Funny story I wanted to share about today’s VGC purchases.

I went into local staples and had to go inside kiosk to find $200 cards to buy today. No one paid any attention. Local staples tend to always (be out of stock) on promotion weeks. Yep okay.

Anyway took 4x cards to register, put them down and was promptly asked for my ID. I said, I’m not using a credit card (was using Apple Pay). Cashier said didn’t matter, all GC purchases over $500 need to show identification. Whatever, I need the cards for shopping today, so I took out my ID and gave it to him. He then held it up to my face, compared and handed back. Never put anything into computer. He then rung me up and I paid using Apple Pay. After he handed me the receipt, I asked him what did he “verify” by getting my ID other than me being a human. His response was nothing, but when we ask for ID it scares off people with counterfeit CCs. I just shook my head and walked out. Part of me really wants to email Staples corp. ... is this crap. Guy never even entered my info into the computer which is what caused me to question the whole interaction. These stores are getting nuts. Always the stores in city too, my local stores just outside city are NEVER an issue. I had a OMOC tell me a few weeks ago, I could buy VGC with cc and ID but not my Apple Pay, I challenged them and told them that’s against their merchant agreement with Visa and could get them in serious trouble if true because they said I could buy anything else with Apple Pay just not VGC. The manager folded as soon as I said that and said to go ahead.

I honestly feel like VGC days are numbered in these stores.