Dick Smith Enters in Liquidation, Closure of Stores / Closing Down, Sales

Lthe-mal on 04/01/2016 - 11:21
Last edited 02/05/2016 - 15:37 by 3 other users

Dick Smith shares are now in a trading halt with an announcement on debt financing due by Wednesday.

More bad news for Dick.

http://www.smh.com.au/business/retail/dick-smith-shares-ente…

Get the bargains whilst they last because I can't see Dick Smith existing much longer.

Recent Updates:

Discounts via BI:

Apple products, including iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch: 5%
Apple cables: 30%
Game consoles and games: 20%
All TVs: 20%
Samsung phones, tablets and TVs: 20%
All Smartphones (Except iPhone): 20%
Laptops: 20%
Microsoft, including Surface products: 20%
Drones: 20%
DSLR cameras: 20%
Headphones, including Beats: 30%

Older Updates:

General Discussion

Related Stores

Dick Smith / Kogan
Dick Smith / Kogan
Marketplace

Comments

  • juzz0 on 05/01/2016 - 19:28
    +24

    I have dropped into my local Dick Smith store about twenty times in the last month (usually half an hour to an hour each time). I have gotten to know the workers and while some of them had suspicions many were blindsided by this news. When I went in today there was one staff member managing the store. He was checking his KPIs (when looking for new work they become important and if they are still good in a failed company then he will look like a good, employable, prospect I'm assuming).

    He sounded sick (and said he was when I commented) but later I realised he had been crying; he has a family to support and I gather he relied on this job. I felt bad because he sold me a TV during the "firesale" and he seemed excited by the flurry of activity in the store. Many staff were candid with me that they had bought items too (phones, TVs) but what's a thousand dollar TV is you are laid off after years of work? (With accrued benefits coming to nothing and becoming unemployed). My partner received a $6,700 redundancy payment when the retail kids store she worked in was closed down by head office. However since this whole company has gone into receivership I'm guessing staff will come after a long list of other stakeholders when it comes to dividing the remnants of Dick.

    The news today has saddened me more than I thought it would. While I'm not a big fan of the company it was a brand I loved to hate. Even though the product lines they stocked were overpriced and customer service was highly variable between stores they were another tech company in the sector offering some competition to Hardly Normal and JB. RIP Dick.

    As for discounts on stock; he guessed what might happen is a rolling set of discounts (starting at 20% then increasing each day). But he told me it might take a week or two to begin while the company is fully assessed (so don't hold your breath tomorrow morning that there will be miraculous discounting of 80% store-wide, at least just yet). Noticed also a lot of transfer papers to other stores in one of the cupboards but maybe they are old copies of stock that has already been transferred to other retail stores for sale. I check the cabinets/cupboards/TV drawers every time I go as customers often hide stock behind them (or in them) that is either discounted or good product that will likely be discounted in the not too-distant future (old non-steel pebble watches, samsung tablets etc.)

    • IHateFrasierCrane on 05/01/2016 - 19:35
      +2

      "However since this whole company has gone into receivership I'm guessing staff will come after a long list of other stakeholders when it comes to dividing the remnants of Dick."

      I believe staff come as secondary creditors to the administrators. They skim from the top, then staff next, followed by remaining entities.

      • juzz0 on 05/01/2016 - 19:40

        Well, some good news for them at least. I also feel sorry for also all the gift card owners who got stung (and those with DSE house-brand product). But if you go into the store raising fists of bank print-outs and receipts, remember while some staff may be slack a lot of them are hard-working and it's not like they work for Anchorage getting paid six figures.

        Some of them may deserve it I guess judging from stories of outright lying to customers about purchasing stock. It is a bit farcical the way it has played out. Staff hoarding product, sales ill-communicated to the public, gift-cards sold around christmas time then less than two weeks later invalid.

    • INFIDEL on 05/01/2016 - 19:45
      +1

      It's too early to tell what will happen to staff, stores or sales. Its all speculation at the moment. If a buyer / financier is found, DS may survive. The administrators say they will keep the staff & operate the business, at least in the short term.

      • juzz0 on 05/01/2016 - 19:50

        Let's pray for Dick ;)

        Jokes aside lets hope some good bargains are to be had if new owners come in and streamline the business. Streamline in the sense of shedding product lines hopefully not sacking workers although both are likely to occur if major restructuring is on the cards. However he told me the outlook at least for the store he worked in was pretty "dire" so I'm guessing hundreds of lay offs no matter what happens.

        Also not honouring gift cards seems like a dumb move, sure it's a directive from the receivers/banks but wouldn't they want to keep what little goodwill/public trust there is in the brand? Wouldn't they want to propose something like 'gift cards are valid for matched payments of the same amount' eg. $100 item can be purchased with $50 cash and $50 gift card to raise some cash-flow. Being told gift cards are now worthless pieces of plastic, and to pretty much throw them away, seems to be the death knell and will turn the little remaining once loyal Dick customers off.

        I don't see the logic and it seems like those owed money from Dick are shooting themselves in the foot.

        • INFIDEL on 05/01/2016 - 20:52

          Some people have been told by staff there will be something happening with Gift Cards on Wednesday. May not happen, but could be an offer as you suggest, or an easy way to fob off angry customers.

        • Associateddefaultuser19 @ Dick Smith / Kogan on 05/01/2016 - 22:31
          +1

          @Infidel:
          This was a bit of mis-information that did the rounds. The administrators have clearly said they gift cards are not redeemable.

        • INFIDEL on 05/01/2016 - 22:38

          @rikk19:
          Administrators initially plug the leaks (credit sales with Gift Cards) to minimise any loses while they consider their options. That need not be the final position.

          The gift card payment system has not been disabled, yet. Staff have simply been told not to accept them, and online gift card is disabled.

          But I wouldn't be thinking about what to buy with the gift card :-(

    • chrig on 05/01/2016 - 20:48
      +1

      I think that's the worst part is the decreased competition.

      If we look since 2010 in Vic we have lost

      -Retravision (used to be a powerful network here)
      -Clive Peeters
      -Now Dick Smith

      As another post mentioned I can't see as many 10% Apple deals

      It will be interesting what happens to David Jones who run DS concessions

      • T-man on 06/01/2016 - 01:27

        and WoW. Yes the decreased competition means the higher price we'll pay for the products.

  • IHateFrasierCrane on 05/01/2016 - 19:33
    +2

    I think we all saw this coming.

    Damn shame. However, I stopped going to Dick Stiff because they just weren't competitive anymore.

  • tryagain on 05/01/2016 - 19:34

    I read about it in the news and though would be a bummer if you had gift cards then realised that I had only a partly filled order from early December that I just received a reply from in regards to offering a refund, it was paid through Paypal with my credit card, not a big loss when compared to the employees but wondering what my best action for getting the money back is through Paypal or a charge back on my credit card

    • ahara on 05/01/2016 - 19:43

      Trying with your bank is usually faster although they may insist you to raise A case with PayPal first (i.e the company that you paid the money to).

      If the bank records the claim into their system (I.e. To investigate), you should then see the disputed amount in your account instantly.

      That's at least how it was for me in the past once, on an unrelated disputed transaction with westpac, where the actual product was not delivered.

  • nultma on 05/01/2016 - 19:35
    +3

    Well I think I'm gonna miss the eneloop bargains.

    And the dick puns.

    • ash2000 on 05/01/2016 - 20:22

      yes, thank christ I've stock piled a tonne of Eneloops.

      • blerk on 05/01/2016 - 21:09

        But who kept a stock pile of dick puns??

  • OzBrogains on 05/01/2016 - 19:37
    +3

    The fire sale last year should have spooked people about DSE's financial performance. No healthy company does that, period.

  • oogah on 05/01/2016 - 19:42
    -6

    Some interesting interpretations here on remedies for the gift card debacle. I was in Broadway this morning at 11 just as the call came through to the manager. I had about a hundred in credit left. I am a lawyer (not a criminal lawyer) but I was seriously considering leaving the cards on the table and walking out with stock at the same ticketed value. I suggested he call security if he had a problem with that as I struggled to see how the elements of larceny are made out when cardholders are constantly advised to treat the cards as if they were cash. Would be interested to hear what others think. In the end, I didn't feel much like spending 2 hours at centre security waiting for the cops…

    • ahara on 05/01/2016 - 19:46
      +4

      Yes those famous statements by companies to treat cards like cash. Whatever suits them best.

      • INFIDEL on 05/01/2016 - 20:39

        That is advice so you hopefully won't lose the gift card & bother them, and nothing to do with what happens under the Corporations Act when a business goes into administration.

    • INFIDEL on 05/01/2016 - 19:59
      +2

      Let me see - you are a lawyer who would risk their reputation & prospects - by placing worthless plastic in a store (where it is no longer a valid form of payment) - not offered to a staff member, not have any transaction & proof of purchase recorded, and remove stock you consider is of equal value to what was once on that gift card (trust me, I'm a lawyer)!
      Then challenge staff to call security.

      The poor staff. As if their day wasn't bad enough already!!

      What law school taught you that the way of thinking?

      On that basis, anyone could take whatever they like, only needing to say that they are 'owed it'. If that's legal, a lot of lawyers will be out of work!

      Would you expect the transaction to be legitimate if you did the same thing with an unknown pile of cash - just place on counter & grab what you want?

      There's a difference between what you might want to do & what is a legitimate transaction or legal. If I acted out on my thoughts… I'd be a very scared guy in prison ;-)

      • Vieira4 on 06/01/2016 - 12:19

        the only thing criminal here is DSE taking the cash already paid for gift cards, and then not honouring them.

        • INFIDEL on 06/01/2016 - 15:46

          That's an entirely different matter. Complain to the ACCC.

    • nedski on 06/01/2016 - 00:19
      +1

      You are a pretty bad lawyer if you dont understand why doing the walkout thing and leaving the gift card behind is a bad idea.

      I am a lawyer as well and you really should know better. Where did you do legal prac?

  • drfuzzy on 05/01/2016 - 20:05
    +4

    Why not take the item you wish to purchase and leave your gift cards with a note at the register?

    Is it stealing to pay with gift cards that meet all the terms and conditions?
    Are the police going to be interested?
    Yes - it Is it unethical. But is it more unethical than selling the gift cards in the first place?

    • doodo477 on 05/01/2016 - 20:08
      +2

      That would be classified as theft.

      • drfuzzy on 05/01/2016 - 20:11
        +1

        And the police would prosecute it?
        And the magistrate would see it that way?
        I'm not so sure. It appears to be a civil matter to me.

        • doodo477 on 05/01/2016 - 20:17

          They can and will ring the police to report theft (stealing) of a store item without payment (Legal Tender).

        • drfuzzy on 05/01/2016 - 20:20
          +3

          @doodo477:
          I suspect you are right.
          But I also suspect the police will have better things to do.
          I don't propose this is the best solution but either way gift card holders are being forced to swallow a shit sandwich.

        • montorola on 05/01/2016 - 20:31

          @doodo477:

          They can and will ring the police to report theft (stealing) of a store item without payment (Legal Tender).

          But your honour, they said to treat this card like cash…

        • lukeghulm on 05/01/2016 - 22:47

          @doodo477: Police will tell them to sod off. They have more important things to attend to than protecting creditors of a business that decided to rip people off.

        • Ughhh on 05/01/2016 - 22:55

          Like cash! Not as cash!

      • [Deactivated] on 06/01/2016 - 01:23
        +1

        So.. Dick smith steals your money (took money for drift vouchers now refuses to honour them) person takes item pays with gift card and is considered theft.

        I get your point but don't you think there's something wrong that a company can legally steal your money and you have no recourse?

        It's what I call "legal crime" which plenty of companies seemingly get away with daily.

    • INFIDEL on 05/01/2016 - 20:09

      Trying to pay without any valid credit is not a valid payment :(

      • drfuzzy on 05/01/2016 - 20:10

        Which term or condition on the gift card had the bearer not complied with?

        • doodo477 on 05/01/2016 - 20:16

          https://www.dicksmithgiftcard.com.au/App_Themes/10053/pdf/DS…

          1. Changes to the Terms of Use
            We reserve the right at any time to change the terms contained in this Terms of Use without
            notice to you so we recommend that you read these terms carefully each time you agree to
            them during your use of the Gift Card. You are deemed to accept any changes upon your
            use of the Gift Card.
        • INFIDEL on 05/01/2016 - 20:26
          +1

          T&C would have nothing to do with failure to provide a valid & sufficient payment. As soon as DS administrators deem gift cards not a valid form of payment, they theoretically can't be used. So no payment has been offered.

        • oogah on 05/01/2016 - 21:00
          +1

          @Infidel:

          Im glad for the spirited debate! My comment about the elements of larceny (particularly the mens rea) are legitimate. For those enquirers, I assist people who need to migrate to Australia. My degree was from UWS where there is strong support for the notion of using the law for social justice, and I treat my clients as I would like to be treated myself, and to the full extent that the law allows.

        • INFIDEL on 05/01/2016 - 21:33

          @oogah:
          I'm a lapsed anarchist & former campaigner for social justice.

          On public radio in Melbourne years back, listeners were encouraged to just take what they wanted from shops. I don't ever remember the words "social justice". It was more to piss people off ;-)

          There is a difference between feeling wronged, pissed off, and wanting to act out to right the situation, for personal vengeance - and social justice.

          Admittedly some people with little power, money, resources are going to be badly affected by DS. I feel for them. But taking what you want doesn't seem an appropriate solution. What would it gain for them? I watched stores in London burning in 2010, family businesses I had walked past week's earlier - but for what?

          People simply wanting a place to call home, often after some horrific experiences - need help in pleading their cases & pushing for changes in the current system. That is worthwhile, and other's may disagree.

          One of my lawyer mates graduated at a bad time for employment. His first job was in the offices of a former lawyer, politician & then immigration agent. My friend's employer turned out to be Yukaza, and his job was to launder money through gambling & investments!
          I convinced him to leave, but he then worked for a Liberal politician - I don't know which was worse :-)

          Pity social justice doesn't pay well, is usually hard work & rewards / successes limited in my experience. Whereas working for a crime boss…

          Ah, discussion & debate…

        • Wallyt99 on 06/01/2016 - 09:32

          @doodo477:

          That seems to be an unfair contract term and could be challenged under the consumer law.

          The issue for me seems that they are still trading and continuing to incur liabilities. At the same time lowering stock levels which are asserts arguably claimable by creditors. Don't envy the administrators.

    • PVA on 05/01/2016 - 22:30

      the cards dont meet all terms and conditions as they have all be deemed invalid to purchase goods.

    • imahapyboy on 05/01/2016 - 23:24

      why don't you try it and let us know?

  • dn4hc on 05/01/2016 - 20:33
    +4

    EXTENDED WARRANTY are STILL COVERED

    They are external to DS and receivership won't make a difference. Just confirmed it by calling them.

    • cloudie9 on 05/01/2016 - 21:07
      +1

      Luckily before I flew off for holiday, got myself a PS4 1tb (newer model) with the extended warranty thrown in as freebie, just felt crap that I still have $25 left in my $500 gift card.

      • rocklinsuv on 05/01/2016 - 21:33

        You are lucky. I still have $600 without spending it. Gonna rush to the ACT stores tomorrow and try my luck. Which store did you try?

        • Flowerbomb on 05/01/2016 - 22:17

          Try the move store as well.

        • cloudie9 on 05/01/2016 - 23:20

          That was like almost 3 weeks ago at Adelaide Rundle Mall. Good luck!

        • rocklinsuv on 06/01/2016 - 04:02

          Tried online. Giftcard invalid. Don't have any store in ACT. Sigh.

    • Probspot on 06/01/2016 - 00:08

      When Retraction folded we had to use our extended warranty. Turns out they never even followed through and just took our money
      !

  • [Deactivated] on 05/01/2016 - 20:57

    I ordered something online paid with PayPal last night and picked up in store today.

    • [Deactivated] on 06/01/2016 - 12:27
      -3

      Cool story bro.

  • cloudy on 05/01/2016 - 21:12
    +12

    My tip to everyone, do not buy online as well. Do not give dick money without having the item in hand coz there is no guarantee u will get ur purchase,

    • INFIDEL on 05/01/2016 - 21:41
      +8

      A lot of us would ask how is that any different to the normal service at DS ;-)

    • [Deactivated] on 05/01/2016 - 22:31

      If you really want to push your chances online, you should at least do Paypal, even though technically they aren't under obligation to cover losses due to you dealing with an insolvent seller.

      • wtfnodeal on 06/01/2016 - 02:11

        There is a difference between before and after receivership. Your online order now e.g. paid by PayPal should be fine as it is after the receiver is appointed.

  • DiscoJango on 05/01/2016 - 21:50
    +2

    i wonder how this will change the face of retail? for a while now, retailers have been giving us poor customer service along with high prices, and have mostly gotten away with it

    • happychappy1 on 05/01/2016 - 22:08
      +2

      I think this is a culture + lack of training thing.

      • regenade on 06/01/2016 - 01:38

        JB Hi Fi and Harvey Norman have 100s of millions of cash in bank to burn before they belly up, will probably in 2020 or even later ! JB is more or less a monopoly in many product lines now ! Welcome to Straya, land of high prices and 70% + (Cost price from supplier and what price its sold to customer not considering any operating expenses) profit margins and all business blame high minimum wages for that.

        • abc on 06/01/2016 - 10:00

          HNH will not go bust as they own all the property at their locations. Their franchisees have all the risk.

  • King Steuart on 05/01/2016 - 21:58
    +4

    I'm glad the daily D$E codes posted on ozbargain are coming to an end. Anyone get any word on closing down sales?

    • INFIDEL on 05/01/2016 - 22:18
      +1

      The reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated. Mark (DS) Twain

      Time will tell.

  • afterabargain on 05/01/2016 - 22:20
    +1

    After reading the most of the posts I feel sorry for those that are about to loose that hard earned money. Personally being stuffed around by these DS clowns made a decision to boycott them so nothing lost here.
    Just hope the Oz Bargainers will get something back, Best of British Luck guys!!

  • AlisonP on 05/01/2016 - 22:20
    +1

    Damn, I'll never own a T-2200 soldering station now. Tandy, and now Dick Smith gone.

    How the hell do Jaycar survive?

    Every time I go in the staff seem to spend ages helping numpty customers with banal questions - only to sell them a few resistors or a small switch.

    Surprised they're still operating.

    • markis10 on 05/01/2016 - 22:38

      High margin product lines, just like Tandy used to do and low wages I suspect, having no real competition also helps.

    • [Deactivated] on 05/01/2016 - 23:04
      +3

      Jaycar survive on account/commercial/trade/education/government sales. Dick Smith abandoned/ignored the commercial market after then Woolies revamp/rebranding of the Dick Smith business post-2009, and as a result a huge chunk of gross profit was lost practically overnight, which went straight to Jaycar (or Altronics).

      Those sales go on to fund the store network.

    • mubd1234 on 05/01/2016 - 23:19
      +1

      Looking at prices on Aliexpress, a banana connector costs about 12 cents per piece when ordered in a bag of 200. I'd imagine Jaycar orders in far higher quantities even than that, and at a lower price.

      They sell them for $1 per piece at Jaycar. Their components range relies on the fact that you'll want a specific component there in your hand immediately, rather than waiting days from an Aussie supplier, or weeks and months from China. I had to DIY some wiring (electric bike) which involved banana connectors and wiring and a soldering iron. I didn't want to wait days for these things, so I went to Jaycar. I think they will be in business for a while yet, even with internet trade booming.

      Also, their gadgets and other miscellaneous things are really expensive for what they are, but if I was a bit more well-off than I am at the moment, I'd probably buy some of the things they've got there.

    • jenkemjunkie on 06/01/2016 - 09:41
      +1

      maybe the one Ozbargain convinced me to buy and not use will increase in value

  • vid_ghost on 05/01/2016 - 22:35
    +1

    Jaycar have closed down and shrunk allot of stores.. I think the closing of dicksmith will help them stay around for a long time to come as they will be the only place to go for any tech nicknacks

    • jonathonsunshine on 05/01/2016 - 22:48
      +2

      JarCar don't really compete with DS though, DS stopped selling all that type of stuff ages along time ago. I used to go to Dick Smith all the time to buy wire and plugs and solder etc, now I have to trek it to the other side of town to go to JayCar

      • aussieprepper on 06/01/2016 - 06:53

        Stores like bunnings have picked up a bit of that slack now. I buy a few electronic parts from them to modify torches.

        • netsurfer on 06/01/2016 - 12:17

          Jaycar stores are generally better. With Bunnings lowest price guarantee, you would think you can get the cheapest digital multi-meter there. However, that's incorrect. You can get cheaper ones at Jaycar (same type but they are different brands so you cannot price match/beat at Bunnings). You could also buy on feeBay but some of them are really dodgy.

          DSE… they don't sell electronic parts like they used to and I've heard staff recommending people to go to Jaycar for getting capacitors, resistors etc…

        • aussieprepper on 06/01/2016 - 14:03

          @netsurfer:what about John r turks? I am already set for multimeters lol I usually just need parts here and there..

  • jonathonsunshine on 05/01/2016 - 22:46

    Erg… CBF reading 7 pages but just what to chip in that imho refusing gift cards is essentially outright theft as far as i'm concerned.

    • sintro on 05/01/2016 - 22:58
      +3

      Yes!

      Taking people's money by selling them "I owe you"s in the form of a plastic card then start telling people that "I am broke" so I no longer owe you anything even though I still have lots of inventory…

      ..IS OUTRIGHT THEFT!

      • INFIDEL on 05/01/2016 - 23:03
        +3

        It's spelt "the Corporations Act".

        • sintro on 05/01/2016 - 23:31

          Yes, this is Man's Law which deals with the DEAD whereas Natural Law governs nature and the living.

          Know the word corpse?

          It means a dead body, and comes from the Latin corpus "body."

          One way to remember corporation is that it turns a company into a body––a body that is considered a person in many respects in the eyes of the law. Corporations must pay taxes and follow laws. Because it is a separate entity, when a corporation fails, its employees and managers are not responsible for its debts.

    • JimmyF on 05/01/2016 - 23:36
      +6

      Yes it is…… theft!

      Lodge a ACCC complaint to get them to look in to changing the laws for gift cards to become secured creditors!!!

    • jonathonsunshine on 06/01/2016 - 04:04
      +5

      Do not understand why this was negged…

  • SpaceNinja on 05/01/2016 - 23:17
    +12

    I feel for the Dick Smith staff in these times who have to put-up with angry customers and receivership. Any staff reading this, stay strong and hang in there guys, thanks for your service over the years.

    • paloverde88 on 05/01/2016 - 23:31
      +4

      Many Dick Smith staff are quite rude themselves how to feel for these staff I wonder?

      • citybargainhunter on 06/01/2016 - 07:44
        +4

        I must be one of the lucky few because I honestly cannot think of one I have been treated rudely by a Dick Smith staff member. On the contrary, almost all Dick Smith staff members are very nice, especially the ones in their Lidcomb store in Sydney.

        • RojoMojo on 06/01/2016 - 08:21
          +5

          Yep, i'll concur with that.
          Every DS staff member i have dealt with has been very helpful and polite.
          Going out of their way to help me a lot of time and being nice in offering me full refunds on products i decided i just didn't like

          I would think, where people have mentioned the staff are rude, the first place i would be looking is at the customers of those stores
          As i'm 99% sure thats where the problem will be.

          Yep, my thoughts also go out the DS staff, they have far more to be concerned about than someone who has lost $50 on a Gift Card.
          They have Rent or Home Loans to pay, Car Loans, food to buy.
          I especially feel sorry for the staff i have dealt with, as they went out of their way to help me.

          The worst staff treatment i have ever received in my life, was a manager of a Jaycar store.
          Your typical arrogant electrics know it all type person, with the people skills of a house brick.
          And thats before you even engaged in a conversation with him.

        • PVA on 06/01/2016 - 10:20
          +1

          same here, never had a rude DS staff serve me.

        • mooboy on 06/01/2016 - 14:48
          +2

          I've had both rude and polite staff serve me before. On balance, mostly polite and helpful. It's almost as if Dick Smith staff are just regular people hired from the general populace.

  • [Deactivated] on 05/01/2016 - 23:29

    I am itching to say they are still hiring or maybe forgot to update the site.
    https://jobs.dicksmith.com.au/jobtools/jncustomsearch.search…

    • [Deactivated] on 05/01/2016 - 23:35

      You only need to see the jobs they're "hiring" for (store managers) to see that it was probably people that saw the writing on the wall / were self aware enough to quit the business before it went under and they lost all their accrued leave and entitlements…

      • [Deactivated] on 06/01/2016 - 00:09

        At least there will be some coverage under the FEG if there aren't enough funds to cover employee entitlements altogether https://docs.employment.gov.au/system/files/doc/other/eligib… but it'll be slow coming and capped at the FEG maximum weekly wage if it comes to this

        • AssociatedPharos5 @ Dick Smith / Kogan on 06/01/2016 - 16:28

          I really feel for the people that have been at DS for 10+ years who were constantly turned down for annual leave because of terrible staff management who will be losing 6 months+ of AL, 12 weeks Redundancy and who knows how much LSL.

    • AssociatedPharos5 @ Dick Smith / Kogan on 06/01/2016 - 16:26

      I had a 15/16 year old come in today and ask if I'm currently hiring. I (unsuccessfully) tried to stifle a laugh and politely suggested against it.

  • gstfree on 05/01/2016 - 23:39
    +8

    I am not an expert on giftcaeds, but I think gift card should not be treated like the normal deposits.

    I believe DSE involved insolvency trading: they know their financial situation and they should reasonably aware their abilities to honour the gift cards.
    Given DSE financial situation, they still promoted the gift cards through Coles/Woolworths immediately before went into administration. So I think their directors should be liable and be interviewed by ASIC.

    Anyone with giftcards should return it for refunds. (Hopefully its not purchased from DSE)

  • Rock00019 on 06/01/2016 - 00:49

    I AM ONE OF THE BUGGEST LOOSER AS I HAVE A DICKSMITH $999 DIGITAL GIFT CARD. I got it Last year in August as a insurance clams for my lost IPhone 6 and I end up buying a secoundhand phone from one of my friend and thought will use it later on.
    But when I found it today I quickly went to the Toombul dicksmith in QLD and tried to buy a IPhone worth $1150 but the Manager who's name is Mark refused to accept it and told me wait few days dicksmith will launch a hotline number on his website with in next 2-3 weeks and they will help you out to redeem gift card and gave me the customer care number (1300 660 054) to call and see if they can assist me with some thing and I called the number they gave me online purchase customer care number (1300 366 644) I rung that number after 20 min of wait I finally spoke to Rachel she assured me I can still use my card for online purchase. I come home pic up my lap to make a online purchase but there wasn't any option for gift card. There was an error message which I think they put up to confused people anyways I call the 1300 366 644 again and after 20- 30 min of wait I spoke to the customer service I Cnt rember his name and he told me the same thing that I can make online purchase and when I asked him as I am new to online purchase to assist me he start throwing rock here and there and accepted in the end that they are not taking anymore gift card for some reason.
    The moral of the long story is I got ripped off by dicksmith and even if I go to a store and throw that gift voucher on their table and just took something from the store I can be charged as a theft.

    • Wallyt99 on 06/01/2016 - 00:52
      +2

      Speak to your insurer. They will prolly take the card. Their insurers after all.

    • mmd on 06/01/2016 - 01:11
      +26

      Should have bought a keyboard/phone containing a comma key.
      You had +5 months to use the card. If you were lurking on here, you would have seen the massive clearance pre Xmas sale, which would have set off alarm bells! There have also been many comments regarding the situation.
      (Sorry for my rant. I spent all my gift cards at the pre xmas sale.

      The only thing u can do now is wait as there are many other ppl in the same situation as you.

      • Rock00019 on 06/01/2016 - 03:48
        -1

        I didn't know company is in this bad situation otherwise I would have bought something around Xmas

        • mmd on 06/01/2016 - 04:04

          A massive fire sale in the weeks leading up to Xmas is suicide (according to Gerry).
          This was during Retail's peak selling period of the year, where there's more foot traffic (ppl buying presents/ upgrading their appliances for parties). That's just plain mad.
          They even competed against themselves. Ppl willing to pay +$3000 for a 65inch TV, managed to buy for a measly $300 (cant remember the exact price but it was crazy)

        • Japius on 06/01/2016 - 08:14
          +5

          @mmd:

          It's exactly what WOW Sight & Sound did, big clearance sale for christmas followed by "oops we can't pay our bills" in January

        • Flowerbomb on 06/01/2016 - 08:34

          @Japius:yeah I remember back in dec,some wise ozbargainers like yourself were precautioning about the wow sound company and their footsteps. Thank god for them and the internet.

          I jumped the gun and immediately bought my iPad with the giftcards, topping up with 6% more. Next day all the stores around me sold out for click and collect. Never buying gift cards again unless it is Coles myer.

    • dmac80 on 06/01/2016 - 01:19
      +10

      So you got given a gift card from your insurance company to buy a replacement iPhone from dick smith - you didn't use it and presumably bought a second hand one phone for less so you could profit from the situation - then didn't use the gift card that you've had 5 months to spend even with constantly speculation that DS could go under at anytime, and now you're angry.

      Rightio then.

      • Rock00019 on 06/01/2016 - 03:57
        -3

        I wasn't aware of the situation as I don't check news for days and I did read somewhere 2-3 months ago that's it can be happen and dicksmith can go bank corrupt so yes it foolish of me you are right and It wasn't any profitable situation for me at all
        First I lost my phone 2nd I had to pay the access which was $250 to get the claim and then they gave me $999 voucher and I have to put another $150 to buy the same phone as the price went up during that time that's the reason they gave me the gift voucher instead of a replacement phone which I was asking.

        • RojoMojo on 06/01/2016 - 08:37
          +1

          There was talk earlier in this thread of person taking his Gift Card down the Manager could manually over ride the POS and get it through.
          But at $999, i'm not sure if that going to to happen.

          5 months sitting on it, oh well, you obviously didn't miss the money
          But i feel and understand your frustration.
          Id be pissed off too.

          ok, i'll start the bidding, i'll buy it off you for $20

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