Hi,
Further to @Squ1ggle ’s post flagging up about Claire’s going into admin:
Claire’s UK is going under - I feel so sorry for the staff - over 2000 apparently.
It’s ‘unclear’ whether gift cards will still be accepted so my advice would be to try to spend them asap.
Here’s MSE’s advice on what you can do if you have gift cards and the company goes bust:
When firms go into administration, it's perfectly legal for them to stop accepting gift vouchers, rendering them as worthless as the plastic or paper they're printed on.
What are my gift voucher rights if the company is in administration?
When this happens, the firm no longer exists in its previous form, so it doesn't have to fulfil all its promises, such as honouring gift cards.
A gift card is simply a promise that allows you to spend a certain amount in a store or on a website. Under insolvency law, it's up to the administrator whether to accept vouchers. In many cases, administrators stop accepting them.
Don't throw them away
Saying this, don't throw your vouchers away. Some administrators have changed their minds regarding gift cards, while other stores may start accepting them. With HMV, customers were given the option to exchange HMV gift cards bought at Tesco, Asda or Boots for vouchers for one of those stores.
Can I get my money back if gift cards are not accepted?
You do have a chance, but be prepared for the worst.
For purchases, Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974 states your credit card company must refund all purchases between £100 and £30,000 if you don't get the service or item you paid for.
However, the law is grey around gift cards. It's worth trying under Section 75, but there are no guarantees.
Alternatively, customers have the 'chargeback' option on credit and debit cards. If you claim within 120 days of something going wrong, Visa, Mastercard and American Express may give you your money back, regardless of the cost (other than a £10 minimum on Mastercard). Unlike Section 75, this is a customer service promise, not a legal requirement.
If you're not covered on plastic, you can try to claim the cash from the administrator by becoming an 'unsecured creditor'. Here, you'll be added to the administrator's list of people it owes money to. But don't get your hopes up of this working.