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Customers’ anger over House of Fraser gift cards
House of Fraser customers across the UK are growing increasingly concerned that their gift cards held with the department store may not be honoured following the company’s collapse and subsequent purchase by Sports Direct.
Editor at Credit Strategy. Previously held roles at Accountancy Age, Accountancy Daily and the Leicester Mercury.
Editor at Credit Strategy. Previously held roles at Accountancy Age, Accountancy Daily and the Leicester Mercury.
When the acquisition was made, customers with gift cards were told to send them in to the company in order to get a replacement.
In early August, Mike Ashley’s Sports Direct agreed to buy House of Fraser in a deal worth £90m, just hours after administrators from big four accountancy firm EY were appointed to the beleaguered department store chain.
However, a month on from the deal many customers have taken to social media to complain about a lack of communication from the retailer.
Should House of Fraser decide not to replace the gift cards, customers holding them will join the list of other creditors.
“I just know that if I return my @houseoffraser @HouseofHelpers gift card I will never hear from them again,” said Twitter user Sach.
Other customers on Twitter were similarly frustrated.
SO.... if #Wonga goes bust ... the debts are sold to someone else so you still pay. @houseoffraser goes bust and the gift cards purchased are null and void !!! #logic
— Chris Dyson (@chrisdysonHT) September 18, 2018
Gift cards should probably have a financial risk warning on them. They would appear to be a form of unsecured debt issued by the retailer. It would be a very brave person who would provide unsecured debt to any retailer these days.
— David Turnbull (@TURNBDW) September 18, 2018
I just know that if I return my @houseoffraser @HouseofHelpers gift card I will never hear from them again \uD83D\uDE11\uD83D\uDE11\uD83D\uDE11 #shitcustomerservice
— Sach (@_sach) September 18, 2018
Customers wishing to make a claim for their gift cards should contact the administrators from EY in writing and with proof of their gift cards.
House of Fraser’s public relations firm has yet to respond for a request for comment.
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