Q: I recently received a gift voucher as a birthday present. When I was reading its terms and conditions I noticed it had an expiry date. Is it legal for gift vouchers to have an expiry date? Why do I have to have a time limit?

A: It is not illegal for a gift voucher to have an expiry date, as long as this condition is clearly written on the voucher. Sometimes consumers are of the impression that gift vouchers are equivalent to cash and hence can be used as such.

In reality, gift vouchers are very different. Once a gift voucher is purchased it cannot be redeemed for cash. It has to be used to purchase a particular product or service, and its terms and conditions, as long as they are clearly written on the voucher, have to be adhered to.

There are different types of vouchers, and consumers decide which kind to purchase. If, for instance, we want a gift voucher with a long expiry date, we should look out for shops that issue vouchers with no time limit or others with long expiry dates.

If we are the receivers of the voucher, we have no other option but to observe its terms and conditions if we want to fully benefit from the voucher. Expiry dates are there to be observed. However, if asked, some shops are sometimes willing to extend expiry dates, but this should be requested before the voucher expires.

In situations where traders try to impose new conditions on purchased vouchers, or do not honour their terms and conditions, we can seek redress by filing a complaint with the Consumer and Competition Department.