HMV administration/gift vouchers

[Dominion]

I was going to put this in grumpy thread, but I thought it might generate enough discussion to warrant a thread of its own.

HMV gone into administration and as a result, no longer accepting gift vouchers. I have a £15 voucher in my wallet. Bit miffed.

I realise that it's standard procedure for administrators to refuse gift vouchers, but to me it feels a bit too much like blatant theft. Also, there's no way the financial gurus at HMV didn't see trouble looming before Christmas, so why on Earth did they decide to sell gift vouchers at all?

Maybe I'm just being a bit cynical, but the whole thing seems a bit corrupt to me.

 

[Stu DemonD]

Just found this:

http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/markets/article-2262859/Claim-duff-HMV-gift-cards.html

 

[PuntoHowTo]

I saw a comment on a news site where someone had been saving for a new camera and had £750 in jessops vouchers when they stopped accepting them, Bit miffed was some what of an understatement for that person.

In these situation where the companies have simply run out of money, i.e. no cash flow I can understand them wanting to try and remain trading rather than honour some gift vouchers however I also agree its pretty much theft in my view as well. you could argue they knew it was coming but i'm sure they would say they'd hoped christmas trading would prop up the business and that not offering vouchers would have shook consumer confidence damaged the share price etc etc

 

[jrkitching]

Anyone contemplating buying any gift voucher should stop and ask themselves "would I give an unsecured loan to this retailer?"

With prepaid orders and deposits, sometimes you don't have much choice if you want the goods.

IMO a change in the law is well overdue and I'd like to see an independent fund (similar to ATOL) established to protect gift cards and prepayments, funded by retailers and with a legal obligation to subscribe if they wish to accept such payments.

Meanwhile, caveat emptor and always pay by credit card if you can.

 

[james44422]

Just found this:

http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/markets/article-2262859/Claim-duff-HMV-gift-cards.html

Useful, but I also have an HMV gift voucher in my wallet and it was given to me as a gift suprisingly

Its only £15 I suppose

 

[Freebo]

I'm sure they said they were close to administration just before Christmas. I know this happened last Christmas as well but they managed to pull through that time.

My friends brother in law made sure he went out and spent his vouchers a few weeks ago.

 

[PuntoHowTo]

Blockbuster Video has now also announced its going into administration this afternoon

 

[custard]

I was going to put this in grumpy thread, but I thought it might generate enough discussion to warrant a thread of its own.

HMV gone into administration and as a result, no longer accepting gift vouchers. I have a £15 voucher in my wallet. Bit miffed.

I realise that it's standard procedure for administrators to refuse gift vouchers, but to me it feels a bit too much like blatant theft. Also, there's no way the financial gurus at HMV didn't see trouble looming before Christmas, so why on Earth did they decide to sell gift vouchers at all?

Maybe I'm just being a bit cynical, but the whole thing seems a bit corrupt to me.

They do it as they are desperately trying to keep the company in cash
same with the blue cross sale etc
trying to keep money flowing through the business
I have never really understood gift vouchers. cold hard cash or a gift every time

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

Anyone know how Argos is doing? I've £30 gift card.

I was lucky when Comet went under as the voucher I had for them was purchased through a 3rd party (through a work scheme) so I got it refunded.

 

[custard]

I would say Argos is fine
Their business model has developed from catalogue to online & online plus reserve/collect

 

[Podge]

I have a £15 Hmv card sitting on my desk. Oh well, at their prices it would have been about 2/3 of a Dvd anyway!

On an unrelated note,

Freebo, you don't happen to like Rammstein do you?

 

[ChrisUK]

Rammstein are awesome.

 

[homeward]

Rammstein are awesome.

The homewardette saw them live, last year: said it was the best concert she's ever been to; and the Guardian review backs that up....

Talking of the Guardian, interesting article on the HMV debacle, today -- sparked by the comments of one of our local MPs....

 

[james44422]

Talking of the Guardian, interesting article on the HMV debacle, today -- sparked by the comments of one of our local MPs....

It is harsh but this is a harsh world. If I was in HMVs shoes I would have done the same, they are a business (or were at least) at the end of the day

 

[Podge]

The homewardette saw them live, last year: said it was the best concert she's ever been to; and the Guardian review backs that up....

Talking of the Guardian, interesting article on the HMV debacle, today -- sparked by the comments of one of our local MPs....

I've seen Rammstein twice, my Dad claims they're better than Led Zep, Black Sabbath and The Who, all of whom he's seen. I count myself lucky to be going to Download this year!

Back on subject, I managed to get 50% value back from my card in HMV Chichester! Bought a nice new Enter Shikari CD for my Stilo! :slayer:

 

[Eklipze3k]

Enter Shikari

Their first album was awesome, but I just can't listen to the rest ... I don't know why, I just can't get into them at all.

 

[homeward]

I've seen Rammstein twice, my Dad claims they're better than Led Zep, Black Sabbath and The Who, all of whom he's seen.

Saw The Who, in Newcastle, in 1981, I think. Truly awesome... -- will stay with me until the day I die.... :slayer:

 

[deeyup]

Rammstein are awesome.

They just showed some little kids opening for Rammstein on rudetube tonight

 

[homeward]

Just seen on the BBC that HMV vouchers are going to be accepted, from tomorrow...!