Jul 10, 2013, 3:44 pm
Last edit by: aeneas3
Wiki to track data points for Variable load GC at various locations:
raghu455: Variable loads not ringing up at register on 7/9 at 3 south bay area locations.
topenga47: Sarasota FL OD is cash only at register on 7/10
townhurst: OD at Firestone in Norwalk, CA cash only and CC denied at register
fangtl: Register showing cash only message prompt at Sterling, VA OD.
Emma dog: atlanta OD (Cheshire bridge&piedmont) has a register lockout forcing cash only.
Mooper: Cash only @ OD in MT for variable, but $100/$200 Visa GCs ok w/ CC through Aug. UPDATE: Died in early Sept... cash only for all now.
aeneas3: cash only @OD in Buffalo, NY - popup at the register - 9/20
raghu455: Variable loads not ringing up at register on 7/9 at 3 south bay area locations.
topenga47: Sarasota FL OD is cash only at register on 7/10
townhurst: OD at Firestone in Norwalk, CA cash only and CC denied at register
fangtl: Register showing cash only message prompt at Sterling, VA OD.
Emma dog: atlanta OD (Cheshire bridge&piedmont) has a register lockout forcing cash only.
Mooper: Cash only @ OD in MT for variable, but $100/$200 Visa GCs ok w/ CC through Aug. UPDATE: Died in early Sept... cash only for all now.
aeneas3: cash only @OD in Buffalo, NY - popup at the register - 9/20
Office Depot accepting cash only for variable load gift cards
Jul 6, 2013, 10:25 am
#121
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: HNL
Programs: AA Citi Visa and Amex, Citi AA Biz, SPG, Amex Green, Zync, Discover It (Starbucks Gold) HHonors Gold
Posts: 268
Went to OD today on my quest to find some VL GC, didn't find anything above $200, but did notice that they had some delicious Bean on display. I grabbed two and took them to the register along with some other items that I was planning to purchase and the register read declined as soon as she scanned the VR cards, she said hmmm and tried again and the declined message came up on the register. She apologized and said that probably occurred because they just started carrying them again, and they were probably not in the system as yet. Has anyone out there spotted Vanilla at OD and tried making a purchase? I wonder if my load attempt declined because I was attempting to load $500 vs $200?? 
Jul 6, 2013, 10:34 am
#122
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Austin, Texas
Programs: Airline nobody. Sad!
Posts: 26,062
Office Depot will soon be accepting cash only for gift card purchases
Go back and try $200? If the fee is only $3.95 still, even max $200 load at 5x is pretty good, worth doing in my mind.
Jul 6, 2013, 11:08 am
#124
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 217
Went to OD today on my quest to find some VL GC, didn't find anything above $200, but did notice that they had some delicious Bean on display. I grabbed two and took them to the register along with some other items that I was planning to purchase and the register read declined as soon as she scanned the VR cards, she said hmmm and tried again and the declined message came up on the register. She apologized and said that probably occurred because they just started carrying them again, and they were probably not in the system as yet. Has anyone out there spotted Vanilla at OD and tried making a purchase? I wonder if my load attempt declined because I was attempting to load $500 vs $200??
Jul 6, 2013, 11:16 am
#125
Join Date: Aug 2008
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 1,714
Just been to the same OD and couldn't see any VRs - plenty of standard Vanilla Debit cards but no reloads. They do still have the variable visas (quite a few left) and, as mentioned, they needed manager override at the register but no mention that CC would be an issue.
Jul 6, 2013, 11:22 am
#126
Join Date: Feb 2013
Programs: United MP, American AAdvantage, Chase UR, AMEX MR
Posts: 211
Jul 6, 2013, 11:54 am
#127
Join Date: Aug 2008
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 1,714
Jul 6, 2013, 12:33 pm
#129
Join Date: Oct 2002
Posts: 676
Jul 6, 2013, 12:55 pm
#131
Join Date: Oct 2002
Posts: 676
Jul 6, 2013, 2:43 pm
#135
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: So Cal
Programs: UA Gold/0.744MM, WN AL, Hyatt Diamond, MR Scum, Hertz PC, National Exec, Avis PC
Posts: 5,561
Just went to 7 different ODs in the OC and was basically shut down everywhere. Many didn't have variable loads at all. Found one that had OV, but the manager was really cagey about it. Complained about "Ink cards and Bluejays" 
Eventually bought one there for 500 and got my free stamps as well. Same manager had to do an override for "large purchase" and immediately said that the stamp coupon didn't work with gift cards. When I informed him that it had already gone through without just fine he seemed "surprised" and then quickly stormed off with my coupon.
BTW, same manager also claimed that in the last week since variable loads came back, they have sold over 30k worth...
Found another that had an unopened stack or regular variable load cards in a box they had just received, but manager refused to allow them to be sold until the new cash policy came into effect "in a few days".
Last one had a whole bunch out on the rack, so I picked up two, and found a good deal on a power strip, so I brought all three to the register. I was informed that they would only allow up to $200 on a variable load with credit card If I wanted more, the difference would have to be in cash. And that in a few days it would be all cash. He wasn't sure if it would apply to all cards or not. He genuinely seemed as confused as we are. Ended up walking out with absolutely nothing.
Eventually bought one there for 500 and got my free stamps as well. Same manager had to do an override for "large purchase" and immediately said that the stamp coupon didn't work with gift cards. When I informed him that it had already gone through without just fine he seemed "surprised" and then quickly stormed off with my coupon.BTW, same manager also claimed that in the last week since variable loads came back, they have sold over 30k worth...
Found another that had an unopened stack or regular variable load cards in a box they had just received, but manager refused to allow them to be sold until the new cash policy came into effect "in a few days".
Last one had a whole bunch out on the rack, so I picked up two, and found a good deal on a power strip, so I brought all three to the register. I was informed that they would only allow up to $200 on a variable load with credit card
If I wanted more, the difference would have to be in cash. And that in a few days it would be all cash. He wasn't sure if it would apply to all cards or not. He genuinely seemed as confused as we are. Ended up walking out with absolutely nothing.