Gift Card warning

[ARoyalSubject]

A relative always buys my children One4All gift cards, the kind that you pick up at the tills in WHS or supermarkets and post offices, and that are advertised as being valid in multiple high street stores.

The kids find gift cards a hassle and would rather have cash so I last Xmas I bought them off them to use for household items.

When you attempt to use it you have to know exactly what balance is on the card so the shop can debit the right amount off your bill - it's fiddly at the best of times.

Came to spend one today – it had about £7 left on it last time I looked a few months ago - but to my amazement today my balance was less than £1! Cheeky buggers have been taking a 90p "card management fee" off every month it's sat not used!

I'm sure it's in the terms and conditions but I haven't read them, and I don't suppose my elderly relative, the purchaser, ever has either.

Just thought I would warn anyone thinking they are a nice gift for Christmas - they're really not. Stick to cash, or at least read the terms and conditions beforehand and warn the recipient.

Anyone know if Love2Shop cards are the same? I have some of them too 😩

Love to shop vouchers aren’t the same, or weren’t, I’ve had some in a drawer almost up to their expiration date before now and still had the full value.

One4All are the absolute worst for shop staff to deal with as well. Half the time they don't even scan properly. Most users have no idea how much is on them, so trying to use them as a partial payment is a PIAS. Plus, you can't spend everything on the card, it has to retain like £1 or something like that.

Love2Shop cards/vouchers always work a lot better.

I am trying to use one at the moment, without success. Have tried online at Evans and Wallis, and keeps being rejected. I'm not sure if it is because I am trying to order stuff which is more than what is on the card and it somehow can't deduct the amount from my online shop. Am intending to go into Boots and try and spend it in person there. It has been a real hassle so far, and I would certainly not recommend them.
It says somewhere on the gift card that it expires after 18 months (?), and after that the 90p surcharge kicks in.