Is There Any Chance I Can Force a Full Refund of Woolworths and Only One Visa Prepaid Card?

RickyMoon on 07/09/2022 - 09:25
Last edited 27/09/2022 - 22:16

*Only one visa prepaid HOME IMPROVEMENT & DIY

Reason for buying: I have seen on the forum that someone in the community replied that this card can be used on jbhifi Amazon and shop back.

Difficulties encountered：I found no store that accepts this card and Only1 has no way to provide a list of stores that accept the payment.

Woolworths as a 3rd party reseller refuses refunds and offers any kind of assistance.

Does anyone know where exactly I can spend this card?

I bought a $500 OnlyONE VISA GIFT CARD at Woolworths metro. but I can't use it, whether it is a COLES group and partners, Woolworths group and partners, Amazon, JBHIFI, etc even the PAYPAL payment doesn't accept it.
onlyone visa anti-fraud department told me that they can't tell me which stores accept onlyone gift card, they even don't have a list of stores that accept payment. The seller, Woolworths, did not know where the card came from and which stores accepted it and does not accept credit card gift cards that I hold.
I bought this prepaid card based on the service fully described on the card package and my trust in the Woolworths brand, but I have no way of getting the service and monetary value, this $500 gift card is worthless to me.

I have consulted with the nsw fair trading and they advised me to file a case against Woolworths instead of Only1 Visa, which I did, but had a hunch it wouldn't work in the end~

Thank you

Update. 27/09

After communicating with Woolworths by the NSW Fair Trading, my issue was brought to the attention of a Woolworths representative. Woolworths stores will assist with a full refund and offer a $50 wish gift card as a gesture of goodwill.

Financial Prepaid Card

Related Stores

Woolworths
Woolworths

Comments

  • Xistn on 07/09/2022 - 09:35
    +5

    This story needed Dragons for a 4/5 star review.

  • iamherenow on 07/09/2022 - 09:37
    +2

    From the description:

    It can be used where Visa is accepted, including online and over the phone.

    Have you checked that it was correctly activated?

    • RickyMoon on 07/09/2022 - 09:45

      I have activated on the only1 Visa platform and can check the balance on the platform

      • iamherenow on 07/09/2022 - 09:54
        +12

        Looking closer found:

        The OnlyONE Home Improvement DIY & Tradie Gift Card can only be used at the following Visa Merchant Groups: Roofing, Siding, and Sheet Metal Work Contractors (1761), Hardware, Equipment and Supplies (5072) Paint, Varnishes and Supplies (5198), Home Supply Warehouse Stores (5200), Lumber and Building Materials Stores (5211), Glass, Paint, and Wallpaper Stores (5231), Hardware Stores (5251), Floor Covering Stores (5713), Commercial Footwear (5139)

  • djkelly69 on 07/09/2022 - 09:44
    -5

    Use it to buy your groceries at Woolies or Coles in store. Repeat until used up.

    • RickyMoon on 07/09/2022 - 09:46

      Cannot spend at Woolworths

      • Xistn on 07/09/2022 - 09:49
        +1

        Then it may not be activated correctly, something doesnt add up here.

        • RickyMoon on 07/09/2022 - 09:54

          I have confirmed with only1 anti-fraud department that the card has indeed been activated, but only1 can only be used for "home improvement goods" in selected stores, and only1 cannot provide a list of stores that accept payment.

          • Xistn on 07/09/2022 - 09:57
            +2

            @RickyMoon: nevermind, he edited to show its a DIY card.

            • RickyMoon on 07/09/2022 - 10:03

              @Xistn: Because the visa 1 customer service is very bad, no one answers your calls, I learned from the productreview.com.au community that only the anti-fraud department answers the phone, but this department is actually an outsourcing company

  • MrHyde on 07/09/2022 - 09:53
    +11

    The OnlyONE Home Improvement DIY & Tradie Gift Card can only be used at the following Visa Merchant Groups: Roofing, Siding, and Sheet Metal Work Contractors (1761), Hardware, Equipment and Supplies (5072) Paint, Varnishes and Supplies (5198), Home Supply Warehouse Stores (5200), Lumber and Building Materials Stores (5211), Glass, Paint, and Wallpaper Stores (5231), Hardware Stores (5251), Floor Covering Stores (5713), Commercial Footwear (5139)

    The card seems to be restricted to merchants who are registered in the above categories. Maybe try Bunnings?

    • RickyMoon on 07/09/2022 - 10:00
      -4

      I think you are right, but the original intention of buying this card is to be able to spend on Amazon and shopback, and the outer packaging of this card does not indicate clear restrictions, and I have also filed a case with the anti-fraud department of the bank, hoping to be able to Roll back the transaction.

      • MrHyde on 07/09/2022 - 10:07
        +6

        There are many versions of the OnlyOne Visa Gift card. Each version seems clear in terms of what type of stores they will be accepted at.

        I don't even know why people buy such restricted cards. Buy the generic one that can be used everywhere and let the recipient choose where they want to spend - why restrict to a category?

        • RickyMoon on 07/09/2022 - 10:11

          Try to save on the gift card itself, the regular Visa1 price is $7.95, and this one is free ~ I learned my lesson…

        • Ramrunner on 08/09/2022 - 15:33

          I think because it costs extra money to activate the generic one.

          Usually $7-10 or so.

          I agree they're actually crap value

    • RickyMoon on 07/09/2022 - 10:08
      -2

      Does Bunnings sell Woolworths gift cards? Maybe I can try to redeem other gift cards….

      • bdl on 07/09/2022 - 10:16

        Nope

      • Neoika on 07/09/2022 - 11:31

        Bunnings sell eGC online directly to consumers. I think it still works as there seems no reason to block it. Of course, card issuer can always manipulate it.

        • RickyMoon on 07/09/2022 - 11:40
          -1

          Just checked, Bunnings only sells the Bunnings gift card in the online store, will there be more choices in the physical store?

          • WookieMonster on 07/09/2022 - 12:20
            +2

            @RickyMoon: Last time I checked (which was yesterday), no. The Bunnings I went to only sold physical Bunnings gift cards.

            I’m not sure whether any Bunnings locations across Australia would sell any other kinds of gift cards, because I doubt Bunnings would see much value in getting involved in the gift card space.

  • Duckie2hh on 07/09/2022 - 10:07
    +14

    Reason for buying: I have seen on the forum that someone in the community replied that this card can be used on jbhifi Amazon and shop back.

    Caveat emptor. I hope you learnt your lesson.

  • brendanm on 07/09/2022 - 11:35
    +15

    Yet another post of people trying to save $0.18 and ending up with nothing, or some ridiculous thing that can only be used at the Coober Pedy pub on the second Wednesday in July.

    • DashCam AKA Rolts on 07/09/2022 - 12:38
      +3

      They still doing the parmi and pint deal on Wednesdays?

      • coxjon on 07/09/2022 - 14:46

        Probably Parma and pint ;)

      • brendanm on 07/09/2022 - 17:18

        Of course, would be bloody unaustralian not to. Nothing like a parmi and pint after a hard days opal prospecting.

  • JIMB0 on 07/09/2022 - 11:44
    +10

    It clearly says home improvement DIY. You're just salty because you wanted to use it to get 10% off at other places and got rejected.

      • DashCam AKA Rolts on 07/09/2022 - 12:40
        +5

        Think you need to revise your definition of Home Improvements O.P.

        • RickyMoon on 07/09/2022 - 13:14
          -2

          How would you define home improvement? We can indeed buy related products on Amazon and Kmart can't we? I declare again, I read the small print on the package carefully, and the only omission is that I should go to the only1 official website to read the definition carefully and call their anti-fraud department to confirm which store can accept the payment. As an ordinary consumer, if you can read the small print on the product package carefully before buying, you should be considered a cautious person, and rarely actually go to the product website in the store, right?

      • dtxau on 07/09/2022 - 12:53
        +10

        That's like you going to an Adult store and trying to justify the use of the card as:

        "I'm buying this butt plug for home use. Since it will improve my life at home, I can therefore use this HOME IMPROVEMENT card"

        • RickyMoon on 07/09/2022 - 13:06
          -4

          Anything can happen, but the example you gave is too exaggerated, I can also buy a set of furniture in Amazon or a refrigerator in JB to improve my quality of life, right? Obviously your metaphor for an adult store is inappropriate, as I stated before, I bought it after carefully reading the fine print on the package

          • bobbified on 07/09/2022 - 13:56
            +8

            @RickyMoon:

            I bought it after carefully reading the fine print on the package

            I'm not so sure about this! Because if you did, I don't think you would needed to create this post! 😁

            • RickyMoon on 07/09/2022 - 14:03

              @bobbified: Indeed I made the wrong decision and I learned my lesson~

          • Mr Krinkle on 07/09/2022 - 18:11
            +1

            @RickyMoon:

            Obviously your metaphor for an adult store is inappropriate

            No the metaphor is perfectly appropriate. You need a butt-plug.

  • pennypacker42069 on 07/09/2022 - 12:44
    +8

    your best option is probably to go to Bunnings and sell it to someone there for $450

  • screensaver on 07/09/2022 - 13:51
    +7

    10 percent off at bunnings is actually a good deal and very hard to get

  • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 07/09/2022 - 15:49

    Hey OP, don't you think the big writing on the front of your card saying
    "Use your ONLYONE Home Improvement DIY & Tradie card for all your personal or work related expenses, anywhere Visa Prepaid is accepted."
    is somehow relevant?

    • RickyMoon on 07/09/2022 - 16:07
      +3

      There is a Visa logo on the card, and I also read the small print on the package at the time, thinking that the previous experience shared by someone in the community that it can be used to pay for Amazon and JBHIFI is credible. Even if you log into the website and try to contact any of the departments at only1, there is no way to explain which company and store will accept the card. I have no desire to argue with anyone, and I admit to being sloppy, I just hope I can recover my losses or spend this gift card reasonably. And according to my bank's anti-fraud department, there is no clear shop that accepts payment on the package and I can't find a list of shops that can accept this card on the website, and temporarily modify the agreement (for example, Amazon can't accept payment now), and it is true There is room for discussion and inappropriate, but all this will have to wait for the results of Visa's investigation~

    • cookie2 on 07/09/2022 - 22:38
      +2

      You know what stands out to me in that paragraph? The end bit that says "anywhere Visa Prepaid is accepted ". I don't think this is clear enough. Woolworths refund is what I think you'll get.

  • bdl on 07/09/2022 - 19:00
    +2

    Step 1: Buy home improvement and diy gift card to save $7.95
    Step 2: …
    Step 3: Try and buy anything BUT home improvement and diy

    Bonus Step: Report fraud (lol)

    Super bonus step: Be fly on wall watching OP going to Bunnings to negotiate and ask them if they sell JB Hifi GC's

    • RickyMoon on 07/09/2022 - 19:03
      +1

      I don't mind to spend, but I'm not sure which store can spend, the Bunnings online store does not accept payment, maybe I need to try it in the store.

    • Neoika on 07/09/2022 - 19:04

      OP paid $450 for a $500 category restricted VISA gift card.

      • RickyMoon on 07/09/2022 - 19:15
        +1

        Not true, I didn't get the 10% discount, if I bought the gift card because of the discount, I would have spent it in the last month instead of asking for advice and help now

        • peter05 on 07/09/2022 - 19:25
          +1

          then why did you buy the gift card at all?

          • RickyMoon on 07/09/2022 - 19:30
            +1

            @peter05: Anyway, I learned my lesson🥲

            • peter05 on 07/09/2022 - 21:26
              +1

              @RickyMoon: Sorry I'm not taking the point of view that you need to learn a lesson or something like that, I'm genuinely curious as to what you were doing buying the gift card and converting your flexible cash into something like that excuse of a VISA product

  • WookieMonster on 07/09/2022 - 20:19
    +4

    tl;dr I don’t think you can force a refund on this, because I cannot see how you have a strong case to force a refund (especially under Australian Consumer Law).

    As you have probably gathered by now, the OnlyONE Home Improvement & DIY Visa gift card is a prepaid Visa gift card that can only be redeemed at some merchant types. In other words, there are two (for online purchases) or three (for in-store purchases) points a merchant would need to satisfy before you can attempt to redeem it there (above the regular requirements of the card being valid, having sufficient available balance, etc)…

    1. The merchant needs to accept prepaid Visa gift cards.

    Ignore the rubbish on the front of the gift card where it says you can spend it on certain types of items where Visa is accepted, because that is borderline misleading on a couple of levels. Yes, this card operates on the Visa network, but it is a prepaid gift card, which means that there is no verified cardholder tied to the card and there is no bank account tied to the card, so no one knows who the legitimate cardholder is. Prepaid gift cards are more likely to be involved in fraudulent transactions for a number of reasons (e.g. a prepaid gift card could have been purchased using a stolen debit/credit cards, a prepaid gift card could have been stolen from its cardholder and then redeemed without their knowledge), which explains a merchant's potential reluctance for accepting these kinds of cards.

    The fact that this gift card is essentially unverifiable poses particular problems for online transactions, as some merchants require a Visa card to support 3-D Secure before accepting it as a payment method (and a Visa card must have a verified cardholder in order to support 3-D Secure). There is no way you can have 3-D Secure set up on an OnlyONE Visa gift card, which will limit its usability for online transactions.

    2. The merchant needs to use one of the permitted Merchant Category Codes (MCCs)

    As you have seen by now, this OnlyONE Visa gift card can only be redeemed at specific MCCs.

    MCCs are assigned to a merchant by the financial institution or payment provider managing the EFTPOS terminals and/or online payment gateway, and Indue (the gift card issuer) is not involved in this process. The MCCs assigned to a merchant may change, and merchants come and go all the time; Indue will only become aware of the MCC of a particular merchant when someone attempts to redeem one of their cards. The last thing Indue should ever do is maintain their own list of permitted merchants and give it to cardholders, because it would become a source of truth, and then they would get in hot water (and rightly so) whenever some attempts to redeem it at a location on their list, yet the MCC has changed for whatever reason… Can you see the reason that Indue does not have a list of permitted merchants available to send to you?

    A merchant should not be changing the MCC assigned to the transaction solely based on the goods or services you are purchasing, as an MCC is intended to describe the type of merchant you are purchasing from, not describe the type of goods or services you are purchasing from a merchant. For example, if I went to Costco to buy a hammer, the MCC for the transaction would be for a Wholesale Club, as I am purchasing goods at a Wholesale Club. Therefore, this OnlyONE gift card would not work at Costco, even though I am buying goods that can be reasonably classified as hardware equipment and supplies and is also typically sold at a Home Supply Hardware Store.

    3. The merchant needs to accept signature verification

    (This is only relevant for in-store purchases.)

    If you run into a merchant that does not accept signature verification as a method for you to authenticate a transaction, you’re stuffed. I wouldn’t necessarily blame a merchant for not accepting signature verification, especially after nearly all Australian-issued prepaid, debit and credit cards dropped support for signature verification in Australia in 2014. However, signature verification is still allowed in Australia in certain circumstances, and this gift card is one such circumstance.

    In terms of merchants I would expect it work at, it would likely include:

    • Hardware stores (e.g. Bunnings, Mitre 10)
    • Kitchen/bathroom supply stores (e.g. Tradelink)
    • Paint shops (e.g. Haymes Paint Shop, Inspirations Paint)
    • Carpet stores (e.g. Carpet Court, Choices Flooring)

    However, it is entirely dependent on whether these merchants will accept prepaid gift cards; for example, Bunnings may accept prepaid gift cards today as a payment method, but start enforcing a policy tomorrow where prepaid gift cards are not accepted. If this happened, Indue have no control over this (and it arguably is not Indue’s fault either).

    In terms of Shopback and eBay and their unexpected acceptance of this gift card, I believe this gift card should not have been redeemable at those kind of merchants in the first place, as they should not fit into one of the permitted MCCs. I agree that (for example) eBay sells goods that would fit into at least one of these categories (e.g. commercial footwear, power tools), but the MCC for that transaction should not fit into one of the permitted MCCs, as eBay is more than a Commercial Footwear merchant or a Home Supply Warehouse Store merchant.

    Obviously, there was some weird bug happening on either the merchant’s side or the gift card issuer’s side that caused this gift card to unexpectedly work at Shopback and eBay (amongst others), but I always knew it was a matter of time before this would be patched and cardholders would then be forced to instead redeem the gift card at a merchant with a permitted MCC. Don't ask me whether it was patched on Indue's side or the merchant's side (or both), because I don't have enough data to make a call either way.

    In terms of what the gift card packaging says, I went to Woolworths today and I saw that the back includes the following points (slightly paraphrased):

    • This gift card can be used for purchases of goods and services at select merchant categories where prepaid Visa cards are accepted in Australia

    • The full terms and conditions can be found on the OnlyONE website (and you are given the website to go to).

    If you look at the gift card terms and conditions, it outlines the following (and again, I’m paraphrasing):

    • You can only use a category-restricted OnlyONE Visa gift card (e.g. this gift card) at the permitted MCCs.

    • If a merchant does not accept prepaid Visa gift cards for whatever reason, you’re out of luck. The terms state that Indue will not be held responsible for any non-acceptance of this gift card (and I think that is reasonable, as there are a number of reasons a merchant would not accept this gift card as a payment method and this not Indue’s problem).

    Keep in mind you agreed to be bound to these terms every time you attempted to make a payment using this gift card…

    You’re probably wondering what I think your chances are of forcing a refund, and I don’t like your chances.

    • The front of the gift card packaging is borderline misleading, as it does not point to merchant categories nor the fact that you are using a prepaid Visa gift card.

    • The back of the gift card packaging is quite clear cut in telling you that this gift card is only redeemable at select merchant categories.

    • The terms and conditions on the OnlyONE website is quite clear in that you can only use category-restricted Visa gift cards at merchants with permitted MCCs, plus the acceptance of your gift card is also at the discretion of the merchant.

    • The OnlyONE website has a specific webpage showcasing category-restricted Visa gift cards, and your gift card appears on there with the permitted MCCs.

    A few more miscellaneous points I’ll add in at the end here:

    • Woolworths (as the seller) is well within their rights to refuse a change of mind refund on a gift card purchased from one of their stores, which would likely explain their resistance to help you thus far. (To be fair, I cannot think of a merchant that permits change of mind refunds for purchases of gift cards.)

    • Woolworths would be obliged to provide a remedy if the gift card breached Australian Consumer Law (e.g. not fit for purpose), and it is possible to get a refund for a gift card in that case. I cannot see how

    • If all else fails, you should be able to use this gift card to purchase physical Bunnings gift cards at Bunnings. If you redeem a physical Bunnings gift card at Bunnings in order to pay for an in-store transaction (possibly excluding a PowerPass transaction), you must surrender the physical gift card, but depending on the amount owed to you, you will receive as change in one of the following forms:

    • Cash. For example, if you want to spend $192 in-store at Bunnings and you present a 2x $100 physical Bunnings gift cards, you will receive $8 cash as change.
    • Cash and at least one Bunnings gift card. For example, if you want to spend $182 in-store at Bunnings and you present a 2x $100 physical Bunnings gift cards, you will receive $8 cash and a $10 physical Bunnings gift card as change.
    • At least Bunnings gift card. For example, if you want to spend $180 in-store at Bunnings and you present a 2x $100 physical Bunnings gift cards, you will receive a $20 physical Bunnings gift card as change.
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