Westfield XS card

[penegal]

you are both very lucky. The ol' community spirit!

Absolutely. It is very hard to find/build that community spirit these days.


A different AusPost, the one near my office in Melbourne's CBD is like dealing with robots, no customer service at all.

 

[d00dz]

On my dec form of my country it says postbillpay will not longer be accepted at ripoffpostalsystemsofaustralia. hmmm

 

[coles525]

Purchased more cards at concierge, they now say that if ir / they are over $500, they need to print a second receipt and write your licence number...

I queried this, (staff couldn't do anything as boss wasn't there, then made phone contact, when told about licence).

In the end it was done, without boss there.

Was told they keep name/licence reciept until official bank / cc authorisation is complete.

Anyone else had this occur?

Also has anyone been questioned as to why you want so many / large amount? ie: over $500.

 

[Joshua]

Different Westfields have different policies. At Chermside & Carindale (QLD) they circle the PIN number in texta, and do ask for DL. In SA they don't but I give it to them anyway. Possibly depends on how you pay, with Amex I can't pin/must sign - so that could be a good time to ask for DL.

I've been asked many times casually why/who in the past, good to practice your storytelling skills. If they're curious it's mostly self-interest. Giving to relatives or employees works, yesterday I see (truthfully) I overpaid my credit card and needed to use the excess funds. I've always found the Westfield customer service fantastic, something needed on the aviation side.

Now, purchasing gift cards in the many thousands of dollars from DSE, Big W and particularly Woolworths - now that's a different story

 

[deejo77]

Westfield Garden City took licence details today, same CSO as I had last week I think I might need to go for a drive to Carindale during the week. I have a feeling this hole is going to get stopped very quick.

 

[serfty]

10 days ago, an on line order for a $995 card resulted in an email (manual) asking for scans D/L and a utilities bill showing the address.

Duly provided and the card arrived the next day.

 

[bluenics]

Great thread all - at first I looked over it but now i'm glad I've taken the time to read it through!

 

[Newk]

First thing is we are doing nothing wrong or shifty. The cards are a commercial proposition for Westfield. Remember it is possible that the people designing this system are smarter than us (Joshua excepted ). Lost cards, expired cards, leftover balances however small, the transaction costs on both sides and many other things will be being monitored by Westfield. Don't worry: they will change it when there is no value in it for them.
Indeed the whole system is a commercial proposition for all parties.
All that said I would suggest that large almost simultaneous transactions may not have been part of the original business plan. So as counselled elsewhere and in private let's all be "fair" about this (yeah, yeah I am leaving open the definition of "fair").

To answer the question. I haven't been asked for any ID. I don't have any problem supplying it if I am asked. I haven't been asked about the purchases but I have started to pre-empt it by being being interested :"how are these things selling? I find them a fantastic way to pay bills without having to carry so much cash or so many credit cards"*
My last purchase the concierge spontaneously said "you don't want these in the packing do you?" She has it under control.

Similarly when I use them to pay bills at the PO I give positive feedback about how wonderful it is that the PO has got into the payments system and that EFTPOS is just so convenient*

*which is entirely true.

 

[Newk]

Westfield Garden City took licence details today, same CSO as I had last week I think I might need to go for a drive to Carindale during the week. I have a feeling this hole is going to get stopped very quick.

what hole?

look at it from their point of view:


These are a fantastic way to pay bills. It is a great way to get people to tramp through Westfield centres. Hands up those who have bought something else while there? I have every time, and had a hair cut once too. Paid by gift card. And the PO is trying to diversify into the payments system. Unless they get into stuff other than the traditional letter delivery they are st....ed.

westfield and the PO should be proud of what is happening here and we should recognise it and help their commercial success.

edit to add: No, I don't live in Westfield centers. There is one near a work place and it's on the way to my parents' place. And nor do I work for any of the interested parties

 

[Austashes]

Used mine XS yesterday to buy lunch from a mobile luch wagon that took EFTPOS - $7.50. Now if I could add up all my cash purchases and attribute them to FF points I will be laughing - some where overseas that is

 

[Newk]

Used mine XS yesterday to buy lunch from a mobile luch wagon that took EFTPOS - $7.50. Now if I could add up all my cash purchases and attribute them to FF points I will be laughing - some where overseas that is

correct. I buy stuff at the pub and coffee shop as well. It's a great way to buy stuff and to pay bills. Let's be positive about this people

 

[Shanye2233]

Seems like a good way to use the XS in places that doesn't accept Amex . Can I use these to pay my hotel bill at check out instead of having to have the cash or get hit with the 1.5% fee?

 

[Cynicor]

The point is that Westfield take Amex but some hairdressers don't. So you can use Amex anywhere, effectively.

 

[DeKa]

The only thing I can see doing this is either buying the XS card online netting velocity and using your credit card netting QF . On average 1,000 velocity and 1,000 QF for about 10 bucks (4.95 for card fee and 5.95 delivery) . If you buy it in store then you can't earn the velocity points and you save $5.95 delivery .

How do you buy $995 XS online? The most I can see online is $200 (and at $200 each, the $4.95 fee is not viable).

 

[Shanye2233]

I have only used my cc (Citibank platinum) at hotels and there is a 1.5% fee this would take that away but what's that like $40 a year ? Nothing exciting.

 

[Newk]

The point is that Westfield take Amex but some hairdressers don't. So you can use Amex anywhere, effectively.

E...X...A...C...T...L...Y!!! thank you


in this case I used a bog standard Westfield gift card rather than the excess one. As part of my knowledge gathering. In effect a small payment for buying a westfield (normal) gift card means that most traders at Westfield become takers of Amex.

You know people who wonder about the value of all this (there isn't much, if any, after time and expenses) aren't accounting for the fun of the exploration for knowledge, the quest for understanding

 

[Newk]

I have only used my cc (Citibank platinum) at hotels and there is a 1.5% fee this would take that away but what's that like $40 a year ? Nothing exciting.

edited

Thanks Shayne

well you should try your ideas and then let us know what happens.

 

[serfty]

How do you buy $995 XS online? The most I can see online is $200 (and at $200 each, the $4.95 fee is not viable).

If you buy the pre-assigned cards you can pay by Visa or M/C (not Amex) and also earn 2 Velocity points per $.

For $995 XS where Amxex can be used look to the top of the Westfield Home page (No velocity points).

 

[Shanye2233]

Yeah $200 is the maximum with the XS gc online . I paid $1030.95 I think for $1000 worth . I got 2k velocity and 1k QF on my cc .
I think a much better deal was at Xmas there was a $10 bonus on every $100 gc (red) and triple points . And it was as simply as walking into Kmart and changing those useless red westfields cards into Coles Myers and away you go !

 

[DeKa]

Yeah $200 is the maximum with the XS gc online . I paid $1030.95 I think for $1000 worth . I got 2k velocity and 1k QF on my cc .

I suppose when you look at it from the perspective that the $4.95 fee buys you 210 Velocity points plus the points on your CC it's not too bad...

A bit annoying having to pay large bills at the PO $200 at a time though.