JK Gift Vouchers and the missed email

I've never been any good with vouchers, ie in redeeming them and received some from a friend as a gift. Tried to redeem them some time ago (last year) but JK didn't recognise the number. Sell by date ran out (how come they can take your money and keep it when you haven't had any goods from them ive no idea). Transpires they did email me to say I could use the voucher but I missed the email. Thought id share the conversation with you. Very polite responses and seems their customer services are very responsive.

Hi
Just come across an unused Gift Voucher which is out of date. Are you still able to honour this please (see attached). I recall chasing this up last year before it ran out and you didn't recognise the number. Happy to mail the original to you for your consideration.

Good morning Chris,
I am very sorry but as this voucher expired over 6 months ago I am afraid that we cannot accept it,
Apologies Roger

Ok Roger
Not even as a gesture of goodwill? After all you've had the £20 it cost and as a lapsed customer it might be nice for you to have my custom back.
Chris

Hi Chris,
I am very sorry but if the voucher had not expired such a long time ago we would have considered re instating it as a Gesture of Good Will, however this is way past the length of time that we would accept it.
Apologies
Roger

But I did contact you whilst the voucher was current as I was ordering in line. You said that you didn't recognise the number and therefore I couldn't use it. I put it back in my drawer and only found it when it earlier in the week.
Cmon. You know you want to do this. Ask the boss if its not within you power to do it.
Chris

Good afternoon Chris,
yes, I agree that you did contact us I back on the 19th March 2014 and we replied with the following email:
Hello
I was luckily right first time when I keyed the number in. It is 1079212. Just write that somewhere on the voucher if you like so it is clearer. When you are ready to order give us a call and quote that number.
Regards
JK

This confirmed the number on the voucher and this was 6 months prior to the voucher's expiry date, which provided plenty of time to redeem it. I am very sorry but as per my previous emails it is too far past its expiry date and I am afraid that we will not accept it.
Apologies
Roger Seymour
Customer Services Manager

Hi Roger
Just checked and unfortunately that email is in a spam folder and I didn’t see it. Not your fault. The curse of high level spam filters I suppose. Ah well. I'm sure JK need the £20 more than I do eh! I shall endeavour to consume £20s worth of biscuits at Busfest to console myself (lol) Regards Chris

 

Eat £20 pound of bisciuits

 

I called them recently as I needed a bolt , about 80p on their site (yes overpriced at that). The delivery was something silly like £4.
Asked if they'd sort me out a discount as paying nearly £5 for a bolt that's worth about 20p is ridiculous. I'm a repeat customer, late bay forum member etc.

The guy says oh let me ask, then comes back and says yes we'll give you 20% off the final price.
OK I says fair enough. Starts the payment process and he asks me for the full amount. Err what about the discount?? He says yes I discounted it but then the vat goes on!
Wtf?! Told him to stick it up his arse and put the phone down

 

cheers for posting this up.............
I still have one for £20 in the drawer and its still in date just...........i'll find some tat to order.

 

Gift vouchers are a joke ,I mean its not like you get any more credit then if using cash, no idea why people ever get them when bank notes have no expiry date and can be used at any shop ?

 

And bank notes come in all denominations as well like gift cards.

 

That is another thing I learnt over the past weeks don't buy standard size bolts from the VW parts suppliers ... given where you told him to stick it I hope it wasn't too large.

 

Punch line is I have a list of stuff I need and the £20 would have been the sweetener for me to go there rather than elsewhere. Conversely I contacted Heritage recently regarding a return and refund. Fantastic service from them. No quibbles at all.

Guess they are more likely to get my order eh!

 

Learnt my lesson when I had some coolair vouchers ....I had to physically post them recorded delivery which obviously added to the hassle and cost ......

 

Heritage has the best service I totally agree!

 

I'll 2nd the bolts one. Proper scene tax five cam bolts 90p from local place. £5.50 plus £4 delivery so £9.50 total that's taking the Michael.

 

I received an email with a 10% off my next on line purchase last week. Selected a cool box, went to check out, voucher code not recognised?!! been meaning to ring them but can't be ar$ed!

 

I rang em up and got 10% when said I was on TLB. If you want that cool box go for it n ring em up. Have to say, personally, I have had good service from VWH, and JK.

 

Perhaps the offer of a discount might have placated the situation. I might have gone for that.

 

I hold a grudge And would never use them ever again ...even to the extent of paying more and going else where .....customer service is tops ...always buy from John Lewis , m&s , sainsburys any one that has top customer service ....I avoid toysrus ,currys etc .....

 

Roger
Having had a discussion with a lovely chap at Nottingham Trading Standards he is of the opinion that regardless of what is printed (or written) on the voucher regarding "sell by dates" that gift vouchers have no expiry. Please could you refer the matter to someone higher up the food-chain at JK to get this matter resolved to my satisfaction.
I look forwards to your (or preferably someone else in a position of authority's) response.
Best regards
Chris

 

Just thought Id let you know my latest tack, having had some advice! Anyone have Mark Reynolds email.

 

So how do a big company like wh smiths get away with it then.
There was a family in front off me 3 young girls under the age off 10 all with vouchers and they wanted to buy bits for school with vouchers and they was all expired by a few months. Mum had to pay for it. We all know it's dearer to go there to buy stuff but the girls had the bits and looked sad so poor mum had no choice.
Or can they get away with it cos they call it a gift card. It's wrong as they have taken someone's money in good faith for them in the first place.

Put on their Facebook page and twitter page so all can see I'm sure they will soon stand up and listen.