What can you do if you find an old voucher hidden in a draw or box?

It’s a question that Newstalk presenter Jonathan Healy has had cause to ponder recently after giving his house a clear out.

“In the rummage through the attic, I came across a box that dated back to our wedding in 2004 and it had the usual old bits and pieces,” he told The Hard Shoulder.

“A copy of the menu, maybe some wedding cards, I went through them to make sure there was no cash there and, unsurprisingly, there was no cash there.

“But what was there was a voucher that said, ‘Best wishes on your wedding day’ from Arnotts.”

The voucher was worth €100 but the decades’ old date meant Jonathan was unsure if he would be able to claim it.

He tweeted Arnotts on Friday and eagerly awaited their response.

“To their credit… they got back to me on Twitter this morning and said, yes indeed, they would honour my voucher dated 22nd July 2004 for €100,” he said.

“So, I have to go and switch it for an electronic gift card, which sounds very fancy but I assume is one of those laminated jobs, and I will be able to spend my  €100 - not allowing for inflation.”

Inflation means the 2004 voucher would be worth €138 in today’s money but sadly for Jonathan the amount a voucher is worth does not increase once money changes hands.

'Not a leg to stand on'

Irish Times Consumer Affairs Correspondent Conor Pope said Jonathan was lucky to be able to cash the voucher at all.

“In terms of rights, he did not have a leg to stand on whatsoever- that’s very clear,” he said.

“Even under the new revamped legislation that extended the lifespan of vouchers to a minimum of five years, I think we’re looking at 19, 20 years, so he didn’t have a leg to stand on.”

Mr Pope said whatever their legal obligations, it is “only right” that stores always honour vouchers because they got the money - even if it was several years ago.

You can listen back here:

Main image: A gift card.