Charged 90p a month by PO for not using its gift card

[TrueBlueTerrier]

'I've been charged 90p a month by Post Office for not using its gift card'

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/pers ... -card.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I am writing about gift cards my aunt in her 80s bought my wife from the Post Office. These can be redeemed at a number of retail outlets. My wife tried to buy goods for £11.76, but even though the end date showed as August 2017 I understand the £10 cards have just £7.30 on them so could not cover the sums being debited.

Now I find out that, after 18 months, there is a 90p per month servicing charge. I call this daylight robbery.
MW, Cheshire


The gift cards are operated by a private company and distributed in partnership with the Post Office. The Post Office says that the cards can be sold for their face value without a fee because income is generated by a small commission charged to the retailer for encashment.

It says that the terms and conditions show that the customer has 18 months in which to spend the value on the card before any fees for non-use are applied. "The 90p per month charge is thus levied after 18 months to allow the company to close out the account over time and cease paying costs associated with keeping the product live for years," it says. These include those for processing while it waits for commission from the product. The Post Office adds that the "Valid Thru" date on the front applies to the date the physical card can be used.

A replacement card is required to use funds remaining after this date. It says that "the card can be used to its remaining value at any time until it has reached zero". So use any gift cards quickly and be aware that, whether subtly or more obviously, they can expire.

[Lounge Lizard]

'I've been charged 90p a month by Post Office for not using its gift card'

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/pers ... -card.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I am writing about gift cards my aunt in her 80s bought my wife from the Post Office. These can be redeemed at a number of retail outlets. My wife tried to buy goods for £11.76, but even though the end date showed as August 2017 I understand the £10 cards have just £7.30 on them so could not cover the sums being debited.

Now I find out that, after 18 months, there is a 90p per month servicing charge. I call this daylight robbery.
MW, Cheshire


The gift cards are operated by a private company and distributed in partnership with the Post Office. The Post Office says that the cards can be sold for their face value without a fee because income is generated by a small commission charged to the retailer for encashment.

It says that the terms and conditions show that the customer has 18 months in which to spend the value on the card before any fees for non-use are applied. "The 90p per month charge is thus levied after 18 months to allow the company to close out the account over time and cease paying costs associated with keeping the product live for years," it says. These include those for processing while it waits for commission from the product. The Post Office adds that the "Valid Thru" date on the front applies to the date the physical card can be used.

A replacement card is required to use funds remaining after this date. It says that "the card can be used to its remaining value at any time until it has reached zero". So use any gift cards quickly and be aware that, whether subtly or more obviously, they can expire.

"daylight robbery"