Qantas FF and Woolworths create new loyalty alliance

[drron]

No where has woolies said they will stop accepting CC's.

They are stopping the use of Debit Visa's which by their very nature are linked to savings accounts.

If you have CC's you can still use them so I see no problem.

ejb

So Channel 7 in Tasmania has got it wrong on the news tonight-I guess not surprising.They did mention credit cards.

 

[ejb]

So Channel 7 in Tasmania has got it wrong on the news tonight-I guess not surprising.They did mention credit cards.

All woolies are doing is stopping the use of the credit button on debit cards.

CC's are still being accepted as usual.

ejb

 

[medhead]

I think you'll find that Woolies actually get paid by the banks when they process an EFTPOS transaction.

It is to Woolies, they do not have an interest in either financially , only in lowering business costs.

Its not in Woolworths interest to see two networks become one, basic business common sense, they will continue to rob Peter to pay Paul so to speak and throw tidbits the way of the underdog. So yes, I am ignoring your speculation based on media reports, if Woolies did have a financial interest is seeing one payment processing mob get up it would be much more interesting, Bunnings anyone

For a start they don't have to have own eftpos to get a finanicial interest. My contention is they are getting paid per transaction (and it's is not just me) because eftpos are trying to increase the use of their system. That equals a financial reason for woolworths to make the move.

It would also be a big deal to woolies if the eftpos network failed. Then they would be stuck with only one payment processing network. A second reason for woolworths to take action to support the lesser used network.

Not to mention that at least according to News Corp, Woolworths does have an interest in eftpos.

Woolworths sees savings in EFTPOS | Herald Sun

EPAL is majority-owned by Australian banks and credit unions, while Woolworths and Coles have minor holdings.

Similar information appears in wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EFTPOS

 

[Reggie]

All woolies are doing is stopping the use of the credit button on debit cards.

CC's are still being accepted as usual.

ejb

As I have posted earlier, the Woolworths and Woolworthsz Liquor that I went to on Friday are not accepting credit cards. It was not a debit visa.

 

[ejb]

As I have posted earlier, the Woolworths and Woolworthsz Liquor that I went to on Friday are not accepting credit cards. It was not a debit visa.

I am in PER at the moment and went shopping yesterday at woolies Bentley. Accepted Plat Amex without hesitation.

It has been reported in the media that they have stopped taking the debit cards.

It would be stupid for them to have a Visa Card themselves and not take credit cards.

ejb

 

[Reggie]

I am in PER at the moment and went shopping yesterday at woolies Bentley. Accepted Plat Amex without hesitation.

It has been reported in the media that they have stopped taking the debit cards.

It would be stupid for them to have a Visa Card themselves and not take credit cards.

ejb

I didn't shop yesterday, but Rockingham on Friday, platinum citibank visa certainly didn't work. I slide the card through the slot and it offered only cheque or savings.

I had also read it would only effect debit visa cards.

 

[ejb]

I didn't shop yesterday, but Rockingham on Friday, platinum citibank visa certainly didn't work. I slide the card through the slot and it offered only cheque or savings.

I had also read it would only effect debit visa cards.

I guess it was a read error.

It would be all over the media if woolies stopped taking credit cards and as a provider of credit cards it would be very strange.

ejb

 

[odysseus]

It would be stupid for them to have a Visa Card themselves and not take credit cards.

They already have a gift card but have stopped taking other gift/credit cards.

Not that I'd predict they'd do this, but the above isn't an argument against it.

 

[ejb]

They already have a gift card but have stopped taking other gift/credit cards.

Not that I'd predict they'd do this, but the above isn't an argument against it.

IIRC they have never taken prepaid visa cards as the cost is very high and fraud levels also high.

They have always taken their own gift cards but never Westfield gift cards, again the cost is high.

ejb

 

[ejb]

I just found this on woolworths.com.au

Long but will clear up this debate.

Contrary to some media reports, Woolworths Limited has not banned and has not started surcharging for the use of Visa Debit and MasterCard Debit cards in its stores.

Woolworths Limited will continue to accept Visa Debit and MasterCard Debit cards at all stores within the retail group across Australia.

The only change for customers using Visa Debit and MasterCard Debit cards will soon be the need to press either the ‘cheque’ or ‘savings’ buttons to access their funds through the Australian-owned EFTPOS network, rather than the international credit card network.

EFTPOS provides a trusted, safe and secure method of payment. Customers will need to ensure they know their PIN to access their funds via the cheque or savings buttons.

Credit cards will not be impacted by this change and customers will still be able to select ‘credit’ when using a credit card.

Regardless of which button customers press they still access the same bank account. The change, which is likely to only affect less than 1% of Woolworths’ customers, will be introduced progressively across stores in the Woolworths group.

Frequently asked Questions
Q. Is Woolworths still accepting Credit Cards?
A. Absolutely, we accept all Credit Cards

Q. Which cards are affected by this change?
A. ONLY Visa Debit or MasterCard Debit cards which debit funds directly from your cheque or savings account.
Q. What is changing?
A. Previously customers had the option of selecting Cheque, Savings or Credit when paying for their shopping. From 5th May 2010 you will still be able to use these cards however you will need to select Cheque or Savings and use a PIN.

Q. Do I need to do anything different?
A. You will need to know and use your PIN to finalise the transaction. You will no longer be able to sign for the transaction.

Q. My bank says I must always press Credit [CR].
A. Regardless of which button you press you still access your own bank account. You can still use your card to access these funds at Woolworth's.

Q. Will there be a charge for this transaction?
A. Woolworths does not charge you any fees for paying for your shopping regardless of how you choose to pay. If your bank charges fees, you should discuss this with your bank.

Q. Why is Woolworths making this change?
A. Costs associated with processing these cards through the Credit Network are high and unnecessary. By making this change Woolworths can reduce costs which are then passed on to all customers through lower shelf prices.

Q. I do not know my [PIN] for my Scheme Debit card, what should I do?
A. If you contact your bank they can issue you with a [PIN] for your card to allow you to continue to use it at Woolworth's stores. If you use your card to withdraw funds at an [ATM] then it is the same [PIN] when instore.

ejb

 

[samh004]

Seems pretty clear. I only use my debit for online purchases as I can’t apply for a CC, so no change to me or anyone I know… well… other than a few members here

 

[markis10]

300 pts for $60 Meat this week (or a 12c voucher)

 

[Flashback]

I am in PER at the moment and went shopping yesterday at woolies Bentley. Accepted Plat Amex without hesitation.

It has been reported in the media that they have stopped taking the debit cards.

It would be stupid for them to have a Visa Card themselves and not take credit cards.

ejb

Also had no probs yesterday with Plat Amex @ Woolies Vic Park.

 

[serfty]

I didn't shop yesterday, but Rockingham on Friday, platinum citibank visa certainly didn't work. I slide the card through the slot and it offered only cheque or savings.

I had also read it would only effect debit visa cards.

I am gessing here your Citibank has been caught up in the wash and the acquirer code relating to it is being considered by woollies systems to be a debit.

I would be contacting Woolworths forthwith.

Woolworths | The Fresh Food People | Contact

 

[thewinchester]

I am gessing here your Citibank has been caught up in the wash and the acquirer code relating to it is being considered by woollies systems to be a debit.

I would be contacting Woolworths forthwith.

Woolworths | The Fresh Food People | Contact

Better, and more direct contact is Woolworths' Group Financial Services unit:
gfsoperations (at) woolworths (dot) com (dot) au, CC'ing the message to Belinda Santoro (company email format is FirstinitialSurname (at) woolworths (dot) com (dot) au.

These are the vile people at WW responsible for the changes, and managing the volumes of irate feedback being received I have since found out.

 

[ejb]

...These are the vile people at WW responsible for the changes,....

For such a small change you are showing a lot of hatred towards these people who are just doing their job. Employees are meant to increase the bottom line of a company, that is how we stay in business.

In my post above from the website it clearly outlines why they are changing and I think they are being very open about it. They could have blamed "technical errors" and moved on but they came to the public with the reason behind the change and I can see no reason to get worked up about it.

ejb

ps. I don't, nor do any of my family, work for WW and I don't even own shares directly in them.

 

[thewinchester]

For such a small change you are showing a lot of hatred towards these people who are just doing their job.

Sorry, such a brain fart of a day I didn't add a sarcastic smiley at the end of that. Brain will curl up and die now.

 

[odysseus]

IIRC they have never taken prepaid visa cards as the cost is very high and fraud levels also high.

Yet fraud is guaranteed by the operator as long as the merchant complies with procedures, and is something many other stores including majors have not had a problem with.

The reason is the same as this change, to cut their costs. They bet that stopping people paying with a gift card will not reduce their sales.

I just found this on woolworths.com.au

"Q. Is Woolworths still accepting Credit Cards?
A. Absolutely, we accept all Credit Cards"

<cough, cough> As per above, clearly untrue. (Woolworths' claim, not ejb's)

 

[Mal]

Qantas has just reminded me to activate the Everyday Rewards card they posted me:

A friendly reminder
We recently sent you a Woolworths Everyday Rewards card in the mail to help you earn Qantas Frequent Flyer points on your shopping. However, we've noticed you haven't started earning points yet so we wanted to make sure you don't miss out.
If you'd like to earn points at participating Woolworths Group stores, all you need to do is pop the card in your wallet and present it at a participating Woolworths Group store before 31 May 2010*.
If you no longer have the Everyday Rewards card we sent you, simply pick up a new one at any participating store and visit qantas.com/easylink

 

[samh004]

Wish they’d send me a personalised card

Got a Big W email today about buying select products to get a 100-point bonus. The best offer looked to be a 5-piece Pyrex set for $25.