Lucky, the manager at my store had the audacity to say that using multiple forms of payment is not allowed for gift cards. I think the manager understood the memo she got saying I could not split transactions to go over the $2k limit per day.

In any case, I went back a couple days later and they were out of cards. Had to settle for buying the $100 cards online at staples.com. I made out so well on the amex staples offers I can't really complain.