The safer gift that lets the recipient choose the present that they really want
(27/11/2008)

The 3V Visa Internet Shopping Gift Card lets you buy anything anywhere online that accepts Visa. The 3V Visa Internet Shopping Gift Card means that present givers everywhere can get it right this Christmas. It’s the first gift card in the UK that lets the lucky recipient shop on the internet and choose the present that they really want.

And in these times of economic recession it gives everyone the opportunity to make the most of the great deals that can be had online, so ‘present money’ goes that little bit further. And because you can pool the money on these gift cards together, recipients can get that dream present they really wanted.

The card comes in four funky designs
• Here come the girls, a fab Sparkly Shoes card for those special, ‘can’t live without’ treats
• A sports car model for the Boys Toys card goes straight to the heart of the male psyche
• The Space Hopper fun retro-style card is great to bring a smile to anyone’s face
• Wrapped up with a silver bow image, the Celebration card is the ideal gift for any special occasion, including a simple ‘thank you’

3V Visa Internet Shopping Gift Cards can be used to shop online, through mail order or over the telephone, wherever Visa is accepted.

The joy of the 3V Visa Internet Shopping Gift Card is that recipients don’t need a credit or debit card, or even a bank account to use it. There is no interest to pay – ever and it’s really simple to use. All you need to do when shopping is go to the checkout, click on Visa and then enter the unique Visa number and security details that are sent to you. It’s just like using a Visa card to shop online.

The 3V Visa Internet Shopping Gift Card also provides complete security when shopping online because once the Gift Card has been activated a unique Visa number is issued to the recipient and, simultaneously, the security details (3 digit security code and expiry date), so when you shoponline you don’t reveal any sensitive personal or financial data.

In addition, the 3V Visa Internet Shopping Gift Card is backed by Alliance & Leicester.

You can use a 3V Visa Internet Shopping Gift Card as soon as you have paid for it in the shop and activated it at www.3Vgiftcards.com. The activation process consists of two simple steps whereby you enter the activation and pin codes on the reverse of the gift card along with a few personal details. It does not take long to complete – about two minutes. Once you have clicked activate at the end of this process you will receive your unique Visa number and at the same time security details (3 digit code and expiry date) will be emailed to you. You can then shop online, over the phone or via mail order, wherever Visa is accepted.

All you need to do when shopping is go to the checkout, click on Visa and then enter the unique Visa number and security details that are sent to you. It’s just like using a Visa card to shop online.

The 3V Visa Internet Shopping Gift Card, with £25 of value, is available in high street retailers including, The co-operative, Martin’s Newsagent, Martin McColl and Borders.

Q) Is there an equivalent or something similar available on the market at the moment?
A) No, this is the UK’s first gift card that lets you shop online, over the telephone or via mail order anywhere you want, that accepts Visa.

Q) Has this concept been tried and tested in other countries?
A) In the US a similar card has been tried and tested allowing users to shop both in store and on the internet, it is currently seeing a 40% growth in consumer demand year on year and is the quickest growing type of gift card

Q) Will the 3V Visa Internet Shopping Gift Card be available for Christmas 2008?
A) Yes, it goes on sale mid November 2008

Q) Is the 3V Visa Internet Shopping Gift Card available online or can you only buy it in shops?
A) You can buy the 3V Visa Internet Shopping Gift Card at selected high street retailers (go to www.3Vgiftcards.com for stockist information). In addition there are plans to let you purchase gift cards online in the near future (check website for details)

Q) Can I shop straight away using my Gift Card
A) You just need to activate in online at www.3Vgiftcards.com. This is so that you receive a Visa number that is unique to you. At the same time, the security details will be sent to you and you use these to shop online, just like using a Visa card.

Q) Can the gift card be used for purchasing the same goods, but offline?
A) No, you can only shop online via phone or mail order with the 3V Visa Internet Shopping Gift Card, wherever Visa is accepted.

Q) What online retailers will take the 3V Visa Internet Shopping Gift Card?
A) Any online retailer that already accepts Visa. When shopping online with a 3V Visa Internet Shopping Gift Card you simply select Visa as the payment method, input your unique Visa number and security details, then continue to the next steps to pay.

Q) Do you get any special deals on things online if you buy with the 3V Visa Internet Shopping Gift Card?
A) You can benefit from any price offers being promoted by the online retailers.

Q) What happens if you don’t have enough money on your Gift Card to buy the product you want? Can you split the cost and use your Gift Card and then pay the rest on your credit/ debit card?
A) Most online retailers usually only accept full payment for goods or services from one method of payment i.e. use only a Visa debit card to pay the total for the goods in the shopping cart. However, if the merchant accepts more ways to pay e.g. Debenhams, you just use the Gift Card like a Visa card.

Q) If you receive more than one 3V Visa Internet Shopping Gift Card can you combine them to have more money on one Gift Card Visa number?
A) Yes you can. You can transfer money from one 3V Gift Card Visa number to another. There is a small charge for this service of £1.75 to cover administration costs. The maximum amount that can be held on any 3V Gift Card is £1000.

Q) Can you check the balance of your 3V Visa Internet Shopping Gift Card?
A) Yes you can check your balance online using the Online Customer Self Service area. You can also see what transactions you have made, update your personal details and transfer money from one Visa number to another.

Q) Is there an expiry date on the 3V Visa Internet Shopping Gift Card?
A) Yes, there is an expiry date of exactly one year after the last day of the month in which the 3V Visa Internet Shopping Gift Card is purchased from a retailer. For example, if you buy a 3V Visa number on 10 January 2009, the expiry date for the Gift Card and the corresponding Visa number will be 31 January 2010. After 31 January 2010, you will not be able to activate the Gift Card on the website or use the Visa number to shop or redeem any remaining money on the Visa number to your bank account.

Q) Is there any surcharge when you buy a 3V Visa Internet Shopping Gift Card?
A) No, you pay face value for the card.

Q) Are there any fees?
A) There are no fees when the 3V Visa Internet Shopping Gift Card is purchased and no fees when the Visa number associated to your Gift Card is used online

Q) How old do you have to be to use a Gift Card?
A) Anyone can buy the 3V Visa Internet Shopping Gift Card. However, the Gift Card may only be activated by a person 16 years or over

Q) Is the Gift Card insured? If you lose it can you claim the money back?
A) No. The 3V Visa Internet Shopping Gift Card should be treated like cash and kept safe.