Coronavirus: Shoppers lost £ 100m in coupons that expire in lockdown

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The stores were closed for nearly three months before reopening in June

UK shoppers may have lost close to £ 100 million in unused coupons during the coronavirus lockdown, which consumer group? Saucepan.

A survey of 2,000 adults suggested that a quarter of people owned a voucher that expired during lockdown.

Several retailers contacted customers and offered to extend them – but a third of those with an expired coupon never got an extension and lost money.

Which? Urging people who could not use their coupons to contact the store.

He also warned about the risks of buying new coupons because some well-known retailers have recently collapsed – and added that more coronavirus restrictions could make it difficult to spend.

Non-essential stores and businesses closed in March for several months, as part of government lockdown restrictions to deal with the pandemic.

Many stores have automatically extended the time customers can spend their coupons – in addition to extending their return periods.

Shops eventually reopen throughout June (first in Northern Ireland, followed by England and Wales, then Scotland) Some long waiting lists outside stores.

Contact the company

In your August poll, which one? It found that nearly half of the people who had an expired coupon were automatically extended.

One in seven – or 15% – of people with a coupon had to request an extension, with one customer telling which one? One of the companies told them “bad luck, basically.”

But 36% – equivalent to 3.1 million people according to Which? – They did not receive an extension to their shopping vouchers.

Which? He says the unspent coupons were valued at an average of £ 31.70, which means that around £ 98 million has likely been lost across the UK.

The consumer group has advised anyone with a receipt that has expired during the lockdown to contact the retailer.

“If you have a coupon that you can’t use, it is a good idea to contact the company,” said consumer rights expert Adam French.

“Anyone considering buying a voucher should be aware of the risks, as some well-known retailers have collapsed in recent months, and further restrictions on the coronavirus could make vouchers and gift cards difficult to spend.”