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.
It sounds like these PS5 preorders were paid for in full by JB to Sony and went straight to audit and that’s why they are not accepting any alternative payment easier to audit.
Discrimination on a single item like this is fine good luck trying to get consumer affairs on this as they have probably already talked to their lawyers and/ or accountants about this.
More PS5 on launch day for pickup woohoo.
consumer affairs are pretty black and white actually. need to set T&Cs restrictions when the gift card is sold. they didnt so its against the law. if enough people kick up a stink they might even get fined as you arent allowed to breach the gift card laws by telling people something incorrect (like pretending they can expire in 1 year)
https://www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au/buying-products-and-servi…
You need to pay the balance of the pre-order in JB HiFi by midnight on Oct 11th
I registered an enquiry with Consumer Affairs Victoria yesterday and they called me in a few hours to discuss - I would encourage others to do the same.
What did they say?
The Consumer Affairs Victoria rep agreed JB's actions are not in good faith, however as JB Hifi are not in direct breach of any law there isn't any action CA will take in my individual case. I do have the option of taking it VCAT, but this isn't something I have time for.
The two suggestions from the rep were:
- write a formal letter of complaint to JB Hifi using the template on the Consumer Affairs Vic website - https://www.consumer.vic.gov.au/library/forms/shopping/compl…
So everyone get writing your formal letters of complaint and also logging an enquiry with Consumer Affairs!
Anyone want to create an ozbargain complaint template for this?
@devize: Dear JB Group,
Collectively as a group, you are a bunch of flogs.
Sincerely,
New EB Games customer
spill the beans!
Such a POS move by JB!
In theory, could one pay the remainder of the pre-order with a CC, then come launch day, take the item back to JB for a refund, then re-purchase with a gift card?
Or would they be a PITA and put that refunded item back in the pool and not let you re-purchase?
Their terms indicate you’re able to do the return without issue, but them selling it back to you or putting it back into the pool is likely going to come down to specific policy on these consoles and/or how the staff are feeling (specifically, towards you) on the day.
I too am in the same boat. Anyone have any luck in getting through to someone at JB to confirm there is no possibility to pay with GC?
As soon as these PS5s come back for preorder on amazon I will be jumping on them, Haven't had a chance of getting them and have some gift card for amazon I can use.
I am looking for the disk version
This gift card must be treated like cash.
I'll take things that are a lie for $750, Alex.
Why am I being negged? Do people not think this statement is true?
Freebie for you. Don’t ever care why anyone on here negs you. Honestly, some people do it for the hell of it. Who give a f**k. I love the negs. FEED ME!
Thanks :)
I was more shocked that people felt the restrictions of gift cards were a good thing.
@Guybrush57: Haha yeah I’ve given up on trying to put logic to some of the people on here. But it’s all good. Everybody has their own opinion I guess :)
Pay for it with cash then on the day to collect get them to refund the cash and use Gift cards
No guarantee they would sell it back to you.
They would, they do heaps of refunds daily ( I used to work for them for 5 years) Seen a person buy a product with 50 giftcards no problems etc.
It's not an issue to buy a product with multiple gift cards, it's more the fact if they would sell you back a console that is sold out and in high demand. They might put the console back in the queue and you'd have to wait until 2021.
@devize: Yeah JB definitely doesn't work like that ever.. Probably just a limitation of the preorder system.. wish someone could just call up and ask the question ?
Edit NVM I was right….
FWIW, I went to my local JB (Oxford St, Sydney) and told them about the Gift Card restriction from the text message. The manager wasn't aware of it, however the staff have always been incredibly friendly to me whenever I shop there. I asked if it's possible to pay the pre-order on my credit card, and once the PS5 arrives, for me to return/refund to my CC at the store, and re-purchase with gift cards.
The manager said "I was just about to suggest that!".
@solidussnake: This is a case by case basis though and I wouldn't expect it to work for everyone unless explicitly said so from JB head office. I've dealt with some shockingly rude store managers at JB in the past (looking at you Melbourne Central)
@devize: Yeah wrong again mate..
Like I said again it's not a big deal for them to refund fully paid pre orders and process giftcards to use it as it's the same thing as cash to them and only takes seconds to do.
Saw this on whirlpool forum
"Thank you for your email.
I apologise that we are unable to offer you Gift Card as a payment option to pay for your new console, and I understand the inconvenience and frustration this has caused you.
As a gesture of good will, I can offer you a way to manually redeem your Gift Cards for this purchase. The process will require you to initially pay for your new console via Credit Card or PayPal, then provide us with your Gift Cards you are wanting to redeem for this purchase. We will then manually redeem these Gift Cards for you and refund the redeemed amount back to your Credit Card/PayPal. You will need to allow 3-5 days for refunds to appear on your statement. We can only offer this special process for your pre-order console purchase, requests outside this will not be accepted.
@solidussnake: Mate I've had pre-orders not been given to me on launch day because the 'gift' that was supposed to be supplied with the pre-order hadn't arrived yet. People were walking off the street purchasing the item I pre-ordered while I've had to wait. Store manager was rude and told me to **** off basically. So yes, it DOES vary from store to store. Just because you like one particular store doesn't mean every store in the whole country acts in the same way.
@devize: Were talking about not being able to use giftcards for a pre-order and you ranting on about something completely irrelevant to this and coming up with dumb excuses as to why JB wouldn't when they have for many years 🤦♂️
Like I said I worked for them for 5 years they're usually pretty good
Fortunately, nobody gives me gift cards 😁
https://www.accc.gov.au/consumers/advertising-promotions/gif…
Gift cards and vouchers
A gift card, also known as a gift voucher, is usually loaded with an amount of money that enables the recipient to exchange it for goods or services to the value of the amount on the card. A gift card may be in physical or electronic form. It may be provided as a card, voucher or a code sent electronically (usually by email).
Businesses must clearly state:
all conditions and restrictions on use of the gift card
the expiry date of the gift card, including the activation expiry date for cards that need to be activated
any limits on the number of transactions
whether or not the card can be reloaded or topped up.
Gift cards can’t usually be exchanged for cash, unless there is a remaining amount on the card that the business believes can’t be conveniently used.
damn, this is why I've been hesitant with the recent jb hifi gift card galore.
Good way to draw immediate cash to the business, too easy to restrict its future usage
I'd want to put it towards a new phone, but suspect such high turnover items would be restricted
I'd avoid them where possible now.
I tried to buy something last year with a couple of GCs and negotiated a price on an item, then when said giftcard payment they tried to claim discounts were only for cash \ cards not GCs. I could buy the item at full price with GCs but not discounted.
I called BS but the guy didn't care, I walked and went elsewhere (another JB) and used them there without issue. submitted a complaint but never heard anything.
GCs in general in Australia are crap, time limits and conditions etc are BS.
Wouldn’t stand up in court. Lodge a complaint. Point is they can and will get cash so ur a second class citizen. Gift cards are stupid plain and simple anyone buying they shouldn’t. And anyone gifting it to u isn’t trying hard enough.
Very odd move for them to do this. I was able to pay the deposit with GC…
This is such a bad move for them publicly. I wouldn't be surprised if they completely backflipped on this.
People need to bomb their Facebook otherwise they won't care.
Considering the high rate (some reports up to 30%) of unused gift cards in Australia. This is a dick move JB.
They’ll accept gift cards when they can sell the product just not valid form of payment for a preorder where there is no product yet
Just wait until you can buy the product upfront and they’ll accept the gift cards. Right now it’s just a deposit for the potential product
It surprises me how many people think “terms and conditions” either a) can legally be changed after point-of-sale or b) trump the law.
Neither is true. If you sell a gift card without exclusions, exclusions cannot be added after-the-fact. And if you make a sale with terms invalidating your consumer guarantees, that doesn’t ACTUALLY invalidate your consumer guarantees.
They don’t have a leg to stand on morally or legally. You have the right to demand they accept the gift card, or at least, they should refund it for not delivering on the terms of sale. And if they’re going to opt to refund it, they deserve backlash for dodgy sales tactics.
TLDR all the replies but the answer is simple: buy it with cash, return it the next day and repurchase with gift cards.
Can you actually do that?!
Why not? Just say that is what you wanted to do in the first place. I'm sure they'd be ok with that idea. I've done it before at retailers when I had accidently left gift cards at home.
Wouldn't they sell it to the next person who has preordered instead?
Not if you return it and say you want to buy with gift cards etc.
Has anyone actually received the follow up text?
Nope.
I received mine 10 minutes ago.
What follow up text? Can we use gift cards now?
I only received the one confirming my spot in the queue.
Nothing yet. But received the first confirmation text around 10am on Monday.
JB HI-FI IS GIVING CUSTOMERS FIVE DAYS TO PAY FOR PS5/XBOX SERIES X PRE-ORDERS
Check your messages.
JB Hi-Fi is now sending out PS5/Xbox Series X pre-order payment messages. As far as we understand, you have until Sunday at 11:59pm to pay for the full amount of your pre-order or you will lose your spot in the queue. This means that if you don’t pay by Sunday night, you’ll go to the back of queue and won’t have a pre-order waiting for you come launch day.
As we reported on earlier this week, you can not use gift cards to pay for your pre-order either in-store or online. You are able to choose pickup for your nominated stores or you’re able to get the console delivered to you.
It’s still not 100% if the shipment is launch, although we understand that at least for PS5, these are all launch allocation. The same can’t be said for Xbox Series X with a number of delayed messages going out earlier this week.
The message reads: Great news! Your PS5 PlayStation 5 Console pre-order is ready for final payment. Avoid the wait by choosing Click & Collect to pick up from your local JB store on Release day. Pay now at X. Be quick and don’t lose your spot in the queue. Link expires Sunday 11 October 11:59pm.
https://press-start.com.au/news/playstation/2020/10/07/jb-hi…
FWIW, I went to my local JB (Oxford St, Sydney) and told them about the Gift Card restriction from the text message. The manager wasn't aware of it, however the staff have always been incredibly friendly to me whenever I shop there. I asked if it's possible to pay the pre-order on my credit card, and once the PS5 arrives, for me to return/refund to my CC at the store, and re-purchase with gift cards.
The manager said "I was just about to suggest that!".
Ask your local store if they're happy to do the above, the staff may be more than happy to help out - whatever decision it was to only pay via bank cards was made by HI and out of local store/staff control. I did read somewhere that apparently the tool JB are using for the pre-orders is not able to integrate with their gift card system, whether that's the case or not, I don't know.
This was the first thing that popped into me head, the integration stuff, as I'm working with these things on a daily base. For something that is urgent and needs to be done quite quickly. The easiest way was to scrap gift cards and see if anyone will go through the effort of complaining.
Can confirm this is what was done. Like with all big business, Government etc. unless there is hesitation or resistance you will always submit to the rules they decide to enforce..
Not buying the pre-order system can't work with their GC system. That's a BS line if I ever heard one.
So forever they've never had anyone pre-order something and wanted to pay with a GC? The system was never changed to validate the GC transaction amount against the order/pre-order?
Nah .. they just want a cash injection pre-christmas on top of their holding debt for GCs issued to make them look better to the board.
It's a pretty basic requirement of a POS to be able to handle these things.
I think it is either a technical limitation for pre-order (maybe split payment hasn't been implemented properly or, not able to deduct partial amount on the last gift card) or not willing to allow discount (since most people would get gift cards at a discount).
For some unknown reason, EB games didn't allow me to pay for pre-order deposit using PayPal.
That said, the store staff are generally helpful and should be willing to try to put the gift cards through or come up with an alternative. The store staff have incentive to help you I reckon. They would prefer to help you complete the deal, rather than have you cancelled the pre-order.
The ACCC has weighed in:
“Gift cards are meant to operate like cash,” says Julia Steward, Head of Policy at CHOICE. “Any onerous restrictions on gift card use have to be clearly explained at the time of purchase [of the gift cards]. JB Hi-Fi has clear terms and conditions for gift cards with no information about restrictions.”
“JB Hi-Fi is at real risk of breaching the consumer law here by misleading customers about gift card terms and conditions.”
We hear this kind of thing a lot, though. Breaches. Consumer law. What’s actually at stake if JB Hi-Fi is found guilty of a breach here?
“There are serious penalties,” says Steward. “Penalties can be as high as $10,000,000, three times the value of the benefit obtained or 10% of the Australian connected group turnover in the preceding 12 months.”
Source: https://byteside.com/2020/10/jb-hi-fi-gift-card-console-pre-…
JB Hi-Fi has clear terms and conditions for gift cards with no information about restrictions:
https://www.jbhifi.com.au/pages/gift-card-terms-conditions
They've opened themselves up to a whole lot of pain. Very stupid and greedy move by JB Hi-Fi.
Good to see, looks like there's finally been some traction.
I've complained to JB and hopefully they allow gift cards shortly. I don't think it's fair what they have done.
YOU HAVE NOT BOUGHT ANYTHING, you are PREORDERING.
Well that's not quite true, they have taken our $50 deposits already..so we have partially paid for that item…. and i paid this USING GIFT CARD which wasn't a problem at the time.
It's the remaining balance they won't allow gift card payments on.
The ACCC has weighed in
… Julia Steward, Head of Policy at CHOICE …
So was it the ACCC or CHOICE who weighed in?
Yeah, it was CHOICE, oops. Which is probably better given how toothless the ACCC is.
Which is probably better given how toothless the ACCC is
Indeed.
I guess the options boil down to
1 accept the 'no gift card' for pre order of PS5
or
2 argue for a refund of the gift cards as they are violating the T & Cs. I say argue because I'm pretty sure JB will see it different
https://www.jbhifi.com.au/pages/ballparkmusic?utm_source=fac…
They have also opened preorders for this. Funnily enough, gift cards accepted.
JB have started sending out text messages to those who preordered (PS5 in my case) this morning.
They're requiring payment in the next 5 days or lose the spot. Again, gift cards not available to use as payment.
Haven't got my pay sms yet boo
I reckon walk into the store and insist on paying for your preorder with GC. Kick up a stink if rejected, and ask for a cash refund for your GCs if they refuse to take them at that time. And then go on and pay with the cash they just gave you.
It's absolutely bs in my opinion.
I'm not buying Ps5 but I can see them doing the same thing going forward. Next minute "gift cards can't be used to purchase phones".
They have been pushing for gift card promotions such as signing up phone plans, so bad.
With all the gift cards galore was hesitant about taking one up… smelt a rat…
The most recent $500 one, had me regretting it hard…
But looks like I've been proven right.
My intent was to put towards a new phone later on… don't want to take risk, and won't consider future gift cards,
I'll also be ensuring my company doesn't use JB HIFI gift cards for gifts as well
Got the text, wondering whether to hold off a couple of days in case they backflip on not being able to use gift cards..
Yep, I'll be doing the same….. really not happy about this!
Hoping they respond before the weekend…. although unlikely they care!
Stick it to them philldo!
"Thank you for your email.
I apologise that we are unable to offer you Gift Card as a payment option to pay for your new console, and I understand the inconvenience and frustration this has caused you.
As a gesture of good will, I can offer you a way to manually redeem your Gift Cards for this purchase. The process will require you to initially pay for your new console via Credit Card or PayPal, then provide us with your Gift Cards you are wanting to redeem for this purchase. We will then manually redeem these Gift Cards for you and refund the redeemed amount back to your Credit Card/PayPal."
Saw this on whirlpool forum
"Thank you for your email.
I apologise that we are unable to offer you Gift Card as a payment option to pay for your new console, and I understand the inconvenience and frustration this has caused you.
As a gesture of good will, I can offer you a way to manually redeem your Gift Cards for this purchase. The process will require you to initially pay for your new console via Credit Card or PayPal, then provide us with your Gift Cards you are wanting to redeem for this purchase. We will then manually redeem these Gift Cards for you and refund the redeemed amount back to your Credit Card/PayPal. You will need to allow 3-5 days for refunds to appear on your statement. We can only offer this special process for your pre-order console purchase, requests outside this will not be accepted.
If are happy to move forward with this option and you haven’t already, please complete payment for your pre-order through the link we sent using Mastercard or Visa Credit Card or PayPal.
Once completed please reply to this email with:
• Your Basket Code/order number: This can be found at the top of the page after you’ve paid or in the confirmation email we sent you
• Gift Card(s) numbers and amounts: Gift Card numbers are on the back of the card or in the email you received with your digital card. Need to confirm your Gift Card amount? Head to https://giftcards.jbhifi.com.au/
We will redeem them as payment for your order and refund the same amount back to your payment method. Please allow 3 – 5 business days for the Gift Card redemption and refund to be processed.
Please accept our sincerest apologies for any inconvenience caused."
Can confirm, I got this email also!
Trying one too. See how it goes.
Good luck!
All I did was email their customer support with my complaint as per the byteside article posted above: [email protected]
This is the email I got..
"Thank you for your email.
We apologise that we are unable to accept gift cards for these orders once the link is sent out to you. This is something that we unfortunately don't currently have control over.
If you have purchased gift cards online that you intended to use for the payment of your pre-order please let me know what the order number/s are and we will be able to cancel them and refund you if you would like.
If you have gift cards purchased in store please contact the store to see if they can assist in cancelling and refunding your cards.
If you have any other issues please let me know and I will do my best to assist you."
What a BS reply, treating other people unfairly. Other people have got to pay with gift cards so tell them because they are going against the law
Yep, I responded back and quoted the email above and they apologised and agreed to offer me the same deal.
Very disappointing. I'd imagine that this is legal under consumer law, but it is not specified in their Gift Card T&Cs and it simply appears mean and dishonest.
I've a pre-order of one, I am tempted to give it up (nothing to do with this action) but it will make me reconsider purchasing from JB HiFi again.
I have read a few comments like “ jb hifi are dicks for doing this, but it’s within their ‘RIGHTS’ if they want too.”
NO IT IS NOT with in their rights to do so. Unless at the time of selling the gift card, in their T and C’s, it specifically and clearly stated that they may exclude certain items from being purchased using their gift cards.
No conditions like that are stated in their Terms and conditions.
So not only is this dick move by them. It is also NOT within their right to do so. It’s against the law.
I would not be buying anything from jbhifi(if could get same item same price from another retailer) in the future knowing they think they are above the law and willing to treat their customers in such disgusting manner. Until they revoke this policy or other retailers will try similiar crap.
So not only is this dick move by them. It is also NOT within their right to do so. It’s against the law.
It legit isn't though
Are you still insisting that the pre order condition was listed as a condition on the gift cards before anyone bought the cards?
Never said it was.
Find my comment where I said the pre order condition was on the cards?
It grinds my gears that they say 'as a gesture of goodwill…', yeah like obeying the law and avoiding a fine is just you being nice to customers.
Just got a text from JB.
Hi there, we've heard you and we can now accept gift card payments for your console pre-order. If you've already paid, or have yet to pay, and would like to use JB Gift Cards towards your payment, follow the link to find out how, and our team will help you out.
https://jbhifi.com.au/console-giftcard-redemption
Seems we won.
Policy has been changed as of today.
As long as you can afford to pay for it twice for a few days
https://www.jbhifi.com.au/pages/can-i-use-gift-cards-for-my-…
Complete your console payment through the link we sent you using a credit card, debit card or PayPal.
Submit a request with your order details and JB Hi-Fi Gift Card(s) you would like to redeem.
Our support team will redeem the full remaining balance of your JB Hi-Fi Gift Card(s) and process a refund back to the account you paid for your pre-order console with. We’ll email you once this process has been completed. This usually takes 3 – 7 business days.
Looks like it must have been a tech issue that stopped them, which is strange because they take the cards for other pre-orders.
I believe they changed their payment processing service.
The new service does not accept gift cards (yet)
This is why they set the payment terms as they did for these orders.
Great job.
Consumers still have some power
I just got the text - hopefully y'all haven't finalised your payments so you can now pay with those sweet, sweet GCs!
Please stop using y'all. We are not Murcans.
Very strange wording on that FAQ page. I was going to suggest paying the deposit, then paying the remainder on the day using giftcards - but it's quite explicit that giftcards will not be usable at all. Perhaps they have an ongoing fraud issue, and this is to prevent fraud/resellers on such a sought-after item?
Also not sure if they can legally use a blanket statement like that for an individual product group. I know you can choose which tender types you accept overall, but If you offer a certain tender type, I believe it legally be available across all your products. If they want to prevent the use of gift cards, they should theoretically be disabling them globally for release.