to expect SAKS hair salon to extend a gift voucher?

[TheJen]

It was my birthday in March and since was heavily pregnant friends clubbed together and got me vouchers for SAKS Salon so I could have treatments/massage etc once babe arrived. However, he arrived safe and well a month later and it's taken me until now to be able to think about leaving him (bit of a paranoid new mum combined with quite a demanding DS). He's BF and wont have a bottle, I've been really low and tearful for months and have no family near to help or look after him. Anyway, finally we're in a bit of a routine and I feel up to doing something for myself so dug out the voucher only to find it was only valid for 6 months. Today I rang and spoke to the manager who said she would no longer accept it. I tried to explain that I've had a bit of a tough few months and she said that it was hardly her fault and that she wouldn't back down .
TBH she was a bit nasty and I got upset (hate those BF hormones) she says there's no manager above her and that's the end of it. I'm upset for two reasons- obviously I quite fancied the massage but also the friends will ask what I did with it and would be sad if it had been wasted. AIBU? Any suggestions? Was so looking forward to a treat... could cry! But that's nothing new

Where is this branch of Saks?

Sorry, I can't suggest anything else, but wanted to let you know the same thing happened with a voucher for a beauty salon my sisters' got me for my birhday!

I got a facial & charged it to the voucher, it was £11. Which meant I had £29 left on it!

The next time I went I had another facial & my nails done. I went to part pay it with the voucher & they would no longer accept it was it was 2 weeks out of date

My sister was fuming! As was I, but the wee girl said she just worked there & couldn't make any exceptions.

why dont you try writing to the SAKS head office and explain you had a tough time with the baby arriving, also explain how rude the manager was, you might get someone sympathetic who reads and sends out a replacement voucher, its worth a try

Well, technically she's right but she sounds like one heard hearted bitch under the circumstances.

You could try writing to their HQ

Saks HQ
55-59 Duke Street
Darlington
County Durham
DL3 7SD
UK

Explain the situation and appeal to their goodwill. If they still refuse there's not a lot you can do but I'm sure you'll be telling everyone you know what kind of a company they are.

Heh x-posts LU!

Saks charge a flippin fortune. Id expect a "quality" company to use a little discretion, its not fake for instance.

Id write to the top, they will give you something im sure, but id go for the full value of the voucher and a little extra for my inconvenience.
Big companies like that dont usually like unhappy customers. They would like to hope that you would continue to use and recommend their services.

I think Saks is a franchise so it might be that individual salons can set their own rules.

However, the company does have their own website from which I got their HQ address:

Saks HQ
55-59 Duke Street
Darlington
County Durham
DL3 7SD
UK

..... and their Customer Services number which is 0845 678 0290.

It could still be worth contacting them - if the company values its good name it would surley want its franchisees to offer an understanding customer service ? They might be able to put some pressure on this particular branch ?

Ooops, x-posted !!

A Mumsnet petition of signatures would help - they are a national company and would not like the adverse publicity. I don't personally see why vouchers should expire - they have had your money and it could be argued that they are in effect losing value the longer you hang on to them eg a £10 voucher might have got you a haircut in 1979 but in 2007 it would certainly not.

LOL re inflation- if I could have kept the tears back I could have argued that point! Thanks for HQ details, perhaps I will try that but not really feeling strong enough for a big fight though might be easier in writing. Think you're right about the franchise thing though and they can make their own rules. The manager had clearly never had a baby and I hope people are nicer to her than she was to me if she ever does

It was the Oxford branch BTW.

Yep your friends paid cash for them, 6 months is ridiculous! Good luck with your complaint.

Def write to head office especially if you are hormonal and tearful....draft a letter post it here of you want us to check it and make suggestions what utter and complete twats...hopefully head office will honour it

Thanks guys, just drinking a beer whilst mumsnetting- hiccupped and spilt half it down my top (thankfully mostly absorbed by breastpads) sure DS will enjoy his dream feed tonight!

they should make an exception

lol about the breastpads!

Sorry to hear that and hope that as it is sorted out. Hopefully HO will be sympathetic as they have had your money (or friends' money) - it's not like it's a competition prize or anything.

I had a similar experience a few years back with a flight to Dubai - DH won it in a golf competition but the tickets had to be used within 3 months - I wanted to go at 26 weeks pg (so within guidelines and insurance) but MW and doctor said I couldn't fly, so I couldn't go as I wouldn't then be covered on insurance. Asked airline to extend until baby was born but they wouldn't - and as we'd paid nothing for it I couldn't claim on travel insurance for doctor saying I couldn't fly Had to wave off DH for the weekend with a friend from work

That is a gutter about Dubai- spent 24 hours there once though and don't think you missed much!

Well in a way it saved money (which he then spent on me!) - DH only had to buy half the meals, rather than shelling out for the 2 of us, and he did buy me a nice pair of earrings

Just thought I'd let you all know that I contact head office and they apologised for the local salon and contacted then. The manager is sticking to her policy and wont extend the vouchers but the head office sent me a £20 good will voucher as means of an apology. Not fantastic result but enough to stop me fuming and at least I can have a little treat (although not at the local branch obviously ) Thanks for the help! xx