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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 Oct 27, 2015, 1:20 pm
  #4126  
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 81
Originally Posted by ronnyk
Around where I am, this is most definitely not the case. In fact, even those stores where I have no problem buying RLs with a credit card have strict policies against using a gift card (which they consider to include gebits) to buy a gift card (which they also consider to include RLs).
i understand that... but if you are quick switching your bank card and a gift card (or just saying before hand youre buying with debit) there is a good chance no one will pay any mind (specially cashiers). at walmart i had people literally sticking their head out to check which card i was swiping
uPantcho is offline  
Old Oct 27, 2015, 1:54 pm
  #4127  
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: ORF
Posts: 76
Originally Posted by ronnyk
Maybe I am missing something, but why-- once you have cash-- would you go to WM and put it back on a reloadable (Serve)? Aside from the trouble of an extra step as opposed to just depositing the cash and doing the bill payment from your bank, you are giving away easy MS capacity. Not that ATM withdrawals are sustainable in any case. . . .
See... this is why I said I'm a rookie... Forest for the trees, and what not.
Gimpyknee is offline  
Old Oct 27, 2015, 9:19 pm
  #4128  
 
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 827
I never used BP on these cards except for utility that didn't take CC, always MO out, zero problems in over 6 months months. Not sure why you guys bother with BP...
CWAL is offline  
Old Oct 27, 2015, 9:43 pm
  #4129  
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 81
Originally Posted by CWAL
I never used BP on these cards except for utility that didn't take CC, always MO out, zero problems in over 6 months months. Not sure why you guys bother with BP...
i cant speak for everyone but some ppl are afraid of banks shutting down with too many money orders
uPantcho is offline  
Old Oct 27, 2015, 9:46 pm
  #4130  
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 86
Originally Posted by uPantcho
i cant speak for everyone but some ppl are afraid of banks shutting down with too many money orders
Why don't people open small business bank accounts?
tscateh is offline  
Old Oct 28, 2015, 1:16 am
  #4131  
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 81
Originally Posted by tscateh
Why don't people open small business bank accounts?
not everything is easy for everyone. why dont people open a business that accepts debit cards and use it to liquidate as many gebits as possible?


sometimes ppl just want to go the easy route
uPantcho is offline  
Old Oct 28, 2015, 8:01 am
  #4132  
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,784
Originally Posted by uPantcho
i cant speak for everyone but some ppl are afraid of banks shutting down with too many money orders
If the bank that issued your CC has a local branch, you can take the MO in and make a payment directly to your CC bill. No need to deposit it. Buy OVs at CVS, use them to buy MOs, use the MOs to pay off the bill. Easy Peasy
RobertHanson is offline  
Old Oct 28, 2015, 8:24 am
  #4133  
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 101
Data point

data point.

ACME grocery in PA is hardcoded at register for cash only
gunit770 is offline  
Old Oct 28, 2015, 10:19 am
  #4134  
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 393
Originally Posted by gunit770
data point.

ACME grocery in PA is hardcoded at register for cash only
Thank you for the data point. Yes, it's been this way for a while now. It will let you swipe and all, but nothing will happen.
donuteric is offline  
Old Oct 28, 2015, 10:55 am
  #4135  
 
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 12
Is anyone having a problem adding a bank account on the website? I cannot for the life of me connect my bank account. Every time I go to the connect to your bank account page and click the "Connect" button the page just refreshes. I tried calling and they said it was Tmo's fault and Tmo will fix it (Tmo didn't).
nickelanddimeman is offline  
Old Nov 6, 2015, 6:35 pm
  #4136  
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 369
my loads from 11/5 have not been reimbursed for the fee. this is across all my accounts. previous and subsequent loads are all being reimbursed.

jjangoo is offline  
Old Nov 7, 2015, 10:35 pm
  #4137  
 
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 3,509
Originally Posted by uPantcho
i believe most grocery stores probably wont have policies agaisnt gebits like walmart...
That is not true at all about grocery stores. Grocery stores check ID just as likely than at any store. Its silly to assume they dont.
ericdabbs is offline  
Old Nov 8, 2015, 1:44 pm
  #4138  
 
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 821
pls correct me if I'm wrong, never done this before, so what I need to do is

1. get a T-mobile prepaid cell
2. go to T-mobile store get visa prepaid
3. go to Safeway buy reloadit, can I pay use CC? according their website it says no https://reloadit.com/Help Can I pay for a Reloadit Pack with a credit or debit card?
No, a Reloadit Pack can only be purchased with cash.
4. ATM withdraw money

or what's another way to reload by CC? I'm in WA and don't have Serve

Thanks!
ecgz88 is offline  
Old Nov 9, 2015, 6:07 am
  #4139  
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 3,688
Originally Posted by ecgz88
pls correct me if I'm wrong, never done this before, so what I need to do is

1. get a T-mobile prepaid cell
2. go to T-mobile store get visa prepaid
3. go to Safeway buy reloadit, can I pay use CC? according their website it says no https://reloadit.com/Help Can I pay for a Reloadit Pack with a credit or debit card?
No, a Reloadit Pack can only be purchased with cash.
4. ATM withdraw money

or what's another way to reload by CC? I'm in WA and don't have Serve
you can skip #1 if all you want is to get TMo prepaid card, you can register as non TMo customer online. IINM, there's a maintenance fee if you're not a TMo customer.

for #3, you may have to do some legwork to find that out stores that will accept CCs for RLs. sometimes, it'll work for you when it's not working for others. that's why we say YMMV here all the time. Don't keep your hopes high since I've read a lot of SWs now say cash only for RLs.

Good luck!
Mamibear is offline  
Old Nov 9, 2015, 8:19 am
  #4140  
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,784
Originally Posted by Mamibear
you can skip #1 if all you want is to get TMo prepaid card, you can register as non TMo customer online. IINM, there's a maintenance fee if you're not a TMo customer.

for #3, you may have to do some legwork to find that out stores that will accept CCs for RLs. sometimes, it'll work for you when it's not working for others. that's why we say YMMV here all the time. Don't keep your hopes high since I've read a lot of SWs now say cash only for RLs.

Good luck!
No need to be a T-M customer at all. No fees if you deposit $500 a month. The $3.95 purchase fee for the RL is refunded the next day after you load it, as long as it's for a minimum of $300. Most if not all of SWs carry the new RL card which has "cash only" printed right on it, so finding a store that will sell it to you with a cc is very difficult. I have one store where most of the cashiers still do, but even there 2 of them won't. So it's not just a matter of which store, but also of which cashier. However, most SWs now have a cash only policy on a store wide basis, in which case it doesn't matter which cashier you use, everyone will refuse to sell it with a CC.
RobertHanson is offline  


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