Bunnings Gift Cards from Coles not activating correctly

[NM]

Or replace (get a new card) or repair (activate the card properly) at the merchant's discretion

I will take any of those options. Its now almost a month since I purchased the cards and I first reported the problem on the same day as I purchased them (was told I needed to wait 24 hours for them to be activated after purchase, which I believe is incorrect advice). Waiting to hear back from Coles Customer Care (yesterday was a public holiday as we all know).

 

[N860CR]

I will take any of those options. Its now almost a month since I purchased the cards and I first reported the problem on the same day as I purchased them (was told I needed to wait 24 hours for them to be activated after purchase, which I believe is incorrect advice). Waiting to hear back from Coles Customer Care (yesterday was a public holiday as we all know).

I really sympathise. Dealing with this gift card stuff up was one of the worst customer service experiences I've had. It's certainly changed my opinion of Coles. I was speaking to a friend of mine who said they had the same problem with Bunnings cards about a year ago. They just put their foot down in the store and made a scene and they were replaced. The attitude was the same though, "not our problem".

This is clearly a systematic problem and coles are too inept to fix it

 

[jas]

I'd do 10 minutes of research on Australian Consumer Law and then go back to the store armed with that information. If person at the desk won't help ask for their manager as far up the chain as you need to go to get action. Regardless of whether you convince then that you're right, if you're enough of a pest they'll sort it out to shut you up.

 

[Irishbazz]

I will take any of those options. Its now almost a month since I purchased the cards and I first reported the problem on the same day as I purchased them (was told I needed to wait 24 hours for them to be activated after purchase, which I believe is incorrect advice).

Bought $300 worth at Coles last Sunday, and spent in Bunnings 20 minutes later.

 

[N860CR]

Bought $300 worth at Coles last Sunday, and spent in Bunnings 20 minutes later.

Yes I do this very regularly. Walk to Coles to get gift cards and drive straight to Bunnings.

 

[NM]

Update:

I received a text message from the Coles store manager last week, indicating he has a solution and would refund the unactivated cards. I was travelling (well, what else would an AFF member be doing) so went into the store on Saturday. Manager and assistant manager were not there, but the staff member at the service counter knew about my situation and provided a cash refund without hesitation.

I did not hear back from customer care department, but can only assume they worked with the store manager to arrange the refund.

Not sure I will be trusting Coles as a place to purchase Bunnings cards again. Would be nice if Woolworths sold Bunnings cards (now that Masters is dead, they may start to carry them as they do with Myer cards). That way I can purchase with discounted Wish cards.

 

[jas]

Would be nice if Woolworths sold Bunnings cards (now that Masters is dead, they may start to carry them as they do with Myer cards).

Unlikely. Bunnings is owned by Wesfarmers, Woolworths' biggest competitor. Myer is now a separate entity (even though their gift card systems are still linked, probably as a holdover from the old Coles Myer group)

 

[N860CR]

Update:

I received a text message from the Coles store manager last week, indicating he has a solution and would refund the unactivated cards. I was travelling (well, what else would an AFF member be doing) so went into the store on Saturday. Manager and assistant manager were not there, but the staff member at the service counter knew about my situation and provided a cash refund without hesitation.

I did not hear back from customer care department, but can only assume they worked with the store manager to arrange the refund.

Not sure I will be trusting Coles as a place to purchase Bunnings cards again. Would be nice if Woolworths sold Bunnings cards (now that Masters is dead, they may start to carry them as they do with Myer cards). That way I can purchase with discounted Wish cards.

Customer Care never followed up with me either. Only resolved after a bit of a confrontation and the store manager pulling cash out of the til.

It's frustrating that a company like Coles will so openly breach consumer laws and then give customers attitude like it's not their problem!