what do you do with misc gift cards, refund cards, or other versions of small amount debit cards?

[Kali]

I usually just dump them into my amazon (no lectures needed, guilty!) gift card account so I know where they are and they get used when I order stuff.

today I had an interesting experience. after spending way too long to acquire a $55.18 class action settlement from blue cross as an e-visa card, I proceeded to do my usual thing. it got refused. tried again - spent WAY too much time on this - failed again. third try was a fail too. called the company. card doesn't work on amazon! WTF? won't work at a gas station either at the pump - have to go in. I was flabbergasted. a visa card that won't work at amazon? wow. for gift cards OR merchandise. has anybody else ever experienced this?

[msongs]

1. so yu can feel like you won but not actually get any benefit. corporate america nt

[Kali]

2. I imagine lots of people just don't bother or give up

of course I lost the 18 cents buying another gift card that I sent to my sister because I wasn't going to give up

[Shellback Squid]

3. small amount on visa gift card I usually donate the balance to a charity

[Kali]

5. that is a good option.

I do a fair amount of (small) subscription and intentional donations so never really thought of that for this sort of thing.

[TommyT139]

4. Might it be a sort of fraud protection?

Gift cards are a big target for scams, so maybe limiting the use works out better for the store where you are trying to apply the balance.

[Kali]

6. no idea

the call center person rambled off some statement about amazon but she was talking fast with a heavy accent and I almost didn't even get the point that card couldn't be used there. walmart was ok, as were other on line retailers. that was a first for me.

[buzzycrumbhunger]

7. I despise gift cards...

Got one at work as a christmas gift last year. It was only good for like three stores—none of which I shop at. Finally gave up and chose TJ Maxx because it was closest. Bought a set of three Danskin bras (don’t recommend unless you have small boobs because I fall out the top every time I bend over…) because that was the only thing in the store I could possibly want or need, with $4 left over. I suppose I should’ve handed it off to some stranger who obviously enjoyed shopping there, but ended up pitching it.

I resent the fact that a straight VISA or similar gift card usually has a steep extra charge on it ($7 to buy a $25 gift card?!) so seriously, if you don’t know someone enough to give them what they want, just slap some money into a card and call it good. I’d consider that less tacky than forcing someone into what I went through.

[Kali]

10. yeah I never give them as gifts

well, until today but I warned my sister that was what I was doing and why.

[Marthe48]

8. I got the Hallmark settlement too

I noticed the limits on use. Just curious. Did you get a physical card? I got the email notice and followed through on the site. If I was supposed to get a card, I haven't yet.

[Kali]

9. mine was from blue cross and it was an electronic version

the call center lady offered to send a physical card so I could use it for gas without having to go inside a store but I just got a walmart gift card and sent it to my sister. she still likes to shop inside stores LOL

[Marthe48]

11. Thanks!

I've been busy since I got the notice, but I'll track it down. Burning a hole in my pocket. lol