Gift Voucher Validity & Rights | Legal Aid Clinic

Questioner

I received a gift card for my last birthday (January 10, 2014). I wanted to redeem it on April 10, but I received an (automated) message that the voucher was no longer valid. I then sent an email to the company that same day and a week later, but unfortunately I still have not received a response. The card states that it is valid for one year after purchase. However, there is no date of issue on it. I have tried to find out what my rights are on the internet, but a voucher with only a period of validity without a date of issue is not mentioned anywhere as an example. By the way, I don't know when the card was bought by the gift card giver and I also find it annoying to have to ask that. It feels like a kind of accusation. Can you give me more clarity about the validity of this gift card? Thanks in advance!

Questioner

I wanted to clarify my message a bit, but I can't find a confirmation button anywhere. So I'll just do it in a comment. It's a plastic gift card, not a paper voucher.

Lawyer

I'm sorry, but this is not a legal question. You will therefore have to ask the question to the organization that issued the gift card. In their general terms and conditions you can find what the organization uses as conditions.

Lawyer

Day, your voucher has no date of issue, but that is legally required, it is a main condition of the agreement to purchase the voucher. So I think your question is legal! You may now assume on justified grounds that the voucher is valid; try presenting that to the company, good luck!

Lawyer

I also find this a legal question. Without an issue date on the card/voucher (which is not mandatory) it is valid indefinitely (with an issue date without a limitation on the expiry date, that is 5 years). See for example http://www.consuwijzer.nl/elektronica/voor-de-koop/cadeaubon-tegoedbon.

Questioner

When I walk through the supermarket I often see those shelves with all kinds of plastic gift cards. These are cards that are only activated at the moment of purchase. How do those companies ensure that the date is on the card? That is impossible since you cannot write on it? In other words, aren't all plastic gift cards valid indefinitely?

Lawyer

I refer you again to Consuwijzer, now to a different page: http://www.consuwijzer.nl/nieuws/lezersvraag-spits-over-een-tegoedbon-van-een-restaurant. It is often written on the card's folder, sometimes it is possible to write on the card and/or you can call a specific number and/or you can look up the date on the internet.

Questioner

I had already searched for a similar situation on consuwijzer, but I couldn't find it. Thanks for the link and the explanation, I'll get started on it!

Lawyer

Success.