Can I get a refund for a gift voucher?

UK consumer law treats gift vouchers differently from physical goods under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 and Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013. 
When you purchase gift vouchers online, you typically have a 14-day cooling off period allowing you to cancel and receive a full refund, provided the voucher remains unused and unactivated. This right applies to digital sales including online purchases, but crucial exceptions exist. For example; once a gift voucher’s unique code has been revealed, activated, or redeemed, retailers can refuse refunds as the product has been "opened" or "used" in legal terms. 

Gift vouchers purchased on giftvouchers.co.uk enjoy the standard cooling off period of 14 days from purchase for unactivated vouchers. Contact our customer service team within the 14-day window to request cancellation. After 14 days, or once the voucher code has been accessed or spent, refunds become discretionary and are based on retailer goodwill rather than legal obligation. 

Note that physical gift vouchers purchased in-store fall outside of the ‘distance selling’ regulations entirely, meaning no automatic refund rights exist unless the retailer chooses to offer refunds or returns as part of their own policy.

You can typically refund a gift voucher when purchased online within the 14 day cooling off period. The gift voucher has to be completely unused and unactivated. This means you haven't revealed the voucher’s code, forwarded it to anyone, or attempted to redeem the gift voucher. 

Proven technical errors during purchase, such as being charged twice, receiving the wrong value on the voucher, or system failures preventing delivery also warrant refunds regardless of timeframe. If the retailer has made a mistake, for example sending the wrong gift voucher or providing incorrect voucher details, you're entitled to a refund. 

Some retailers extend goodwill refunds beyond their legal obligations for exceptional circumstances like serious illness, bereavement, or financial hardship, though these types of refunds are purely at the retailer's discretion. 

Gift vouchers purchased as part of a larger order that you're returning may also be refundable, when the entire transaction is being cancelled. Always check the specific terms and conditions during purchase, as some retailers offer more generous refund windows or conditions than legally required.

You cannot refund a gift voucher once the code has been revealed, activated, or the value of the gift voucher has been redeemed. Even if you change your mind after accessing the voucher details, the fact you have revealed the code means you've essentially "opened" the product, removing your statutory rights. 

Physical gift vouchers purchased in shops have no automatic refund entitlement, as online or distance selling regulations don't apply to face-to-face transactions. After the 14 day cooling off period expires for online purchases, refunds become entirely discretionary even for unused vouchers. 

If you've forwarded the voucher to someone else via email or message, proving it remains unused becomes impossible and any requests for refunds will be declined. Partially redeemed vouchers with remaining balances cannot be refunded for the used portion, and retailers rarely refund remaining balances as this creates additional complexity. Expired vouchers fall completely outside refund consideration, per the voucher’s T&Cs. 

Gift vouchers received as presents from others cannot be refunded, as the recipient is not the original purchaser. The buyer or gifter would need to request any refund within their own purchase terms.

To refund a gift voucher purchased on giftvouchers.co.uk, contact customer service immediately via email or the contact form on the website. 

• Initiate contact within the 14 day cooling off period;
• Provide your order number, purchase date, voucher details, along with a clear explanation of why you're requesting the refund;
• Confirm the voucher remains unused, unactivated, and that you haven't revealed or shared the code with anyone. 

Customer service will verify your purchase details and eligibility based on the applicable terms and statutory rights. If approved, refunds are typically processed back to your original payment method within 5 to 10 working days. 

For vouchers purchased directly from other retailers rather than through giftvouchers.co.uk, contact that specific retailer and follow their individual refund procedures. 

Keep all purchase confirmation emails and correspondence as evidence of your request. If your refund request is declined and you believe you have valid grounds under UK consumer law, you can escalate to a formal complaints procedure. If it does come to it, seek guidance from Citizens Advice or consumer protection organizations that can assist with dispute resolution.