Vouchers not a safe option :(

[LiesDoNotBecomeUs]

I discovered on Christmas Day that the vouchers I sent to two young relatives have been useless... but the company (one huge river-like online retailer) is not replying to my calls.

I get initial customer support then referred to another team who do not call back.

The first voucher was intercepted by a stranger (customer support told me this) and had been used. I guess it is easy to identify a boxed voucher- but it seems that senders have no more protection than if they sent cash. I had no idea.

The second was used to open a new account with the retailer and was then suddenly closed by the retailer. The recipient lost access to the voucher loaded on there.

I am still hoping to get this last one back ... but apparently have no refund rights.

Love to shop vouchers are fine, but they have to be put through like a credit card and you need to know how much is still on it.

@DidiAskYouThough yes I suppose wondering why someone had 5 years worth unspent isn't relevant to the OPs dilemma.
The thing is that person can't complain if they became out of date because they chose not to spend them. That was their choice - not that the vouchers were a bad thing.

Amazon Vouchers do seem to be a bad thing!

They are no safer than cash in the post (perhaps less safe as they are easy for a thief to identify)... and they restrict spending even if they reach their destination.

I don't seem to be getting anywhere with Amazon's customer service.
It has been much back and forth but no result.

I think that as far as they are concerned - the voucher was used... even though by a stranger who was not named on the gift-card. They don't seem to feel any responsibility even though they are the ones who delivered the card into the wrong person's hands. :(

I have used the company many times (thinking of them as a reliable retailer for customers). I certainly don't feel as confident now!

Will let you know if there is any better news to report in the future...

@LiesDoNotBecomeUs I am curious about the "name on the card" thing. All Amazon vouchers I have sent or received have been the plastic credit card size ones usually purchased from the nearest supermarket same as any other retail gift card.
I didn't know there was a different type that required a name.

The card and message are packaged (by Amazon) in a box that is addressed to a particular person... but the card inside can actually be used by anyone. This isn't clear if you buy online but is worth knowing.

the best way to do it is to just email /message over the Codes and if your wanting to give something just send a card with like a fake written gift card saying youll message the code

@LiesDoNotBecomeUs I'm not aware of any gift voucher where it's bound to the name you put on it - the name is purely for personalisation/logistics.

The first one legally is Amazon's problem, unless the courier is alleging delivery, in which case Amazon should investigate.

Did the second one go to the same address? Had the recipient previously had an Amazon account deleted? Amazon have a big tolerance for accounts but if you have an account closed for misuse/fraud, they are hot on not allowing you to have another.

Were they the only two vouchers from Amazon you sent? You might hit more checks than usual purely because you've been unfortunate enough for both to have issues, which is unlucky, and voucher fraud is rife.

@LiesDoNotBecomeUs oh so basically it was just crappy bad luck that the parcels were either opened/stolen. Unfortunately that's a common issue with anything sent via the post or by courier.
Were the parcels reported as stolen/undelivered/damaged?

Yes - it was bad luck
.
I was not in the habit of sending vouchers - and won't again.
It just isn't the safety measure I imagined.
Why does anyone send a voucher at all? (Cash is better!)

@LiesDoNotBecomeUs if you are sending through the post (ie inside a card) it makes no difference if it's cash or a voucher if the card gets lost/stolen/opened.
I've never had any issues sending either via the regular postal service.
Maybe next year an electronic voucher or bank transfer might be better for you.

Vouchers are no different to cash, once lost thats it.

But amazon vouchers/gift cards you can just send to their email...why did you post?

I agree with this.

Having worked in retail I wouldn’t recommend vouchers anymore. Retailers push them at Christmas in the knowledge quite a percentage never get used. Easy money

Given you’ve sent vouchers to avoid other people spending the cash are you sure that these were also not intercepted by that person and spent?

Assuming only the person named on the voucher can us it is a bit daft though. Me, DH & both children were given Amazon vouchers for Christmas by a relative, I’ve added them all to my account as I pay for prime so get free delivery plus the kids wouldn’t have their own Amazon accounts anyway.

I do it to make them more “present like” - Amazon includes a gift card or tin.

But I wouldn’t expect them to be much safer than posting cash and probably wouldn’t send more than £30 or so this way.

I don't like them in case the retailer goes bust and they become worthless.

We had the same issue with some amazon vouchers this year, when we went to use them they were already spent. Amazon agreed to refund through live chat

Wonder if there's an issue with Amazon vouchers?