Posted by NOT AHEM on August 15, 2001 at 20:09:07:

Red faces over Gateway offer

A CREDIT card company was left red-faced yesterday after countless people received an offer of a Gateway Visa card in the post.

The offer comes less than a week after the US technology firm announced it was pulling out of Ireland with the loss of 900 jobs.

Gateway, along with MBNA Europe Bank Ltd, offered a package which included a gift certificate worth stg£35 to spend at the Gateway Software Store.

It boasted: "At Gateway we pride ourselves on our dedication to customer service and ongoing support that's second to none."

Because the letters were already in the post when the closure was announced the companies will be honouring their offer, and anyone who received the letter can apply for the credit card and the free gift.

"Obviously, had we known of the closure the mailing list would not have been sent out," said Ciara Kennedy, head of business development at MBNA. "It's too early to tell but I can't imagine too many people will take up the offer."

The credit card company has a number of affinity partners but admits this situation is a first.

A spokesman for Gateway said: "The company will endeavour to honour all promotions in the market, but all will be under review in the coming weeks."

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