Adidas deactivated gift card despite 10 year validity

Alderbank

So the T&Cs include:

'If not used, this card shall expire ten years after the date of purchase.'

Do you regret now that you used it?

elsien

That wording is ambiguous and could be read in the way that the OP has. It should certainly say something about only lasting for three years if that is the case. I would probably have read it the same way as the OP, and would not have looked at the terms and conditions unless I had good reason to.

Grumpy_chap

I think I probably would have read that wording with the same interpretation as the OP.

I can also understand the contrary interpretation.

I assume that a court would apply 'contra-preferentum' and so accept the OP's interpretation.

How does the OP demonstrate the date of purchase?

LightFlare

valid for 10 years unless used

I can see how that could be interpreted the OPs way, but if it was fully spent (used) then one wouldn’t have any further expectation of validity

The further question however could be if 3 years starts from purchase date if partially redeemed or from date of partial redemption

Probably worth a close look at the full T&Cs

Okell

What about the person who bought this for you? They paid £150 for this and you still(?) have a balance of £130 on it. They should be complaining to Adidas.

Have you checked the balance yourself on the Adidas website?

Looking back on the wayback machine Adidas gift cards still seemed to have a three year expiry in 2023, not ten years

Okell

"… Additional to this, adidas have confirmed in emails, there was a balance and also that the card is valid till December 2027. But they keep repeating that their cards deactivate after 3 years…"

Have you asked them if there is a difference between "expiry" and "deactivation"?

Can the card not be "reactivated"?

flaneurs_lobster

For OP, is the person that gave you the card a personal acquaintance? Can you have absolute confidence in the 'bought in Adidas Oxford Street Store' fact?

Because otherwise I'm thinking fake/counterfeit.

You only need a genuine number/PIN and the wherewithal to print the card to produce as many copies as you like, and they'll all work until the balance runs out or the (real) card expires. Putting 10 years on the back just gives them a longer street life.

One of the many reasons why gift cards are to be avoided.

brocq_18

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82172378#Comment_82172378

Adidas have confirmed in emails, the card had £130 balance on it but now as the card is deactivated it shows no balance. They also confirmed it is valid till December 2027.

I got the gift card as part of an Adidas running club! I'm no longer part of that group unfortunately, but they got the cards from Oxford Street store.

brocq_18

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82172379#Comment_82172379

I haven't as I assume they would have the intellect to think of this solution, though having dealt with their customer services for so many months, I may be giving them too much credit...

flaneurs_lobster

For OP, is the person that gave you the card a personal acquaintance? Can you have absolute confidence in the 'bought in Adidas Oxford Street Store' fact?

I got the gift card as part of an Adidas running club! I'm no longer part of that group unfortunately, but they got the cards from Oxford Street store.

So that's a "No" then?