Other social media comments have likened the move not to honour the gift cards to "stealing". Shoppers who bought a Dick Smith gift voucher at Coles or Woolworths were given an extra 10 per cent on top of the amount they paid. If they spent $100, the voucher would have been worth $110 in store. "This promotion was an initiative of Dick Smith," a Woolworths spokesman said. Withdrawn from sale

A Coles spokesman said the gift vouchers had been withdrawn from sale in the supermarket when Dick Smith was placed into voluntary receivership on Tuesday. "Coles was not informed prior to the company entering administration and we apologise for the inconvenience caused to our customers," the spokesman said. "Coles is unable to offer refunds for gift cards as Coles has already passed on the funds. Customers who have purchased Dick Smith gift cards that have not been redeemed should contact the administrators to register as creditors or for updates on any change to the redemption of gift cards in future." The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission said it was working with state and territory fair trading agencies and was in contact with the receiver to monitor consumer issues. Dick Smith declined to comment. Technology commentator and digital strategist Paul Wallbank said he had been given a Dick Smith voucher as a gift from ANZ Bank for customer loyalty just before Christmas, but now he is unable to spend it.

"As someone who watches the space I had a view that Dick Smith didn't have long to last and when the shares were suspended I wondered if I should go down to Dick Smith and spend it, but I couldn't think of anything I wanted," he said. 'Nothing I wanted' "That's the real killer for Dick Smith. When I looked at the store there was nothing I wanted and that sums up this case. The only thing I've bought from there in recent years was a MacBook Pro when they had one of their 10 per cent-off sales." Mr Wallbank said he had a "cynical resignation" about the situation. "I would say to the people who are now unsecured creditors – and I have been one on a number of occasions – you're not going to get anything," he said.