Purchased Invalid Apple Gift Card from Coles - They Won't Refund

PKBeam on 26/10/2021 - 01:51
Last edited 27/10/2021 - 09:35 by 1 other user

I bought a $300 Apple gift card a few weeks ago - came up as invalid when I tried to redeem it.

Contacted Coles support about it and they say it has already been redeemed so no refund.

I then contacted Apple support who confirmed that the GC was not redeemed.

The error message that comes up when trying to redeem the card is different than the one that appears when I scan one of my already redeemed cards, so I’m certain it was not redeemed.

I sent off another email to Coles support but I don’t expect them to be helpful.

How do I get my $300 back? Should I open a case with Fair Trading or NCAT?

Financial Apple Gift Card

Related Stores

Coles
Coles

Comments

  • elgrande on 26/10/2021 - 05:17

    Contact the ATO and check for any recent payments using that card..

    • Limboz888 on 05/11/2021 - 17:52

      what's the ATO going to do? its not a tax related matter

      • Kyle-K on 05/11/2021 - 18:25
        +2

        Limboz888, tell me you're new to OzBargain without telling me you're new to OzBargain.

        It's a joke referring to the fact that the ATO according to every scammer out there takes iTunes gift cards.

  • o53djz7qTPY4der on 26/10/2021 - 05:44
    +8

    Do a chargeback on the credit credit card you used.

    • [Deactivated] on 26/10/2021 - 08:18
      +4

      This and always keep the original receipt for GC purchase that was activation results printed on it.

    • payless69 on 26/10/2021 - 09:04

      good luck!

    • coffeeinmyveins on 26/10/2021 - 09:27

      Lol. Chargeback against Coles?

      That'll end well. And affect your ability to get credit in the future IIRC.

      This also assumes that OP used a CC.

      • John Kimble on 26/10/2021 - 09:28
        +1

        Lol. Chargeback against Coles?

        That'll end well. And affect your ability to get credit in the future IIRC.

        Source?

        • coffeeinmyveins on 26/10/2021 - 09:32
          +1

          Just googled it. Apparently won't affect your score but if left unresolved future lenders will enquire about it since it leaves a mark on your account.

          In any case, a chargeback shouldn't be the first port of call. I'd be calling Coles and Apple again to get it sorted out. SOmething has messed up and it can be resolved before resorting to this.

          • Quantumcat on 26/10/2021 - 09:56

            @coffeeinmyveins: Apple says the GC is fine and Coles says it is used. Not sure what further ringing is going to achieve for the OP.

            • coffeeinmyveins on 27/10/2021 - 09:18
              +1

              @Quantumcat: Can depend who you speak to.

              I've rung back about things and spoken to someone else and they've helped more than the mong that was on the phone before.

          • dm02 on 23/05/2023 - 10:17

            @coffeeinmyveins: Although this is a super old reply, I have to interject here to ensure others aren't mislead — a chargeback does not touch your credit file or your credit score in any way, shape or form.

      • brendanm on 26/10/2021 - 11:38
        +2

        That'll end well. And affect your ability to get credit in the future IIRC.

        Yeah, it will. Op has proof from Apple that the gift card is not correct. Coles hasn't supplied the product correctly to op. Charge back should be pretty much slam dunk.

        Also, it doesn't affect your credit history at all, has nothing to do with it.

    • PKBeam on 26/10/2021 - 10:56

      Unfortunately I bought the gift card with a Zip promo and I doubt they'll be any better than Coles.

      Guess it couldn't hurt to try though? If Coles is still useless I'll talk with Zip.

  • [Deactivated] on 26/10/2021 - 06:56
    -4

    Before going with fair trading, try calling apple 1-800-005-608. They might be able to help you!

    • jwh on 26/10/2021 - 07:05
      +9

      I then contacted Apple support who confirmed that the GC was not redeemed.

  • screensaver on 26/10/2021 - 07:15
    +1

    is there a site you can check the card balance, should say when it was loaded

    • 87percent on 26/10/2021 - 08:19

      Could also check to see when it was actually used

  • lubos on 26/10/2021 - 08:31
    +5

    I then contacted Apple support who confirmed that the GC was not redeemed.

    Did you ask Apple support why can't you redeem it? Might have been technical issue at Apple end and nothing to do with Coles.

  • ChipsChicky on 26/10/2021 - 09:01
    +1

    That's scary .. Apple should be able to fix it rather Coles, provided its not redeemed.

    Is it a good idea to load it into apply balance rather waiting to buy using cards ?

    • Kyle-K on 27/10/2021 - 19:01

      You don't lose anything by loading it into your account and there's possibly more risk if you leave it on the actual card.

      That's scary Apple should be able to fix it rather Coles, provided its not redeemed.

      Not necessarily it's going to depend if the money was actually placed on the card.

  • payless69 on 26/10/2021 - 09:05

    Go on youtube and watch kitboga and all the likes. So at least you get to know which scammer centre had all the fun with it….

  • koplik8 on 26/10/2021 - 10:22
    +1

    I would have thought it would be up to Apple to sort it out. Surely they can manually put the gift cards into your Apple account

    • Kyle-K on 27/10/2021 - 19:03
      +1

      It's going to depend on what the situation in the full story with the card is was the money actually loaded onto this card when he completed the transaction at Coles.

      If no money was placed on the card that's a Coles related issue and the provider that Lourdes the money under the cards.

  • 0031nek on 27/10/2021 - 17:39
    +3

    i think probably the checkout staff at Coles just forgotten to activate your gift card (needs activation for GC above $100 if not mistaken). Therefore you may try to bring it to service counter and ask them check it for you. And then show them your receipt if you still have it, or credit card statement, or ask manager to review your purchase, or if you're bit more lucky, you'd have scanned your flybuys card. Good luck mate!

  • Gelato on 28/10/2021 - 18:57

    Just curious, do you have the activation receipt from Coles? I’m guessing something went wrong for activation when you checked out at Coles

    • PKBeam on 29/10/2021 - 02:56

      I kept the receipt.

      I don't think it's a coincedence that of all 5 gift cards I bought from Coles in that week, the one that happened to not be from a self-service checkout was the one that wouldn't redeem.

  • Limboz888 on 05/11/2021 - 17:52

    best bet is dept of Fair Trading, file a complaint with them

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