Am I Wrong? Catch.com.au Gift Cards

LMiguelSanchez91 on 16/11/2019 - 15:44
Last edited 16/11/2019 - 22:19

Good afternoon fellow OzBargainers,

I've been in a predicament for a week now and I need to know if I'm simply in the wrong or if I should continue the uphill battle against Catch.com.au

To put it simply, my wife and I wanted to purchase a Dyson V10 from Catch.com.au, $698 or so.

It was of benefit to me at the time to make some or all of the purchase using Gift Cards (the reason why isn't relevant).

I went into my local Coles and purchased 10 x $50 gift cards to put towards the vacuum, had a look at the Ts & Cs on the back of the cards - standard conditions which is fine.

It wasn't until I went to actually purchase the Dyson that I was given an error on the website saying I can only use a maximum of 5 gift cards per transaction, rendering the $250 of remaining gift cards useless to me.

After a week of back and forth phone calls to Catch, they are unable to bypass the system and have left me with no solution on how to spend these gift cards, other than to sell them on the street or 'buy something else'. I've also quickly learnt that their customer service is horrific, to say the least.

I wouldn't have bothered with the fight if I was in the wrong, but I believe I was misled with a 'bait and switch' tactic by Catch. They have taken my money but won't let me spend it as I chose.

Am I in the wrong?

Poll Options expired

  • 345
    You are wrong
  • 25
    Catch.com.au are wrong
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Comments

  • trex on 16/11/2019 - 15:51
    +25

    I feel your pain but you should have done a check on their website first. Catch has good deals quite frequently, you should hold on to the gift cards rather than selling at a loss.

  • mbck on 16/11/2019 - 15:52
    +15

    Erm…

    https://m.catch.com.au/gift-card/

    It says very clearly in the terms and condition about maximum 5 gift card to be used.

    Sorry op. Sell on classified so you minimise loss

      • HighAndDry on 16/11/2019 - 18:56
        +20

        Didn't you say:

        I wouldn't have bothered with the fight if I was in the wrong,

        Everyone agrees you're wrong, take your lumps.

        You paid for gift cards, you got gift cards. There's nothing for you to fight here.

      • JimmyF on 16/11/2019 - 20:54
        +4

        The money isn't as much of an issue as it is the principle of the matter,

        The 'principle' is you didn't check the catch website, you screwed up, no one else.

      • Zonty on 17/11/2019 - 15:21

        Do not worry you still got 3 years to use those gift card. They also keep sending every few month $15 off for spend $60 so you can use it to buy tooth paste, coffee other groceries which will help save extra $15.00

  • WreckTangle on 16/11/2019 - 16:01
    +8

    I thought about doing this when i needed a new phone. Checked on their website first though, wish you had too OP. Good luck with the Mrs…

  • [Deactivated] on 16/11/2019 - 16:05
    +1

    Can you use a gift card to buy a gift card? Purchase a 500

    • MiguelSanchez91 on 16/11/2019 - 16:06
      -5

      Unfortunately you can't, was thinking the same haha. The thing is I'm not even asking for a refund, I just want a way to spend the money on what I wanted

      • ozhunter on 16/11/2019 - 16:32
        +3

        The thing is I'm not even asking for a refund

        that's good, because you wouldn't be getting one.

        I just want a way to spend the money on what I wanted

        It's not money though, it's a gift card. It comes with terms and conditions. Another t&c would be that it expires in 3 years.

        • MiguelSanchez91 on 16/11/2019 - 16:40
          +15

          The expiry date of 3 years was printed clearly on the card. The transaction limit was not. Which according to the ACCC

          Businesses must clearly state:

          1. all conditions and restrictions on use of the gift card
          2. the expiry date of the gift card, including the activation expiry date for cards that need to be activated
          3. any limits on the number of transactions
          4. whether or not the card can be reloaded or topped up.

          Points 1 and 3 failed

          • brendanm on 16/11/2019 - 16:44
            +3

            @MiguelSanchez91: There is no restiction on the use of the gift card, but there is a limits to the amount of cards you can use in the one transaction.

            Would have been a lot easier to just pay through the website, rather than weirdly going into a physical store to purchase gift cards, to then use in an online store.

            • [Deactivated] on 16/11/2019 - 16:47
              -5

              @brendanm: Maybe he didn't have a Visa debit card mate or one with enough funds on it

              • brendanm on 16/11/2019 - 16:48

                @[Deactivated]: Or PayPal? Or a credit card? Or a bank account with a debit card attached to it, which I'm pretty sure they all have?

                • [Deactivated] on 16/11/2019 - 16:59
                  +1

                  @brendanm: Dude they offer gift cards in store for this option I'm giving a reason why you would buy one .. maybe he doesn't trust the websites taking his card .

                  • brendanm on 16/11/2019 - 17:07

                    @[Deactivated]: He didn't buy one, he bought 10, which only makes $500, so he was obviously having to give catch some other details to pay the rest. Dude.

                    • [Deactivated] on 16/11/2019 - 17:08
                      -2

                      @brendanm: Obviously his card was what he wanted to protect

                      • brendanm on 16/11/2019 - 17:09

                        @[Deactivated]: So how was he paying the other $198 to make up the balance?

                        • [Deactivated] on 16/11/2019 - 17:09
                          -4

                          @brendanm: It was a mistake he wasn't aware you could only apply 5

                          • brendanm on 16/11/2019 - 17:11
                            +8

                            @[Deactivated]: Dude, man, bro, learn to read. Op purchased 10 (ten) $50 gift cards. This equals $500 (five hundred dollars). The item he wanted is $698 (six hundred and ninety eight dollars), which is $198 (one hundred and ninety eight dollars) more than op had in gift cards. Therefore, he had to use PayPal, credit card, debit card, etc to pay for the remaining balance ($198).

                            Dude.

                              • [Deactivated] on 16/11/2019 - 17:32

                                @[Deactivated]: If he had bought 3 $250 cards he would have been fine

                              • brendanm on 16/11/2019 - 17:54
                                +3

                                @[Deactivated]: Where did I ask why they offer gift cards in store? I specifically was wondering why op chose to go out and buy gift cards for only part of a purchase from an online seller.

                                Don't have the internet? Catch.com.au is a website, how else do you propose they access it? Send a carrier pigeon? Who doesn't have at the very least a debit card? If you don't have enough money that you don't even have a bank account, you shouldn't be buying a $700 vacuum anyway.

                                Do you understand?

                                • [Deactivated] on 16/11/2019 - 20:28
                                  -2

                                  @brendanm: I specifically was wondering why op chose to go out and buy gift cards for only part of a purchase from an online seller.
                                  Do you get that it's safer to use gift cards then card details online ?

                                  • brendanm on 16/11/2019 - 21:21
                                    +3

                                    @[Deactivated]: Are you being deliberately dense? Op only had gift cards to the value of $500. The item is $698. Op still had to use his card, PayPal etc to pay the remainder.

                                    Op. Did. Not. Have. The. Full. Purchase. Price. In. Gift. Cards.

                                    He. Had. To. Use. A. Credit/debit/. Card. Anyway.

                                    • [Deactivated] on 16/11/2019 - 21:52
                                      +1

                                      @brendanm: Did you not question why he went 'weirdly' instore rather then buy online?
                                      Would have been a lot easier to just pay through the website, rather than weirdly going into a physical store to purchase gift cards, to then use in an online store
                                      Do you know understand why I said some people feel more secure paying cash for a gift card rather then giving cc details over the internet ?
                                      You surely have heard about online fraud.
                                      The internet isn't the safest place for online transactions.
                                      Fake transactions can happen
                                      sometimes on the internet .

                                      • brendanm on 16/11/2019 - 21:59

                                        @[Deactivated]: It was weird because he didn't even buy the complete amount. Catch is a massive site, never had issues as far as I'm aware. Do you honestly not use a credit card online lol? If details are stolen etc you get the money refunded, it also protects you if the product or service isn't as described, or never arrives.

                                        Catch may have a tin foil hat sale for you soon, get into Coles and get your gift cards now.

            • mattyman on 17/11/2019 - 13:26

              @brendanm: Only being able to use 5 gift card is a restriction on the use of any cards greater than 5 and should be indicated on the card. I think the OP has a case here and should probably tell Catch that he'll be taking it up with the ACCC.

              • brendanm on 17/11/2019 - 13:38
                +4

                @mattyman: That's not a restriction of use of the card, it's a restriction of the website.

          • [Deactivated] on 16/11/2019 - 16:48
            -4

            @MiguelSanchez91: I know it's alot of effort maybe tell catch you will go to the accc with this

          • ozhunter on 16/11/2019 - 17:05
            +1

            @MiguelSanchez91:

            all conditions and restrictions on use of the gift card

            They have done that, on their website.

          • JimmyF on 16/11/2019 - 21:00
            +1

            @MiguelSanchez91:

            The transaction limit was not.

            The 5 giftcards per transaction limit isn't a restriction of the gift card, but the website ordering system.

            all conditions and restrictions on use of the gift card

            See above, its not a gift card restrictions issue

            any limits on the number of transactions

            You can do 10 $5 transactions with your $50 gift card if you want to.

            Points 1 and 3 failed

            No they haven't, You are confusing gift card and the website ordering transactions restrictions.

            Also coles clearly says 5 giftcards per tranactions in the ad, so you should have read all the fine print ;)

            https://files.ozbargain.com.au/upload/96859/73693/img_201910…

            • MiguelSanchez91 on 16/11/2019 - 21:16
              -4

              @JimmyF: I didn't do it for the Coles gift card discount, so not sure if the smart arsery is necessary, I'm simply asking for opinions and I haven't done anything to you to offend you?

              • JimmyF on 16/11/2019 - 21:32
                +2

                @MiguelSanchez91:

                I didn't do it for the Coles gift card discount,

                sure sure, why did you buy gift cards then?

                I'm simply asking for opinions

                and you got mine, you didn't read the T&Cs in the coles ad correctly.

                As per the poll, you're in the wrong. Own it and move on.

                • MiguelSanchez91 on 16/11/2019 - 21:44
                  -6

                  @JimmyF: If you read the description properly, there was a financial benefit for me doing so. My employer has a very good relationship with Coles and we receive discounts based on this.
                  Im also more than happy to admit I'm in the wrong, hence why I did the poll.. the money is no issue for me and like any ozbargainer I like to save a few dollars.
                  I will use the gift cards for some of my Christmas shopping, it's no issue for me, but it was the principle that I wanted opinions on. . I thought this community was a bit different but good to know it's got it's toxic members like you

                  • JimmyF on 16/11/2019 - 21:49
                    +6

                    @MiguelSanchez91:

                    My employer has a very good relationship with Coles and we receive discounts based on this.

                    So you double dipped your employee discount with the 20% off. Extra greedy.

                    Im also more than happy to admit I'm in the wrong

                    It would appear you're not willing to though, as all your posts still seem to say you're in the 'right' even though everyone is saying you're not.

                    but it was the principle that I wanted opinions on. .

                    The public has voted

                    I thought this community was a bit different but good to know it's got it's toxic members like you

                    Oh yes I must be toxic for calling out your play here and saying you made the mistake, not catch. Carry on.

      • WoodYouLikeSomeCash on 27/11/2019 - 01:02

        I just want a way to spend the money on what I wanted

        Buy 2 vacuums then…

  • bongom on 16/11/2019 - 16:43
    +3

    Gift cards now have a minimum 3 year expiry date so plenty of time to buy something else.

  • TEER3X on 16/11/2019 - 17:07
    +13

    Should add another poll option:

    I am paying way too much for a Dyson V10 at $698

    • GoldenDragon888 on 16/11/2019 - 17:49

      Absolute or animal? Animal I presume.

      I was lucky enough to hand over $600 for the absolute last year.

    • MiguelSanchez91 on 17/11/2019 - 21:26

      I would be voting yes on that poll,
      eBay sale has them for like 590 now, so gonna pick one of them up and use the gift cards elsewhere.

      Unless 590 is still a bad price?

  • spackbace on 16/11/2019 - 17:35
    +17

    20% off Catch Gift Cards ($50Cards) @ Coles

    Didn't work out did it? 😂

    FWIW Coles states the usage limit in the catalogue, just check the linked image in that post.

      • brendanm on 16/11/2019 - 21:23
        +2

        So why did you go out of your way to purchase a high amount of low value gift cards to pay for part of the purchase of a vacuum?

        • MiguelSanchez91 on 16/11/2019 - 21:35
          -1

          I work for a large company that has benefits for me for shopping at Coles, so I was looking to save some money, hence why I'm an regular ozbargain member

          • brendanm on 16/11/2019 - 21:49
            +2

            @MiguelSanchez91: A regular ozbargain member knows to check the fine print.

            You received the exact item you payed for, so unless Coles gives a refund for some reason (doubtful as they've probably already payed catch), you are SOOL.

          • TEER3X on 17/11/2019 - 09:23

            @MiguelSanchez91: Yeah but do you also own a large collection of leather bound books?

      • spackbace on 16/11/2019 - 21:50
        +10

        Sarcasm? Oh sorry you want us to be sympathetic to your predicament? Do you want a candlelit vigil, maybe some thoughts and prayers from random internet users?

        If you were 'a regular ozbargain member" you would've known to read t&cs before dropping stupid money on gift cards.

  • Baysew on 16/11/2019 - 18:07
    +14

    Measure twice, cut once.

  • Cheeper on 16/11/2019 - 18:23
    +5

    If these were from the Coles 20% off offer then put them in the classifieds here. Should sell easy for what u paid for them.

  • JimmyF on 16/11/2019 - 20:52
    +10

    I wouldn't have bothered with the fight if I was in the wrong, but I believe I was misled with a 'bait and switch' tactic by Catch. They have taken my money but won't let me spend it as I chose.

    I'm sorry, bait and switch by catch? Did the website tell you to go to coles and buy gift cards? Did it tell you to buy 10 of them? No it didn't. It offered many ways to pay that don't include gift cards.

    You got greedy, rolled the dice and tried to maximise the 20% off catch gift cards that coles had on offer and well you lost. The catch website clearly says 5 gift cards per transaction.

    Hint did you read the T&Cs in the coles ad?

    https://files.ozbargain.com.au/upload/96859/73693/img_201910…

    You also can't expect catch to refund you $250 for gift cards you got at 20% off.

    They don't expire for years, catch has lots of good specials, you'll use them.

  • canyoudoitcheaper on 17/11/2019 - 07:05
    +7

    You can use your cards to buy this, so this doesn’t happen again:
    https://m.catch.com.au/product/abc-reading-eggs-level-2-begi…

    • MiguelSanchez91 on 17/11/2019 - 17:18

      I just tried to buy 13 in one lot but it wouldn't let me???

  • reactor-au on 17/11/2019 - 09:01

    The 5 gift card limit is a condition of the website use, not the gift card. Legally I don't think your claim would stand.

  • Neoika on 17/11/2019 - 09:25
    +2

    Be aware that some merchants only allow one giftcard use per transaction.

  • Speckled Jim on 17/11/2019 - 09:40

    The card usage conditions should be clearly stated at the point of sale.
    Not "check the website". In print, at Coles in this case.

    • [Deactivated] on 17/11/2019 - 19:04
      +1

      Looks like it was.

      • Speckled Jim on 17/11/2019 - 20:51

        Thanks. Coles are pretty good at covering themselves. I'm sure it was displayed prominently in-store.

        • MiguelSanchez91 on 17/11/2019 - 21:21
          +4

          I didn't buy the gift cards during the Coles campaign, so I didnt have that advertisement and T&C's. Either way, I was in the wrong. Live and learn :)

  • OzHunterNSW on 17/11/2019 - 12:05
    +1

    I think attempting to purchase items with gift cards is quite relevant in deed.

    It poses a relevant issue for the seller, otherwise they would not have stipulations upon gift cards.

    Why would you buy gift cards….

  • kaos on 17/11/2019 - 12:31
    +5

    Catch are appalling. I chased them for weeks for a legit refund - they only sat up and took notice when I sent them an invoice for $900 for my time.

    • hashtagbargain on 17/11/2019 - 15:37

      Now that should motivate them lol

    • idonotknowwhy on 18/11/2019 - 07:19

      they only sat up and took notice when I sent them an invoice for $900 for my time

      That's awesome! Did they reference your invoice when following up, and make you agree to waive it when they fised their (profanity) up?

      I wish I could do this to Bendigo Bank, they wasted about $200 of my time until AFCA made them fix their error.

      • kaos on 18/11/2019 - 12:16
        +1

        it was a while ago now, but it's now my last resort for anyone who seriously shits me.
        No they did not reference the invoice when making the refund but it was super clear that this was the trigger, due to timing.
        They didn't bother making it a condition of my refund, most big companies have a clause saying they aren't liable for your time chasing them,
        but I could have wasted a lot of their time if I'd chased it up, reported them to a credit reporting agency etc.

        • idonotknowwhy on 18/11/2019 - 15:45

          reported them to a credit reporting agency

          That'd be awesome lol

  • DarkOz on 17/11/2019 - 13:54

    Just in case OP is still not accepting the 79 vs 5 vote that he was wrong, here let me make it 80 vs 5.

    • MiguelSanchez91 on 17/11/2019 - 17:16
      +4

      Never said that I wasn't accepting that I was wrong, hence why I made the poll in the first place. I was wrong and I'll use the gift cards for something else, no biggie.

  • Tee Rex Arms on 17/11/2019 - 14:39

    Why not buy 13 and pay the 48 remainder

    • MiguelSanchez91 on 17/11/2019 - 17:17

      Then I'd be 650 in the hole, so glad I didn't!

  • humphrey623 on 17/11/2019 - 16:22
    +2

    Does the back of the card say something along the lines of 'For full terms and conditions see www._________.com.au' ? If not, I kind of think OP has a point.

    • bongom on 17/11/2019 - 17:14
      +1

      Yes it has a link to www.catch.com.au/gift-card

      • shiznit on 17/11/2019 - 20:48

        But nothing happens when I tap on the link on the back of the card. Why do they make it so hard for me?

        • MiguelSanchez91 on 17/11/2019 - 21:19

          Maybe they could have a YouTube video on the back of the card to show me how to get to their website

  • Repi on 17/11/2019 - 18:48

    Help me, tried to be Mr Smarty-pants and got outsmarted

    • MiguelSanchez91 on 18/11/2019 - 07:55
      +3

      Oh yeah buying gift cards at a discounted rate to buy an item is some rainman level shit.

  • JelIyfish on 17/11/2019 - 18:50

    This is a really boring topic.
    Debating the T&C's of a gift card…
    Please add dragons next time.

    • MiguelSanchez91 on 17/11/2019 - 21:19

      It had dragons, it's catch.com.au and instead of hoarding gold and treasure in their cave they just stock pile gift cards

  • dcash on 17/11/2019 - 19:26

    More importantly, why do you want to buy an over-priced, over-hyped vacuum cleaner in the first place, when a Miele for half the price would do a better job?

    • [Deactivated] on 17/11/2019 - 20:36

      Do you have proof of this claim?

    • MiguelSanchez91 on 17/11/2019 - 20:51

      I'm all for opinions on better vacs. We've always just bought Dyson's and they've lasted forever and done a great job with the pet hair. What do you recommend?

      • pinkybrain on 18/11/2019 - 17:25

        anything but Dyson

        Dyson is the Apple of whitegoods

  • SnakeCasablanca on 17/11/2019 - 20:23

    I bought the wrong tool at Bunnings to put up a wall bracket that I purchased from Mitre 10. Please tell me how I can recover the money for the wrong tool that I purchased from Mitre 10. I feel it's their fault. If not surely it must be Bunnings fault.

    It's never my fault.

    • MiguelSanchez91 on 17/11/2019 - 20:38
      +4

      Farout you took twice as long to make a point most people made already, and yours barely makes sense. But yeah good job, ya got me good!

      • SnakeCasablanca on 17/11/2019 - 21:08

        Sometimes it's hard to take your lumps. As long as you learn something along the way it can be a positive experience in the long run.

    • shiznit on 17/11/2019 - 20:41

      In my experience, Bunnings is actually really good with accepting returns for tools that don't quite fit the purpose you had in mind. Even if the packaging is ripped open.

      • MiguelSanchez91 on 17/11/2019 - 20:50
        +3

        I totally agree, I've never had a bad experience with Bunnings. Should have bought their gift cards instead

  • umoddbro on 18/11/2019 - 00:33
    +1

    Sigh… I'd happily take the cards off you for half price…

    • MiguelSanchez91 on 18/11/2019 - 09:33
      +1

      Make it free and you got yourself a deal

  • Arigato on 18/11/2019 - 05:55
    -5

    Although they say somewhere on their site that there's a limit of 5, you are still in the right, store credit should be store credit. Ignore the OzBargain poindexters, keep fighting.

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