Coles gift card offers

[andye]

I was able to redeem within 2 hours this morning. The redemption surcharge at that merchant was lower than I remembered which was nice

 

[Dr Ralph]

My experience is that it may depend on the store or some other system type issue. I have absolutely had them activate instantly in the past (or at least in the 5 minutes between payment and going to use one). Some took around 2hrs last time though and it appears my first batch this morning are taking that long as well. Whether the delay is now across the board I couldn’t say but that is my previous experience anyway.

Things are different this time around. Over 2 hours now for me and none of my 20 cards have activated.

Multiple reports of similar experiences on OzBargain.

 

[NoName]

Things are different this time around. Over 2 hours now for me and none of my 20 cards have activated.

Multiple reports of similar experiences on OzBargain.

Seems that way. Have just returned from my second store and no activation as yet. First batch this morning seemed to take almost spot on the 2hr mark. On the plus side no issue using gift cards to pay for the gift cards.

 

[Dr Ralph]

On the plus side no issue using gift cards to pay for the gift cards.

At Coles?

I'm now at 3 hours and no activation.

 

[Happy Dude]

First store was out due to recall..... will call when stock in.
Second store one on shelf and others from box inside the cabinet... asked how many I wanted... did not press
This hack is only if they get them and replace card right? Can't be compromised any other way????

There are reports (here and Ozb) that the card numbers can be "guessed" by hackers. Something like the first 10 digits are common, together with the expiry date, means that only 6 digits are unique. The question becomes "can you spend the funds before the hackers know the card has been activated?".

 

[NoName]

At Coles?

I'm now at 3 hours and no activation.

Yes at Coles. Bought 5x$250 with my CC at the first store when it opened this morning. Couldn’t buy more as simply not enough different staff on the checkouts to get away with it. I had been checking fairly regularly and almost exactly 2hrs later I noticed they were now activated. Bought 2 lots of 4x$250 at store 2 which were paid for using the cards from store 1 plus my CC.

My experience is that the timeframe can be highly variable. This second lot may take longer than 2hrs. Then again, it may take shorter. Who knows.

 

[Hammando]

Any issue using these cards for the ATO?

Post automatically merged: Oct 20, 2021

Any issue using these cards for the ATO?

 

[Dr Ralph]

At Coles?

I'm now at 3 hours and no activation.

I'm now at 5 hours and no activation.

Post automatically merged: Oct 20, 2021

Any issue using these cards for the ATO?

Post automatically merged: Oct 20, 2021

Any issue using these cards for the ATO?

Limit of 5 per day I believe.

 

[NoName]

I'm now at 5 hours and no activation.

I have just got off the phone to them. Delay is due to the high volume of cards purchased this morning. They are saying anywhere up to 5 hours so hope you are close. My first purchase was at 7:10am right after the store opened so perhaps I beat the rush and was activated in 2hrs.

 

[Pete98765432]

The cards I purchased at 10:36 this morning have just activated.

 

[AdMEL]

Is it still possible to purchase Coles MasterCard Gift Cards using discounted Coles eGift Cards? We were able to do this last time.

Also, how do you (particularly the likes of you Dr Ralph and NoName) keep track of all your gift cards and the amounts remaining on them? And what do you usually use then for?

Thanks.

 

[Dr Ralph]

Is it still possible to purchase Coles MasterCard Gift Cards using discounted Coles eGift Cards? We were able to do this last time.

Also, how do you (particularly the likes of you Dr Ralph and NoName) keep track of all your gift cards and the amounts remaining on them? And what do you usually use then for?

Thanks.

Yes you can use the discounted gift card, as long as the gift card covers the netire amount of the purchase - you cannot split the payment.

I use: https://psc.colesprepaidcards.com.au/ and write the balance on the back of the card with a Sharpie. When down to low amount I put the balance towards bills (prepaying them) or at coles/woolies.

 

[AdMEL]

Yes you can use the discounted gift card, as long as the gift card covers the netire amount of the purchase - you cannot split the payment.

I use: https://psc.colesprepaidcards.com.au/ and write the balance on the back of the card with a Sharpie. When down to low amount I put the balance towards bills (prepaying them) or at coles/woolies.

Thanks for your reply Dr Ralph.

Last time, we were able to use multiple eGift Cards (Suncorp doesn’t offer them in high denomination) to pay for 5 MC gift cards together, at a staffed checkout. At the self serve checkout, I think what you noted is applicable. In fact, even a SIM card counts as a gift card and means you can’t pay with a gift card at self serve checkouts.

I’ve been doing somewhat similar to you, with the addition of a numbers spreadsheet in my phone which is shared with my partner. I just wondered whether there was a better way, as it’s quite time consuming to keep the balance up to date and to use all the small left over amounts.

 

[andye]

Thanks for your reply Dr Ralph.

Last time, we were able to use multiple eGift Cards (Suncorp doesn’t offer them in high denomination) to pay for 5 MC gift cards together, at a staffed checkout. At the self serve checkout, I think what you noted is applicable. In fact, even a SIM card counts as a gift card and means you can’t pay with a gift card at self serve checkouts.

I’ve been doing somewhat similar to you, with the addition of a numbers spreadsheet in my phone which is shared with my partner. I just wondered whether there was a better way, as it’s quite time consuming to keep the balance up to date and to use all the small left over amounts.

Most of my cards I redeem outright at government services/utilities/health insurance.
I try to only have 1 or 2 with any balance running. My health insurance takes balances of over $10 but if they get below $10 I redeem at supermarket.

 

[NoName]

I have just got off the phone to them. Delay is due to the high volume of cards purchased this morning. They are saying anywhere up to 5 hours so hope you are close. My first purchase was at 7:10am right after the store opened so perhaps I beat the rush and was activated in 2hrs.

Seems the delays due to high volume of sales are over. Bought 12 this morning across 3 different stores and all activated immediately.

 

[blacksultan]

I am in a position where I have enough bills for inception not to make much sense (and I like the Amex Edge points too)-in my circumstance, it does feel like a waste of the giftcard's potential

What is this ‘inception ‘ people are referring to ? TIA.

 

[andye]

What is this ‘inception ‘ people are referring to ? TIA.

In short, buying discounted giftcards with discounted giftcards until you get a free one

 

[Jacques Vert]

I'm wondering about the "limit of 5" which comes up from time to time.

I've always kept my purchases of Coles cards to 5 at a time so have never been questioned. But what is the official position?

Is it 5 per person per card (under threat of excommunication), is it 5 per store, is it 5 per day, or is it something else? I'ld just like to know so I can decide how far I want to test the boundaries at my local store(s).

And do those who buy dozens swipe their FlyBuys card for each and every purchase?

 

[Captain Halliday]

I'm all for sharing the knowledge, but perhaps we could do so in a way that doesn't slay the goose.

@Jacques Vert I'll PM you.

 

[Dr Ralph]

But what is the official position?

There isn't one that you'll be able to enforce at every store.

Post automatically merged: Oct 21, 2021

Seems the delays due to high volume of sales are over. Bought 12 this morning across 3 different stores and all activated immediately.

Not for me. 3 hours waiting so far today.