JB Gift Card Refused in Store (New Policy?)

Yuri Lowell on 30/04/2018 - 16:59

Anyone having issues trying to redeem gift cards in store? I clipped and printed off the gift card I got from the 10% Ebay post the other day and tried using it in store but they refused. I printed off the barcode, number and pin but apparently that's not "enough" and I had to print off the entire page or show it on my phone. I don't understand why you can use the gift cards online to purchase any of their products with just inputting the card number and pin yet in store they have an issue with that? I even told them the exact amount on it but it didn't matter. It was only $25 too, hardly anything that would cause suspicion like a $1000+ purchase.

I guess the point of this post is a warning to any fellow Ozbargainers doing the same, you gotta print out the whole page or show them your phone with the email. They said it was some kind of "new policy" although this is the only store I've actually had trouble with. I complained last time it happened (the manager at the time was rude too) but they never got back to me.

General Discussion Gift Card JB Hi-Fi

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JB Hi-Fi
JB Hi-Fi

Comments

  • [Deactivated] on 30/04/2018 - 17:20
    +16

    Some people that work in JB HiFi because it's the only place that will employ them.

    • fossilfuel on 30/04/2018 - 17:23
      +2

      Agree. My experiences were JB were horrendous. Rude managers, employees who don't care (looked like zombies). It's not like it's only 1 or 2 JB stores, I've been to many and it's the same across the board.

      • [Deactivated] on 30/04/2018 - 17:33
        +6

        They are very good at drawing game characters for their console gaming section… So… there's that…

        • fossilfuel on 30/04/2018 - 17:47
          +21

          So that's where all the arts graduates ended up…

        • [Deactivated] on 30/04/2018 - 18:04

          @fossilfuel:
          Your words…

        • fossilfuel on 30/04/2018 - 18:24

          @tshow: Apologies, I forgot to add art graduates too.

      • FeRGan on 30/04/2018 - 17:58
        +1

        "Rude managers" YES!

      • Diji1 on 30/04/2018 - 18:28
        +1

        Agreed and yet every time I go into the store I have to wait 10 minutes in a line to get to the checkout because it's so busy.

    • bdl on 30/04/2018 - 20:52

      and they get paid in JB Gift Cards :)

  • Geekomatic on 30/04/2018 - 17:37
    +2

    Just went into local JB to have a try on some gaming headsets. Wanted to buy right then for a birthday gift. All in sealed boxes.

    NO. You cannot try them on! How are you supposed to know if they fit? I ask the clerk & get— "oh, it's a health & safety" issue.

    Uh-huh. I point across the aisle, to the dozen or so on display for music, to try on. Shoulder shrug from clerk is what I got.

    Not the clerk's fault about the "rule" (if there even is one) but my god man, did anyone point out this glaring discrepancy at the time it was discussed?

    I honestly felt like choosing a pair, buying it, trying it on in the shop, & returning them, over & over, until I found a set that fit.

    PS: they have WAY too many gaming headsets! Why are there, like, a dozen+ for a single brand? Maybe cut it back to the best rated of low-mid-high. Then, have them on display.

    • FeRGan on 30/04/2018 - 18:01

      I can see your point, I guess I am just used to retailers being somewhat inflexible.

    • [Deactivated] on 30/04/2018 - 18:08

      Headsets are like undies. There may be lice in them.

      If someone wants to try the communal testers, go ahead. I'll have mine herpes free, thanks.

      Ps. Not my downvote. I thought you highlighted the hypocrisy well.

    • Strahany on 30/04/2018 - 19:10
      +3

      To be fair, would you be happy with purchasing a 'new' pair of headphones that have been opened and tried on x number of times? I'm not sure how demo/display units work in the retail setting, but if these are provided like they are at telcos, then the lack of a demo unit would be on the manufacturer/supplier, not JB HiFi. But if it's up to them to provide this unit, then you can't really blame them when I doubt they're a very popular item.

      They have reasonably good return policies. I was told that I could open an item and return it within 30 days so long as it had all packaging, without damage etc. The receipt wasn't even necessary, either. I don't know if this was an 'internal policy' for that store or if it is a global one, but it's not bad for a circumstance such as yours.

    • endotherm on 01/05/2018 - 13:21
      • Go to the counter
      • buy it
      • open it up in front of them
      • try them on
      • if you don't like it, ask to return them and get a refund.

      Less mess if you pay with cash (instant refund, no messing around with credit in limbo). If you ultimately want to pay by card for points etc, maybe you could convince the checkout person to hold your cash as a security deposit while you decide, then process the sale on the card.

      • Hybroid on 01/05/2018 - 14:04

        Why is this considered acceptable moral behaviour? It's not the retailer's responsibility to provide you tester items for everything and why should they lose money because you decided to try something and change your mind? They'll now have to send it off to be destroyed or refurbished and sold at lower price. That doesn't sound right.

        • endotherm on 01/05/2018 - 14:22

          Well, it's not that there is anything wrong with it, he is just short-circuiting the process. Under the Australian Consumer Law it needs to be fit for purpose. "Not fitting" would be just that. That is not "changing their mind". OP is quite entitled to buy it, take it home and as the new owner is entitled to try it on. If it doesn't fit they would discover that it is not fit for purpose. They would then be entitled to return it for a replacement or refund. JB would not be able to deny it then, despite any policy they may have, which is trumped by the ACL. Doing this at the counter, as he is entitled to do, just streamlines the process and eliminates unnecessary inconvenience. I doubt they will be able to replace it with something that fits though — it seems the OP is shopping for someone with a boof head :). I've never met a set of headphones that doesn't fit 99% of the population. I hardly think it would need to be destroyed having been draped over someone's head once. I have bought open box products before (as long as it doesn't look worn out), I'm sure others will too. Others are free not to buy it if they dislike open box.

        • Deridas on 01/05/2018 - 15:00

          @endotherm:

          I'm just not sure if "headphones don't fit" is a valid reason for "object not fit for purpose". I'm no lawyer, but common sense would dictate things like "headphone not working", "headphones have distorted sounded" are good reasons for "not fit for purpose". As long as JB can prove the headphones can fit a standard person, then surely it's tough to say "my head is special, doesn't fit, demand refund".

        • endotherm on 01/05/2018 - 21:21
          +1

          @Deridas: The OP clearly would not buy the headphones if they did not fit. The retailer is choosing to withhold the information from the consumer.

          According to the consumer guarantees goods must:

          • …
          • be fit for any purpose represented by the business or made known by the consumer before purchase
          • match descriptions made by the salesperson, on packaging and labels, and in promotions or advertising
          • match the sample or demonstration model the consumer relied on
          • …

          In his case he has to rely on descriptions and claims made by the manufacturer. The manufacturer says they are HEADphones and photos on the packaging and manufacturer's website show people wearing the headphones. These implied claims by the manufacturer oblige the seller to honor them. If a "used" item is returned to them for refund, there is nothing stopping the retailer returning them in turn to the supplier for credit by the same reasoning under the ACL, thereby not being financially disadvantaged. If JB don't want to provide fitment information or permit unboxing, they can decline to sell the item to the purchaser, which they are entitled to do. If however, they sell the item and transfer legal ownership, they are bound by the ACL and the associated consumer guarantees therein. This means the purchaser has the legal (and moral) right to return it.

          In part, the running theme in the ACL is that goods sold are fit for purpose, and consumers are entitled to remedies if the goods were such that they would not have bought them in the first place if they had been made aware of their deficiencies.

          https://www.choice.com.au/shopping/consumer-rights-and-advice/your-rights/buying-guides/know-your-consumer-rights

        • SirFlibbled on 02/05/2018 - 12:27

          @Deridas: I agree. Unless the headphones were exceptionally large or small that no reasonable buyer could be expected to be able to use them, not fitting generally would not come under 'not fit for purpose'

  • ol mate on 30/04/2018 - 18:11
    +5

    I got told by a JB that you can't price match and use gift cards.

    So i walked to another JB 200m away, matched it and paid with gift cards.

    Some just want to make people's lives harder.

    • Strahany on 30/04/2018 - 19:11

      Maybe the sales staff get less/no commission for a Gift Card sale? From a selfish perspective, it would explain why they wouldn't want to 'waste' some budget burning to facilitate a fruitless sale, but that's not a good enough reason. Staff should be better, or the business shouldn't have such rules in place (if that happens to be the case).

      • scrambledeggs on 30/04/2018 - 19:48

        not the case (used to work at JB)

        • bobbified on 30/04/2018 - 21:54

          not the case (used to work at JB)

          So please explain what the case might be… incompetent staff? training issue?

  • Melb69 on 01/05/2018 - 13:58

    Heres my tip. If you want to buy from JB. Go in and just biy the item. Don't ask the useless staff any questions about it as they wont know. If you want a price match try ask. If they dont match either ealk out or buy at that price. There's no customer service there unless you find the right sales person. Dont expect them. To let you open new items to try. That doesnt make sense as a retailer. Come on guys. IMO. If headphone doesn't fit try returning it. If they refuse then just resell it. They only have to accept return if faulty or not fit for use not change of mind. You could try that because it doesnt fit head its not fit for use.

    As for OP. Seems like a bit of mucking around.Good heads up if your using copy then. Just use email I say. Why waste ink printing it.

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