FS/FT board, e-vouchers?
I suspect this has been discussed here, there and everywhere several times, however...
I listed a £25 online voucher for sale (having checked the rules) but have had the thread closed due to it being an e-voucher. I see now that it was listed in the banned items (not particularly obvious, but fair enough) along with all the dodgy items like fakes, tobacco, weapons etc!
Just wondering why this is?
I see people posting Amazon vouchers for sale or wanted all the time...these are surely evouchers as well but they seem to be allowed? And the xbox codes and things...they're allowed as well?
Just wondering what the reasoning is behind prohibition of evouchers for proper retailers such as M&S, Argos etc which we do get from time to time - I'd say that an evoucher is more secure than a paper one as there's no chance of it going missing in the post.
As it is, I now only have ebay to sell it, which kind-of defeats the purpose of the FS boards as by the time I've paid their fees I'll be losing out on it. It's not something dodgy or illegal, so why can't it be sold here?
Any light that can be shed? Thanks!
All Comments (16)
Jump to unread Post a Commenthttp://www.hotukdeals.com/for-sale-trade/wanted-20-amazon-voucher-1283538#comments
http://www.hotukdeals.com/for-sale-trade/itunes-voucher-gift-card-70-1280804#comments
http://www.hotukdeals.com/for-sale-trade/wanted-1-3-month-xbox-live-code-1282303#comments
http://www.hotukdeals.com/for-sale-trade/psn-credit-32-forr-27-50-1281030#comments
http://www.hotukdeals.com/for-sale-trade/10-orange-voucher-1281962#comments
http://www.hotukdeals.com/for-sale-trade/wanted-psn-credit-5-10-1283543#comments
The above are all either sales or wanteds for ecodes, but are all ok according to the rules?
Whereas these have been closed...
http://www.hotukdeals.com/for-sale-trade/fs-25-m-s-e-voucher-1283465
http://www.hotukdeals.com/for-sale-trade/fs-ft-figleaves-233-40-e-gift-card-1283491#comments
Seems a bit daft that a bit of paper would make the difference - I could print my email out with the code on it and post it to somebody, and it would effectively then be exactly the same as any other online-only gift voucher. Not trying to create, just looking for the logic, and wondering if it's going to be changed to be a bit more consistent any time soon?
Edited By: panddda on Aug 08, 2012 16:59: edited
Members offering such items should provide proof upon request, although for obvious reasons they may obscure the actual code.
It's a fraud reduction policy.
As for sending the code via email, we don't have an issue with that, subject to the code being a tangible item. The method of delivery is between the buyer and seller.
Members following the trading rules in full and seeking additional protection via paypal, would have to ensure that they were comfortable with that fact and also determine if they are covered or not in the event of a dispute.
Amazon e-voucher format only are not permitted anywhere on the forums.
Good question...kind-of wondered the same thing myself?
aScottishBloke, I'm just back from hols and now actually had a proper look at the voucher that I have. It's a M&S e-gift card. It's designed to be printed out and then spent instore. So I've printed it out. It's now therefore a physical voucher that I can take to spend instore, or (if I prefer) online using the code on it. I think M&S are doing this to reduce waste - sending them as paper copies to print yourself rather than wasting plastic cards.
Just wondering what the rules are on this? It's now a physical voucher that can be spent instore, rather than just a code. But it is still an e-card. A bit grey I suppose? I'm surprised they don't crop up here more often as Sky dish them out like sweeties - would it help if I email it to somebody to have a look at?
Cheers!
By not permitting the resale of a non tangible item, the risk of fraud is automatically reduced.
Good question...kind-of wondered the same thing myself?
aScottishBloke, I'm just back from hols and now actually had a proper look at the voucher that I have. It's a M&S e-gift card. It's designed to be printed out and then spent instore. So I've printed it out. It's now therefore a physical voucher that I can take to spend instore, or (if I prefer) online using the code on it. I think M&S are doing this to reduce waste - sending them as paper copies to print yourself rather than wasting plastic cards.
Just wondering what the rules are on this? It's now a physical voucher that can be spent instore, rather than just a code. But it is still an e-card. A bit grey I suppose? I'm surprised they don't crop up here more often as Sky dish them out like sweeties - would it help if I email it to somebody to have a look at?
Cheers!
That's an e-code, therefore it can't be resold. Official gift cards can be resold, there's a difference at present.
Should there be a transition from tangible items to e-codes we can review again in the future.
By not permitting the resale of a non tangible item, the risk of fraud is automatically reduced.
Good question...kind-of wondered the same thing myself?
aScottishBloke, I'm just back from hols and now actually had a proper look at the voucher that I have. It's a M&S e-gift card. It's designed to be printed out and then spent instore. So I've printed it out. It's now therefore a physical voucher that I can take to spend instore, or (if I prefer) online using the code on it. I think M&S are doing this to reduce waste - sending them as paper copies to print yourself rather than wasting plastic cards.
Just wondering what the rules are on this? It's now a physical voucher that can be spent instore, rather than just a code. But it is still an e-card. A bit grey I suppose? I'm surprised they don't crop up here more often as Sky dish them out like sweeties - would it help if I email it to somebody to have a look at?
Cheers!
That's an e-code, therefore it can't be resold. Official gift cards can be resold, there's a difference at present.
Should there be a transition from tangible items to e-codes we can review again in the future.
So the decisioun lies in how the retailer gets it to me, rather than how I get it to a buyer on the FS/FT boards? M&S have sent me an instore voucher (the green way, so I print it myself rather than using plastic), but because I received it electronically I can't sell it. Whereas if I received a paper M&S voucher in the post, I could sell the code off it and email it to somebody and then throw the code away?
I'm genuinely not trying to be awkward, but I'd say the second scenario is just as likely to cause fraudulent situations as the first there, and don't really see the difference.
Anyway... :)
I'm genuinely not trying to be awkward, but I'd say the second scenario is just as likely to cause fraudulent situations as the first there, and don't really see the difference.
Anyway... :)
Hi,
It's not a fraud elimination tactic. As before it's to do with helping reduce the possibility of such an event taking place. We'll ask for proof of such a tangible item in existence, signed and dated. Payment protection offered by the likes of paypal may not extend to e-codes either,
Your scenario above is fine re method of delivery. That's entirely up to the buyer and seller to agree. Again though, as a seller, I might never be able to prove the buyer received the code so I'd take that into account before making any decision to trade.
e-codes are easily sourced and distributed without too much of an audit trail. I do suspect that there's a few members with genuine e-codes that are caught out with our blanket approach, however we feel at this moment in time our policy works well.
Not looking to sell this now anyway since I've discovered it's a proper gift voucher rather than just an ecode - I'll spend it instore on food.
Cheers for the responses - hopefully as things evolve and more and more retailers start giving their gift vouchers out online rather than in the post the policy will catch up.
It's a fraud reduction policy.
It's not a fraud elimination tactic.
Surely fraud reduction comes under the pretense or hope of fraud elimination you are talking symantics but the end result is the same a code is a code and if it has viable worth it should be viable to sell on no matter of the format it was initially sent in.
However electronic/digital download/voucher codes can be "generated" (or simply, guessed) without ever having the legal right to own, or to re-sell (as the asset have never been in-hand).
aSB is describing the steps to reduce the risk of this happening by ensuring that a tangible asset is available to change hands once payment has been made.
A member within the "For Sale/Trade" forum may pay for an item that shares the same "unique" code as one that already belongs to another party (or may still be on sale inside a physical product on a shelf, or in a warehouse).
A physical asset reduces the risk of this happening.
It does not eliminate it.
However electronic/digital download/voucher codes can be "generated" (or simply, guessed) without ever having the legal right to own, or to re-sell (as the asset have never been in-hand).
aSB is describing the steps to reduce the risk of this happening by ensuring that a tangible asset is available to change hands once payment has been made.
A member within the "For Sale/Trade" forum may pay for an item that shares the same "unique" code as one that already belongs to another party (or may still be on sale inside a physical product on a shelf, or in a warehouse).
A physical asset reduces the risk of this happening.
It does not eliminate it.
The pause for thought however comes into play when the distinction of a "unique" code thats been found out rather than a printable item such as this, even DLC codes which are printed and do come within boxes (for the most part) of their relative games have the same tangible evidence of a gift card.
A gift card for all we know could be blank upon sale the same as a DLC code could be used I dont see the difference of distinction (apart from in this example a RRP)
Anyway... :)
Panddda
I've just had a look back, I don't think I fully appreciated the point you were making.
The M&S voucher whilst delivered electronically to the initial recipient, can then be transformed into a tangible item and presented instore.
In that sense we'd probably accept as for listing, subject to the remainder of the trading rules being complied with. We'll review on a case by case basis for now before changing/clarifying the rules.
A code only available in electronic format and for use only online, e.g. amazon e-code cannot be transformed into a tangible item, therefore these cannot be resold.
As always we reserve the right to ask for pics in the usual format (personal details obscured).
We have made this exception in the past, e.g. some concert tickets are only issued in e-format, requiring a convertion to a paper ticket. There's usually enough info on the e-ticket to confirm that it's a unique item.
It's something we'll take into account.
Jonnyq.
One of the appealing aspects with regards to trading vouchers is the immediate delivery offered by sellers.
I don't appear to recall m(any) issues with trading problems here, so I think our balance is right for now.
Edited By: aScottishBloke on Aug 24, 2012 08:11
Anyway... :)
Panddda
I've just had a look back, I don't think I fully appreciated the point you were making.
The M&S voucher whilst delivered electronically to the initial recipient, can then be transformed into a tangible item and presented instore.
In that sense we'd probably accept as for listing, subject to the remainder of the trading rules being complied with. We'll review on a case by case basis for now before changing/clarifying the rules.
A code only available in electronic format and for use only online, e.g. amazon e-code cannot be transformed into a tangible item, therefore these cannot be resold.
As always we reserve the right to ask for pics in the usual format (personal details obscured).
We have made this exception in the past, e.g. some concert tickets are only issued in e-format, requiring a convertion to a paper ticket. There's usually enough info on the e-ticket to confirm that it's a unique item.
It's something we'll take into account.
Jonnyq.
One of the appealing aspects with regards to trading vouchers is the immediate delivery offered by sellers.
I don't appear to recall m(any) issues with trading problems here, so I think our balance is right for now.
Thanks - appreciate that you're taking the time to consider it and not just giving a fob-off. Here's a pic of the printed A4 sheet that I have, obviously with the important bits covered up. I've also got the email which confirms the PIN if it's to be used online.
As I said, since I can spend it instore I'm not especially bothered if I sell it or not, but since we've all gone to so much trouble, then if it is allowed, I might as well, so how do I go about listing it again? Cheers!
Edited By: panddda on Aug 24, 2012 21:35