debit/gift cards,ugh!

[blueroses]

Posted: 1/2/07 at 3:28pm

What do you mean they won't accept it? Wouldn't you just be expected to pay the difference?

[etoile]

Posted: 1/2/07 at 3:28pm

I know some don't accept the card if it's under an amount, like the Visa gift cards. I find it hard to believe any gift card company doesn't want you to spend over the amount.

[Calvin]

Posted: 1/2/07 at 3:30pm

My Cingular rebate came on one of those. I thought if the balance wouldn't cover the purchase, it would just pay what it could and ask me to pay the difference -- and as a result, I had the lovely experience of being told that my card was declined for the purchase of an $11 lunch.

I now have $1.06 left on the card. I have no idea how I'm going to get any use out of that. Thanks a lot, Cingular.

[SarahBeth]

Posted: 1/2/07 at 4:07pm

It works the same as cash without the mess of change. If you don't have enough cash you can't get something, same deal. I love my debit card, makes my life easier. Some places will give you the cash balance if its below say $5 too or let you pay the remaining balance in cash. The Gap is one of those places i've experienced that, try there.

[DBillyP]

Posted: 1/2/07 at 4:35pm

You could also FIRST pay the difference with, say, cash, leaving only the balance of your card. The card should work then, right?

Updated On: 1/2/07 at 04:35 PM

[Rose_MacShane]

Posted: 1/2/07 at 4:38pm

Those things are a pain in the ass. I've learned to ask customers if they've used it previously and if they know exactly how much is left on it. Damn mall gift cards...

[Calvin]

Posted: 1/2/07 at 4:39pm

If the store is kind enough to do it for you, then yes.

[Marlene]

Posted: 1/2/07 at 4:43pm

If the retailer is able to ring up just the amount available on your card and charge that on debit, then the transaction will go through and you can pay the rest in cash, credit, check, etc. It's quite a pain in the ass, and to withdraw the money from the visa debit card I received this Christmas you need to pay either $10 or $20, which I considered doing...but I just save the card for online purchases, and get something at the drugstore when I have a few dollars left.

Posted: 1/3/07 at 11:09am

If you go over the price, it won't be accepted. Trust me, I know. I went to Hollister at the mall and I was over by 50 cents. So I paid the whole amount in cash for a lousy t-shirt that doesn't fit.

[PUGILIST]

Posted: 1/3/07 at 11:31am

I work retail.. it is pretty annoying when those things get declined because the company that distributes the card doesn't explain to the customer that they need to keep track of their balance, then when the customer comes to me with the card they make me out to be the idiot to fix their problems and figure out the balance for them. It's annoying for both parties.