Gift Certificate Laws: What you need to know before giving or receiving a gift certificate for Christmas

Under the Consumer Protection (Gift Vouchers) Act, which came into force in December 2019, a retailer must offer at least five years of use before the voucher expires.

In addition, you are entitled to use more than one voucher for a purchase (some stores had previously insisted that each voucher must be used for separate purchases) and you are entitled to either cash, e-transfer or vouchers e.g Items that cost less than the value of the voucher.

The company decides what these are.

However, not all “coupons” are technically coupons, and customers find it confusing to distinguish between them. So when giving or receiving, make sure you know what’s what.

Different voucher types

You might think that a “Coupon” is self-explanatory. It’s just an exchange for money for an item, right? Well, the reality can be different.

Is it a gift card, gift certificate or voucher? Maybe it’s a debit card or instead of a refund? Not all are the same and not all have the same consumer rights.

Shop Voucher: This is intended for use in a specific store, retailer, department store or chain. It can be local or nationwide. An example would be a coupon from a local hair salon, spa, or restaurant. Also included would be a voucher from Argos, Boots or Brown Thomas, for example – these can be used in any of their branches, but only in their shops.

Shopping voucher: This is for use in any store within a given center and cannot be used in stores outside of the center.

These are the only types of vouchers covered by the above legislation. All your rights are protected.

However, if you have one of the following types instead, things are not so clear cut.

Shopping center voucher, not limited to the city centre: the voucher entitles you to shop in every shop in the city centre, but also outside of it.

E-money vouchers: These are prepaid debit or credit cards and can be used anywhere a debit or credit card is used.

These fall under separate legislation. They are not “vouchers”.

One4All: While this is very popular and widely available, it is not a coupon. It’s a gift card. This is legally considered an e-money card and does not fall under the voucher legislation. Not only that, but you have to pay for it too – a flat fee of €2 when you buy it, plus 50 cents for follow-up cards. It also charges an inactive balance fee (see below) which can drain you out of your pocket if not used correctly.

Credit amount: If you are returning an item and are offered credit, this will not count as a voucher. This means that the shop is free to set its own terms of use.

Coupon: A coupon received as a discount or as an introductory offer for a business is a voucher for a discount. It is not a voucher and may carry separate conditions.

loyalty cards: Points or vouchers that you receive when shopping at a specific supermarket, café or cinema are not vouchers. The store may restrict usage (although they rarely do) but may say, for example, that you can’t use it during peak hours or that you can’t use it to buy alcohol or vouchers.

Day vouchers: If you engage with a site that offers daily deals like Groupon or Pigsback, you may receive a token or voucher to make part of the payment for a good or service. This is also not a coupon and you can specify that it must be used within a specific time or for a specific product.

For example, if you “purchase” an offer for afternoon tea for two at a hotel, you cannot use it for dinner or accommodation instead.

In any case, however, your basic statutory rights when purchasing goods and services remain unaffected and are not affected by sales prices or discount campaigns. If something doesn’t work, isn’t as advertised or isn’t as described, you’re entitled to your money back, but it’s limited to what you paid for, not current value.

maintenance costs

I have never understood or been satisfactorily explained the practice of charging for non-use. It’s a swizz, and the consumer loses every time.

If you don’t use a voucher (which you’ve paid for in full) within a certain period of time, typically 12 months, a store or center is allowed to charge you a monthly fee for… well, I have no idea.

Since it can average €3 a month, that means a €40 voucher will only have €4 left after a year.

It’s not uncommon to lose sight of gifts this time of year, so it’s terrifying to find out they’re worth less than you thought when you get to use them.

Lost Vouchers

A gift card is technically a cash substitute. If you lose it, you’re on your own. However, some gift card providers, especially mall ones, will make a replacement card available – at a hefty cost.

E-scooters are not good gifts