Worst gift cards ever!

[Gunney]

For christmas somebody gave me a $25 Vanilla Visa gift card. An extremely nice gesture, however these things suck lol!

I generally only use debit cards and the like online, because anywhere else I usually just pay cash...

However with this thing, there is no Billing Address. So 2 vendors, and Paypal have all declined the card, due to the inability to verify it! I looked on their webpage, and under FAQ about the address it says "Use your own"... yet if you use your own it bounces! One of the vendors here explained it to me as being just that...

Awful!

So word of advice; If you want to give somebody one of those Gift-Debit Cards, AVOID Vanilla Visa...

[Dalejr]

I get mine though my bank, haven't had a single problem.

[Jim]

How about the gas station.

[life2short1971]

I have had them without a problem and if it is like the others you can register it at their website and it will show belonging to your address.

[i_shaved_something]

Funny, just a few minutes ago I tried using a Visa gift card at gas station and was rejected. I had to enter zip code and was declined, I think if register it like mentioned wouldnt have that problem.
Ive used them in past no problem, mainly at restaurants.

[Gunney]

On their site there is no place to register!

[TonyH]

You could pretty much use it at any "real world" establishment. Why not go get something to eat? Or see a movie? Go for coffee? Like Jim said, get some gas (but pay inside). I think the Visa cards are great. You just have to use them *gasp* in person.

[Gunney]

I see your point certainly.. Now if I could just find a local store that sold Parker Shavettes and Dip pens :) (The things I have tried using it for!)

[life2short1971]

You have to pay inside with gift cards. They don't work at the pump because the station preauthorize $50-$75 which is usually not on the card.

[TonyH]

I see your point certainly.. Now if I could just find a local store that sold Parker Shavettes and Dip pens :) (The things I have tried using it for!)

Maybe you could call the vendor in question and have them process your order by phone. Most of our vendors are really accommodating and would surely love to have your business!

[Gunney]

I could certainly!

[Go West Young Man]

Complaining that much about a gift is slightly caddish.

[Masterkova]

Just curious - why would someone prefer to give or receive one of these cards rather than cash? It would never occur to me.

[Bertilak]

Complaining that much about a gift is slightly caddish.

I'm with you on that, but there is one circumstance where it makes sense: Some gift cards cost less than their face value.

Costco sells $100 cards to a few major chain restaurants for 20% less than face value. I occasionally buy myself one of those. Last December I saw ads for gift cards from some store (forget which) sold at a discount but only good starting in January.

[ackvil]

I'm with you on that, but there is one circumstance where it makes sense: Some gift cards cost less than their face value.

Costco sells $100 cards to a few major chain restaurants for 20% less than face value. I occasionally buy myself one of those. Last December I saw ads for gift cards from some store (forget which) sold at a discount but only good starting in January.

Good to know. My wife recently bought a gift card from Target and had to pay an extra fee for buying the card! This is the first time I have ever heard of a retailer charging to $55 for a $50 gift card.

[ajs2294]

Like others have said, they usually include a leaflet telling you to go to a website and register them, wait about an hour and your good to go online. If all else fails try using it to buy an Amazon gift card of the same value. Amazon seems to accept any form of payment they can and you'll surely use it eventually, can't loose it either!

[kg4ghn]

I got one of these for christmas too. I just used it at walmart when I was buying groceries and used my debit card for my gift purchase.

[Gunney]

Complaining that much about a gift is slightly caddish.

As I mentioned in probably my 3rd sentence; It was a nice gesture, however perhaps it would be a good idea to stay clear of them.


Good to know. My wife recently bought a gift card from Target and had to pay an extra fee for buying the card! This is the first time I have ever heard of a retailer charging to $55 for a $50 gift card.

Yes, they do seem quite fond of charging $5 or so for a piece of plastic worth maybe $.0005


Like others have said, they usually include a leaflet telling you to go to a website and register them, wait about an hour and your good to go online. If all else fails try using it to buy an Amazon gift card of the same value. Amazon seems to accept any form of payment they can and you'll surely use it eventually, can't loose it either!

I checked their website, and that info... nada. If you feel I am mistaken, feel free to browse for yourself! : https://www.vanillavisa.com/home.html?csrfToken=auP2F8w0ptVQXynJzkfQ9zJuIQVMlE 5d

[Hubsche1]

I've gotten one from work before. I don't love the things, but they work fairly well if you use them in person.

My main problem is finding a way to use them all at once, since I don't like sitting on partially, non-reloadable credit cards.

[Gunney]

I've gotten one from work before. I don't love the things, but they work fairly well if you use them in person.

My main problem is finding a way to use them all at once, since I don't like sitting on partially, non-reloadable credit cards.

Yep, it seems that Tax and such ALWAYS leaves you with a decimal number, and at that you would have a better chance of finding gold in your back yard than getting another purchase to get that exact decimal!

[Go West Young Man]

Yep, it seems that Tax and such ALWAYS leaves you with a decimal number, and at that you would have a better chance of finding gold in your back yard than getting another purchase to get that exact decimal!

Just ask the cashier to check the balance, apply that to the bill and pay the rest with cash/other card/etc.
You're making this way more complicated than it needs to be.

[Gunney]

It EXPLICITLY says the cashier CANNOT check the balance.

[luvmysuper]

It's convoluted. I had to search for it.


There is a section at the upper right side of the webpage that asks, Have a Vanilla Gift Card? Enter the card number, which is the 16 digit number found at the front of the card. The expiration date, which is also in front of the card, will also be needed. After entering the expiration date and the CVV, three numbers located at the back of the card near the signature box, the customer then clicks Go. They will be directed to a new page where they can register and check the balance of the Vanilla Visa Gift Card.

[Gunney]

Cheers!

[luvmysuper]

Good info here, like the fact that if you don't use the entire card within 7 months, they begin charging a $2.50 a month service fee.

http://vanillavisagiftcard.net/register.php

[ajs2294]

In today's world there really isn't anything shocking about that. Most banks in my experience have much more expensive fees if you don't maintain a balance or a certain amount of transactions a month. Is a giftcard really going to last 7 months with any of us anyway? :laugh:


Good info here, like the fact that if you don't use the entire card within 7 months, they begin charging a $2.50 a month service fee.

http://vanillavisagiftcard.net/register.php

[Dalejr]

In today's world there really isn't anything shocking about that. Most banks in my experience have much more expensive fees if you don't maintain a balance or a certain amount of transactions a month. Is a giftcard really going to last 7 months with any of us anyway? :laugh:

Nope :lol:

[luvmysuper]

In today's world there really isn't anything shocking about that. Most banks in my experience have much more expensive fees if you don't maintain a balance or a certain amount of transactions a month. Is a giftcard really going to last 7 months with any of us anyway? :laugh:

Agreed, with us - nope. :lol:
And not shocking, just good info to know.
If someone was thinking of sending a gift card to a deployed Soldier or Sailor, or buying some in advance of an event, it's nice info to have in the back pocket.

[life2short1971]

The Mio cards(with the Visa logo) are good anywhere. You can reload them as well and order a second card so someone can have one of them and reload and the funds are good on both. You also can register them to your name and address and one will come in the mail with your name on it.

[Gunney]

Good info here, like the fact that if you don't use the entire card within 7 months, they begin charging a $2.50 a month service fee.

http://vanillavisagiftcard.net/register.php

Cheers. Yea, I noticed that, however I am almost certain in my state it is actually illegal for them to do so! I do believe a law was passed a few years ago to that extent...


In today's world there really isn't anything shocking about that. Most banks in my experience have much more expensive fees if you don't maintain a balance or a certain amount of transactions a month. Is a giftcard really going to last 7 months with any of us anyway? :laugh:

Yep banks are the worst. Mine currently hits me with a fee if I don't use my card atleast once a month.. its a student account.. as you can imagine, I usually order something cheap like some blades or something per month...