BigW can't let u buy Gift card by eGift card, and won't allow u to shop then refund

Llihong10 on 20/04/2016 - 21:28

underwood BigW in brisbane logan blocked me to shop in their store cus i intend to refund later.

Area manager and store manager both refuse to let me shopping in BigW and called security to stop me paying for the goods.

in Bigw return policy "BIG W offers returns for Big W Products within 30 days of receipt of shipment"

but they said we have right to stop u shopping in Bigw without any reason.

I called to ur call line 1300 today from 11:39am for 21 mins..

operator said i can buy it then refund within their policy…

but the store manager said 3 times "no no no" to them…

they can't do anything about it…

now

what's "Your rights under Australian consumer law" and "bigW rule"?

why i can't step in Bigw?

why i can't refund?

im not from Australia so not sure the law here

they told me cus too many scammer with previous deal "10% off"

they blocked any form shopping from eGift card

with u use eGift card….u can't refund…..

Food & Grocery

Related Stores

BIG W
BIG W

closed Comments

    • darren870 on 21/04/2016 - 11:06
      +11

      I really hope he is stuck with a lot of useless junk that he has no use for with that $1000.
      Seriously, he is trying defraud Big W and then having a cry it that it doesn't work the way he wants.

      • lihong10 on 21/04/2016 - 17:40
        -2

        i known few other store still let me doing this…

        just curious…

        why this particular manager can do this …

        cus their bigW policy allow me to do it…

        and i did call to their support line

        they sure can do it with refund…

        only this manager …

  • Baysew on 21/04/2016 - 11:12
    +11

    TL;DR BigW has banned OP from store to prevent being scammed.

  • julz15 on 21/04/2016 - 11:30
    +1

    It's a pity there are brodens out there that use Ozbargain deals just to exploit personal gain. OP, buy a entertainment book or work for a company that offers discounted wish gift cards (I.e. 5% off).

  • Cave Fire on 21/04/2016 - 11:38
    -1

    Can't the e-gift cards be used at all Woolworths group stores anyway? Eg There's no need to convert to a Wish card? Anyway, just take the goods to another store or pursue the refund through online customer service.

    • amkssg on 21/04/2016 - 21:30

      WISH gift cards (physical and electronic) and Big W gift card (physical): can be used at woolworths.
      Big W gift card (electronic): can only be used at Big W.

      As to taking goods to another store, I wouldn't advocate that, considering that he is banned from the store.
      (In his own words, they took down his driver's licence details and contact details.)
      Pretty sure he is on BigW's do-not-entertain list.

  • jenkemjunkie on 21/04/2016 - 11:45
    +3

    Sounds like OP was trying to be a hustler and got his card pulled quick!

    They probably have a decent photo of your dumbass in the staff room wall and it's been sent to all the other stores for them to do the same. I know they do this, I was a retail monkey at Woolworths a few years back and I loved looking at all the mugshots taken from store security cams with a little manifesto underneath it. I might go look through my photo, see if I've still got the photos I took of the funny ones and share them here.

    • montorola on 21/04/2016 - 17:50
      +2

      Mate if I find out one of them is me, I'm going to sue you for defamation =p

  • clem0ximus on 21/04/2016 - 11:48
    +2

    A lot of risk and effort for minimum rewards, but like everyone has mentioned, the terms and conditions on the egift card clearly states you cannot buy other gift cards. Buying stuff then returning it for gift card credit is the same thing. All you can do is keep trying other stores until someone with carefactor of close to 0 authorises the return. I would suggest you think these ghetto schemes through the next time you try it.

  • StewBalls on 21/04/2016 - 11:56
    +3

    I'm actually really impressed that the OP managed to get banned from a major department store without the use of lewd/sexualized behaviour of some sort…he must have really been giving them the business…truly inspirational. :)

    • holdenmg on 21/04/2016 - 14:37
      +1

      Well, yes.
      I mean being called a "professional" by Gerry Harvey is tame.

  • ronnknee on 21/04/2016 - 12:13
    +1

    Your post is very unclear but I think I've pieced it together.

    So, you purchased $1000 eGift at 7.5% off. You used it to buy some TV/audio equipment.

    Then you tried to return the TV/audio equipment but they refused.

    Your intention was to convert the eGift to Wish gift card.

    Area manager and store manager both refuse to let me shopping in BigW and called security to stop me paying for the goods.

    Did this happen on the same day and at the same store?

    • fefris on 21/04/2016 - 13:30
      +1

      the Op clearly bought the goods, walked straight to the refund counter (~25000 $1000 TVs) and a smart employee picked them up on it. The manager did the correct thing, the op is sad as they now have 2.5million in $100 gift cards purchased on behalf of an offshore crime ring and are worried that they will have no thumbs by the end of the week if they cannot provide the 7.5% payment…..

      • lihong10 on 21/04/2016 - 17:47
        -2

        they recorded my driving license and phone number…….

        offshore crime ring…blah…think too much…

        • realfancyman on 21/04/2016 - 20:51

          Lol why did you give it to them in the first place?

    • lihong10 on 21/04/2016 - 17:46
      -1

      ya…….all same day……

      i done it before in other store…..

      but this particular BigW..

      won't let me do it..

      so i have to refund in other store..

  • holdenmg on 21/04/2016 - 12:40
    +2

    I don't understand why when I go to Hungry Jack's and buy a Coke and they offer free refills why Big W won't provide the refill…

    • rompastompa on 21/04/2016 - 13:52
      +7

      I'm pretty sure you can take your empty Hungry Jack's cup into Big W and open a warm 2L cokes they have on floor to refill your cup.

      Don't just take my word for it, try it and see!

      • jenkemjunkie on 21/04/2016 - 14:21
        +2

        I'd still complain that it was warm! Customer service these days is non existent

        • montorola on 21/04/2016 - 17:54
          +2

          It's alright, I'm pretty sure you're entitled to a refund ;)

    • Nutrino on 21/04/2016 - 14:17
      +1

      HAHA, what about the lady that brought milk from woolies and tried to refund it at coles.

      To funny/wacky to me true IMO.

      I think this guy is trolling.

  • BSmith on 21/04/2016 - 13:09
    +2

    I have no sympathy for you.

  • Darron65 on 21/04/2016 - 13:19
    +2

    OP, how many hours have you spent thus far in pursuit of this $75? Seems like a hella lot of work for a very small gain.

    • jenkemjunkie on 21/04/2016 - 13:28
      +1

      his benchmark is the slave labour wage rate

    • montorola on 21/04/2016 - 17:54

      Must've gotten kicked off Centrelink Newstart lol

  • Blottski on 21/04/2016 - 13:27

    agree with Darron65. What a clustf**k way to earn $75

    • fefris on 21/04/2016 - 13:31

      guarantee he has many more than 1 gift card… for them to ban him for life, he probably has 10's to 100's of cards he tried to scam all at once

  • wc on 21/04/2016 - 13:29
    +1

    OP I am curious what did you buy ? Were you rude to the staff & make a big scene out of nothing that you are now 'blacklisted' ?

  • misu p on 21/04/2016 - 13:51
    +2

    cry us a river

  • oldrocker on 21/04/2016 - 13:58
    +2

    OP, trying to rip-off BigW and backfired, put yourself in their shoes and you'll understand why they don't want to deal with you. You also give a bad name to the many Asians living in Australia, and who don't attempt tricks like this.

  • spackbace on 21/04/2016 - 14:02
    +14

    Oh no…

    • jenkemjunkie on 21/04/2016 - 14:23
      -1

      Can someone please link this thread in that page!!!

    • Tyrx on 21/04/2016 - 14:34

      I gotta admit, this guy is an amazing troll. Look at how many people he's managed to hoodwink…

      • jenkemjunkie on 21/04/2016 - 14:44

        Nah… having worked retail and in sales there's no bounds to the stupidity and self entitlement of many a customer. Everyone should try work retail once. They'll see what real human nature is like…unadulterated…and in the process, develop really good people reading skills.

        When I did the whole work/live in poverty in London as every 20 year old does, I had Jason Donovan try and return a pair of jeans he clearly had worn that had been ripped and cut at the hems.

        • hys on 21/04/2016 - 22:56

          Worked at Big W for a little while, best scene I saw was boxing day opening.. parents were shoving their kids through the gap as the roller doors were opening..

    • rompastompa on 21/04/2016 - 15:02
      +2

      Stalking Skill +1

    • McFly on 21/04/2016 - 16:38

      What the? He got a response from BigW!

      Also, I think his profile photo might be a fake!

      • montorola on 21/04/2016 - 17:58

        I think the BigW post just wants his personal info so they can have him arrested lol

    • montorola on 21/04/2016 - 17:56

      I lol'ed at the first comment, ahahaha

  • twodollah on 21/04/2016 - 14:37
    +6

    As a fellow Chinese, I feel ashamed you.

  • illumination on 21/04/2016 - 14:55
    +4

    I've got to say this was an absolutely hilarious read (both OP and comments).

    I think his linguistic limitations led a lot of people to believe he was simply trying to "buy goods and refund them" and was refused for "some reason", but it is missing a lot of context.

    At this stage, I just can't believe OP has been so thick to believe that he has done nothing wrong. I'm not criticising you OP for trying what you did (yea sure, go and try it) but if you get denied doing something you yourself know is a bit shady, and you get denied/in trouble, don't come complaining to anyone. You just make yourself look like an even bigger clown.

    So in summary, go ahead and do anything you want, but if you get punished don't even think about having a whinge/complaining about it. You commit a crime, you cop the relevant punishment and accept it.

    • lihong10 on 21/04/2016 - 17:56
      -2

      i got refunds from others store and online before…

      that's why i don't understand why this particular store manager won't followed its own BigW policy…

      cus its own BigW policay won't let us to buy Gift card with eGift card…

  • Sshanaz on 21/04/2016 - 15:03

    I don't understand why can't you use Egift to make purchased across Woolworths group. I am sorry it appears that you failed to defraud Woolworths and now whinging on Ozbargain.

    • amkssg on 21/04/2016 - 15:15
      +3

      BigW Egift-cards can only be used at BigW.

      The Breakdown:

      WISH Cards: can be used cross woolworth group
      WISH E-Cards: can be used cross woolworth group
      BigW Cards: can be used cross woolworth group
      BigW E-Cards: can only be used at BigW

      • Sshanaz on 21/04/2016 - 15:48

        thanks for clarifying. I have only Big gift card so I thought egift would also work across Woolworths group.

  • holdenmg on 21/04/2016 - 15:07
    +1

    It is only a matter of timing whether this or the 60 Minutes thing gets made into a movie first.

    • montorola on 21/04/2016 - 17:57
      +1

      I'd pay to see this!!

  • OzzyOzbourne on 21/04/2016 - 15:15

    It's amazed these sort of dumb topics get so many replies, when serious questions go relatively unanswered.

    It it just because these things are easy to answer? It's not really deserving of an anwer imho.

    • johnno07 on 21/04/2016 - 16:21
      +1

      Probably because it's fun to point out how ridiculously dumb somebody's actions are.

  • StalkingIbis on 21/04/2016 - 15:59
    +7

    NOSOUPFORYOU

  • julz15 on 21/04/2016 - 16:38

    Hopefully the Big W Facebook team don't cave to his/her FB post!!!

  • [Deactivated] on 21/04/2016 - 16:38

    BigW usually only refunds to a physical gift card if you paid with a gift card or store credit (i.e. piece of paper from manager).

    Re-editing:

    You still have the card right and unused?. Hmm…

    From OP's comments
    Area manager and store manager both refuse to let me shopping in BigW and called security to stop me paying for the goods.

    If this is the case, I'm fairly certain you can just get a refund on your e-gift card by sending them an email provided you don't try to use it. Easy shit, don't cause a fuss. If you didn't understand the T&Cs then write that down in your email as well. (Are you also barred from the whole area [Loganholme ,Beenleigh and others nearby?] If so, then you can probably get a refund as you are no longer reasonably expected to be able to enjoy the use of your the e-gift card under some consumer protection clause)

    However, the OP might have just screwed themselves as they can never go back to that particular BigW store again. i.e. No cheap stuff during BigW sales forever without having to do additional travelling.

    Deleted Soap and Reselling Comments as they are no longer relevant as the OP seems to not have purchased anything.

    • amkssg on 21/04/2016 - 19:24

      I don't think it is just that store.
      I suspect that he is barred from entering ANY Big W store. Just guessing though.

  • grog on 21/04/2016 - 16:42

    "blocked me to shop in their store cus i intend to refund later."

    Bigw dont block/ban etc for any old minor reason..

    Something fishy here, we need a LOT more info

    • [Deactivated] on 21/04/2016 - 16:46

      Yeah, I agree, something fishy, maybe there is something else the Underwood store can tell us.

      If the e-gift card is reported to have been bought with a stolen credit card and then the credit is transferred to a legit physical card. Then the physical card can be blocked as well and they already have the face of the person who did the transaction. So there is no escaping. Therefore, this cannot be a good reason why he was blocked because it doesn't make sense.

      So, I'm really confused at the moment.

      I'm still trying to put my head around why they would even bother considering the money will be spent at the Woolworths Group regardless. It's not a $75 loss at all, because there is 5% on normal wish gift cards already. i.e. $50 saving through the non-dubious method.

      • spackbace on 21/04/2016 - 17:27

        I'm still trying to put my head around why they would even bother considering the money will be spent at the Woolworths Group regardless. It's not a $75 loss at all, because there is 5% on normal wish gift cards already. i.e. $50 saving through the non-dubious method.

        I don't get it either, but OP is a repeat offender (self-admitted!) so those savings must be worthwhile. Must be burning through quite a few $1000 transactions

        • lihong10 on 21/04/2016 - 17:51
          -1

          they record my driving license and phone number though…..

          i asked …cus i want to know why i can't use BigW policy …

          to get Gift card??

          5% from Wish card…always in entertainment book…

          but 7.5% from eBigW…

          that's why i wanna try to get gift card in BigW

        • spackbace on 21/04/2016 - 17:56

          @lihong10:

          And there we have it, you're purposely routing the system to save 2.5%.

          I wonder if you could get away with that back home?

        • ronnknee on 21/04/2016 - 18:03

          @lihong10:

          i asked …cus i want to know why i can't use BigW policy …

          Simply because of your ill intentions. You know you're trying to exploit their return policy.

        • lihong10 on 21/04/2016 - 18:04
          -1

          @Spackbace:

          what do u mean…..

          in Christmas time….BigW offer 10% off…….

          so many Australia repeat abuse the system..to scam it…..

          and force BigW to change its own policy……..

          u can buy any BigW gift card with eGift card before the promotion …

          right now……..none left…

          u guys never thinking about it?

          why BigW change policy?

          i bought 7.5% for longs year……no problem happened…

        • lihong10 on 21/04/2016 - 18:07
          -1

          @ronnknee:

          its customer right……to use their policy?

          i didn't get any profit..

          its 1000 spend..

          get same value 1000 back……

        • ronnknee on 21/04/2016 - 18:11
          +3

          @lihong10: It's also their right to deny you from the policy due to attempted-abuse of their policy.

          Yes, I understand you don't get any profit but they're two different products. Face value is the same but obviously one is more valuable than the other. $1000 to spend at Woolworths Group is not the same as $1000 spend at Big W. You know that as well. Isn't that why you're trying to get a Wish gift card?

          Anyway, enjoy your new TV and audio system.

        • montorola on 21/04/2016 - 18:33
          +3

          @ronnknee:

          Anyway, enjoy your new TV and audio system.
          +1

          Mate you'd better set it up quick, you might be just in time to see yourself on the news!

        • amkssg on 21/04/2016 - 19:30
          +1

          @lihong10: That's different.
          People bought BigW gift cards at 10% off and used it at Woolworths. There was nothing wrong with that because it CAN BE USED at Woolworths.

          In your case, your gift card CANNOT be used at woolies. You are cheating the system by exploiting BigW's refund policy.

  • imahapyboy on 21/04/2016 - 19:13
    +1

    they should block you national wide! cheater!

  • aussieprepper on 21/04/2016 - 19:23

    Can this be seen as a criminal case? Isn't their some sort of fraud act? If they have his details down from the past refunds can't they use that as proof?

  • momov3 on 21/04/2016 - 20:55
    +1

    My guess: OP is an accountant or studying Accountancy at a Uni here.

    The rules are there to be followed:- a WISH giftcard covers more stores than just Big W, it can be used at Woollies as well. However, since you chose initially to buy BIG W giftcard, rules do not permit you to exchange (regardless of the same value) to a WISH card. You know other stores 'still letting you do this', goodness me - are you a pro and have attempted to do it more than just once? Seems a bit dodgy, either that or discipline yourself not to buy any more gift cards until you are less fickle about what you really want.

    • StewBalls on 21/04/2016 - 20:59
      -1

      My guess: OP is an accountant or studying Accountancy at a Uni here.

      I hope for his sake his teachers aren't on here…Failsville, population +1! ;)

  • Chumpmaster on 21/04/2016 - 21:03
    +1

    While I honestly enjoy applying for credit cards to get the qff points, and then cancelling it. I can't understand why anyone would spend this much time and effort to go through this debacle…

    • momov3 on 21/04/2016 - 21:12
      +2

      Damn. Now you've introduced him to an even better scheme. Watch this space.

      • ronnknee on 21/04/2016 - 21:16

        It's nothing new on OzBargain.

    • Bnjam3 on 21/04/2016 - 22:09

      Im sure your credit card history looks very nice :) I hope you enjoyed your points.

      • IceCreamBandit on 21/04/2016 - 22:19
        +1

        Im sure your credit card history looks very nice :)

        Was that sarcasm? As long as all balances are paid off on time what's wrong with cancelling cards within the terms and conditions? It would be similar to someone who changes mobile networks frequently to get the best value.

      • Chumpmaster on 21/04/2016 - 22:28

        Meh, given that even phone plans counts as an 'enquiry' on your credit history, I'm not too fussed at all. Free return flights to Europe with the missus? As a true ozbargainer, buy now, ask later.

  • jason101 on 21/04/2016 - 21:16
    +2

    I never really like it when mods close threads, but I kind of hope this thread gets closed. I can't handle the pain.

    • realfancyman on 21/04/2016 - 21:48

      makes me lol 😂😂😂😂

  • DiscoJango on 21/04/2016 - 21:37

    to the OP: great job at reinforcing the stereotype that your just money hungry rude ignorant people :)

    • Chumpmaster on 21/04/2016 - 21:46
      +3

      Let's be civil here shall we? We're not all like that

    • momov3 on 21/04/2016 - 21:58
      +1

      Not fair. OP's screen name may just be a pseudonym. Realistically he could be Randolph Charles Keith Oliver Martin Smith from the UK or from somewhere in Uzbekistan.

      • psyren89 on 21/04/2016 - 22:24

        My parents are Chinese and I was born in the UK!

  • momov3 on 21/04/2016 - 21:49

    Seriously, what is poor OP going to do now, never being allowed into any Big W in his town? I would move towns, relocate, even move interstate and hope there isn't a nationwide record against my name. We are talking TV and audio unit here, how heavy must it have been for OP carting it out and then in and then out again when his rejected return had to be taken home. Or maybe it was all a virtual sale - item never even left the store shelves!

  • [Deactivated] on 21/04/2016 - 21:53

    you're being a dirty scammer by doing this.

    You bought a $1000 gift card with a 7.5% cash rewards discount and you're asking Big W to give you free money.

    Serves you right.

  • sleet on 21/04/2016 - 22:03

    Sell the giftcards to family and friends or offer the giftcards to them if they are going to BigW.

    Learn your lesson and move on.

    • momov3 on 21/04/2016 - 22:21

      Sell, maybe. But offer for free - heck no! I kind of think not - not with OP.

      • lihong10 on 21/04/2016 - 22:22

        i already done the transaction from eGift card to gift card..

        just curious..the rule in BigW

    • lihong10 on 21/04/2016 - 22:21

      bigW gift card = wish card

      bigW egift card..only can spend in BigW

      • IceCreamBandit on 21/04/2016 - 22:26

        Wrong. How many times do you need to be told this?

        Big W Gift Card = "brand" Gift Card. Only to be used for that specific chain

        Wish Gift Card = Usable across Woolworths Group Stores and can be used at all participating chains.

        Please understand this. While the Wish card can be used anywhere (Woolworths, Big W etc.), the Big W gift cards can only be used at Big W.

        • lihong10 on 21/04/2016 - 22:28

          try ur self…..

          u can spend BigW gift card as wish card………

          cus i done it…that's why i buy 7.5% bigW gift card instead of 5% wish card

        • IceCreamBandit on 21/04/2016 - 22:30

          @lihong10:

          u can spend BigW gift card as wish card………

          WRONG.

          There is no need to try myself. If you bothered to read my links you'll know you can't use a Big W gift card elsewhere as it is known as a "Brand" card that can only be used in stores under that brand.

          If someone allowed you to do that previously, someone has made a mistake and you can no longer exploit that mistake.

        • momov3 on 21/04/2016 - 22:38
          +1

          @IceCreamBandit: I believe the point OP is trying to make is that he has done it before and has gotten away with it and was allowed to do it, and he's now baffled why he's been 'sprung', yet different store managers are treating it differently. Maybe this is a wakeup call for Big W to ensure all their managers enforce the same policy.

  • mooney on 21/04/2016 - 22:29

    All of this wasted energy. There are only 6 words that are needed:

    "No refunds for change of mind"

    It's clearly listed in the t&cs. You should be ashamed of yourself for implying BigW are racist for applying company policy. Rosa Parks you are not.

    • lihong10 on 21/04/2016 - 22:32

      if u shop online

      "Returning unwanted items or change of mind the return shipping will be at your cost"

      if u shop in store

      1. Have you changed your mind?
        If you have changed your mind, as long as:

      You have clear proof of purchase, typically a receipt;

      The product and packaging is in its original condition including manuals and accessories;

      The item is in re-saleable condition for example original tags and labels are still attached, unworn, unopened or unused and

      The product is not on the Product Exclusion List (please see below);

      BIG W will provide you with a refund in the form of the previous method of payment, or a BIG W Returns Card – at your option.

      plz read carefully…….

      • mooney on 21/04/2016 - 22:44

        You said: "I bough eGift card for 7.5% off…so i need trasfering to Gift card.."

        Which I assume means you got via cash rewards, which means:
        "The BIG W Store eGift Card is redeemable at BIG W stores and BIG W Online only and cannot be used to purchase any other Gift Cards issued by Woolworths Limited. No refunds for change of mind."

        http://www.cashrewards.com.au/big-w-store-egift-cards

        I appreciate English isn't your first language but in this instance I struggle to see how this could be clearer. It's also bright red, bold, and under a section marked Important.

        What am I missing?

    • IceCreamBandit on 21/04/2016 - 22:34

      "No refunds for change of mind"

      It's clearly listed in the t&cs.

      It's clear in the T&C that you can change your mind

      1. Have you changed your mind?
        If you have changed your mind, as long as:

      You have clear proof of purchase, typically a receipt;

      The product and packaging is in its original condition including manuals and accessories;

      The item is in re-saleable condition for example original tags and labels are still attached, unworn, unopened or unused and

      The product is not on the Product Exclusion List (please see below);

      BIG W will provide you with a refund in the form of the previous method of payment, or a BIG W Returns Card – at your option.

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