Gift cards are more trouble than worth

I received two Edgars gift cards when I left my previous job 5 months ago. Each loaded with R1,000. Since receiving these cards I have never been able to use them due to the Edgars gift card system. As a consumer you assume that an EDGARS specific gift card would entitle you to purchase in their store without having to use your own finances. The first time I visited the Ballito store and chose about R1500 worth of merchandise, on arrival at the till the cards would not swipe, they tried a manual process and after 20 minutes of standing at a counter with only 2 active tellers and a long line of annoyed customers I was told that I need to either return the goods or pay cash. Feeling suitably embarrassed I opted to pay via credit card. A month later I returned and once again was told that the system was offline, I paid again. Out of frustration I did not try use the cards again. This weekend due to birthdays I decided to visit the La Lucia branch. Standing at the counter the manager had to come to input her override code 6 times!!! I was so late and almost in tears and was once again told \Sorry we cant help you"Now I have spent around 5k"