Woolworths gift card thread

[Jacques Vert]

That's interesting. So it may be just something that my two local stores have introduced? It will be interesting to see what others experience. In my case, and at both stores, the moment I tried to scan the first card at the self-service machine the light started flashing and I was referred to the service desk.

I'll report back once I check their activation tomorrow...........

I returned to my local store today and spoke to a nice young chap who was aware of the issue I had.

After a lengthy discussion he agreed with me that the attendant had scanned the short barcode rather than the long one and this was causing the activation issue. We checked the balance on one of the cards and confirmed that it had not been activated. So he refunded my money (on his machine) and we scanned new ones; hey presto, the activation slips came out no problem.

The only problem is that they now KWIA. And here I was trying to be discreet! I will have to shop at a different WW for a while.

So I later went to the first store where I had been referred to the service desk when I tried to buy my GCs. When I went to scan the first of another 4 V1 cards, an attendant spotted me and ran over to tell me they had to be done at the service desk! But by then I had successfully scanned the card so she said "OK, No problem then". So it seems that one of my local stores has reverted back to the previous system.

I suspect that my issues may be the result of an over-zealous local region manager trying to prevent people being stung by the tax iTunes scam (lots of elderly people in these parts). One attendant did hint that it was "some of the other cards" that were causing problems.

 

[jetcam]

I returned to my local store today and spoke to a nice young chap who was aware of the issue I had.

After a lengthy discussion he agreed with me that the attendant had scanned the short barcode rather than the long one and this was causing the activation issue. We checked the balance on one of the cards and confirmed that it had not been activated. So he refunded my money (on his machine) and we scanned new ones; hey presto, the activation slips came out no problem.

The only problem is that they now KWIA. And here I was trying to be discreet! I will have to shop at a different WW for a while.

So I later went to the first store where I had been referred to the service desk when I tried to buy my GCs. When I went to scan the first of another 4 V1 cards, an attendant spotted me and ran over to tell me they had to be done at the service desk! But by then I had successfully scanned the card so she said "OK, No problem then". So it seems that one of my local stores has reverted back to the previous system.

I suspect that my issues may be the result of an over-zealous local region manager trying to prevent people being stung by the tax iTunes scam (lots of elderly people in these parts). One attendant did hint that it was "some of the other cards" that were causing problems.

I'd say it is more likely that they are confused and can't differ between the different types of cards that they stock. Those Woolworths Group gift cards which aren't fixed $ cards need to be put through on the service desk and you tell the operator how much you want to put on the card. Then you can only pay cash or Eftpos, Credit or GC isn't an option.

 

[Jacques Vert]

I'd say it is more likely that they are confused and can't differ between the different types of cards that they stock. Those Woolworths Group gift cards which aren't fixed $ cards need to be put through on the service desk and you tell the operator how much you want to put on the card. Then you can only pay cash or Eftpos, Credit or GC isn't an option.

OK; you may have hit the nail on the head.

 

[jbman]

Agreed, I have seen a few stores with signs about ATO scams and to be mindful of them

 

[JohnK]

For those of you who stay at Accor properties, their Escape gift cards come with bonus points this week: 2000 WW points for the $100 card and 4,000 points for the $200 cards.

I've never bought these; can someone advise whether they can be used O/S or only in Oz, and whether there is a fee attached to them?

I bought 3 x $100 gift cards earlier this year and it was a nightmare to use 2 of these on a 2 night stay in Newcastle. They wanted to charge the flexible rate which was ~$30/night more than prepaid rate. Went directly to Accor who said I should be able to get prepaid rate but hotel didn't agree. Eventually they came to some agreement and I used the 2 gift cards.

Still have one gift card left. I wanted to use this at the hotel but they made me angry so didn't spend anything there. The plastic has come off the back of the card so now have to try and use it in that condition before January. Flexible rates are not cheap.

 

[daft009]

I bought 3 x $100 gift cards earlier this year and it was a nightmare to use 2 of these on a 2 night stay in Newcastle. They wanted to charge the flexible rate which was ~$30/night more than prepaid rate. Went directly to Accor who said I should be able to get prepaid rate but hotel didn't agree. Eventually they came to some agreement and I used the 2 gift cards.

Still have one gift card left. I wanted to use this at the hotel but they made me angry so didn't spend anything there. The plastic has come off the back of the card so now have to try and use it in that condition before January. Flexible rates are not cheap.

The T&Cs say they can be used for payment of mini bar, dining and spa type treatments if guest at hotel. So perhaps that's a better use for it, rather that room charges

 

[flaketron]

The T&Cs say they can be used for payment of mini bar, dining and spa type treatments if guest at hotel. So perhaps that's a better use for it, rather that room charges

Exactly what I did recently during our stay at Pullman Resort Bunker Bay. Got room service both nights.

 

[andye]

Was in a NSW WW today that had a good supply
Went to self-serve and scanned 4 Only1s.
Message came up required authorisation which is unusual. Interestingly on one occasion the staff screen said that needed an age authorisation which was also odd. The monitors were good sorts and had no problem coming back to do each 4 at a time
Given that they were coming back anyway I though I'd save them a job and scan more than 4. As soon as I scanned the 5th, screen said needed an authorisation. Again monitors were fine and said just scan 4 next time
Got to some yellow "Birthday Only1s" and they wouldn't scan at all.
Put them back on rack and picked up some more greens. Went to a different selfserve checkout and first 4 didn't need authorisation but subsequent ones did need it
All very inconsistent.
Didn't feel uncomfortable with the monitors or I would have stopped earlier. They said I must be very generous-I said not really I just use use them to pay bills

 

[digpomi]

Major issues with getting Visa1s this afternoon, some of them did not scan and 4 that scanned - did not get activation receipts. Then another lot of 4 scanned okay but only one activation receipt. Took front desk girl about 30 minutes to figure out what to do- gave me cash refund for those that did not activate.

 

[andye]

Mixed bag today
1 store needed monitor approval (even with only 4)
1 store went through as usual 4 at a time
At a third, I was directed to the small-basket line as self-serve busy. Cashier didnt blink an eye when paid for 5 with an eWISH (with some other items)

 

[SOPOOR]

This is all very disturbing

 

[andye]

I would say that all of mine (except the yellow celebration ones that the barcode wouldnt scan) have activated and worked fine at my favourite ACT merchant (on same day as bought)

 

[JessicaTam]

[mod hat]
Some recent off topic posts have been removed.

Let's keep to the thread topic.
[/mod hat]

 

[MrHyde]

When I scan at the self serve, I use my hands to cover the small barcode - so only the long bar code is visible. Could that be a factor in all these reports of them not activating?

 

[daft009]

anyone having issues buying the 5% egift card online this morning?
getting a "personalisation data missing" error after submitting card details

 

[bam71]

Nope - bought one this morning at 8.00am on my Amex Edge. All went through as per normal

 

[digpomi]

When I scan at the self serve, I use my hands to cover the small barcode - so only the long bar code is visible. Could that be a factor in all these reports of them not activating?

I do the same- was not a factor in my case

 

[SOPOOR]

like with any good deal whether its a loophole or not, I get a bit paranoid that too many users will shut it down

I even get worried that the 5% CR/pricepal agreement will eithe rbe abolished or reduced, such as the dan murphys cashback rates that I used to use a lot

so all this talk about gift cards not scanning properly has me worried

thats why I am happy to tell people about how to do it, but only via private msg,
the coles/visa1 gift card deals are all terrific but now limited to one per household which is a real deal killer ;(
I hope ww doesnt go down this way either

 

[andye]

I do the same- was not a factor in my case

Nor mine...

 

[Jonova]

Bought some of the green Visa gift cards this morning, went through without a hitch