Littlewoods stages refund U-turn

Littlewoods says it will not pursue shoppers for a voucher refund

Littlewoods has dropped its pursuit of internet shoppers who "abused" an online discount voucher.

The £25-off voucher was sent to a few specific customers, but many more gained access to it after it spread virally through online chat rooms.

Littlewoods angered some shoppers by demanding a refund from those who it said the discount was not meant for.

Littlewoods maintained that it was entitled to take a "firm stance", but was relenting out of "goodwill".

It also promised to return the £25 and any related charges to those customers who had paid the retailer back.

Customers have the responsibility to ensure they are using a discount for which they are eligible Littlewoods

The Liverpool-based firm said that its decision to take no further action was a "gesture of goodwill" toward its customers, even though its original position had been supported by Liverpool Trading Standards.

But Littlewoods insisted that its change of heart was a one-off and did not signal a change in its policy.

One-off

The firm said: "Customers have the responsibility to ensure they are using a discount for which they are eligible.

"Our terms and conditions make it clear that promotional codes must only be used for customers who qualify for them."

The company said its terms and conditions could be read on its website.

Clause 2.3 states that a promotion can only be accepted if used by the person to whom it has been directly issued.

It also says: "In the event that the code has not been issued to you for your personal use or you do not qualify for the offer, the price of the order will be adjusted notwithstanding any e-mail or other confirmation that you receive."

Some online shoppers who had used the money-off voucher had been angered at Littlewood's request for the money back two months after the discount voucher had been circulating.

They argued that such a situation could not have occurred in a High Street store.