Visa Gift Cards Suck!

[MichelleCarmen]

Seriously. WHY give them out when they do not work anywhere? The first one I was given was for $100 and the *ONLY* place I could find that would accept it was the MOST expensive gas station in a 20 mile radius!

Now, I was given a $50 rebate one from Verizon and nobody will take it. We tried it at the movie theater and the guy tried ringing it up as both a debit and a credit and it didn't work! GRRR. . .

Oh, and I tried the second card at that same above mentioned gas station and this time they couldn't ring it through as either debit or credit!

The whole thing just pisses me off. DH thinks they are a scam. If nobody can use them, then VISA makes out ahead!

The reason I'm posting is not only to vent, but also as a recommendation that if you plan to give a gift card as a present, DO NOT give out one of those. Just a regular store card to Macy's or a specific gas station always work (as we all know).

 

[LGK]

As a merchant, they drive me batty too. First, it doesn''t tell you what''s left on the card, and 99% of people have no idea. So you have to start guessing, because if you don''t input exactly what is on the card or lower, it''ll decline. And about half of them decline anyway for no reason, which adds to the fun. So someone hands you one of these wretched inventions and is like "Um, I think there''s $20 on this?" and there''s actually $10- so you start with $20, and then when it declines that, $19, and so on. SO ANNOYING. For the customer and the merchant. A check in the mail is *so* much better. I seriously want to scream when I see some poor soul pull one out of their wallet.

 

[Hudson_Hawk]

I used one at BB&B and had no problems. But I did use it''s entire value.

 

[MichelleCarmen]

Thanks for explaining this a bit. I''ll keep the receipts with the card (that is if I ever end up with any).

 

[MichelleCarmen]

Date: 7/31/2009 1:27:56 PM
Author: Hudson_Hawk
I used one at BB&B and had no problems. But I did use it's entire value.

Okay, I'll try the card there. It's silly that I got the Verizon rebate for buying a new phone and I had wanted to use that money to buy groceries or gas, but here I am now having to buy towels. lol Actually, we do need new towels, but I can see my DH being annoyed that I ended up buying something he thinks we do not need "at this time."

 

[Hudson_Hawk]

why do you have to use it right now?

Also, I thought it said specifically on the card that you can use it anywhere that accepts visa (in the continental US that is)?

 

[April20]

We had a Visa card from a rebate and used it at a restaurant. Even though we knew it was good for $50 and the full amount was on it, it would only run for $40. I can''t remember if we got the rest of the balance to work.

I got a $100 Amex gift card last year. We had no issue using it at all, which I found surprising. We used it at a restaurant for brunch and then in a retail store. It worked much easier than the Visa one.

 

[brightlight]

I actually really like them and have never had any problems. You can go online to check the balance, but I don't think anyone ever does ... Well, except me.

 

[MichelleCarmen]

Date: 7/31/2009 1:34:25 PM
Author: Hudson_Hawk
why do you have to use it right now?

Also, I thought it said specifically on the card that you can use it anywhere that accepts visa (in the continental US that is)?

After having so many issues with the first one, I decided that I didn't want to fuss around with it for months. It seems the easiest to get it over with.

Yes, it does say anywhere VISA is accepted, although that wasn't the case with the transaction I attempted yesterday. My debit card is a VISA and the exact same movie theater takes that. It's a huge scam, IMO. I mean, my Banana Republic gift card rang right up, as did my Nordstrom GC that I got. . .why would the VISA one be so difficult to use unless VISA conspired to make it a PITA?

 

[Hudson_Hawk]

I''m not sure what the deal is with the movies, but my movie theater is barely out of the dark ages where CCs are concerned.

Did you try it at Banana Republic or the grocery store?

 

[princesss]

Date: 7/31/2009 1:49:40 PM
Author: brightlight
I actually really like them and have never had any problems. You can go online to check the balance, but I don''t think anyone ever does ... Well, except me.

I didn''t know that! When I get them I just write the balance on it with a Sharpie, and then cross it out and put the new balance each time I use it. It''s a little hassle, and I do prefer the Amex cards, but a little work makes the Visa much easier!

 

[MichelleCarmen]

Date: 7/31/2009 2:26:24 PM
Author: Hudson_Hawk
I''m not sure what the deal is with the movies, but my movie theater is barely out of the dark ages where CCs are concerned.

Did you try it at Banana Republic or the grocery store?

Nope. . .DH and I went to Old Navy last night (while waiting for the movie). Should have tried it there!

 

[applequeen]

I just received a Visa gift card as a rebate from Alltell (which is now Verizon). It gave me an option to go online and have the value of the card transferred to my checking account which I did with no problems.

Does the Verizon card offer the same option? If it does then I reccomend that'' what you do... I was able to transfer the full $50 value of the card.

 

[MichelleCarmen]

Date: 7/31/2009 2:31:26 PM
Author: princesss

Date: 7/31/2009 1:49:40 PM
Author: brightlight
I actually really like them and have never had any problems. You can go online to check the balance, but I don''t think anyone ever does ... Well, except me.

I didn''t know that! When I get them I just write the balance on it with a Sharpie, and then cross it out and put the new balance each time I use it. It''s a little hassle, and I do prefer the Amex cards, but a little work makes the Visa much easier!

This is what I do with all my gift cards. At Gymboree, they have a little label machine that will apply a sticker with the amount left.

 

[MichelleCarmen]

Date: 7/31/2009 2:33:19 PM
Author: applequeen
I just received a Visa gift card as a rebate from Alltell (which is now Verizon). It gave me an option to go online and have the value of the card transferred to my checking account which I did with no problems.

Does the Verizon card offer the same option? If it does then I reccomend that'' what you do... I was able to transfer the full $50 value of the card.

Wow, thanks for mentioning this. I''ll try it.

 

[brightlight]

Date: 7/31/2009 2:31:26 PM
Author: princesss

Date: 7/31/2009 1:49:40 PM
Author: brightlight
I actually really like them and have never had any problems. You can go online to check the balance, but I don''t think anyone ever does ... Well, except me.

I didn''t know that! When I get them I just write the balance on it with a Sharpie, and then cross it out and put the new balance each time I use it. It''s a little hassle, and I do prefer the Amex cards, but a little work makes the Visa much easier!

Yes, you can also register it online (entering your zip code or full address) so you can buy stuff online. I''m pretty sure you should be able to check your Amex balance online too, but I''ve never had one so I don''t know for sure. Check the fine print.

 

[LGK]

Date: 7/31/2009 2:33:19 PM
Author: applequeen
I just received a Visa gift card as a rebate from Alltell (which is now Verizon). It gave me an option to go online and have the value of the card transferred to my checking account which I did with no problems.

Does the Verizon card offer the same option? If it does then I reccomend that'' what you do... I was able to transfer the full $50 value of the card.

That''s a great option. I got one once (Verizon phone rebate) and just ran it through my own CC machine immediately and cashed it out.

I dunno why so many decline. They just do. It seems pretty random. And it doesn''t matter if you keep swiping the thing- if it doesn''t work, it''s not gonna. And I do have a brand new CC machine, so I don''t think it''s the equipment''s problem. I just think they''re wonky sometimes. Most people who have had me swipe one, have mentioned trying it other places with no luck.

 

[gemgirl]

Date: 7/31/2009 2:12:45 PM
Author: MC

Date: 7/31/2009 1:34:25 PM
Author: Hudson_Hawk
why do you have to use it right now?

Also, I thought it said specifically on the card that you can use it anywhere that accepts visa (in the continental US that is)?

After having so many issues with the first one, I decided that I didn''t want to fuss around with it for months. It seems the easiest to get it over with.

Yes, it does say anywhere VISA is accepted, although that wasn''t the case with the transaction I attempted yesterday. My debit card is a VISA and the exact same movie theater takes that. It''s a huge scam, IMO. I mean, my Banana Republic gift card rang right up, as did my Nordstrom GC that I got. . .why would the VISA one be so difficult to use unless VISA conspired to make it a PITA?

Isn''t that just so annoying when they say "anywhere Visa cards are accepted"..... and then you have problem using the stupid card?

We received two recently. Both were mailed to us as rebates for purchases. My question is, was it really that hard to issue us a check? I''m going to assume that issuing a check was a lot faster and the dinky piece of paper was a lot less expensive to generate, especially considering that companies generated the checks internally. A Visa piece of plastic has to cost a heck of a lot more AND companies are paying an outside source to issue their customers a refund. There''s a charge to them for that.

It makes no sense to me. I liked rebate checks. I used to deposit them. You can''t deposit a Visa card.

 

[MichelleCarmen]

Date: 7/31/2009 2:36:24 PM
Author: gemgirl


Isn't that just so annoying when they say 'anywhere Visa cards are accepted'..... and then you have problem using the stupid card?

We received two recently. Both were mailed to us as rebates for purchases. My question is, was it really that hard to issue us a check? I'm going to assume that issuing a check was a lot faster and the dinky piece of paper was a lot less expensive to generate, especially considering that companies generated the checks internally. A Visa piece of plastic has to cost a heck of a lot more AND companies are paying an outside source to issue their customers a refund. There's a charge to them for that.

It makes no sense to me. I liked rebate checks. I used to deposit them. You can't deposit a Visa card.

I wonder if VISA is paying the companies to issue rebates via the cards to create advertising. Clearly the results aren't working too well because of the frustration they cause. However for those who cannot get the cards to work and finally give up or end up tossing the card with a couple bucks left on it, VISA profits.

FWIW, the VISA I have is through BOA. I wonder if that makes a difference?

 

[sap483]

I had a Visa gc from Verizon and from AT&T. I went to the bank and traded them in for cash (the paperwork that came with both cards said that this was an option). Took all of 5 minutes. You may want to look into that so you can use the cash anywhere.

 

[MichelleCarmen]

Date: 7/31/2009 2:56:39 PM
Author: sap483
I had a Visa gc from Verizon and from AT&T. I went to the bank and traded them in for cash (the paperwork that came with both cards said that this was an option). Took all of 5 minutes. You may want to look into that so you can use the cash anywhere.

Did you bring the paperwork in? I tossed that. lol It was just more junk laying around piled up on my counter.

 

[sap483]

Date: 7/31/2009 2:59:18 PM
Author: MC

Date: 7/31/2009 2:56:39 PM
Author: sap483
I had a Visa gc from Verizon and from AT&T. I went to the bank and traded them in for cash (the paperwork that came with both cards said that this was an option). Took all of 5 minutes. You may want to look into that so you can use the cash anywhere.

Did you bring the paperwork in? I tossed that. lol It was just more junk laying around piled up on my counter.

Nope just the cards. I went to BOA if that helps

ETA: I think it may be processed technically as a cash advance. At least that's what I recall the transaction receipt stating.

 

[D&T]

Date: 7/31/2009 1:49:40 PM
Author: brightlight
I actually really like them and have never had any problems. You can go online to check the balance, but I don''t think anyone ever does ... Well, except me.

Yep, me too, I like to receive them, and when I only have a few dollars and change, I shop at the grocery store, and pay either with cash or check first minus the balance on the card. once the exact amount comes up for me after the cash/check goes through, I swipe the gift card on through and toss it out.

 

[diamondsrock]

I''ve received a few of those and had problems, too, but I figured out why. If the price of my purchase is higher than the value of the card (so I''m paying the difference), you can''t just swipe the card because it will decline it. You have to have the cashier enter the amount of the card value, then swipe it, then use another card, cash, etc...for the difference.
This happened to me at Christmas when I was buying a $90 item with a $50 card. The merchant (small shop) had no idea why it wasn''t working. I ended up on the phone with merchant services myself working it out, and giving instructions to the cashier so it would go through. It did eventually, but was a pain. I''ve worked in retail so didn''t mind getting on the phone with the company, but I can see how some people would give up and not use it.
If the sale is less than the value of the card, I didn''t have any problems.

 

[Kunzite]

Date: 7/31/2009 1:40:07 PM
Author: April20
We had a Visa card from a rebate and used it at a restaurant. Even though we knew it was good for $50 and the full amount was on it, it would only run for $40. I can''t remember if we got the rest of the balance to work.

I got a $100 Amex gift card last year. We had no issue using it at all, which I found surprising. We used it at a restaurant for brunch and then in a retail store. It worked much easier than the Visa one.

The reason is that most food merchants or merchants with gratuities are automatically set up to authorize the purchase price plus a specific amount (in this case probably 15%) so that the card doesn''t get declined after the customer writes in a tip.

This could be the problem if you try to use them at a pay at the pump as well... most of those start with a $50 authorization.

 

[MichelleCarmen]

Hi everyone,

Just an update - I decided to use the gift card online to buy an Old Navy gift card thinking that would be the best way to "transfer" the amount to a useable place. Well, get this, Old Navy declined the transaction, so I called the VISA 800 number and the $25 amount had been deducted from the card even though Old Navy wouldn''t take it.

Soooo, pissed. I called Old Navy and they said it would take 8 days for the money to be put back on the VISA card!

Oh, and I was mistaken. It''s a Citi VISA, not a BOA, so I cannot cash it in person (no citi around here in Seattle).

Just in case anyone considers giving one of these, reconsider and go w/a resturant or a movie theater.

 

[marcy]

I took my Verizon card to the bank and they gave me the money. Thanks for reminding me I need to turn in a rebate on DH''s new phone.

 

[y2kitty]

When I bought my new Verizon phone I noticed in store they do rebates but online at verizonwireless.com the phones are just whatever price they''d be after you received a rebate. I had heard Verizon''s rebate cards suck, so I just got a phone online and had it overnighted to me.