Hong Kong watchdog flags lack of clarity with e-gift card rules, urges fewer restrictions | South China Morning Post

Oct 15, 2024

Consumer Council uncovers discrepancies among 10 retailers’ gift cards, in areas such as purchase methods, expiry dates and refunds

Hong Kong’s consumer watchdog has called for retailers to relax usage restrictions on e-gift cards after finding a lack of clarity with the terms of use among the 10 sampled vendors.

The Consumer Council said on Tuesday that they found discrepancies in gift card policies relating to purchase methods, usage conditions, expiry dates, as well as reports of loss and refund arrangements.

Among 10 surveyed stores, three required cardholders to log in or register as members before using the e-gift card, whereas some retailers would restrict the number of e-gift cards usable per transaction, or only allow it to be used online.

“These kinds of limitations should be eliminated to ensure that when I receive the e-gift card, I can use it freely, no matter if it is online or offline, and also with a longer valid period,” said Gilly Wong, the Consumer Council’s chief executive.

Only one store would notify the purchaser about whether the recipient had viewed the e-gift card, with a reminder message sent to alert the buyer if they had not checked their email within 15 days.

Other stores depended on the purchaser to check if the card was received and used by the intended recipient.