John Lewis vouchers expired!

maz_hartley

Has anyone managed to get expired John Lewis vouchers re-validated. My father has given me and my partner vouchers for presents that have expired as don’t shop in John Lewis. Last time I popped in was a few years back. I didn’t realise they expired and thought as I don’t shop there I could save them up for when I needed a new phone. I also have adhd which doesn’t help as I don’t tend to check important details, not realising they expire and as they were stored away they were out of sight out of mind until something prompted me to check them. And now they’re expired. Can anyone help?

DullGreyGuy

maz_hartley said:

Has anyone managed to get expired John Lewis vouchers re-validated. My father has given me and my partner vouchers for presents that have expired as don’t shop in John Lewis. Last time I popped in was a few years back. I didn’t realise they expired and thought as I don’t shop there I could save them up for when I needed a new phone. I also have adhd which doesn’t help as I don’t tend to check important details, not realising they expire and as they were stored away they were out of sight out of mind until something prompted me to check them. And now they’re expired. Can anyone help?

When were you given them?
When did they expire?

Most vouchers expire because it becomes an accounting nightmare if they persist forever. Many companies will be reasonable if they have very recently expired and you will spend them straight away. The longer ago they expired the less lenient they will be. 

Your father presumably knows you and what you are like? If it's not a life changing sum then sometimes a white lie to the giver may be the easiest solution. 

mebu60

You don't mention how long they have been expired.

You could call JLP and ask if they would kindly consider extending, possibly for a small fee. I'd suggest a straightforward 'mea culpa' approach. Good luck! 

Note that you can buy online from JLP, you don't have to visit a physical store. 

maz_hartley

DullGreyGuy said:

maz_hartley said:

Has anyone managed to get expired John Lewis vouchers re-validated. My father has given me and my partner vouchers for presents that have expired as don’t shop in John Lewis. Last time I popped in was a few years back. I didn’t realise they expired and thought as I don’t shop there I could save them up for when I needed a new phone. I also have adhd which doesn’t help as I don’t tend to check important details, not realising they expire and as they were stored away they were out of sight out of mind until something prompted me to check them. And now they’re expired. Can anyone help?

When were you given them?
When did they expire?

Most vouchers expire because it becomes an accounting nightmare if they persist forever. Many companies will be reasonable if they have very recently expired and you will spend them straight away. The longer ago they expired the less lenient they will be. 

Your father presumably knows you and what you are like? If it's not a life changing sum then sometimes a white lie to the giver may be the easiest solution. 

They expired maybe 1-2 years ago. And I am a difficult to choose for so he obviously thought vouchers were best. Used to give me money which was better as I could spend where I wanted. And if I mentioned them he’d probably rant on about them saying why didn’t I say anything sooner and that I’m hard to buy for as I’m very picky. So I’d rather not cause a fuss.

Undervalued

A friend, who went on to be a chartered accountant, had holiday jobs all through university for several large retailers. They all loved selling vouchers as a staggeringly high percentage (30 to 40% ?) where never used for one reason or another.

I have never understood the thought process of anybody who buys them!

It is totally down to the goodwill of the retailer if they will extend them, you have no rights to fall back on if they refuse.

DullGreyGuy

Undervalued said:

A friend, who went on to be a chartered accountant, had holiday jobs all through university for several large retailers. They all loved selling vouchers as a staggeringly high percentage (30 to 40% ?) where never used for one reason or another.

I have never understood the thought process of anybody who buys them!

It is totally down to the goodwill of the retailer if they will extend them, you have no rights to fall back on if they refuse.

Most people who give a gift want to give something "special" to that person and ideally something they want/need. Many people have things they would like to own but money is ear marked for council tax bill or petrol instead. 

Problem with giving people cash is that it often does go into the mundane cost of living stuff rather than say a fancy belt that you'll remember your uncle John gave you just before he died. Gift vouchers are a middle ground if you dont know them well enough to buy them something but dont want to be paying their leccie bill.

user1977

maz_hartley said:

that have expired as don’t shop in John Lewis

I don't know about revalidating them, but bear in mind you can use them in Waitrose, if that helps any.

sheramber

After 1 or 2 years he is not going to ask you what you bought with them.

I don’t see JL  doing anything about vouchers out of date by so long but if you don’t ask you won’t know.

screech_78

Zero chance of them being replaced. They will only replace in extenuating circumstances and if the expiry date is very recent. 

They never have to expire either if you don’t let them. They’re valid for 24 months (and an extra month is also added on as a grace period) and if you do a balance enquiry on the website, that resets the expiry date for a further 24 months. All explained on the back of the actual cards. 

Veteransaver

DullGreyGuy said:

Undervalued said:

A friend, who went on to be a chartered accountant, had holiday jobs all through university for several large retailers. They all loved selling vouchers as a staggeringly high percentage (30 to 40% ?) where never used for one reason or another.

I have never understood the thought process of anybody who buys them!

It is totally down to the goodwill of the retailer if they will extend them, you have no rights to fall back on if they refuse.

Most people who give a gift want to give something "special" to that person and ideally something they want/need. Many people have things they would like to own but money is ear marked for council tax bill or petrol instead. 

Problem with giving people cash is that it often does go into the mundane cost of living stuff rather than say a fancy belt that you'll remember your uncle John gave you just before he died. Gift vouchers are a middle ground if you dont know them well enough to buy them something but dont want to be paying their leccie bill.

Yes but a lot of vouchers can be spent on quite mundane things too, eg whenever I've had John Lewis vouchers I've generally spent them on food shop, or booze for Christmas!
I dislike getting vouchers, they become quite a burden to use imo

Op, if you phone John Lewis they may reactivate them, I did get mine reactivated recently. You may have to be pushy

HopeAndDriftWood

If they'd expired last week, you may have been able to get them reactivated... but if they expired 1 - 2 years ago, and they're valid for 2 years from last usage or activation, you've had them for at least four years. Unfortunately, it's unlikely they'll reactivate them after that long.

You can always try, though. I'd just set your expectations.