Wal-Mart, Amex take on banks with Bluebird debit card
Mar 23, 2013, 6:30 pm
#8101
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Washington, DC
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Self checkout definitely works as other stated earlier in this thread and does require employee assistance. Regarding getting the cards, ask the store which day(s) of the week the cards arrive and just be there by noon or ask the store if they can put a few behind the front counter for you! I am just amazed at how polite and helpful CVS employees are in the DC area (compared to the "don't bug me" norm).
Last edited by DCBob; Mar 23, 2013 at 6:40 pm
Mar 23, 2013, 6:37 pm
#8102
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Washington, DC
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Your area was also the last one to actually stock VRs - the regional manager did not want to carry them. Is there something in the water in the Bay Area?
Mar 23, 2013, 9:27 pm
#8103
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Join Date: Mar 2000
Posts: 17,404
As my local stores are making it more difficult to buy VRs (everything from refusing to sell them, to requiring phone call authorization, to imposing $300 limits -- the rules can change a couple times a day!) I have been mostly buying the cards "on the road." It amazes me how the procedures vary from store to store. That said, it's good to have a store that works. I would say from my random experience, I only walk out with a VR from a "new store" 1 in 3 times.
Mar 23, 2013, 9:46 pm
#8104
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Washington, DC
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As my local stores are making it more difficult to buy VRs (everything from refusing to sell them, to requiring phone call authorization, to imposing $300 limits -- the rules can change a couple times a day!) I have been mostly buying the cards "on the road." It amazes me how the procedures vary from store to store. That said, it's good to have a store that works. I would say from my random experience, I only walk out with a VR from a "new store" 1 in 3 times.
Mar 24, 2013, 2:28 pm
#8105
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Join Date: Mar 2000
Posts: 17,404
Just where is this store with a $300 limit? That's a new one. In DC, the limit is $1K per day in VR loads and it seems to be across the board. It was imposed (according to a CVS employee) because of the absolute greed of just ONE bad apple who was buying them up by the dozen. Of course, I never buy more than I can load in 1 day - and that's $1K. I also don't buy more than the $5K load limit in any month.
But every store -- and perhaps every assistant manager on duty -- can impose his or her own rule. It's definitely easier to go to a store "that works," but for the folks who don't have a nearby store, it can definitely be an adventure walking into a random CVS and trying to buy a VR.
Mar 24, 2013, 5:59 pm
#8106
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 4,431
My local stores are also making it more difficult to buy VR. For me, there are currently no stores that I can consistently use Visa gift cards to buy VR. And only a few stores allow me to buy VR with credit card without any hassle. I'm thinking of moving on from VR/BB at this point.
Mar 24, 2013, 7:24 pm
#8107
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 639
My local stores are also making it more difficult to buy VR. For me, there are currently no stores that I can consistently use Visa gift cards to buy VR. And only a few stores allow me to buy VR with credit card without any hassle. I'm thinking of moving on from VR/BB at this point.
Mar 24, 2013, 8:21 pm
#8108
Formerly known as cagalindo
Join Date: Sep 2010
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one dude said i could only load up using a debit card... i tried running my credit card anyways but when it was time to sign he realized... lmao. then he made up some other rule about how there is a $200 limit for loading with debit cards tooo.
several CeeVeeS where I used to buy now only take debit cards.
several CeeVeeS where I used to buy now only take debit cards.
Last edited by caGALINDO; Mar 24, 2013 at 8:27 pm
Mar 25, 2013, 6:32 am
#8109
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Mar 25, 2013, 6:40 am
#8110
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The only thing the banks want to see if you have a bank account and if you had large checks where they came from. I just RIFI and I had a 15K deposit and the underwriter wanted to know where it came from.
Mar 25, 2013, 6:42 am
#8111
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Just where is this store with a $300 limit? That's a new one. In DC, the limit is $1K per day in VR loads and it seems to be across the board. It was imposed (according to a CVS employee) because of the absolute greed of just ONE bad apple who was buying them up by the dozen. Of course, I never buy more than I can load in 1 day - and that's $1K. I also don't buy more than the $5K load limit in any month.
Mar 25, 2013, 6:45 am
#8112
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 6
I have scoured this forum and other related ones for the last 2 hours and cannot come up with a definitive answer... does anyone know whether US Bank treats Amex Gift card purchases (direct from Amex) as cash advance or straight purchases?
Many thanks.
Many thanks.
Mar 30, 2013, 5:56 pm
#8113
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Last edited by mia; Mar 30, 2013 at 6:13 pm