Apple Gift Cards - $50 = 5,000 PCOptimum Points (March 4-10)

leovee1 wrote: ↑ March 4 - 10, 2023
Apple Gift Cards - for every $50 in cards get back 5,000 PCOptimum Points

Fine Print:
Up to Maximum of 10 cards
Gift cards can not be used to buy other gift cards

lostinpangea wrote: ↑ Just as an FYI...

I bought $500 worth of Apple gift cards from SDM during their last promotion. All the gift cards were FRAUDULENT.

There was no indication on the outside of the package, but you could tell immediately that they were fake when you opened them. The card inside was partially glued inside the envelope. When checking the numbers, the numbers on the outside of the envelope did not match the card inside the envelope.

Note: the above is different from the fake barcode scam also going around.

I am in the process of getting my money back from SDM, but it's been a real hassle.

Good luck to those who try - I lost a lot more value in my time than the $50 of savings.

bertam2 wrote: ↑ Sorry to hear about your experience with the fake Apple cards. Can you elaborate a bit on what to watch out for that would help those of us to avoid buying fraudulent ones. Are these in sealed envelopes so these would have been sold to SDM as fakes in the first place? So only way to tell is to buy them and open them while still in store? Appreciate your help.

lostinpangea wrote: ↑ I should add that if you see a barcode STICKER on the back of the gift card envelope, it is definitely fake. Real gift card will have the barcode printed on directly. (but that is a different scam than I was hit with)

lostinpangea wrote: ↑
Just as an FYI...

I bought $500 worth of Apple gift cards from SDM during their last promotion. All the gift cards were FRAUDULENT.

There was no indication on the outside of the package, but you could tell immediately that they were fake when you opened them. The card inside was partially glued inside the envelope. When checking the numbers, the numbers on the outside of the envelope did not match the card inside the envelope.

Note: the above is different from the fake barcode scam also going around.

I am in the process of getting my money back from SDM, but it's been a real hassle.

Good luck to those who try - I lost a lot more value in my time than the $50 of savings.

bertam2 wrote: ↑ Sorry to hear about your experience with the fake Apple cards. Can you elaborate a bit on what to watch out for that would help those of us to avoid buying fraudulent ones. Are these in sealed envelopes so these would have been sold to SDM as fakes in the first place? So only way to tell is to buy them and open them while still in store? Appreciate your help.

lostinpangea wrote: ↑ Unfortunately, there is no indicator on the outside of the gift card. I compared them to legitimate Apple gift cards I had on-hand at the same time. There are three indicators once you open them:
1) The card sticks to the inside of the envelope
2) The numbers on the card do NOT match the numbers on the outside of the envelope
3) It fails to activate when you scan or enter the numbers upon redemption

Next time, I'd open them and use them in front of the cashier. But even then, I'm sure there's nothing the cashier/manager can do. The process had to run through head office and required more than 3 hours on the phone to determine the responsible party (SDM or Apple), and then another 3 hours of time to take photos, write emails, etc. And then about a month of waiting for reimbursement in the form of SDM gift cards - no real refund.

adamtheman wrote: ↑ I won't buy gift cards from SDM anymore. They are the only PC optimum store that doesn't award points for gift cards instantly. I am still waiting for my points from gift cards I bought 3 weeks ago. You have to submit an inquiry and they won't do anything until 4 weeks has passed. Horrible system.

vkizzle wrote: ↑ You didn’t consider a credit card chargeback?

leovee1 wrote: ↑ If you read the fine print in their flyer you will see it always tells you how long it will take for points to be awarded. That would save you future grief if you know up front.

I'll update the "Fine Print" to mention 2-4 weeks as per the ad.

lostinpangea wrote: ↑ Yes, that was my fallback option if I couldn't get my money out. But I only use that as a last resort when a vendor is completely uncooperative. SDM was cooperative and understanding, just a slow process and a hassle to figure it out whether it was SDM or Apple who was responsible.

g3hancdf wrote: ↑ can I use the GC for refurbished or education store ones?