Gift Cards at Supermarkets

[JessicaTam]

With Bunnings being pricey and with you in Melbourne I would go to Costco to see what stock they have first. You may as well save a real chunk.
I will be visiting a Costco store in about 9 weeks in Los Angeles.
Bunnings have dropped about 700 vendors from their range so if you cannot find your favourite items go to the other guys to get it.

I am not quite sure of the comparison. Bunnings are a hardware store whereas Costco stock food and general merchandise. I am a member of Costco, but it is a 40 minute drive away, compared to 5 minutes for Bunnings.

 

[serfty]

I am not quite sure of the comparison. Bunnings are a hardware store whereas Costco stock food and general merchandise. I am a member of Costco, but it is a 40 minute drive away, compared to 5 minutes for Bunnings.

I am often surprised by what type of product costco Oz sells that may also be available at stores like Bunnings.

Will Ringwood Make a difference to that 40 minutes? (Opens Nov 20th Costco Ringwood - Corner Bond & Market Streets, Ringwood VIC)

 

[JessicaTam]

I am often surprised by what type of product costco Oz sells that may also be available at stores like Bunnings.

Will Ringwood Make a difference to that 40 minutes? (Opens Nov 20th Costco Ringwood - Corner Bond & Market Streets, Ringwood VIC)

Unfortunately not. I am in the western suburbs.

I do visit Costco from time to time when passing (as it is just off CityLink), but rarely does anything jump out.

 

[asterix]

First stop had none...

Coles at Epping, NSW had lots of $50 and $100 "Visa Only 1" gift cards yesterday.

 

[JessicaTam]

Hardly Normal has 2 for 1 $20 iTunes cards tomorrow (Sat) from 10am-12 noon. 1 (pair) per customer.

 

[zinkle]

Yes they are accepted in America and everywhere else. Costco had 2 suitcases for $89.95 US that an Australian retailer had for over $400 AUD. Costco rely on annual membership subs and based on the suitcases you can recover that charge in 5 minutes.

Adding to the Costco AU/US discussion - while the AU cards work for purchases in the warehouse, they don't work at the Costco "gas"/petrol stations which was a bit of a bummer on our last road trip there (Oct '12) as they were cheaper than other outlets. It was a system that you have to swipe/insert your membership card to get the fuel from the bowser, but the AU Costco Card didn't work. IIRC the US Costco card has a chip similar to the ones seen on the newer visa/mastercards

 

[cove]

I had never tried to buy gas at Costco so I did not know that. I tend to support the full service guys over the road as they check the tyres ,check the oil and clean the windscreen and I put the premium fuel in to give the hire car a real shock.
If I am going to drive at about 80 miles an hour on the Californian freeways I hope that helps.

 

[zinkle]

Getting way off topic! Another oddity for us in buying gas was that when we refuelled after hours (11pm) at a "closed" gas station, we could get it by swiping the credit card and entering your zip code at the bowser. Hit and miss with AU credit card and 4 digit postcode. I can't remember which worked - using 4 digit postcode or 6 digit zip code where we were staying. Didn't get full service from any gas stations while we were over there.

 

[DeKa]

Coles at Epping, NSW had lots of $50 and $100 "Visa Only 1" gift cards yesterday.

I should have posted back. I found heaps elsewhere and bought enough one at a time to meet my requirements

The $10 vouchers expire in 32 or 33 days from purchase.

 

[Flight777]

I should have posted back. I found heaps elsewhere and bought enough one at a time to meet my requirements

The $10 vouchers expire in 32 or 33 days from purchase.

Is there any purchase fee associated with these "visa only 1" cards?

 

[DeKa]

Is there any purchase fee associated with these "visa only 1" cards?

Yes, $5.95, but you get a $10 Coles voucher as markis10 said.

 

[Shanye2233]

Not having much luck with the visa1 cards. I went to 3 coles today & only one store had them. I got all 12 of them started buying them one at a time and I asked if they had any more . The operator turned to his manager and asked if there's any more and she said stop right there . How many cards are you buying I said "the lot". She goes your not buying all those on credit card I said yes I am , she asks me for ID I gave her my licence then she says your only buying 4 that's it . I have been told to accept large amounts with people using credit cards. Had a tiny argument (tiny for me, life changing for her) and I left the store . I think my ripped trackie maybe gave her the idea I couldn't afford to pay my bills.

Anyeay i I later called the store and the manager said he would have done the same thing . It raises alarm bells in his head when I'm buying multiple transactions at $50 . I was happy to know there's someone out there more stupider then me.

 

[Mal]

Well purchasing large numbers of gift cards is a suspicious activity. Even more so when you direct them that you want them in individual transactions. (good way to cash out stolen credit cards).
Any retailer can set a limit on what you can buy.

 

[pauly7]

I was happy to know there's someone out there more stupider then me.

More stupid even

 

[get me outta here]

More stupid even

I like more stupider too.

 

[quokka77]

I would feel superior, but unfortunately I've been buying them too, so I'm not judging. Not 12 at a time though -- maybe I should have...

Stay classy Shanye -- do you rock the ripped tracksuit in the J lounge too?

Back on topic... I think the time / petrol cost in this hobby may be greater than the reward.

 

[rainbowgirl]

I bought 2 at two different times. I guess I could have purchased more but I wasn't sure exactly how many transactions I was going to do before the expiry date of the $10 coupon. The staff members didn't really have a clue how the visa cards worked or what the current promotion was. The voucher printed okay both times. I just hope the barcode doesn't get damaged before I have a chance to use the coupon/docket deal.

 

[Mal]

It isn't all beer and skittles. There are similar games to play in the UK, and it can go wrong. (Currently battling over £75 of cards which failed to activate but were charged)

 

[rainbowgirl]

It isn't all beer and skittles. There are similar games to play in the UK, and it can go wrong. (Currently battling over £75 of cards which failed to activate but were charged)

I see what you mean. I've never had much luck with pre paid credit cards and eftpos cards. I've had to chase them up with the providers lots of times when the cards haven't activated properly. I hope the cards I have work properly. That's one of the reasons I kept myself to only two cards. The good news is that during the transaction I saw a notation on the register screen to say that the cards were being processed so I this might indicate that things will work.

 

[Mal]

These were the first cards to go (seriously) wrong, and I have spent a *lot* on similar cards recently. It is amazing how satisfied my staff are seeing I give away cards as staff rewards(running joke). Anyway all will work out. Next step is charge back. If that fails then I will just cop the loss I think.