Shoppers left with worthless Christmas gift cards
Last updated at 12:55, Tuesday, 30 December 2008
Angry shoppers have been left with potentially worthless Christmas vouchers from a Carlisle chain store after it went into administration.
Music, DVD and games shop Zavvi has posted a notice outside its city branch saying it can no longer accept any gift cards or vouchers – despite continuing to trade.
Zavvi says on its website that customers who bought vouchers in recent weeks are “expected” to be refunded if they write in.
But anybody who bought a voucher before November 27 for the store, which has a branch in The Lanes shopping centre, could pay the price for purchasing well ahead of Christmas Day.
The firm says it will “not be possible” to refund vouchers before this date and customers will have to register a claim, where there is a slimmer chance of a refund.
Its statement does not say why there is a cut-off date.
Kerrie Smith, 29, of Currock, Carlisle, was among shoppers told the vouchers she bought could not be used.
She had purchased a £10 voucher for her gran Elsie Smith before November 27.
Kerrie’s outraged dad, Richard Smith, who lives off Wigton Road in Carlisle, today spoke out about the situation, describing their treatment as “terrible”.
“They’ve already had the money, now they won’t give us the goods for it,” said Mr Smith, 56, a joiner with Story Homes.
“They are still trading now. You can buy something. Why can’t you use the voucher?
“We went to see them and they wouldn’t give us the money back or any goods.
“The staff just said ‘sorry, that is it’.
“My daughter couldn’t believe it. They are absolutely worthless.
“It’s terrible the way some shops treat people.”
Zavvi, formerly Virgin Megastore, went into administration after falling victim to the Woolworths collapse.
Its financial problems began on November 27 when Entertainment UK Limited (EUK), the Zavvi group’s main supplier and the distribution arm of Woolworth’s, went into administration.
Since then, a spokesman said the group had been unable to source stock in the usual way and had been forced to enter into new trading arrangements.
Its demise left the entertainment retailer unable to take customer orders and renew stock during the crucial build-up to Christmas.
Coupled with a downturn in sales in the wake of the credit crunch, it became unable to pay its debts and went into administration on Christmas Eve.
When EUK went into administration on November 27, all money spent on Zavvi vouchers was placed in a trust account and the stores stopped selling vouchers on December 4.
A spokeswoman from Zavvi’s administrators Ernst and Young confirmed: “It’s not possible for vouchers to be spent in stores.”
The notice outside the Carlisle branch states: “We regret that this store can no longer accept any vouchers or gift cards.”
The Zavvi website says: “Regrettably, it will not be possible to refund vouchers acquired prior to 27 November 2008.
“Customers with unredeemed vouchers acquired prior to 27 November 2008 should write to the joint administrators asking for their claim to be registered as an unsecured claim.”
For details phone 0845 2593179 or go to www.zavvi.co.uk.
First published at 11:28, Tuesday, 30 December 2008
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk
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How can i say this polighty,well there realy is no way so i will be blunt and too the point!This what has happened to the poor folks like myself and yourself of being taken for fools over these vouchers is an outrage.If it was not for us the little guy shopping in there stores they would no even be around.If this was america or even france the people who have lost there hard earned cash would stand together instead of being sweaped under the carpet,which normaly happens to the man in the street in this wonderful country of ours!And as for the staff fair enought they have bills to pay like the rest of us but they do treat the custmomers so poorly.Just like the women from little britten "the computer says no!Still the main blame i would say is at zavvi management!Oh and just a huge THANKS TO ZAVVI i was saving for a ps3 and had 300 pounds in vouchers.And before a smug git replys to this saying you can get a refund well hey please feel free to buy my credit off me if your that cocky!A very unhappy Pc Evans
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Have your say
I bought a £50 voucher and feel it is disgusting that they cannot be exchanged in store and think it is theft as they have my money. However, I do feel for the store staff as it really isn't their fault. I was in the store the other day and the staff where still very polite and helpful even though they must be worried sick about their jobs. I would like to thank all the staff for the help they have always given me whilst shopping there.
Posted by A George on 1 February 2009 at 23:42