Wal-Mart, Amex take on banks with Bluebird debit card
Dec 8, 2012, 4:30 pm
#3856
Join Date: May 2007
Location: DEN
Programs: DL PM, Hyatt Diamond, SPG Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,816
Dec 8, 2012, 4:58 pm
#3857
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 249
I've been buying reloads with cc for a while at one particular store, no problems. Then one day, one particular cashier says "you got cash for these, honey?" I say, no, it's ok, I've bought plenty with a credit card, it'll go through. She says, honey, you ain't supposed to be buying these with no credit card. Just as I'm about to tell her never mind, I'll put them back (and play the long game, by just coming back another day when she's not on duty), she hollers across several aisles: Hey Steve, get over here! I say no no no, that's OK, I'll just move on. And she says, no, just wait, I'll get Steve the manager over here and he'll prove it to you. Steve saunters over, and cashier lady with the attitude says, this guy wants to use a credit card to put $500 on ALL FOUR of these...that ain't right is it? See how it says cash only right there on the card? Steve says yep that looks right...what are you trying to do with these anyway, we're trying to prevent fraud here.
Next thing I know, every cashier in the store has now been "trained" not to accept credit cards.
I've learned my lesson.
But, I will just stick with the stores that allow the credit purchase and not push the issue if a rogue cashier gives me a hard time.
Last edited by nomorecoach; Dec 8, 2012 at 5:16 pm
Dec 8, 2012, 4:58 pm
#3858
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 9
Also, it's worth pointing out that the CVS employees as well as the store manager who I dealt with once the deactivation issue became apparent had no idea that this was a problem on the backend of their system.
Last edited by phant; Dec 8, 2012 at 5:06 pm
Dec 8, 2012, 5:05 pm
#3859
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 249
lol. Do you plan to only use this particular cashier from this point forward? It may be a good idea to stick with the ones you know. I think I'll strike up conversations with the cashiers that allow the purchases. Just like the banks: it's KYC - Know Your Cashier. lol
Last edited by nomorecoach; Dec 8, 2012 at 5:16 pm
Dec 8, 2012, 6:07 pm
#3860
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 131
Wal-Mart, Amex take on banks with Bluebird debit card
Vr's at cvs seem to be getting more and more difficult to locate in the NYC & surrounding boroughs / nj areas. I have one location but would like to share via pm if anyone else has a source in the area they would like to share with me as well. I check a few in the area regularly, and if they have any I can give updates. Hopefully someone else can do the same for an area not too far away. NYC vr hunting club?
Dec 8, 2012, 6:39 pm
#3861
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 147
I get an error saying "Card is Deactivated". 
24hr on my receipt it says
24hr on my receipt it says
Last edited by TroyMcClure; Dec 8, 2012 at 7:02 pm
Dec 8, 2012, 6:40 pm
#3862
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2000
Location: RDU
Programs: AA LT Gold, DL SM, HY Disc, Marriott LT Gold
Posts: 12,507
Yes, today, but NOT with a VRN. Just with a couple of other gift cards from the same stack which I bought for relatives as Christmas presents, and a $10 Facebook credits I bought for myself to renew my Words With Friends word-o-meter.
Dec 8, 2012, 6:42 pm
#3863
Join Date: Jul 2011
Programs: UA,SPG,Carlson,Hertz
Posts: 151
Attaboy, nomorecoach. I can attest from personal experience that getting the manager involved runs the risk of getting things shut down for good.
I've been buying reloads with cc for a while at one particular store, no problems. Then one day, one particular cashier says "you got cash for these, honey?" I say, no, it's ok, I've bought plenty with a credit card, it'll go through. She says, honey, you ain't supposed to be buying these with no credit card. Just as I'm about to tell her never mind, I'll put them back (and play the long game, by just coming back another day when she's not on duty), she hollers across several aisles: Hey Steve, get over here! I say no no no, that's OK, I'll just move on. And she says, no, just wait, I'll get Steve the manager over here and he'll prove it to you. Steve saunters over, and cashier lady with the attitude says, this guy wants to use a credit card to put $500 on ALL FOUR of these...that ain't right is it? See how it says cash only right there on the card? Steve says yep that looks right...what are you trying to do with these anyway, we're trying to prevent fraud here.
Next thing I know, every cashier in the store has now been "trained" not to accept credit cards.
I've learned my lesson.
I've been buying reloads with cc for a while at one particular store, no problems. Then one day, one particular cashier says "you got cash for these, honey?" I say, no, it's ok, I've bought plenty with a credit card, it'll go through. She says, honey, you ain't supposed to be buying these with no credit card. Just as I'm about to tell her never mind, I'll put them back (and play the long game, by just coming back another day when she's not on duty), she hollers across several aisles: Hey Steve, get over here! I say no no no, that's OK, I'll just move on. And she says, no, just wait, I'll get Steve the manager over here and he'll prove it to you. Steve saunters over, and cashier lady with the attitude says, this guy wants to use a credit card to put $500 on ALL FOUR of these...that ain't right is it? See how it says cash only right there on the card? Steve says yep that looks right...what are you trying to do with these anyway, we're trying to prevent fraud here.
Next thing I know, every cashier in the store has now been "trained" not to accept credit cards.
I've learned my lesson.
Dec 8, 2012, 7:25 pm
#3864
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan
Programs: Airline Free Agent, Fairmont Lifetime Platinum, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Honors Diamond
Posts: 3,041
Just got the same "Card is deactivated" error msg today. It was about 5 hours after purchase. Never had a problem before. I will try again tomorrow...
Dec 8, 2012, 7:50 pm
#3865
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Intermountain West
Programs: Too many to list
Posts: 12,089
Dec 8, 2012, 8:09 pm
#3866
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Flyover Territory
Programs: Hilton Diamond
Posts: 687
I'm having the same situation:
I have been doing VR from CVS for at least 2 months now and never had to wait to load into my BB. Meaning buy it and go home load the $ in BB using vanillareloadDOTcom.
Funny, for the very 1st time today, it is giving me "Card Deactivated" error and also I have noticed in the CVS receipt "takes 24 hrs. to activate". I have never seen this in CVS receipt before.
I just did one 2 days back without any issues.
I am going to wait for 24 hrs. and if it does not work, I am heading to CVS to dispute this.
Has anyone seen or experience this?
Funny, for the very 1st time today, it is giving me "Card Deactivated" error and also I have noticed in the CVS receipt "takes 24 hrs. to activate". I have never seen this in CVS receipt before.
I just did one 2 days back without any issues.
I am going to wait for 24 hrs. and if it does not work, I am heading to CVS to dispute this.
Has anyone seen or experience this?
When I tried to load, I got the "card deactivated 4002" message. I initially thought it was my Bluebird which had been deactivated which gave me a bit of a panic.
Receipt from CVS has the last 4 digits from the VR card and shows taht both were activated.
Anita
Dec 8, 2012, 9:24 pm
#3868
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 29,768
somewhere else.If you want to upset the apple cart, is not just you being affected.
I actually had the opposite happen to me, which is why I asked about confronting the stubborn manager. In one store where it's allowed, the cashier called the manager after the cashier had initially stated that credit cards were not accepted. I made my case, and the cashier asked the manager. The manager said if the register accepts it, then it's okay.
But, I will just stick with the stores that allow the credit purchase and not push the issue if a rogue cashier gives me a hard time.
But, I will just stick with the stores that allow the credit purchase and not push the issue if a rogue cashier gives me a hard time.
When a manager told you NO. You just move on, not to argue with him / her because you will not win. Also dont take the face value of what a store manager tells you - if he does not want to let you, he might make up some excuse to brush you off. Sure you can take it up with him, to his district manager... But as others point out, you run a much higher risk of getting everything shut down. Learn the art to play the long game.
On top of that, a merchant has the right to refuse service to a customer if it can prove there is no discrimination as prohibited by the law. Just keep this in mind.
Last edited by Happy; Dec 8, 2012 at 9:51 pm
Dec 8, 2012, 9:36 pm
#3869
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 29,768
On the other hand if your linked checking is from your bank's side, you can schedule future transfer.
Dec 8, 2012, 10:22 pm
#3870
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Paris
Posts: 235
Everyone, please resist the urge to bring any attention to yourself or the VRs.