actually pay anything 

I know right 🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️

cwoz01

Sandtree said:

If he bought in store then there is no statutory right for "change of mind" and it all comes down to their T&Cs.

Whilst a little OTT for a single restaurant its common for companies to have multiple business units running separate P&Ls etc just as you get "directors" and "executives" who are not statutory directors so not listed on Companies House despite being the COO or such.

Bought online, does that make a difference? 

Aylesbury_Duck

Remember that technically, only your father has consumer rights here.  The restaurant could decline to discuss it with you because you don't have a contract with them, your father does.  You could put the ball back in his court?

Sandtree

cwoz01 said:

Sandtree said:

If he bought in store then there is no statutory right for "change of mind" and it all comes down to their T&Cs.

Whilst a little OTT for a single restaurant its common for companies to have multiple business units running separate P&Ls etc just as you get "directors" and "executives" who are not statutory directors so not listed on Companies House despite being the COO or such.

Bought online, does that make a difference? 

Yes and no... as an online purchase you do have 14 days cooling off including for a simple change of mind however that presumably has now lapsed unless it was a very belated present.