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T-Mobile Visa Prepaid - Bluebird Competitor for MS! (May not load w/CC)

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Old Jan 22, 2014, 3:27 pm
FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides
Last edit by: XP1
Warning: The T-M website contains an apparent Bill Pay function. Attempting to use it to pay credit card bills, or probably any significant $ amount bills of any sort, will get your account frozen. Ditto large scale ATM or MO withdrawals. The one method of unloading likely to keep you under the radar is small scale WM BP. Also likely to get you shut down, according to consensus reports, is running much more than $5K a month thru your account. You ignore this advice at your own risk.

SUMMARY

1. FAQ's
2. Free to use for TMo customers.
3. Issued by Bancorp
4. Load at T-mobile store (Registers are HARD CODED not to accept anything other than cash.)
5. or Reloadit, (find a grocery store that sold reloadit cards with a cc)

List Stores hard coded for cash or Credit Card accepted
T-Mobile (cash only)
Home Depot (cash only, hard coded)
Harris Teeter - Bought with CC on 2/16/14, hard coded denied CC on 5 APR 2014
Winn-Dixie - Hard coded for cash (debit may work, untested) as of Oct-2015
Meijer (Cash/Debit including VGC)
Giant Eagle/GetGo (Cash, Debit including VGC )
Safeways/Vons/Pavilions in California - most only Cash
Food Lion - Manager override now required. Many stores cash or bank debit only, but registers are not hard coded.
Save-A-Lot: Hard coded cash only
BigY: At least some stores have gone cash only as of 1/8
Acme in PA: Hard-coded cash only (Source)

Note on ReloadIt Cards
These come in two main flavors, up to $500, and up to $950 (there are ones that go up to $50, too). Both are $3.95 load fee. The older grey cards, have CASH ONLY on them. Even if the cash register is coded to accept it, many cashiers will be hesitant to even try, or get shut down by manager.
The maximum value reload will be $2,500.00. There is no maximum number of times you may value reload your Card Account per day; however, the maximum dollar amount of value reloads you may make to your Card Account in one day is $2,500.00. We will accept direct deposits larger than $2,500.00, but any direct deposit value reloaded to your Card Account will count against the $2,500.00 daily limit.
Value Reload Fee: Each time you value reload $300.00 or more to your Card Account in a single transaction, you will receive a credit for any fee you paid. If you are a T-Mobile Wireless Customer and value reload your Card Account at a participating T-Mobile Wireless location, you will receive a refund at the register (and will pay no fee for your value reload). If you value reload your Card Account for $300.00 or more via another method, we will issue a credit to your Card Account in the amount of the fee you paid.

In practice, a ReloadIt >= $300 loaded via the safe will receive credit for the fee. However, the terms formally state "Please note: Value reloads made from Reloadit Packs that have been placed in the Program Manager’s Reloadit `Safe' are not eligible for any fee credit." so this is not guaranteed.

The Limits:
Daily limit: $2500 during a rolling 24 hour period
Monthly limit: ?
Annual Limit: ?
Max Bill Pay (per transaction): = $5000 (tested March 6th, can do 'at least' a second for the same amount to the same payee momment later).
Daily ATM limit: $500 (rolling 24 hr rather than calendar day)

Total monthly bill pay limit: ?
The maximum value of your Card Account is restricted to $10,000.00

T-Mobile Prepaid Customer Service Email: [email protected]

If you need to escalate to the FDIC, Bancorp's registered FDIC# is 35444.
If you want to try to open an FDIC complaint or investigation you can send one in electronically at
http://www2.fdic.gov/IDASP/DIRSInfoRequest.asp

Alternative FDIC link to file complaint
https://www2.fdic.gov/starsmail/index.asp

FAQ
  • My fee did not get refunded. Has there been a policy change? ReloadIt Fees are processed overnight and could take 24 hours after you reload the card. As of 9/2015, ReloadIt cards added to the safe prior to loading on T-Mobile will still get the $3.95 refunded.
  • What is a safe transaction amount? There is no definite safe or unsafe amount. However, starting the last week of Jul 2015, people have been reporting the account frozen after transactions larger than $1K.
  • Can I use the BP Feature? It works well for some people. Many have reported getting shutdown after using it. A few have reported having the payments lost. Like all MS activity, use at your own risk.
  • Should I mix in some regular spending to make it look like this is my primary card? If it makes you feel better, go for it. However people who do this still get shutdown.
  • I can't log in. Did I get shutdown? Possibly. But more likely the website is having technical issues. Call in, o try to make a swipe purchase and test it out.
  • If I pay my taxes with this card, will I get shutdown? Large purchase raise red flags. Taxes are no different and there are reports of people being shut down for doing this.
  • What is a T-Mobile wireless customer? A qualifying T-Mobile wireless customer can be either a postpaid or prepaid customer. Source: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/24790705-post3703.html
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T-Mobile Visa Prepaid - Bluebird Competitor for MS! (May not load w/CC)

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Old Sep 30, 2014, 5:37 pm
  #2671  
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Originally Posted by exarkun
Hrmm. The kmarts near me are closing up. Anyone know of any other bill payment methods with this card that are not Walmart or t-mobile bill pay?
I hope mine don't close up but unfortunately if their standard business practices company wide are anything like they are at my store I don't see how they can stay open.

Typical experience at my go to KM: Last Thursday I did a BP and as usual it spit out a million receipts. One was for $10 off various items including housewares. My microwave died two days before so I figured I'd go look for a new one and use the coupon. Found one sitting under a sticker marked price dropped to $79.99. Grabbed it and brought it to checkout. It rang up $99.99. I told her about the sticker and she called over the supervisor. Supervisor grabs the sticker and says 'this must be for a different item, maybe the non stainless steel version.' I said it was right under that sticker and all the ones on that shelf were stainless. Without any further debate she tells the cashier to price adjust it. Cashier does; coupon still works. Total is $69.99. Then it spits out a coupon for $0.30 off a gallon up to 20 gallons at BP.

How can their margins support practices like selling a $99.99 item for $69.99 plus $6 in gas discounts?
payeco is offline  
Old Sep 30, 2014, 6:42 pm
  #2672  
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
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Originally Posted by payeco
How can their margins support practices like selling a $99.99 item for $69.99 plus $6 in gas discounts?
Because their wholesale cost for that item is $35.99?
Brugge is offline  
Old Oct 6, 2014, 12:15 pm
  #2673  
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Programs: Delta PM
Posts: 142
I tried to buy a reloadit for the first time. I found a store selling the new cards (without the mention "Cash Only"). When I got to the cashier, she had no idea what it was nor how to scan it. She therefore called her manager and he told me "cash only".

So my question is, how are the cashier supposed to do with a reloadit? just scan it and then the machine will ask for the amount? I will like to know so the next time I can explain her, without having her call the manager...
walterD is offline  
Old Oct 6, 2014, 12:26 pm
  #2674  
 
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 3,507
Originally Posted by walterD
I tried to buy a reloadit for the first time. I found a store selling the new cards (without the mention "Cash Only"). When I got to the cashier, she had no idea what it was nor how to scan it. She therefore called her manager and he told me "cash only".

So my question is, how are the cashier supposed to do with a reloadit? just scan it and then the machine will ask for the amount? I will like to know so the next time I can explain her, without having her call the manager...
Yes...just like every other reloadable product, as soon as they scan it , it should prompt them on the screen to type in the amount they want to load.
ericdabbs is offline  
Old Oct 6, 2014, 8:23 pm
  #2675  
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
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Thanks.
I returned to the same store and this time I was told "max for credit card is $250" so I said OK, thinking I'd loose $3.95

But the receipt the cashier gave me only shows a purchase of $250, and I checked my credit card online, it was charged for this amount. Will I be charged later for the fee, or the cashier forgot to add it?
walterD is offline  
Old Oct 6, 2014, 8:36 pm
  #2676  
 
Join Date: Dec 2013
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Originally Posted by walterD
Thanks.
I returned to the same store and this time I was told "max for credit card is $250" so I said OK, thinking I'd loose $3.95

But the receipt the cashier gave me only shows a purchase of $250, and I checked my credit card online, it was charged for this amount. Will I be charged later for the fee, or the cashier forgot to add it?
It doesn't have a line item for the $3.95 reload fee on the receipt?
ericdabbs is offline  
Old Oct 6, 2014, 9:50 pm
  #2677  
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Programs: Delta PM
Posts: 142
Originally Posted by ericdabbs
It doesn't have a line item for the $3.95 reload fee on the receipt?

No IT only states "gift card $250"
walterD is offline  
Old Oct 6, 2014, 9:56 pm
  #2678  
 
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 3,507
Originally Posted by walterD
No IT only states "gift card $250"
Wow how is that possible? Did the Reloadit load successfully? Oh well just consider yourself lucky in that you were able to get the load fee refunded automatically while loading under $300.
ericdabbs is offline  
Old Oct 7, 2014, 1:02 am
  #2679  
 
Join Date: May 2008
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Posts: 2,026
Originally Posted by walterD
I...
So my question is, how are the cashier supposed to do with a reloadit? just scan it and then the machine will ask for the amount? I will like to know so the next time I can explain her, without having her call the manager...
There are 2 bar codes on these things, make sure the cashier cover's up the one in the upper right corner (i.e. hold it at that corner). If the register scans that, it screws things up (they'll try entering amounts, it won't really work, they'll have to scan again, and again). It's the longer (lower/centered) bar code that needs to scan, and only that one (at least at Vons anyway).
thehawk75 is offline  
Old Oct 7, 2014, 1:03 am
  #2680  
 
Join Date: May 2008
Programs: AA PLT 2MM
Posts: 2,026
Oh, and in case it hasn't been determined yet, one of my cards got blocked, and there was not a single 'bill pay' done. All WM PIN purchases... I still got the 'Not using product as intended' speach.
thehawk75 is offline  
Old Oct 7, 2014, 1:27 am
  #2681  
 
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 3,507
Originally Posted by thehawk75
Oh, and in case it hasn't been determined yet, one of my cards got blocked, and there was not a single 'bill pay' done. All WM PIN purchases... I still got the 'Not using product as intended' speach.
How much did you do on a monthly basis and how large are your transactions?
ericdabbs is offline  
Old Oct 7, 2014, 9:08 am
  #2682  
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
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Posts: 3,677
Originally Posted by thehawk75
Oh, and in case it hasn't been determined yet, one of my cards got blocked, and there was not a single 'bill pay' done. All WM PIN purchases... I still got the 'Not using product as intended' speach.
If you're not doing BP, but rather just buying stuff at WM, why even bother with T-M? WM allows you to just pay directly with a cc you know.
Brugge is offline  
Old Oct 7, 2014, 9:19 am
  #2683  
 
Join Date: May 2011
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Posts: 1,575
Originally Posted by Brugge
If you're not doing BP, but rather just buying stuff at WM, why even bother with T-M? WM allows you to just pay directly with a cc you know.
Buy Reloadit for 5% Cash Back. Get $3.95 reimbursed. Buy something at WM and essentially get 5% CB.
heyeaglefn is offline  
Old Oct 7, 2014, 10:18 am
  #2684  
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: BOS
Posts: 105
Originally Posted by ericdabbs
Wow how is that possible? Did the Reloadit load successfully? Oh well just consider yourself lucky in that you were able to get the load fee refunded automatically while loading under $300.
Yes, very lucky! More like a fee-free RL rather than a fee-refund.
Heck, go straight to Serve...
nopoints is offline  
Old Oct 7, 2014, 11:09 am
  #2685  
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Programs: Delta PM
Posts: 142
Originally Posted by ericdabbs
Wow how is that possible? Did the Reloadit load successfully? Oh well just consider yourself lucky in that you were able to get the load fee refunded automatically while loading under $300.
Well the $250 did appear on my tmobile account, and I could make a purchase with it, so I'd say yes
walterD is offline  


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