Vouchers for 'twin' business

M

Mel

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My sister was given a voucher for her hairdresser's as a gift.
The hairdresser is in same building as a beautician's salon, and they are owned by the same person, and operate under same name, but have different staff.
When the voucher was bought (by her boyfriend) he wasn't asked whether it was for the beautician or hairdresser..
When she went to used the voucher to pay for a 'do' she was told that they needed to check their book, and very sorry but the voucher is actually for the beautician. It doesn't say this anywhere on the voucher, it just gives the business name. It seems the business has been split recently - I'm not sure if this happened before or after the voucher was purchased.

Does she have any rights in this situation to use the voucher in the hairdresser?
 
Mel said:
My sister was given a voucher for her hairdresser's as a gift.
The hairdresser is in same building as a beautician's salon, and they are owned by the same person, and operate under same name, but have different staff.
When the voucher was bought (by her boyfriend) he wasn't asked whether it was for the beautician or hairdresser..
When she went to used the voucher to pay for a 'do' she was told that they needed to check their book, and very sorry but the voucher is actually for the beautician. It doesn't say this anywhere on the voucher, it just gives the business name. It seems the business has been split recently - I'm not sure if this happened before or after the voucher was purchased.

Does she have any rights in this situation to use the voucher in the hairdresser?
Click to expand...
http://www.consumerconnect.ie/eng/Hot_Topics/Campaigns/Gift Vouchers/

Hi
Here is a link to the NCA's website in relation to Gift Vouchers/Cards etc. And with regard to the original query if the voucher has no terms and conditions and the buisness (hairdressers and beauticians) is under the one one name then a consumer can argue that they can use it but it will be a battle with business if they refuse. E.g Dunnes Stores not allowing a general voucher NOT to be used in the food department if noting is stipulated on the voucher.
 
I sent an email to consumer connect about this on 01-Feb, but haven't had any response. Will update if they reply.
I'm sure she'll argue it out with them the next time she's there anyway - it seems it was probably an error on the desk, as apparently a work experience student sold the voucher, but no reason why she should bear the brunt of it...
Thanks for the help!
 
You would be better off writing a letter to them - email is seldom good for getting official responses in my experience.
 
I got a reply to this today. The key points were;

1.
A voucher is subject to the terms and conditions of the seller. The onus is on the consumer to inform themselves of the terms and conditions and the seller is not obliged to give them.

2.
If the voucher was purchased from the beauty salon section, the seller may then have the right to insist that it can only be honoured in that particular section. If he purchased the voucher from the hair salon section he may have had the right to assume that the hair salon would honour the voucher.

3.
If the buyer purchased the voucher from the hair salon section I would suggest that he sends the retailer a letter of complaint asking to have the voucher honoured for a haircut as he purchased the voucher in the relevant section. If the retailer refuses to address the complaint then the buyer can apply to the small claims court.

 
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