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[Question150223]

i have a gift card for (competitor) will future shop accept this

[Tanarus]

Future Shop does not accept any of its competitors' gift cards. Only Future Shop gift cards will be accepted.

Thanks for the question!

[Atomic]

I used to think this would have been an odd question to ask, but curiously enough I have received conflicting information on this topic!

The bottom line is YMMV and it is best to check with your local store, but yes, some Future Shop stores do accept gift cards from their major competitor.

They (meaning Future Shop's competitor) also accept Future Shop gift cards as well.  I know because I have used Future Shop gift cards there and they are fine with it.

However!  You should still check with individual stores.  I have heard from one location that they are accepted at all outlets, but another location refused to accept it.

[cust]

depends on the city, but mostly no, how could you take money from another stoes gift card? the computer system would not recognize it, if any store does this for you they are just keeping up with competiton or the customer service person is being REALLY nice to you. Say thankyou.

[Juice0904]

They are still two separate stores that compete with each other for sales. It surprises me to see that some Future Shops will accept gift cards from that competitor, because gift cards mean that store it is from already has the money, so if you use a competitors gift card at Future Shop, Future Shop is taking a loss, and is essentially giving you the item without making any money off of the sale. The money is in the hands of the competition, but it was used to buy an item from you.

Imagine this - you and your brother both own businesses that are funded by your parents, separately and independently, but still funded from the same purse. Someone gets a store credit from your brother, but then comes to your store to use it. There won't be any profit for you from the sale.

JB

[Atomic]

I understand what you guys are saying.  I was as surprised to hear about this as you are.

However, it is true and (Competitor) because I have been told that store managers make the ultimate call.

I am not talking about ANY competitor store gift card.  Just this specific one.  

Besides, it's funny because I have read that in Canada or Ontario, businesses cannot declare revenue on the sale of gift cards, but only on the redemption of gift cards.  So technically, there may be no difference if you buy a gift card from X and then spend it at Y.  Y will get the credit of the sale as long as they know that a gift card was paid for somewhere.

I am guessing that is how it probably works.  If you guys haven't already noticed, both companies use the same Point-of-sale terminals, the same online ordering systems, and heck, even the same forum software.

Once I even received a package from (competito) that I ordered online from Future Shop!  Try and figure that one out!

And yes, I did use my Future Shop gift card at this other store.  And yes, my Future Shop B&M store accepts gift cards from this other store too.

Weird, but convenient.