Multi-store gift cards that are safe from retailers going bust
Multi-retailer gift cards are a safer bet if you're worried about more high street names going bust.
Some big high street names, including Woolworths, Jessops and Comet, have gone bust in recent years. Many of these stopped taking gift cards either for good or while they struggled with the early stages of going into administration.
So what can you do if you want to give a loved one a gift card, but without the risk of them suddenly being left unable to spend it?
One4all
The One4All gift card is one possible solution, although it comes with catches.
It's accepted at dozens of retailers in the UK. Don't confuse retailers with outlets: the website mentions “21,000 outlets”, but this number means every WH Smith shop, every Burton or B&Q store, and every branch of all the other retailers included on the scheme.
You can see a full list of retailers that accept the card on this section of the One4all website.
The One4All card is issued by the Bank of Ireland and available from Post Office stores. You can order one online, though there’s a 99p fee if your order online. There’s no expiry date, but from the 18th month following the purchase date a monthly charge will be deducted from the remaining balance. That charge currently stands at 90p.
The card can be bought in £1 denominations from £10 up to £400.
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Love2shop
Another multi-retailer card is the Love2shop card. These can be spent at a range of retailers including Debenhams, Homebase, Matalan, Mothercare and Toys R Us. You can see a full list of retailers on the website.
The Love2shop cards come in £25, £50 or £100 denominations and delivery is free by first class post. You can also get them in paper voucher form.
BonusBonds
There are also BonusBonds. As with Love2shop, these come in both gift card and paper voucher form. Gift cards are generally only available to corporate clients, though you can swap your vouchers for a gift card. There is a 10% fee for doing so though.
Be warned, the retailers you can spend your BonusBonds with vary depending on whether you have a gift card or voucher.
Retailers that accept BonusBonds include Argos, Moss, Boots, River Island and Top Shop.
BonusBonds come in £5 and £10 denominations, though that doesn’t include the VAT you’ll pay. You’ll also be charged a £2.95 delivery fee.
BonusBonds have an expiry date of up to two years from the date of issue.
What do they really want?
Gift cards are generally the present of choice if you don’t really know what the person wants. So clear up that confusion by asking them directly! They’ll get a present they actually want or need, and you don’t have to worry about a gift card or voucher sitting unused at the back of a cupboard.
And if they don’t know what they want, there’s always the option of good, old-fashioned cash or a cheque. Then there really are no limits at all on where or when they can spend the money.
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This article has been updated
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Comments
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Almost a year on and some of you are still getting hot under the collar about this topic. What does it matter? I will do Christmas my way and you do it yours. As for giving cash, I prefer not to as, particularly with adults, it can get absorbed into the day to day spending and doesn't result in something special. I certainly don't need any lectures from anyone. As for you miseries above, I hope your ghosts treat you well on Christmas Eve.
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Ok. How about making a nice card (not buying one!) and staple a £20 note to it. A gift card that is available to use at any retail outlet, not one that you choose to inflict your taste on the recipient.
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I'm with Latent on the whole Gift Card idea. Utterly lazy, unimaginative and pointless. If you want your recipients to choose, then give them cash or send a cheque, as well as something small but personalised to show you actually gave them some thought. I tend to buy gifts for those who matter at random times through the year. The way Christmas is celebrated these days is an abomination inflicted on the brainless and feckless. I absolutely forbid anyone in my family to buy gifts for me for birthdays or Christmas. If I want something, I'll buy it as and when suits me. Gifts of a 'I saw this and thought of you' nature are very different, but we should not rely on a commercialised and hijacked pagan festival to remind us when to think of friends and loved ones.
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29 November 2013