Gift Cards at Supermarkets

[Chicken]

That is absolutely correct. Westfield want to kid you into thinking the red card won't work outside Westfield so that you will pay more for the card that apparently does. However they both work in the same way.

Yes and no.

I have tested cards from various mall operators, and they all say accepted inside the mall, but I have used them everywhere random. Well, except there is 1 sushi place near my work at Circular Quay, plus somewhere I forgot, where the EFTPOS terminal actually decline the card.

I am unable to see the pattern at this stage.

 

[WeeWillyWonka]

Random (but semi-relevant) story to this thread...

This morning I purchased 5 x VisaOnly1 cards from Coles. I sometimes feel that I inconvenience staff when they process the transaction, even though it takes less than 2 minutes to complete the sale (must mean I am a conscientious shopper ). I was discussing this fact with the staff member who said that it was a pleasure to process my 5 cards because tomorrow she will have to process 10,000 cards (yes, you read that right) for a customer. This customer has previously made this batch purchase which the staff member said it took her 7 hours to process them all. I jokingly asked if the customer bought her flowers or chocolates as a thank-you for her effort. She replied by saying that all she received was a free coffee - I hope it was an Irish coffee.

 

[cove]

How is it that no one in front of me nor behind me is paying with a gift card at Coles or Woolies check outs.?

 

[SOPOOR]

Random (but semi-relevant) story to this thread...

This morning I purchased 5 x VisaOnly1 cards from Coles. I sometimes feel that I inconvenience staff when they process the transaction, even though it takes less than 2 minutes to complete the sale (must mean I am a conscientious shopper ). I was discussing this fact with the staff member who said that it was a pleasure to process my 5 cards because tomorrow she will have to process 10,000 cards (yes, you read that right) for a customer. This customer has previously made this batch purchase which the staff member said it took her 7 hours to process them all. I jokingly asked if the customer bought her flowers or chocolates as a thank-you for her effort. She replied by saying that all she received was a free coffee - I hope it was an Irish coffee.

I winder if they paid with eGift card?

Surely not

 

[Captain Halliday]

How is it that no one in front of me nor behind me is paying with a gift card at Coles or Woolies check outs.?

The why is irrelevant. Long may it continue!

 

[Coops1]

How is it that no one in front of me nor behind me is paying with a gift card at Coles or Woolies check outs.?

If I am reading your comment correctly......They don’t care. I have given up explaining the virtue of ANY process that gives you cheap/free FF points or discounts. Most can’t be bothered.

 

[cove]

You are quite correct there CH.

 

[CaviAck]

Random (but semi-relevant) story to this thread...

This morning I purchased 5 x VisaOnly1 cards from Coles. I sometimes feel that I inconvenience staff when they process the transaction, even though it takes less than 2 minutes to complete the sale (must mean I am a conscientious shopper ). I was discussing this fact with the staff member who said that it was a pleasure to process my 5 cards because tomorrow she will have to process 10,000 cards (yes, you read that right) for a customer. This customer has previously made this batch purchase which the staff member said it took her 7 hours to process them all. I jokingly asked if the customer bought her flowers or chocolates as a thank-you for her effort. She replied by saying that all she received was a free coffee - I hope it was an Irish coffee.

How is this even possible. I've yet to see a single store stock more than 50 cards let alone 10000!

 

[WeeWillyWonka]

How is this even possible. I've yet to see a single store stock more than 50 cards let alone 10000!

The staff member said the customer called ahead so they could make a special order for that many cards to be available.

 

[CaviAck]

The staff member said the customer called ahead so they could make a special order for that many cards to be available.

Well I guess 1 million dollars plus in turnover will give them bargaining power with merchant fees lol

 

[SOPOOR]

Well I guess 1 million dollars plus in turnover will give them bargaining power with merchant fees lol

I doubt for something like gift cards. Woollies will give you a discount.
In fact I think most stores will put it in the too hard basket or question your motives

 

[Must...Fly!]

How is it that no one in front of me nor behind me is paying with a gift card at Coles or Woolies check outs.?

I have a minimal spend, flick between the two depending on what's on sale and only have an AMEX explorer so have the same points earn anyway. Little to be gained.

 

[CaviAck]

I doubt for something like gift cards. Woollies will give you a discount.
In fact I think most stores will put it in the too hard basket or question your motives

Was thinking more along the lines of why on earth would the store even considering doing such a transaction. As for discounts and time saved, if they really wanted 10000 cards they would've been much better off dealing with someone who specifically deals with visa/mc giftcards. Fees should be significantly cheaper.

 

[SOPOOR]

Was thinking more along the lines of why on earth would the store even considering doing such a transaction. As for discounts and time saved, if they really wanted 10000 cards they would've been much better off dealing with someone who specifically deals with visa/mc giftcards. Fees should be significantly cheaper.

If I could use eGift card I would certainly be willing to buy say 100k of gift cards in one shot as it would save me a lot of hassle and running around

I'd need a safe or bodyguard to guard them though

 

[Dr Ralph]

How is it that no one in front of me nor behind me is paying with a gift card at Coles or Woolies check outs.?

Because most people are idiots

I offered a current AMEX offer of spend $150 and get $30 back to some friends of mine who were buying a fridge at David Jones. They could have saved $300+ on the transaction. They declined.

 

[WeeWillyWonka]

Because most people are idiots

I offered a current AMEX offer of spend $150 and get $30 back to some friends of mine who were buying a fridge at David Jones. They could have saved $300+ on the transaction. They declined.

Did they say why they said no? Love to hear how the other half live.

 

[SOPOOR]

Did they say why they said no? Love to hear how the other half live.

I find most people are like this

You say 5% and they look at you like you have three heads.
For the small proportion that show some interest.
Most are turned off when you mention going online and ordering eGift cards

 

[cove]

With the price of petrol rising I thought folks would like getting a better deal. Nup not happening.

 

[gizzard]

Have Coles heard of money laundering?

Random (but semi-relevant) story to this thread...

This morning I purchased 5 x VisaOnly1 cards from Coles. I sometimes feel that I inconvenience staff when they process the transaction, even though it takes less than 2 minutes to complete the sale (must mean I am a conscientious shopper ). I was discussing this fact with the staff member who said that it was a pleasure to process my 5 cards because tomorrow she will have to process 10,000 cards (yes, you read that right) for a customer. This customer has previously made this batch purchase which the staff member said it took her 7 hours to process them all. I jokingly asked if the customer bought her flowers or chocolates as a thank-you for her effort. She replied by saying that all she received was a free coffee - I hope it was an Irish coffee.

 

[WeeWillyWonka]

Have Coles heard of money laundering?

You're right in thinking this but I didn't probe the story to find out more. It may be legit, may not; who knows without further details.