Apple iTunes Card Bought from Woolies Was Stolen but Value Not Transferred to My Apple ID

bobwokeup on 22/06/2016 - 12:58
Last edited 22/06/2016 - 13:28

So I bought 2 x $50 Apple iTunes Card from Woolies (using my Woolies Gift Card) 3 weeks and they were stolen out of my bag that night (car was broken into). Reported it to police that night and then called Woolies the next day to get the process started on getting the gift card put onto my apple ID. They informed me only Apple can re-issue the gift cards. I asked them to track down the sale after giving them the details of my purchase.

A week later I get a call and she provided me with the numbers they had from the sale. I promptly called Apple and gave them the numbers I was given by Woolies. The lady informed me those numbers are not recognised on their system and that I would have to go back to the seller and get the correct codes which start with a letter not a number.

I called the Gift Card team (side note the customer service is terrible - don't reply to any of your emails and no phone number so you have to call head office reception and they are NEVER available) and when I eventually received a call back over a week later the lady advised me that as it's a 3rd party gift card that is the only number stored in their system and that they can't do anything further.

So I called Apple and they said to take it up with the seller. So basically Woolies and Apple are saying if a gift card is lost or stolen then bad luck, even if you can prove you bought the gift cards they still don't care.

My opinion is that Woolworths has a responsibility to store the correct numbers at the time of sale or advise the buyer to write down the correct codes immediately and keep on your person in case the gift cards are stolen.

Any suggestions on what I can do next other than going to court?

Edited to remove refund as I just want the $100 to be put onto my Apple ID

General Discussion

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closed Comments

  • cdaddy on 22/06/2016 - 13:00
    +40

    I've always thought lost or stolen gift cards of any type never get replaced. Imagine how many people would be trying scams if 'stolen' cards get replaced.

      • pais on 22/06/2016 - 22:55
        +15

        If it was activated surely I would be able to report which apple ID used the gift card to police?

        Honestly I think you've got some fundamental misunderstandings of how gift cards actually work.

        Some things to keep in mind. For anywhere that sells these products: the item is excluded from their returns policy completely. You cannot return or exchange them (anytime an employee does, they're doing you a favour in the spirit of customer service). Why? Merchants have a very limited set of circumstances with which the transaction can be voided and their accounts credited. Lost/stolen cards are not one of these. In case this isn't clear: Woolworths cannot make a claim for your stolen gift card.

        The only possibility I can think of is that perhaps Woolies can retrieve the serial from their activation slip in their records, which you can then use to call Apple and see if they can do something for you. But I doubt it as that would all parties prone to fraudulent claims. Edit: it actually sounds like this is what the staff have done in order to help you. That's all they can do on their end without literally giving you $100 because yours was stolen.

        Woolies is not at fault. Apple is not at fault. Blackhawk is not at fault. Gift cards should be treated as cash; when you lose them, they're not reissued. None of these parties actually owe you a gift card here.

      • Hirolol on 23/06/2016 - 12:26
        -7

        Why is he getting down voted?
        there should be ways for woolies to track it for sure. its total BS what has happened.

        • bobwokeup on 23/06/2016 - 12:30
          -7

          Thank you Hirolol that's what I thought there should be a way to track it if you can prove when/how/where and the majority of people I speak to agree.

          I'm fighting a losing battle on here hahaha

  • holdenmg on 22/06/2016 - 13:09
    +2

    iTunes cards would be subject to the Terms and Conditions on the Card or the Material on display at time of purchase.

    Neither Issuer nor Apple is responsible for lost or stolen Gift Certificates, iTunes Cards or Codes, Content Codes, or Allowances. Risk of loss and title for Gift Certificates, iTunes Cards and Codes, and Allowances transmitted electronically pass to the purchaser in Australia upon electronic transmission to the recipient.

    http://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/au/terms…

      • the-mal on 22/06/2016 - 13:17
        +16

        but surely if I can prove to Woolworths that the gift card has not been redeemed I would be refunded

        Why? You paid for the gift card. They supplied you with the gift card. Transaction finished unless it's faulty.

        They have no obligation to cop the hassle or lost income because of your bad luck. Once it's in your hands it's your responsibility.

        It sucks they were stolen, the thief is a scumbag, but it ain't Woolies or Apples fault or responsibility.

        • holdenmg on 22/06/2016 - 13:40
          +6

          @billybob1978:

          Actually no. Woolworths don't have your $100 in their back pocket. The funds are sent electronically to activate your iTunes card.

          Woolworths might get a small commission for having the Cards on display and for selling the Card.

        • bobwokeup on 22/06/2016 - 14:06
          -5

          @holdenmg: The funds are sent electronically ONCE the iTunes card has been activated. The commission side of it is irrelevant.

          So assuming it hasn't been activated Woolworths essentially has the $100. If it was activated then the thief has $100 in their apple ID and Apple could provide that information to police.

          Are you trying to say that once its lost then no one should get the $100?

        • ozhunter on 22/06/2016 - 22:28
          +3

          @billybob1978:

          The funds are sent electronically ONCE the iTunes card has been activated. The commission side of it is irrelevant.

          I doubt it works like that.

          Are you trying to say that once its lost then no one should get the $100?

          The thief got the $100, as they would have if they stole anything else you purchased from Woolworths.

        • stickyfingers on 22/06/2016 - 22:31
          +7

          @billybob1978: It was activated when you purchased it. It just hasn't been redeemed.

        • lint on 23/06/2016 - 11:17
          +1

          @billybob1978: You're mistaking activation and redemption.

          A gift card is activated at the point of sale, when you pay for the card, the backend stuff happens - Woolies transfers payment to Apple (minus any commission) and the code on the card becomes redeemable for value on the iTunes Store.

          So basically, you have a promissory note that can be exchanged for value upon presentation. Like a bank note. Like cash.

          The card is redeemed when you present the code for the value to be loaded onto your iTunes account. The cards you purchased have already been activated, and may or may not have been redeemed.

          Woolworths has finished their part of the transaction and it's nice that they tried their best to help you. Apple seems like they're trying to help but are unable to link Woolworths' transaction codes with the actual redemption codes printed on the card.

          Could there be a better system where that can be linked? Probably. But there isn't, so it's your loss.

          Are you trying to say that once its lost then no one should get the $100?

          Uh, no? I don't know where you got that from. Once it is stolen, the thief or whoever either knowingly or unknowingly got the proceeds of crime got the $100 iTunes Store value. That's not nobody.

        • bobwokeup on 23/06/2016 - 12:06
          -1

          @lint: thanks lint I didn't realise the cards are activated at the point of sale. Oh well my loss like you said and maybe in the future there will be a better system.

          Yeah my comment about no one getting the $100 didn't make sense hahaha What I was trying to say is that if the card wasn't used Woolworths are up $100 (granted that is next to nothing for them).

        • pais on 23/06/2016 - 14:24
          +1

          @billybob1978:

          Apple would be up ~$100. Woolworths earns a pittance on the sale.

        • bobwokeup on 23/06/2016 - 14:35

          @pais: Oh I see no wonder why Woolworths don't care and Apple have pretended to help. No doubt Apple knows that any iTunes gift card sold by 3rd parties can not be tracked so hence why even a receipt is not good enough.

      • veej on 23/06/2016 - 08:47

        I'm sure it has been spent by now, someone has used them already because that's what thieves do.
        There's a reason why you are advised not to leave valuables in your car.

        Did you make an insurance claim?

        • bobwokeup on 23/06/2016 - 12:07

          Yeah I did look at insurance but excess was not worth it.

  • the-mal on 22/06/2016 - 13:14
    +12

    So basically Woolies and Apple are saying if a gift card is lost or stolen then bad luck, even if you can prove you bought the gift cards they still don't care.

    Just like they wouldn't replace cash you had stolen that you were intending to spend there, or products you had stolen that you just bought.

    It's not their fault or responsibility that your cards were stolen. You should look after gift cards the same way you'd look after cash.

    • bobwokeup on 22/06/2016 - 13:17
      -1

      Cash can't be tracked where as an Apple Gift Card can be as it must be activated by an Apple ID.

      • the-mal on 22/06/2016 - 13:22
        +4

        So? Why should it be Apples hassle? Does it state anywhere in their T&Cs that they offer theft protection? Does Woolies state anywhere that they refund gift cards?

        From memory nearly every gift card states it's not refundable or redeemable for cash.

        Why should they take responsibility for your misfortune?

        • bobwokeup on 22/06/2016 - 13:25

          Sorry I shouldn't have said refunded but I just want them to put the $100 which is rightfully mine onto my Apple ID. How is that a hassle? If I couldn't provide the receipt as proof of purchase then fair enough it's a hassle, but it's actually quiet simple. Apple where happy to do it if I had the activation code or serial number.

        • ninetyNineCents on 23/06/2016 - 08:24
          -1

          @billybob1978:

          It's a hassle for Apple because now u expect them to figure out who or where the credit has gone or been used. That costs time and therefore money. They are not in the card has been stolen try and figure out if it has been used or if you are lying business.

    • holdenmg on 22/06/2016 - 13:22
      +2

      If I go to Woolworths and buy goods at the self service checkout and then I want $100 dollars extra and I lose the Cash or it is stolen… Woolworths are not going to give me the Serial Numbers of the Notes of the Reserve Bank of Australia that were in their Self-Service Checkout.

      The iTunes Cards are offered for sale according to the Terms and Conditions on display or on the Card.

      • bobwokeup on 22/06/2016 - 13:29
        -7

        Really you are comparing a gift card that has a serial number on it to cash?

        • holdenmg on 22/06/2016 - 13:35
          +5

          Well, did you read and understand the Terms and Conditions when you bought the iTunes Card?

          "Risk of loss and title for Gift Certificates, iTunes Cards and Codes, and Allowances transmitted electronically pass to the purchaser in Australia upon electronic transmission to the recipient."

          If Woolies give me $50 in change and I lose it outside the shop, I don't get to go back in and say "Can I have another $50"

        • bobwokeup on 22/06/2016 - 13:49
          -2

          @holdenmg: No I bought it at a store so no T&Cs in sight or mentioned.

          I still can't believe you are comparing cash to a gift card that has a serial number and the only way to use it is to activate it on an Apple ID account. Therefore if it was used it can be tracked down to the person who activated.

        • holdenmg on 22/06/2016 - 13:56
          +1

          @billybob1978:

          But… the iTunes cards are on a display rack with the Cards attached to a Cardboard Surround are they not…

          Don't these Cards or these Cardboard Surrounds have any small print on the back at all???

          You don't know that the Person who activates it (if they do) is the thief in any event.

          The card was your property, it may never be activated… the Police won't care and won't invest Tax Dollars on an investigation.

        • bobwokeup on 22/06/2016 - 14:10
          -1

          @holdenmg: Yeah they may very well have small print on the back but that is not what I am questioning.

          Yes I agree it may not be the person who activates it but they would have bought it off the thief for less than the full amount. If you don't buy a gift card from a store the chances are very high it was stolen. Anyway you are right the police won't bother to investigate but at the very least I wanted the card cancelled so that no one could use it but Woolies didn't store the correct details for me to be able to do that.

        • surethang on 23/06/2016 - 00:43
          +1

          @billybob1978:

          Small print? Come on, consumers are consistently advised, "treat gift cards like cash" (There's over 600,000 hits for this on Google: https://www.google.com.au/search?q=treat+gift+cards+like+cas…)

          Expecting full card tracking, cancellation, and redirection of funds to your account is not treating gift cards like cash.

        • Japius on 23/06/2016 - 10:00
          +2

          @billybob1978:

          At what point did woolworths ever indicate they can track the item? As far as I am concerned the only thing woolworths should be storing is the product sku so they can track how much stock they have. Not so they can have the means to track where the cards I buy go. What if I am buying cards for my mistress and my wife wants woolworths to provide details to be used as evidence in our divorce or some other reason that no shopper ever agreed to Woolworths retaining information for. I think your expectation of what woolworths is required to do as part of the contract of sale is way off the mark.

          Not like you took the care to write the codes down, yet you expect woolworths to. You didnt care enough why should they?

  • MrMcHairyHead on 22/06/2016 - 13:25
    +3

    I don't get why you'd expect a refund on stolen goods? By all means, you could try, and Apple should block the use of those codes if they haven't been used already, but I'd never expect a refund on something that got stolen.

    • bobwokeup on 22/06/2016 - 13:30
      -1

      Sorry my bad I edited the post, I don't expect a refund but I want the value put onto my apple ID (if it hasn't been used which I'm sure it wouldn't have been as the apple ID of the user would be tracked).

      • ninetyNineCents on 23/06/2016 - 08:25
        +1

        Asking for the credit is the same as a refund, the refund and credit are both value and they would have to investigate or try and guess if u are genuine and all that,

      • coolhand on 23/06/2016 - 14:41

        When apple say all they need is the serial number this is what you would have if you had the physical card or had it written down. The issue here comes along with the receipting system, there is no way you can reasonably expect any retailer to print this serial number on a receipt, it would be a nightmare if people didn't pick up their receipt from a self service or a bad employee decided to just go into the receipting system and take a whole bunch of serials from past receipts that day (there would be no way to track this).
        Your situation is unfortunate but you have no claim with Woolworths, funds are transferred to the merchant on all gift card sales at the end of banking day with a small (a few % margin to the issuer). Apple has the $100, and the thief or someone they sold it to has the credit on their account, case closed and there is absolutely no way to track this.

        • bobwokeup on 23/06/2016 - 14:45

          Fair enough that makes sense that the serial number is not stored on the receipt (even though someone on here said it is) but with a system like Woolworths couldn't it be stored in their computer system?

        • coolhand on 23/06/2016 - 14:48

          @billybob1978: the serial number on apple iTunes gift cards is what is used to activate it, so unfortunately no this isn't stored anywhere. Other examples with other retailers being able to cancel a gift card generally involve smaller databases that have a different way of being able to track individual cards.

    • chudson on 23/06/2016 - 15:26

      Sidenote: Whoever redeems these apple points is not necessarily the person who stole it from your car.

  • theaussie on 22/06/2016 - 13:44
    +5

    so if you had your Tv stolen and it had a unique serial number, do you expect the retailer to replace you with another?

    It sucks it happened but unfortunately that's your loss :(

    • bobwokeup on 22/06/2016 - 13:51
      -2

      I didn't realise you can track TV's by a serial number….If the gift card was not traceable then yeah my loss but it can be traced down to the person who activated it. If it was a JB hifi or similar gift card then there is no way to track who used it.

  • NancyCat on 22/06/2016 - 14:42
    +8

    Woolworths has a responsibility to store the correct numbers at the time of sale or advise the buyer to write down the correct codes immediately and keep on your person in case the gift cards are stolen.

    Why?

    • bobwokeup on 22/06/2016 - 15:18
      -6

      So that the gift card can be tracked down and suspended.

      • Ughhh on 22/06/2016 - 18:56
        +5

        Not their responsibility, not their fault, not their problem.

        They weren't the ones who lost your card.

  • effgee on 22/06/2016 - 16:27
    +8

    I agree Woolies and Apple have a moral obligation to assist capturing thieves, but trying to get either of them - or the cops - to give a rats is mission impossible.

    • bobwokeup on 22/06/2016 - 18:50
      -3

      Finally someone with some common sense.

      I agree as an individual they do not care about us but I was thinking there would be a government body like the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman to call?

      • Ughhh on 22/06/2016 - 18:58
        +7

        A government body that protects gift cards?

        The only person to blame is yourself.

  • fruit on 22/06/2016 - 16:38
    -3

    ITT: Apple suckups

  • [Deactivated] on 22/06/2016 - 19:09
    +10

    You had opportunity to write the numbers but you didn't. Why not take responsibility rather than trying to blame others.

  • ihbh on 22/06/2016 - 19:59
    +1

    No other suggestions on what you can do next, so go to court and report back the outcome.

  • grasstown on 22/06/2016 - 22:08
    +2

    Poor Woolworths, Apple and police

  • ozhunter on 22/06/2016 - 22:31

    My opinion is that Woolworths has a responsibility to store the correct numbers at the time of sale or advise the buyer to write down the correct codes immediately and keep on your person in case the gift cards are stolen.

    Lol, they should advise you to take care of your things so they don't get stolen?

  • agito1993 on 22/06/2016 - 22:55
    +1

    I get the op's point. Since those giftcards have codes or something similar on them so with sufficient information Apple might know who is the thief. It's reasonable to assume that it can be traceable since this is going to the thief's account (if card is used).

    Had woolies stored the giftcard's serial code then problem is solved. Unfortunately for op, they did not store the serial number for each card (not their fault though). Without the correct number of the gift card, Apple can't do anything and it's not its fault as well.

    I agree that they should advise the customer to record card's number in case of loss/being stolen. I guess they treat Apple Itunes card like other gift cards (jbhifi etc) which is like cash (untraceable). Well, it's sad to lose $100 but you learned something.

    • ozhunter on 23/06/2016 - 04:17

      I agree that they should advise the customer to record card's number in case of loss/being stolen

      Should every store warn you to take care of things you bought in case it gets stolen?

    • cowiie on 23/06/2016 - 09:02
      +1

      Thief or valid purchase? It would be hard to tell if the OP sold it for cash then tried to claim that his car was broken into and had the cards stolen OR if the car was broken into and they actually stole the cards.

      Very unfortunate, maybe just buy it straight from iTunes next time

  • lomo on 22/06/2016 - 23:27
    +1

    We had a Sussan gift card stolen from home. Rang sussan the next day, they cancelled that card (had card number on receipt) and issued a new one which we picked up later. Its not like they lost any money. Apple/woolies have too much on their plate to fk around with all those thousands of cards

    • ninetyNineCents on 23/06/2016 - 08:27

      If the stole card had been used it would have cost them money to give you further credit.

      • lomo on 23/06/2016 - 10:27

        Of course, you have to get onto them quick. Forensic guy who was fresh from Ireland said to get Sussan to set up a trigger on the card number so they can match it to cctv footage. When I mentioned this to Sussan they laughed, said they don't even have cctv.

        Not sure if insurance would have covered the card? or if its treated as cash in their eyes?

        • lomo on 23/06/2016 - 10:32

          btw fyi Sussan asked for the police report number

        • bobwokeup on 23/06/2016 - 11:23

          @lomo: Yeah I called Woolworths the next day and gave them the police report number. I advised them I've got photos too of the smashed window. They took over a week to track down the purchase, even though it was purchased with a Woolworths Gift Card and I told them the time I purchased it.

          At the very least I wanted the card cancelled so that the scumbag who stole it could not use it or on-sell to another dodgy person, but they couldn't even do that.

          After reading many of the comments on here (aside from yours and a few others) people don't care but it was a gift and hence why it wasn't sitting in my wallet. Lesson learnt…a) don't leave gift cards that should be traceable and b) don't bother posting on here for suggestions.

        • Ughhh on 23/06/2016 - 11:37

          @billybob1978:

          You still don't understand why you're getting negative feedback here?

          Take responsibility, stop blaming others for your mistakes and stop expecting to be spoon fed. I assume you're a grown adult?

        • bobwokeup on 23/06/2016 - 11:45
          -3

          @Ughhh: Yes I totally understand why I am getting negative feedback because people like you lack common sense. Let's be honest this is Ozbargain so it is full of tight asses so I should have raised it on a forum where people give you informative answers. I've already accepted I am down $100 but clearly you didn't read my comment you replied to as I stated I wanted to cancel the card at the very least.

          I also don't want this to happen to someone else but from reading your comments you don't care about other people.

        • lomo on 23/06/2016 - 11:46
          +2

          The problem you had here is that you didnt have the card numbers at hand (not sure if theyre written on receipt? like mine were). and you were dealing with two large companies who couldnt be bothered. Its an electronic gift card so what youre trying to do is doable, these companies just dont give a sht as its small fry for them, they just pass the buck between each other and hope that you go away.

          If you really want to pursue it write to consumer trading/affairs w police report numbers etc. see what comes back, even if they log it as something to address in the future re gift cards. Dont worry about the hate here, most ppl just cant be bothered chasing these things up. If it was a lot of money for you and you have time on your hands go further w it :)

        • bobwokeup on 23/06/2016 - 11:59

          @lomo: I'm not sure hey as Woolworths pulled up the receipt for me and I sent that to Apple. But yeah I totally agree they are just two huge companies that don't care about the individual.

          Yeah I called Dept of Commerce and I will put in a complaint but unless they receive a few complaints they probably won't investigate it. If I was told I have a case I would pursue it as I am not lazy like a lot of people, like you pointed out.

          The hate on here is what surprised me the most as I was looking for decent suggestions, like yours and yet I get comments from cyber bullies.

        • Ughhh on 23/06/2016 - 12:06
          +2

          @billybob1978:

          because people like you lack common sense

          Your sense of "common sense" is absurd.

          At least I don't leave valuables in my car, I never had the opinion that it was other companies responsibility to tell me too look after my things= no common sense. Yet you expecting a government body to look after gift cards is common sense?

          Had you never came across as someone so entitled in your original post, perhaps you would have had better feedback.

        • bobwokeup on 23/06/2016 - 12:12

          @Ughhh: So if you buy a gift card you don't think you are entitled to that money? I don't expect anyone to look after me but myself and yes I made a mistake, but I wanted to get advice from a government body.

          I could have worded my post better but I was angry at yes myself but mainly at the thief that smashed my window and all he got of any value was a $100 gift card, so I wanted nothing more than to cancel that card but I couldn't.

        • Ughhh on 23/06/2016 - 12:14
          +1

          @billybob1978:

          So if you buy a gift card you don't think you are entitled to that money?

          If that's what you got from my comment, then you really lack something else.

          Sucks to be in your position, but it doesn't mean it's ok to blame others.

        • ninetyNineCents on 23/06/2016 - 12:16

          @billybob1978:

          I'm not sure hey as Woolworths pulled up the receipt for me and I sent that to Apple. But yeah I totally agree they are just two huge companies that don't care about the individual.

          Of course they dont care, do you realise how much extra everything would cost if all Woolies recorded every single serial on every single item they sold ?

          THe lines would be at least twice as slow as they open or examine every single box and then they would have to enter the number. That company would lose money, everyone would be pissed off at the waiting and so on.

  • Belistic on 22/06/2016 - 23:33
    +2

    I can just see it… People going in saying they 'lost' their cards (when they actually sold it), the value goes back onto their account, and the new owner gets screwed as their card is now invalid…

    • bobwokeup on 23/06/2016 - 11:26

      I hear you but a lost card is different to a stolen card with proof (i.e. smashed window and police report).

  • Bnjam3 on 23/06/2016 - 03:54
    +1

    I cant imagine what you will be doing if someone stole your whole car? Will you call the federal police or FPI or even spam all facebook pages looking for your car? If you have a comprehensive car insurance then you can claim the vouchers throw your insurance. Its only $100 which have a real value of $80 if bought from Officework. One time Optus reps told me to take care of the voucher and consider it as cash, once its lost its gone forever. Its %100 your fault for keeping the bag in the car. Learn from your mistake and keep walking.

    • holdenmg on 23/06/2016 - 11:40

      Interpol and The Hague…
      (oh, and Bikies).

  • Chickin on 23/06/2016 - 08:17
    +5

    Why don't you claim it on insurance if your car was broken into?

    • bobwokeup on 23/06/2016 - 11:28

      Thanks for a decent suggestion, I did check but my excess is $500 so the claim would be around or just under $500 (window was only $270 and there wasn't much else of value in the bag).

  • ninetyNineCents on 23/06/2016 - 08:29
    -1

    How exactly do u expect apple to know which gift card number to cancel ? This is the perfect scam buy, use gift card and then expect Apple to give u another one even though they have no way of cancelling or verifying the first lot.

    • bobwokeup on 23/06/2016 - 11:30

      Easy… Woolworths provide me with the serial number of the card and I advise Apple who can cancel the card. If I don't get my money back so be it but at least the low life scum who broke into my car doesn't get a cent.

      • ninetyNineCents on 23/06/2016 - 12:13

        How exactly are they going to get the serial number without removing the outer packaging ?

        Are Woolies going to record the serial # for all items that they sell that also have them ? Can you imagine how slow Bunnings would be if they recorded the numbers for every single item ?

        • bobwokeup on 23/06/2016 - 12:16

          There is no outer packaging just some paper attached to the gift card…computers would do the recording not the cashier. They have to scan it to activate it (as I've been pointed out in a post - I thought it activates when you contact Apple).

        • ninetyNineCents on 23/06/2016 - 12:17

          @billybob1978:

          That extra "scan" costs money, adding a computer system to record, and later enquire costs money. Pissing off customers who wait for this feature, costs money.

          Are you sure the number your referring too is unique or just a general product number ?

        • bobwokeup on 23/06/2016 - 12:33

          @ninetyNineCents: Yeah if there is an extra scan that would be a pain but surely when they scan the bar code so that I can pay for it, the correct details could be stored in their computer? That too would probably cost money but at least there is a way to track the gift card.

          It's not unique at all just a bunch of numbers which someone suggested is probably just a reference number for the sale.

        • ninetyNineCents on 23/06/2016 - 12:50

          @billybob1978:

          Yeah if there is an extra scan that would be a pain but surely when they scan the bar code so that I can pay for it, the correct details could be stored in their computer?
          It's not unique at all just a bunch of numbers which someone suggested is probably just a reference number for the sale.

          So the scan or number on the outside is not unique.. how exactly do you expect them to BAN the same CARD that YOU LOST ?

          YOu cant expect them to ban all the cards that got sold by the woolies you used ( lets pretend they know which cards goto which store). How would you feel if you bought a card the same day as you, and they cancelled your credit, and now all those other people have to go back to woolies and complain to get new numbers thanks to you ?

          Did you even think this through ?

          Nobody would ever buy a itunes gift card from woolies again… all because ONE or TWO people in ALL AUSTRALIA couldnt take care of their stuff. This would cost WOolies millions…

        • bobwokeup on 23/06/2016 - 12:56

          @ninetyNineCents: I wasn't referring to the card when I said it wasn't unique, I was referring to the numbers that Woolworths gave me that they tracked down from the sale.

          If someone went to the effort of smashing their own car, taking photos and then calling police to cancel a gift card, then I would be shocked and thankfully there aren't many people willing to lodge a false police claim.

        • bobwokeup on 23/06/2016 - 12:58

          @ninetyNineCents: thanks for the laugh…one or two people and costing millions :)

        • ninetyNineCents on 23/06/2016 - 13:15

          @billybob1978:

          I wasn't referring to the card when I said it wasn't unique, I was referring to the numbers that Woolworths gave me that they tracked down from the sale.

          And how are they going to ban YOUR card ?

          They need to BAN only your card, how exactly are they going to do that without the actual unique number ?

          Knowing the sale number of the reciept doesnt give them that. They have to open up every itunes, and get the unique number.

          If someone went to the effort of smashing their own car, taking photos and then calling police to cancel a gift card,

          I asked you this before, how are they going to ban just your gift card without its unique number ?

          thanks for the laugh…one or two people and costing millions :)

          You obviously have no idea how the real world works.
          This isnt one woolies, this involves ALL the woolies. Every single checkout person would spend a minute or two on every single itunes sale. That adds up…To update the software system to record and handle all those values costs hundreds of thousands at a minimum.

        • bobwokeup on 23/06/2016 - 13:27

          @ninetyNineCents: maybe I am wrong but when you scan a bar code doesn't it bring up the serial number?

          When you buy a TV (for example) I thought they scan the bar code and that pulls all the relevant information? I don't remember seeing a salesperson type out a serial number but I've never paid that much attention to a transaction.

        • ninetyNineCents on 23/06/2016 - 13:37

          @billybob1978:

          maybe I am wrong but when you scan a bar code doesn't it bring up the serial number?

          Doubt it - that would be a security risk. THe security that proves a itunes card has not been used is the fact its in an unopened package with the rub off box.

          THis is why i said they would have to open the packaging, rub and record the actual itunes number.

          When you buy a TV (for example) I thought they scan the bar code and that pulls all the relevant information?

          Because theres no value in stealing tv serial numbers, so the companies have no problem placing them on the outside - if they do, i have no idea if this happens but i can imagine its not a problem.

          With itunes, the only value IS THE NUMBER, so thats why its protected in the packaging and rub off thing (whatever its called). If each cashier has to open/scratch and type that number in, you just added minutes to every god damn transaction.

        • bobwokeup on 23/06/2016 - 13:56

          @ninetyNineCents: clearly I don't understand how the scanning side of things work. So when the cashier at Woolworths scans the iTunes Gift Card how does that activate the card so that I can then go to Apple to use it? I thought that would be the unique number that effectively activates the card.

        • pais on 23/06/2016 - 14:28

          @billybob1978:

          The unique serial number is what is scanned at the point of sale (where the activation takes place). This is the number Woolworths provided you with, as it will be recorded on their journal roll. You've stated Apple couldn't do anything with this. They don't have access to their actual activation code (it's behind a scratch panel). They have no ability to cancel the card if it's lost. They have no ability to reclaim the money that you want them to reimburse you (lol) for. What part of this is confusing?

        • bobwokeup on 23/06/2016 - 14:42

          @pais: That makes sense but the number Woolworths gave me starts with 6375 and Apple advised the serial number starts with EPY or something similar. So if Woolworths scanned the bar code at the point of sale from what you are saying that "should" be the serial number but it seems to be a reference number of the sale. I didn't say Woolworths can reimburse me but I thought they would be able to provide the serial number so I can report it to Apple.

        • pais on 23/06/2016 - 14:45

          @billybob1978:

          Each gift card on the blackhawk network has a unique barcode identifying that particular card. It's the long, long, long sequence printed on the back of the card itself (as opposed to the barcode/APN on the cardboard attached to the card). If Apple can't do anything with that number, you're out of luck and really it's end of discussion for everyone involved.

  • [Deactivated] on 23/06/2016 - 09:16
    +1

    Shops should store the serial number for the gift card. Most people would assume they do. That they don't is a disappointment, but not surprising. Take it as a lesson to photograph each card if you're not using it immediately.

    • bobwokeup on 23/06/2016 - 11:31

      Great idea :) Even though it was a gift next time I'll put it in my wallet.

  • rompastompa on 23/06/2016 - 09:28

    You purchase 2x $50 gift cards, then sell them both on Gumtree for $80 cash.

    Once you collect the cash, you call up woolies/apple and get the cards cancelled/refunded.

    If they do give you a refund, and they find out that you are in the wrong, how are they going to get the money back? It will cost a lot more money than the $100.

    I guess all they could do is put a hold on the card, and that they have to physically prove they have the cards in their possession. Photo time stamps can be altered, so the buyer would need to go to apple store. Even then, the theif can do that, and you have a civil dispute.

    It's just not worth it for them to police. If theft is an issue, buy them electronically directly from apple.

    If gift cards were nontransferable, and linked directly to your account it would work, but then there will be a post that you spent $100 on iTunes cards, but now don't have enough money to spend on food, and need a refund.

    Unfortunately there are opportunistic douchebags ruining it for everyone. It would be great to see a world where people are accountable for their actions.

    • bobwokeup on 23/06/2016 - 11:35

      I agree there are people like that out there but that can't happen if the right process is followed. Woolworths give me the serial number (only after I provide a police report and correct details of when/where/how purchased) and then I call Apple with that number. They can then cancel the card and if it was not used re-issue the value to the correct buyer. If it was used they report it to police but we know nothing will happen there and the buyer is unlucky.

    • [Deactivated] on 23/06/2016 - 13:51

      The receipts should list the card serial numbers. That's your evidence that you bought the cards. Problem fixed. If you scam someone on gum tree, then you're a bad person, but that person will know not to buy off gumtree.

      • bobwokeup on 23/06/2016 - 13:58

        I wish it was that simple and I agree it should be on the receipt but it's not. I sent the receipt to Apple and they said they needed the serial number or activation code to track down the gift card.

  • 01011010 on 23/06/2016 - 09:42
    +1

    Have you tried quoting this:

    Lost or Stolen Cards
    To report a lost or stolen Apple Store Gift Card, please contact Apple at any Apple Store location or by telephone at 133-622. Replacement cards will be issued after Apple confirms that the lost or stolen card has not been redeemed and order details have been verified. Apple is not responsible for lost or stolen gift cards.

    http://www.apple.com/au/shop/help/gifting

    Go to apple store with the details from your purchase. get them to verify, hope that the stolen card hasn't been redeemed.
    But the last sentence of the above paragraph is important. Appl is NOT responsible for lost or stolen gift cards.

    • Japius on 23/06/2016 - 10:04

      I think they differentiate between apple store gift cards and itunes cards, AFAIK you can use apple store gift cards to purchase hardware items in the apple store but you cannot use iTunes credit in that way

      • 01011010 on 23/06/2016 - 10:07
        +3

        ahh yeah, you're right Japius.. i should have stuck with my original comment i was going to post before i quickly googled.. that was 'build a bridge and get over it - treat gift cards like cash'.

        • beatwixkid on 23/06/2016 - 19:04

          Well, it's nice seeing someone attempt to post something useful on this thread. I appreciate you.

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