Experience voucher expiration - can I do anything?

KerryL

I have a few experience vouchers that were brought for me just over 12 months ago, which have now expired. I completely recognise that it was my responsibility and I should have acted sooner so please be gentle with me. 

We've had a really tough year as a family, and that's not said lightly, we really have been through the mill these last 12 months and still going through it, and in all honesty with everything going on I had forgotten about the vouchers.   We have contacted the provider of the vouchers and appealed to their better nature but they advise they cannot do anything because the vouchers have expired. 

Can I do anything given the extenuating circumstances?  I'm suspecting not but I thought it was worth asking. 

eskbanker

Your only option was to persuade the provider, rather than any other party such as card issuer, insurer or court, so if that failed then you'll need to write them off, unless perhaps the extenuating circumstances are dramatic enough to attract the attention of newspapers for a human interest story?

Newbie_John

Speak with provider, but generally speaking their expiry date is like "use by date" on meat, it's to be thrown away after sadly - hence why retailers are willing to sell them below their price as they assume many of them will not end up being used.

KerryL

Newbie_John said:

Speak with provider, but generally speaking their expiry date is like "use by date" on meat, it's to be thrown away after sadly - hence why retailers are willing to sell them below their price as they assume many of them will not end up being used.

Very crafty, it must be very profitable for them. 

KerryL

eskbanker said:

Your only option was to persuade the provider, rather than any other party such as card issuer, insurer or court, so if that failed then you'll need to write them off, unless perhaps the extenuating circumstances are dramatic enough to attract the attention of newspapers for a human interest story?

Sadly I'm not sure it would get the interest, even though the circumstances are quite dire not sure it would get us anywhere but thank you for suggesting.   It looks like as I thought, we have to cut our losses, even though it pains me to do so. 

Aylesbury_Duck

KerryL said:

eskbanker said:

Your only option was to persuade the provider, rather than any other party such as card issuer, insurer or court, so if that failed then you'll need to write them off, unless perhaps the extenuating circumstances are dramatic enough to attract the attention of newspapers for a human interest story?

Sadly I'm not sure it would get the interest, even though the circumstances are quite dire not sure it would get us anywhere but thank you for suggesting.   It looks like as I thought, we have to cut our losses, even though it pains me to do so. 

You haven’t had any losses though, have you?  That’s the way to think of it.  It’s the person that bought the voucher that’s out of pocket.

Aylesbury_Duck

KerryL said:

Newbie_John said:

Speak with provider, but generally speaking their expiry date is like "use by date" on meat, it's to be thrown away after sadly - hence why retailers are willing to sell them below their price as they assume many of them will not end up being used.

Very crafty, it must be very profitable for them. 

Vouchers are profitable for this reason, but it’s not crafty.  They put guaranteed money in the retailer’s pocket and they rarely have to fulfil 100% of the obligation.  I’d never buy vouchers as a gift.  They’re also inflexible and the consumer rights for the voucher, should they ever be needed, reside with the purchaser.

Undervalued

KerryL said:

I have a few experience vouchers that were brought for me just over 12 months ago, which have now expired. I completely recognise that it was my responsibility and I should have acted sooner so please be gentle with me. 

We've had a really tough year as a family, and that's not said lightly, we really have been through the mill these last 12 months and still going through it, and in all honesty with everything going on I had forgotten about the vouchers.   We have contacted the provider of the vouchers and appealed to their better nature but they advise they cannot do anything because the vouchers have expired. 

Can I do anything given the extenuating circumstances?  I'm suspecting not but I thought it was worth asking. 

As others have said it is entirely down to the goodwill (if any) the company wishes to extend.

Two more general observations....

A friend, who is now a chartered accountant, had regular holiday and Saturday jobs all through his university years with a major retailer. They loved selling gift vouchers as well over a third of them them were never redeemed for one reason or another.

For a number of years I was a committee member of a sporting club that provided "experiences" for the some of the best known names in the business at the time. It was an important part of our income and helped to reduce our members subscriptions. Frankly I was embarrassed at how much people were paying for these vouchers and how little was being offered. They could have come to us, or indeed most other clubs, direct and had far more for a lot less money by dealing direct. Plus, we were very flexible and accommodating which just didn't happen when it went via the experience company.

Frankly, I would never buy a voucher for anything as you either pay more, get less and have far fewer rights! 

Newbie_John

Aylesbury_Duck said:

KerryL said:

eskbanker said:

Your only option was to persuade the provider, rather than any other party such as card issuer, insurer or court, so if that failed then you'll need to write them off, unless perhaps the extenuating circumstances are dramatic enough to attract the attention of newspapers for a human interest story?

Sadly I'm not sure it would get the interest, even though the circumstances are quite dire not sure it would get us anywhere but thank you for suggesting.   It looks like as I thought, we have to cut our losses, even though it pains me to do so. 

You haven’t had any losses though, have you?  That’s the way to think of it.  It’s the person that bought the voucher that’s out of pocket.

This is how it should be seen.
For example I received low quality headphones for Xmas, never used them and got rid of them after 2 years. 
Have I lost anything? No not really, the person who purchased the gift wasted money - not you.