Woolworths gift card thread

[Happy Dude]

If you are concerned about that I recommend signing up for Revolut for its free single-use card numbers

Good to know. I hadn't had any specific concerns until that dude mentioned that he uses the cards to avoid having websites save his credit card info. He uploads them (where available) to Paypal.

 

[33kft]

I was told a while ago that it was "easier" to use the service desk register to purchase these sorts of cards but a few weeks ago for the Luxury promo, the guy there said just use the self service checkout.

My personal rule is self check out for fixed value cards, service desk for variable. This is based on the silly self check out flow for variable cards which require staff to come and assist twice, at 2 different times.

 

[Amanad78]

I bought 2 at self service which was ok but the staff member had to do multiple approvals, so it took a while.

Bought 2 the next day (different Woolworths), went through the checkout, much quicker.

I have questions about spending them though. I have rates over $500 and rego over $500, can't seem to figure out a way to make it work with split payments online, or even at the post office they rejected paying the bill with a gift card. I added one to Sniip but still can't seem to work it out, they did say some companies don't accept split payments.

Any tip or ideas?

 

[33kft]

even at the post office they rejected paying the bill with a gift card

Do you mean rejected as in the terminal rejected it, or staff did? If staff, don't tell them. I hold the card in my hand, they'll ask a question like "is it a debit or credit card?" and I'll say yes if it's a prepaid MC/Visa or "eftpos card" if it's a prepaid eftpos card, then swipe and do my thing.

That said, one time the post office staffer saw the card face after I swiped and chucked a tantrum, so I'll leave it up to your personal judgement on if it's the right thing to do or not - to my knowledge there is no specific rule against using gift cards at auspost, but staff seem to apply their own opinions. The txn had already gone through in my case so there was nothing she could do except rave at me that "gift cards are for buying... things" to which I told her I'd just bought some tax and thanks for the heads up.

I don't go to that P/O anymore. I have found a friendlier one that doesn't care what card I swipe, as long as I pay. Another potentially helpful detail is that my friendly PO is a newsagency franchisee and not an auspost run outlet, and I find that makes a significant difference in friendliness and resourcefulness.

 

[Amanad78]

Do you mean rejected as in the terminal rejected it, or staff did? If staff, don't tell them. I hold the card in my hand, they'll ask a question like "is it a debit or credit card?" and I'll say yes if it's a prepaid MC/Visa or "eftpos card" if it's a prepaid eftpos card, then swipe and do my thing.

That said, one time the post office staffer saw the card face after I swiped and chucked a tantrum, so I'll leave it up to your personal judgement on if it's the right thing to do or not - to my knowledge there is no specific rule against using gift cards at auspost, but staff seem to apply their own opinions. The txn had already gone through in my case so there was nothing she could do except rave at me that "gift cards are for buying... things" to which I told her I'd just bought some tax and thanks for the heads up.

I don't go to that P/O anymore. I have found a friendlier one that doesn't care what card I swipe, as long as I pay. Another potentially helpful detail is that my friendly PO is a newsagency franchisee and not an auspost run outlet, and I find that makes a significant difference in friendliness and resourcefulness.

The thing is though is that the value of the card is $500 but the bill I need to pay is more than that so can I just ask them to charge $500 to that card and then pay the extra with another card?

They also said credit card couldn't be used to pay the bill (this was rates), she showed me a list of payment options on the screen and credit card wasn't an option. The other bill is for rego and even Sniip said that can't be a split payment :-(

 

[andye]

AP won't accept credit for bills. Many have homemade signs saying no giftcards. Some but not all Eftpos cards work there if you are subtle. No problem splitting

 

[MooTime]

I use the prepaid master cards from Coles for my rates. Pay online, put put in what amount to pay (amount of prepaid card) and goes thru in couple days. Pay remainging odd balance with credit card. As I hate coughty amounts left on prepaid / gift cards etc.
Pre paid visa same deal.

 

[Brissy1]

Supermarket busy bodies. I don't understand their motivations. Is it just a power trip? I can't imagine the higher-ups give a hoot.

I purchased 2x $500 Vanilla MC the other day and the cashier recognised me as a repeat customer and didn't make any noise about it.

I keep reading here that supermarkets in the major cities often run out of these cards and that people hide them. I've never had this issue in Newcastle. I don't think that many people play the points game here. They do run out near the end of the promo, though

AFF Meetup:
Newcastle, Wednesday, Date tba by Woolies.

 

[Brissy1]

The thing is though is that the value of the card is $500 but the bill I need to pay is more than that so can I just ask them to charge $500 to that card and then pay the extra with another card?

They also said credit card couldn't be used to pay the bill (this was rates), she showed me a list of payment options on the screen and credit card wasn't an option. The other bill is for rego and even Sniip said that can't be a split payment :-(

Rates - I select "credit" so if your council doesn't accept cr cards (bizarre) then no go I suppose. However yesterday I paid rates over-the-counter (council office opposite Woolworths centre), ¼ly rates $770 used 2x$500 ($500+$270 was also an option) now in credit with council. Done same online in syd, no issues but got a ph call from council accounts querying why I was overpaying.

Rego: in qld no, has to be full amount on one card, same rule online and over-the-counter.

 

[NoName]

Rego: in qld no, has to be full amount on one card, same rule online and over-the-counter.

I have managed to split payments over the counter at TMR previously. Used 4x $100 prepaid Mastercards with the balance on my CC from memory. It wasn’t exactly well received but was allowed all the same.