Expiry policies & dates
Some shops do not have a clear gift voucher expiry policy but others do try to make sure that consumers are made aware of this by printing the policy or expiry date on the voucher itself, or by making it clear on their website and in their shops. Always check if there is an expiry date printed on the voucher and if not, ask the shop. Don’t assume that there is no expiry date just because it is not listed in the terms and conditions. Expiry dates vary widely. Some shops give you six months to redeem your voucher, so a gift voucher you received at Christmas and left in the bottom drawer will be no use by the following July. Other shops have far more flexible “no expiry” vouchers or may be willing to extend the expiry date if you ask. If you are giving the voucher to someone as a gift, remember to pass on any terms and conditions that came with the voucher.
Lost vouchers and receipts
If you lose a gift voucher, the shop doesn’t have to replace it. It’s just like losing cash – so always keep the voucher somewhere safe. But if the voucher was made out to you specifically and is not transferable to another person, the shop may be able to issue you a new one and cancel the original voucher. When you buy a gift voucher, always ask for a receipt. Remember, there are other ways you can show proof of purchase, such as a credit or debit card statement.
Gift cards
Gift cards, where you can top up your credit, are also popular. But there are some thing to watch out for:
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Their minimum usage rules
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Expiry dates
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What happens to unused credit
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You may need to top-up the card in order to reactivate it
Some gift cards have maintenance fees of around €3 a month, which come into effect soon after the card is bought. So if you give someone this type of gift card for €40, and they don’t use it for a year, maintenance charges at €3 a month will mean there is only €4 left on it after a year.
If the shop closes down
If you have a voucher for a store that closes down before you get to use it, you become an unsecured creditor. If a liquidator is appointed to wind up the company, you must register your claim for the value of your voucher with this official. Your claim will only be considered after secured creditors have been paid, such as banks and the shop’s staff, and realistically it will be very difficult to get your gift voucher honoured.
If a business changes ownership
The new business owners do not have to accept a voucher that was issued by the previous business owners. Anything the new business owners might offer would be seen as a goodwill gesture. If you paid for the voucher using a card, you could ask your bank about the possibility of getting a chargeback on your card (which is the reversal of the transaction). However a chargeback can only be provided within a certain timeframe from when you bought the voucher.
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