Gift Cards at Supermarkets

[kyle]

Bought another 22 Coles master cards today, took about 10 minutes at self checkout. No problems from staff but did not try to use gift cards to buy them

The staff member at self-checkout actually asked how I was going to pay for the cards.

 

[Dr Ralph]

The staff member at self-checkout actually asked how I was going to pay for the cards.

That's none of their business. It's self check out - not assisted checkout.

 

[andye]

I read it as the assistant wondering how how would kpc afford the cards . I think they do have a case for stopping you using giftcards (though the fact that the tills accept them is a decent argument against IMO)

 

[Cool Cat Phil]

Almost fell over, just got back from the local Woolies who are now selling Jetstar Gift cards in $50 & $100 denominations.
The avid points collectors will no doubt will be watching when these go on offer for some serious double dipping.

 

[Chicken]

That's none of their business. It's self check out - not assisted checkout.

It actually is.

The T&C of Coles gift cards specifically forbids using Coles gift cards to buy gift cards.

Almost fell over, just got back from the local Woolies who are now selling Jetstar Gift cards in $50 & $100 denominations.
The avid points collectors will no doubt will be watching when these go on offer for some serious double dipping.

I wonder how many cards can you use to pay for your ticket?

Also, you need to be careful that you would lose complementary travel insurance provided by your credit card.

 

[whatmeworry]

I used Coles GCs to buy JB GCs recently.

 

[Chicken]

Chicken

I used Coles GCs to buy JB GCs recently.

As mentioned by others, the computer does not have the ability to block you from buying gift cards with gift cards, but the T&C forbids such transactions. It depends on the staff you bump into.

I have been to multiple stores in north west Sydney, everyone watches me pay, human or self check out. If self check out, they watch me pay.

I have also been to a store near the city, and that staff member couldn't care less.

 

[glasszon]

The staff member at self-checkout actually asked how I was going to pay for the cards.

Do the gift card require staff intervention or did they just saw you walking to self-checkout with a bunch of gift cards? If it is the latter I am intending to go around lunch time in CBD, doubt they even have time to check what I am doing during peak hour. So far I bought one as a trial in Box Hill Coles, they actually lock up their mastercard gift cards behind the counter so you can't get them at self-check out :/

 

[andye]

The giftcards need to be approved by the assistant at selfcheckout

 

[Dr Ralph]

Also, you need to be careful that you would lose complementary travel insurance provided by your credit card.

That's irrelevant. There are too many exclusions and limitations to validly rely upon credit card insurance.

The T&C of Coles gift cards specifically forbids using Coles gift cards to buy gift cards.

No that's not true. At least not for all of the gift cards that Coles sells.

And I assume that you mean 'terms' rather than 'terms and conditions' as there are no such things as terms and conditions as I have previously explained. Anyone who understood the law, especially contract law would know this.

But if you aren't prepared to play the game then gift card inception may not be for you.

Despite what some members might have you believe you are permitted to purchase a gift card with another gift card and you wont be breaching any of the terms of a contract as no such terms have been successfully incorporated into your contract at the POS. Terms listed on a website, even if you are directed to them, via a URL on the card itself, are not part of the contract itself and therefore do not bind you. Anyone with even a basic understanding of contract law would know this. These are very well established principles of contract law. If in doubt I invite you to examine cases such as Thornton v Shoe Lane Parking [1971] 2 QB 163 which discusses what is required for 'reasonable notice' in incorporating terms into a contract.

I'm always amazed at how confident someone is that they know the law when they don't have a law degree and/or aren't a lawyer. Trust a lawyer, ignore a bush lawyer. Perhaps I shouldn't be as the worlds also full of people who claim that they can heal you even though they lack any medical knowledge or training. In hindsight, I should use the block member function more frequently.

 

[Dr Ralph]

Do the gift card require staff intervention or did they just saw you walking to self-checkout with a bunch of gift cards? If it is the latter I am intending to go around lunch time in CBD, doubt they even have time to check what I am doing during peak hour. S

The purchase of Coles Mastercards require authorisation. But not supervision of the payment process.

If you're worried my advice would be to use the self checkout area when they are busy and if they are nosy tell them you value your privacy and are offended by them watching you make payment. At the point where they have authorised the transaction the payment method you choose is irrelevant as long as it is a valid form of payment. And using a gift card to purchase another gift card is most definitely a valid form of payment. If in doubt look at some of the details which usually accompany gift cards. They are often something like this:

'treat this card as cash. It cannot be replaced if lost or stolen.'

 

[whatmeworry]

10% OFF Selected Giftcards at Coles next week

• Ultimate Kids (can be use in JB Hifi, Dymocks, Rebel Sport, Amart Sports, ToyRus, BabiesRus)
• BCF
• Best Restaurants
• Best Spas
• Freedom

Limit of 5 Giftcards per transaction.

 

[Chicken]

No that's not true. At least not for all of the gift cards that Coles sells.

You are factually incorrect.

Per "Gift card terms of use"

"These Terms of Use apply to all Gift Cards issued by Coles Group Limited."

"Gift cards cannot be used to purchase gift cards."

But if you aren't prepared to play the game then gift card inception may not be for you.

I don't know what your problem is, the fact is, you cannot use a gift card to buy gift cards. End of story. That's the T&C.

If the staffs who has to approve your transaction at the cash register doesn't care, then sure, pay with your 5% discounted Coles gift card (I have done this myself); but don't expect this to be a right, and don't have a go at the staff if they enforce the rule.

But if you aren't prepared to play the game then gift card inception may not be for you.

If you're worried my advice would be to use the self checkout area when they are busy and if they are nosy tell them you value your privacy and are offended by them watching you make payment.

That is simply unacceptable behavour.

Point 1: They can be nosy while you pay. Having the goods on shelf is not a contract. It is an invite to treat. They can refuse your payment, and they choose not to sell to you, they can ask you to leave. That's the legal side.

Point 2: Is this how you treat people? Even if they are working in retail and earn $14 to $24 per hour? That's simply poor form.

If you have to resort to breaking T&C and abusing retail workers, or anyone here on this forum, then you have a bigger problem than chasing points.

 

[samh004]

The gift cards terms of use seems pretty clear to me.

Some will try be sneaky, some wont, but try not to take things personally just because one member is either good or bad.

I don't want to have to come back in here.

 

[Dr Ralph]

You are factually incorrect.

....

If you have to resort to breaking T&C and abusing retail workers, or anyone here on this forum, then you have a bigger problem than chasing points.

When someone resorts to a personal attack on another members credibility and behaviour I loose all interest in their argument. Thank goodness for the block member option to save me from bush lawyers. Now utalised.

 

[get me outta here]

I don't have access to the Catalogue starting Wednesday, so just wondering if the 'Best Restaurants' is the same as the Fairfax one at WOW this week, did you notice?

10% OFF Selected Giftcards at Coles next week

• Ultimate Kids (can be use in JB Hifi, Dymocks, Rebel Sport, Amart Sports, ToyRus, BabiesRus)
• BCF
• Best Restaurants
• Best Spas
• Freedom

Limit of 5 Giftcards per transaction.

 

[whatmeworry]

I don't have access to the Catalogue starting Wednesday, so just wondering if the 'Best Restaurants' is the same as the Fairfax one at WOW this week, did you notice?

Does this help?

 

[Chicken]

I don't have access to the Catalogue starting Wednesday, so just wondering if the 'Best Restaurants' is the same as the Fairfax one at WOW this week, did you notice?

Are they state based or national?

 

[get me outta here]

Thanks, that works. What's the odds they don't have any in stock, yet again.

Does this help?

 

[albyd]

No MC GCs in any of the stores I looked in today. Short of going exploring (that's true commitment), I don't think I'll be improving on my first day's haul.