Gift Cards from Private Seller Help

bwatt72 on 19/04/2016 - 12:34

How safe is it buying gift cards private and not from store.
Looking to make a purchase and going to save a bit on gift cards seller has.
He is willing to meet at that store but what are the risks if any?

Or what should i ask from him or require before handing over money?

I was worried that if he copied down details he could then before i use the credit use online but im told he cant as needs pin which you scratch off.
I suppose i need to make sure expire date is not soon but most importantly make sure the funds are there.

Whats best method to check this?

Why would we meet in that store where gift cards are purchased from it was mentioned by seller so agreed?
Is this he can request a balance there and then?
Some say get receipt? Why or how im not the owner of cards seller is.
And say we did this in store he shows me the amount in cards i hand him the money is it possible for him to then call a number and say his cards are lost or stolen?
Which means he has my money as well as canceling the cards and his being replaced or is this not possible?
Are gift cards loaded with funds if lost or stolen as good as cash if lost say tough nothing you can do.

I know im being a bit paranoid but i am spending a bit on them and and your never sure these days what some will do.

So thought i ask a few questions on here.

I maybe able to use gift cards right away in that store but will still have credit left so even if my main purchase was sorted would still need to protect my other Crédit left.

Thanks

General Discussion

Comments

  • spackbace on 19/04/2016 - 12:39

    1 thing to keep in mind is that if you have a need for a refund at any stage for that product, the store will provide it via the same means as payment. IE if you need a refund, they will refund you by gift card.

    So make sure the saving is worth it. I'd be expecting minimum 15% discount on the value of the gift cards.

    • bwatt72 on 19/04/2016 - 14:13

      I had been planning on using them pretty soon if not right away and im getting 10% off the value.i will have a bit of credit left over which im sure or hope i may find something else to use with it but ideally wished the remaining credit was for another store as they have the other item i want.i have basically had the store price match another store and got a little off as well and still have a bjt of credit left over for still less than what than store im gettibg gift cards for currently sells it for.
      So saving heaps on price match and a little bit more off and getting 10% off from seller.
      Just i be left with credit ideally would have loved to have had in another store but no worries as plenty to buy from that store if wanted.

  • kawinuyo on 19/04/2016 - 13:06

    Pretty sure you can't call and say gift cards are stolen. On the back of most of them or the paper card they come on it says treat this card like cash and it will not be replaced if you lose it.

    I would suggest that if you are going ahead with it to meet him at the store, before you pay him check using the gift card's online checking system using net browser on phone to make sure there are actually funds on the gift cards before handing over your cash. The website for checking card balance should be on the back of the gift card.

    • Ihhdle on 20/04/2016 - 09:43
      +1

      A few years ago my purse was stolen and I had two $500 gift cards in it. I contacted the gift card company (not the retailer), and with a penalty of something like 5%, I was able to have them cancelled and re-issued. I had purchased the gift cards in the first place, and from my purchase history they knew the numbers on the card and were able to check the balance.

  • bwatt72 on 19/04/2016 - 13:55

    I just looked on the stores website says enter card number and pin to check funds i thought the pin was hidden had to be scratched off?
    Or is this another pin?

  • bobbified on 19/04/2016 - 14:02

    I just wouldn't buy a gift card off a random stranger..

    If the difference in the card value and the selling price was too big, I'd be worried that there's something dodgy about it.
    If the discount wasn't very much, it's not worth the hassle.

    The value of the card itself isn't the only thing you should be worried about. For eg, could the gift card have been purchased with a stolen credit card?

    If you have already have something in mind that you want to buy, instead of going to check the value, you could perhaps just buy it on the spot and give the cash to the seller.

    Do you mind telling us how much it is and how much it's being sold for?

    • bwatt72 on 19/04/2016 - 14:21

      Would rather not say but its a lot buying a tv and getting 10% off cost.
      And how would i know its been used with a stolen card?
      Would this matter? As gift card from seller already owns it so what can happen if i then did.
      I just thought im saving more by getting these in other words have a good bit of credit left over which pretty much is free credit on what i be paying for my item.

      • spackbace on 19/04/2016 - 14:26
        +3

        Gonna go out on a limb and assume it's the JB's cards listed on Gumtree, just note that the seller has had these listed since early December. If it's the same cards (2x $999) I wouldn't be buying them at advertised price, but that's just me. They've had them up for sale for 5 months…, that's easy negotiation fodder!

        On 2nd thought… I'd run a mile, if these are the ones you're after:

        http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/rockingham/other-electronics-…
        http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/rockingham/other-phones/jb-hi…
        http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/rockingham/other-tv-dvd-playe…

        Same pictures, same asking prices, 3 different Gumtree accounts used, 2 different phone numbers between the 3 accounts.

        Not worth it for a 10% saving.

        Also avoid this person:
        http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-seller/Rochelle/1012675241

        Looks like she steals things!

        • bobbified on 19/04/2016 - 14:31
          +1

          I think you might be onto something - OP and seller of those cards are both in Perth.

        • spackbace on 19/04/2016 - 14:32
          +1

          @bobbified:

          Lol such is generally required for 2 people to buy things face-to-face ;)

          That's not what I was saying!

        • bobbified on 19/04/2016 - 14:36
          +1

          @Spackbace:

          I'm not suggesting or saying that the OP and gift card seller are one and the same people.
          I'm saying that you might be right in that the cards that the OP are referring to are the same ones you've linked from gumtree :p

        • bwatt72 on 19/04/2016 - 14:37

          Not from gumtree

        • spackbace on 19/04/2016 - 14:37

          @bobbified:

          Ah k :) Lost in translation on the interwebz :P

        • spackbace on 19/04/2016 - 14:38

          @bwatt99:

          Even more intriguing then, what's the source? Facebook Buy & Sell, eBay? That's about the only other 2 I can think of

        • bonezAU on 19/04/2016 - 14:45
          +3

          I sent a message to one of those top 3 expressing my interest in buying one of the jb-hifi gift cards, will let you know what sort of scam they are running if they get back to me.

          I have no intention of buying of course.

        • Spending2Much on 20/04/2016 - 04:11

          Now coming up as sold…
          Maybe someone did snap up the bargain after all..ha ha

        • spackbace on 20/04/2016 - 10:12

          @albanyson:

          Interesting!

          Wait, nope

          Relisted!

          http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/rockingham/other-electronics-…

          But you know, he's in no rush to sell…LOL!

      • bobbified on 19/04/2016 - 14:34

        I'm bringing up the idea of stolen credit cards because I've seen people use them (or cards that have had their details swiped) to buy gift cards with the intention to on-sell those to unsuspecting buyers.

        I'm not sure what the implications are, but they are traceable if you buy a big ticket item where you have to write down your name and address at the time of purchase.

        • treeman on 20/04/2016 - 12:46
          +4

          I would say there is a 90% chance that anything with that kind of value from Rockingham or anywhere in Perth is likely to be purchased with stolen credit cards.

          I purchased a bunch from this seller in Rockingham 2 years ago. He is probably at it again or another one of his mates.

          They were ticketek gift cards and I used them fine but when I wanted to attend the event I was not allowed in due to being paid with stolen credit cards.
          Got the police involved but they couldn't do a lot as he was denying and saying he purchased the gift cards in good faith.

          Be very very careful, I personally would no longer buy any gift cards from private sellers.

  • bwatt72 on 19/04/2016 - 15:00
    +5

    Yep you got me guys i have now changed my mind not going ahead with it just bad vibes about it all and just did not take it in three accounts different numbers etc looks even more dodge when i think about it now.

    • bobbified on 19/04/2016 - 15:11

      So it was those cards that Backspace was referring to? lol

      To be honest, 10% isn't that much. If the TV you're wanting to buy is worth close to $2000, it won't be too hard to negotiate a discount like that.

      • bwatt72 on 19/04/2016 - 15:24

        Yes but I can never get enough discount,how you guys guessed I'm not sure as never gave too much away.
        I have already got.a saving with a price match on another store but I want it as cheap as possible just thought with these I could get a extra something but just had a strange vide over it.

        • ronnknee on 02/05/2016 - 15:43

          Didn't you say "Not from gumtree" or were you lying?

    • spackbace on 19/04/2016 - 15:49
      +3

      My detective work amazes me sometimes :P

      Just strange that the original listing has had like 400 views, a couple of offers, and yet they're still up for sale…

      Probably just best avoided to be honest

      • bwatt72 on 19/04/2016 - 16:07

        That's what I thought maybe get a good deal for them due to having so long but would not come any less than 10% says he has no rush to sell them and will not let go for less,I find also hard why someone would have so much in jb hifi in gift cards unless it was something he got refunded in with credit etc

        • [Deactivated] on 19/04/2016 - 16:11

          It could be from an insurance payout and he decided to restock with goods from another store.

        • bwatt72 on 19/04/2016 - 16:16

          @pointscrazy:

          Yes but why three gumtree accounts and several numbers

        • [Deactivated] on 19/04/2016 - 16:41

          @bwatt99:

          Sorry, I can't explain that one. I don't know enough about how gumtree works (and doesn't work in some cases).

        • bobbified on 19/04/2016 - 21:13

          @pointscrazy:

          I've never had an insurance payout before.. but do they pay in gift cards?

        • [Deactivated] on 19/04/2016 - 22:29

          @bobbified:

          I've heard reports of this before but no personal experience. I think there have been threads on OzBargain discussing the idea. I guess some insurance companies want people to choose their replacement goods but don't want the hasssle of paying specific invoices and just give a gift card for a company with suitable replacement items.

        • treeman on 20/04/2016 - 12:47

          @pointscrazy:

          Definitely not the old insurance company gift card. Extremely unlikely.

  • [Deactivated] on 20/04/2016 - 07:43

    Just type "gift card scam" into Google.
    It's a bag of worms.

  • JIMB0 on 20/04/2016 - 12:57

    Probably bought with a stolen credit card. 10% off isn't worth the risk when JB cards are regulary on sale for 7.5% off through legitimate channels, current rate is 6% on API rewards.

    • bwatt72 on 20/04/2016 - 15:38

      So what are the risks with a stolen card?

    • bwatt72 on 20/04/2016 - 15:39

      Api rewards whats that? No 7.5% deals on?

  • ronnknee on 02/05/2016 - 15:38

    You sound too paranoid. Maybe buying gift cards from strangers isn't the best option for you.

  • HoneyComb on 02/05/2016 - 18:31
    +3

    Hi there. I sell Gift cards Online on Gumtree So i Can offer you some advice. I do not have any gift cards in stock at the moment so do not PM me.

    I understand there is a High scam rate with Gift cards and since I am a legitimate seller. This is how I operate to Make sure my customers Know They are dealing with a Legitimate seller.

    1 - ALWAYS Meet the Gift card Seller in the store of the Gift card. If the seller Refuses to do this. They are a scammer.
    2 - I ALWAYS get the store to Validate the gift card Infront of both me and the Buyer. If the seller refuses to do this before you pay. They are a Scammer.
    3 - I Do not ask for any money or payment Until The gift cards Have been Validated by the store. If the Seller asks for Money before letting you check it. They are a scammer.
    4 - Do not Purchase Gift cards that are Posted to you in the Mail. If you want it Posted it to you. Purchase it directly from the store.
    5 - Do not purchase Gift cards from people who ask bank deposit or any deposit.
    6 - Do not Purchase Gift cards from people in Remote Locations or those not living in your city. That is how Gumtree scams work. They post the location somewhere in the middle of nowhere so Buyers will request it to be Posted. Do not do this. Stick to Buying gift cards from the City you live in where you could meet the person.

    Points Number 1, 2 and 3 is how I operate as a GC seller to Make my buyers feel comfortable that they are not being scammed.

    If you want to Purchase something Straight away with the GIft card. Please Make sure you know what you want down to the Brand, Make and Model and you do not spend 30 minutes trying to pick out what you want to Buy because I had a Paranoid Buyer who did this to me. Even though I met them in the store, Got store to validate the gift cards and everything. The buyer was so Paranoid. Buyer kept telling me that there was nothing to stop me from Cancelling the Gift cards once i went home so I gave the buyer the option to purchase something on the spot. Well………. 1 hour later……. I was still in the store while the Buyer was finalizing his Purchase so If you want to purchase something straight. Please have it picked out in Advanced so you don't make the seller wait an hour for you while you go shopping.

    RANT AHEAD! I had a couple Unsold $50 Hoyts Gift cards and a couple Unsold $50 Dymocks Gift cards that where Near Expire that I wanted Post as a Giveaway on Ozbargain but Unfortunately to be able to Post a giveaway on Ozbargain. You have to be a member for over 12 months. I tried asking Mods for help because I thought what better way to give them away on Ozbargain. Unfortunately the Mods where not able to help me so you all can thank the really weird and stupid Ozbargain rule of not letting Newbies post giveaways and freebies. Because of this rule. You all have missed out on several free $50 gift cards to hoyts and Dymocks. I don't plan on Posting any giveaways on Ozbargain in the future as the rules has deterred me from doing so. I tried to post it. Even contacted mods about it and got turned down so I'll be giving them away elsewhere where they are wanted and Appreciated.

    I do not have any gift cards in stock at the moment so do not PM me.

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