So I just received a text message that my spot in queue has been confirmed to pre-order the PS5 at JB Hifi. However, I'm not allowed to pay with gift cards? Is this normal? Isn't a gift card just like cash.
The page: https://www.jbhifi.com.au/pages/2020consoles
08-Oct-2020
Gift Card Policy Update from JB HIFI — Gift cards now accepted as payment for latest gen Sony and Microsoft game consoles
Please click https://www.jbhifi.com.au/pages/can-i-use-gift-cards-for-my-… to see what's changed.
That isn't really my question.. In the last couple of months I've gotten heaps of gift cards from friends/work. Enough to pay for most of the console. Was hoping to use them but now I can't.
Would have probably pre-ordered somewhere else if I knew.
Maybe call them on 13 52 44
Maybe they don't want people buying gift cards for preorders that might need to be cancelled. They say it's confirmed, but really, you remember any of the past big launches? Each store will probably get 10 who will go to the overnight campers. Online orders could end up being a lottery at any particular retailer, except Telstra who have a special deal with Microsoft.
I too think this is the reason. Perhaps wait few more days if you can until a PS5 could be bought over the counter so you are able to use your GCs
Oh right Microsoft don’t make the PS5. I still predict massive shortages.
A few days? try months, these things are sold out until march 2021
There will be zero stock supplied to stores on release day for general sale.
You can only get a PS5/XSX if you have one pre ordered and allocated to you through that process.
Know someone who works at JB head office and Games is his department.
If you didn't preorder you won't get it before mid jan in aus.
Gonna be a lot of unhappy kids this Christmas whos parents don't understand that
@itsHughesy: Yeah had to laugh last week channel nine today show was advertising a story on " the latest consoles just in time for Christmas".
Gift cards are not equivalent to cash in terms of usage. The store can set restrictions. Gift cards are only like cash in the sense that if you lose it you're SOL.
Right.. Ok, thanks for clarifying. I'm guessing I've got some cash for some games then!
Does it actual say that in the T&C of the gift card?
Woman: Would you like to buy some Itchy and Scratchy Money?
Homer: What's that?
Woman: Well it's money that's made just for the park… And it works just like regular money, but it's, er…"fun".
WE DON'T TAKE ITCHY AND SCRATCHY MONEY HERE
Maybe cancel your preorder and wait for it to be released and then you can use the gift cards
There won't be any stock for many months so if you really want a ps5 that's not an option.
I very much doubt that's legal. It'd have to be a condition on the gift card and I don't believe there's any such exception on them.
They can't do it retrospectively. There's nothing in the T&C that says they don't accept gift cards for preorders etc nor is there anything about changing what the gift card can be used for: https://www.jbhifi.com.au/pages/gift-card-terms-conditions
@jimbobaus: It's a decision which breaches the gift card conditions. At the very least it would entitle you to a refund on the gift card.
@jimbobaus: How doesn't it? From the T&C:
1. JB Hi Fi Gift Cards (Gift Cards) entitle the holder to goods/services equal to the value stated on the Gift Card or remaining after partial redemption.
2. Gift Cards are only redeemable within any JB Hi-Fi Store in Australia and the online retail store www.jbhifi.com.au
None of the other points say any item can be exempt or that they can refuse to accept it or that they can change the T&C.
@Poppin: Contracts like this need to specify exclusions, since the implication on purchasing the gift cards is that everything is included. Not the other way around. @apsilon is right in that a consumer would legally be eligible for a refund if the gift cards were purchased with the expectation that they could be used to purchase a PS5.
@Singu1arity: What I suspect will happen is that the link is not to the online retail store resulting in the exclusion of gift cards.
Agree, otherwise they could retrospectively limit literally everything in the store except one item, or say just 100" tvs.
I’m in the same boat. It’s unacceptable.
Just Googled imaged MV Unacceptable.
Nice looking vessel. Where are you currently located? Can't find you here
Top quality bantz.
see what u did there
I’ve read the terms and conditions and there doesn’t seem to be a prohibition on using them as a deposit for a pre order
https://www.jbhifi.com.au/pages/gift-card-terms-conditions
I’d call them and ask them to point to to the relevant condition. They can’t change those conditions retrospectively.
No they can’t. The terms and condition at the time of purchase of the gift card form the contract between the consumer and business, it is not permissible to retrospectively change those terms. It’s called the law.
imbobaus appreciate you are trying to make a point about the rights of the business, but you're ignoring the meaning of 'retrospective'. There is absolutely no way any business can apply changes RETROSPECTIVELY to the terms and conditions of gift card sales. Imagine if they suddenly tried to enforce a two year expiry to all gift cards… One day you decide to walk in with your old gift card, which clearly says 'no expiry', and JB staff turn around and say, "Oh, sorry that gift card has now expired per the terms we recently changed". They would not have a leg to stand on if challenged with Consumer Protection authorities.
This reminds me of a Hungry Jacks promotion for something great (like two whoopers for the price of one) where they failed to include an expiry date. So even though it is no longer promoted, you can still request it and Hungry Jacks are legally required to provide it - asking the manager to confirm was a common requirement to get it honored. I have no reference for this, but I'm almost certain I learned it from OzB.
@S2: What about the bloke that sued Pepsi when they refused to let him swap 7 million loyalty points for a fighter jet?
That is not stated in the gift card terms and conditions, they can not enforce it. A dick move on their behalf to try to.
Same, this is horse shit. I imagine a lot of people chose jb because they had gift cards. Time to escalate. If anyone had any updates or luck please update us here.
The good guys is the same and you have to pay the whole lot in one go.
Yep, don't think JB can enforce this. If there was no condition on the gift cards at purchase then there shouldn't be a restriction on using them.
https://www.jbhifi.com.au/pages/gift-card-terms-conditions
I assumed their T&Cs would cover it. It doesn't. Odd move from JB HiFi, I am sure many people were stockpiling gift cards
I'm in the same boat. I've amassed enough gift cards to pay for the whole thing (minus the deposit for the pre-order which I had paid earlier).I don't want to cancel and wait for the console to be released in stores as that could be until/after Xmas. I don't think this would be consistent with their terms of service, is there anywhere that this can be escalated? This is highly disappointing.
Ouch, that sucks to hear for the JB customers if this isn't changed.
I amassed a large amount of $$$ via Gift Cards at EB to pre-order and pay off my Day One PS5 and Series X consoles.
I posted about this just now in XBOX pre-order thread.
https://www.jbhifi.com.au/pages/gift-card-terms-conditions
No stipulation on any exclusions or restrictions.
Pre-order pages - no stipulation of any exclusions or restrictions.
https://www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au/buying-products-and-servi…
Under Australian Consumer Law, businesses must outline:
the conditions of gift card/voucher use, along with any restrictions
I don't think they can legally add this condition after the fact? I paid pre-order deposit using gift card, with the plan to pay balance on gift card as well.
Interesting perspective. I still don’t think it’s fair they took my deposit for the item - paid for with gift card then refuse to let me pay the remainder with gift card.
It's entirely different in that a gift card is essentially store cash that can't be used anywhere else.
They can't retrospectively change terms on their use.
Disappointed to hear this. I will look for anyone’s escalation results. FYI I preordered Scorpio in 2017 and was able to pay in gift cards (deposit and balance later all online) but there was no message of not accepting GC at the time.
I preordered Scorpio in 2017
Why on Earth would you do this?
Why not? I did as well, but directly through Microsoft.
What have you gained from giving them your money three years early?
@johnno07: Well from memory they only charged me when they shipped it 3 years ago….Scorpio is the XBOX One X….
I received simliar message from JB about the XSS preorder. GCs are not accepted.
While I know a big company like JB shouldn't be playing the COVID card, would this particular situation allow them to do so?
No. Why would covid allow a retailer to change the terms of sale of gift cards? It’s got nothing to do with covid.
Like how many businesses around Australia are removing the possibility of paying with cash? My local JB salesperson literally justified themselves by using that logic..
There is no comparison. A retailer hasn’t made an agreement to use cash with customers. They can stop accepting cash whenever they like. JB HAVE made an agreement to use their gift cards. It is in the terms and conditions of sale. Therefore they must honour those terms until the end of life of the card.
@haemolysis: Then on your point can't JB decide to not accept these Gift Cards anymore/ on particular items as seeing they control it? I'm sure JB have already worked through the legal/ financial implications hence why they are doing this to everyone?
@ThePriceMatchGuy: Companies try ripping off consumers all the time. Doesn’t mean they have legal justification to do so. They will lose if they go to court.
@haemolysis: Not disagreeing with you whatsoever, I just want to see how they are able to do so without ramification..
JB's sales have boomed during the COVID period.
not saying their fiscal position hasn't improved during this period. I'm alluding to them using it as a reason to do people dirty with this.
Their business is booming thanks to COVID.
yet they are using COVID as an excuse. Such poor form from JB HiFi.
When I wanted to get a quote for an LG OLED TV, called 2 jb hifi stores, firstly the call didn't went through like 5 times. Once I got to them, they asked me to wait 7 mins only to not answer my query. Called Good Guys and Hardly Normal, they replied instantly with a quote and asked me to quote their name, come to store and get a further discount. All this was last month in September.
Went to JB HiFi store in person, met with 2 staff in the same store. The male was pretty rude but female was fine and explained all my queries regarding the TV. Nevertheless, JB HiFi customer service is just pathetic these days.
JB HiFi has become too big to listen to anyone.
I have a $200 gift card of JB HiFi which I will not use to buy TV but something cheaper maybe. Don't wanna give my business to JB HiFi anymore.
Did they use COVID as an excuse? If they did then I missed it. they've changed the policy and are accepting now anyway.
As for bad customer experience, I've been there with most high street shops. Staff are mainly kids on low hourly wages, not invested in the service.
surprised they didn't limit credit cards since they have to pay fees
surprised they didn't specify only non marked, non sequential bills (in case it money laundering)
no small bills (hard to count) no coins that's worse, in fact no money, have to send people to bank, debit cards only, with CBA, as they get the money immediately.
My knowledge on the subject is about 7 years old, but I’ll tell you what I know. Haven’t been any major changes to ACL or similar in recent times so should still be applicable.
You’re right in that they can accept or deny any payment method for all of a subset of products they sell.
The issue is with the conditions of the Gift Cards. They are offered for sale with an accompanying set of conditions. Prior to this pre-order message, they did not exclude a subset of products. Disallowing use of gift cards for payment against a particular product would be against the terms of the Gift Card.
So what does that mean? There are a few options but essentially they can just offer a refund on the Gift Card and say “sorry, terms have changed”. There is a bit of mess that comes along with it but that’s the easiest way out. The common potential mess being third party providers of the gift cards, persistent customers, and messages getting distorted from Head Office through to the stores.
So yes they can do what they’re doing, and they’ve decided the upside is worth the mess. I plan on being a persistent customer :-)
Source: Was involved at a similar business during a time we were considering removing a particular behaviour from gift card use retroactively.
This is nothing new there have always been terms and conditions on gift cards and they were not always treated like cash.
Anyone remember when JB gift cards actually EXPIRED? After a while you couldn’t even renew it the system just erased your GC acc info.
Also Gc always came with exclusions so not sure what you’re talking about GC exclusions include other gift cards and anything at their discretion which is this preorder.
They are not saying you cannot use it to buy PS5s in the future when they are in stock, only this pre order.
Sure but they accepted gift cards for the deposit and did not advise that gift cards would not be acceptable for the remainder of the balance. This is deceptive on their behalf.
Regardless of whether or not it's legal, it's a poor move from JB. Shame their customer service is non-existent too.
You seem to be very passionate about this issue
@jimbobaus: just to clarify… if a business sells gift card (with T&C as JB's) and the next day decide that they accept cash only - are you saying that that would be OK?
Yes.
They would of course have to allow refunds in that instance
But that’s not the point here. They have chosen to set payment terms on one or two items only so they cards are not being made useless they are simply exercising their right to restrict payment terms in this instance.
How many items would they have to restrict before they had to allow refunds on gift cards? Seems arbitrary. Seems like you're making this up.
@johnno07: Not made up at all.
They can set their own payment terms regardless of how much of a POS act it is
ITT people dont understand the laws of giftcards
It may be within their explicit rights. However it is a horrible move, especially in this covid climate. There are kids out there that have saved up birthday presents for this specific reason and now they will not be able to afford the PS5. It is not a huge deal for some as you can always pay cash and use the gift cards for something else but it is not a consumer friendly move, especially for those who may be financially disadvantaged and saving gift cards was the only way to get the PS5 for Christmas.
funny, when is the only situation that a company can restrict the usage of gift cards
when they are going bank…….
lol run for the hills people
Normally I’d say you’re right. But they have been making record profits. My take on this that I haven’t seen on here is due to the recent Telstra deals with those enourmous gift cards. Overall they would make some form of profit. But a $500 gift card going onto a ps5 for example with such small margins is probably a loss for them when all factors are accounted for. I believe this is why they are now denying GCs on next gen consoles.
yeah but they make a killing on games
sucker them in on cheap consoles (at a loss)
sell games are record profits!
u make them happy when they buy the console, they will pick up a few games and boom profit!
I think it’s a very different time. JB may be scared. When you create a digital only console of a system it says a lot. The generation of kids who will be buying this system have not a clue what buying games means. It’s all digital now.
They can do whatever they like
Also very disappointed when I got my SMS saying I can't pay with gift cards. Will give them a call to give shortly during my break. Has anyone had any success with calling them?
Eb games have 8% discount of gift cards, hoping they honor gift card purchases
How do you get the discount?
God dammit, the Rewards store of the HR Portal my work uses used to have those 8% off EB gift cards, used them to pay the difference when I traded my OG PS4 up to a Pro. Now EB has disappeared from the options altogether.
Not sure about delivery (I.e. paying the balance online) but for in-store pickup orders you pay the remainder there when you collect, so no reason they won’t take gift cards.
Plenty of places online, follow the link mistredo posted. This is a direct copy from my conversation with Eb games on facebook
"Hey Jordan!
If you have preordered this one online for Collection instore, you can take your gift card into the store you selected to pay off the remainder of your preorder.
However, if you preordered this one online for home delivery, I'm afraid we are unable to change the payment method attached to your preorder, and you would have the remaining amount deducted from your credit/debit card shortly before the release. -Bel
So happy days if you did click and collect, not so great if you have delivery
Nice, thanks for that. Did see the link before but should have paid more attention, didn’t realise I could access a few of the sites without needing a paid membership/product. Will organise some gift cards before I pick my PS5 up.
They do, had $550 GC from trading in an xbox and some games. Able to pay off the ps5 no issues at all.
F@#% YOU JB WITH A CAPTIAL F! If JB go through with this non accepting of giftcards BS. Shoulda went with EB or Sony direct. JB bunch of flogs.
Exactly as comment above, some kids may have saved giftcards from their presents, such as relatives would have given them GC's instead of cash. Its a very common gift. To screw over people like this is low ball.
They should have been 100% clear on the presale date that gift card is not accepted. They are now introducing new payment terms AFTER the presale. That would be a breach of the sale terms. FLOGS!
First of all, chill out. Second of all, I agree with you, it isn't right to just make the payment with no gift cards without mentioning it beforehand, I think lots of people will be pissed off and jbhifi might lose some customers over this
Yes, yes.. Come on back to EB.. We'll always accept your Gift Cards and honour your pre-orders when you place them :)
people who negged this are JB Hi Flogs staff. They all know the truth. Wait til the day JB group becomes another Dick Smith and turn to dust
what an idiot thing to say.
Wow keyboard warrior.. good response
jayboi on 05/10/2020 - 10:05 Comment score below threshold.
