Customer fury over Fraser’s gift cards

SPORTS Direct tycoon Mike Ashley has come under fire for leaving thousands of House of Fraser customers in the dark over gift card replacements.

After Mr Ashley bought out the department store for a cut-price £90million five weeks ago, customers with gift cards were told to send them in to be issued with a replacement.

However, they have heard nothing back, fuelling fears the cards are now worthless.

Shoppers have no legal right to a replacement from Mr Ashley because the gift cards were bought before the firm went into administration in August.

But a consumer rights expert from Which? said this was ‘no

‘All they’ve heard is silence’

way to treat loyal customers’. Adam French said: ‘The communication from House of Fraser on gift cards has been atrocious.

‘It’s now more than a month since customers were told to send their gift cards in for a replacement and all they’ve heard since is silence.

‘If Mike Ashley is serious about turning House of Fraser into the Harrods of the high street, it cannot be done with shoddy customer service.’

Angry customer Cathy Martin, who has heard nothing about her request for a replacement gift card, told the BBC: ‘I feel like going and lifting £150 worth of stock and walking out.

‘I mean it’s the same thing, isn’t it? Except I’d be arrested and House of Fraser gets away with pretty much the same thing. They’ve stolen £150 from me and thousands of others.’

Sports Direct did not respond when contacted for comment.