May 4, 2014, 4:19 am
Last edit by: weezl
This thread is about prepaid debit cards from Staples. Please post questions on other topics in the appropriate threads elsewhere in this forum.
As of 5/12/2014, all known portals are dead.
*Note- max purchase at one time seems to be 9x $200 (stays under their $2000 limit)
Pluses to Online purchase:
1. Less time/effort/gasoline vs traveling to store to purchase
2. No mgr override or cashier call to Chase needed for large purchases
3. Can bulk activate by phone after receipt of VGCs
4. Email is a nice way to keep record of your purchases
5. Avoids stupid sticky gum (4x per card) that has to be peeled off of each VGC
6. Rare opportunity to liquidate rewards and/or rebate card (YMMV)
Pluses to in-store purchase:
1. No wait/immediate gratification- mail order can take weeks
2. No risk of someone getting to your mailbox to steal your VGCs before you get them out of there
3. Activated at time of purchase- no need to call in or wait for stupid letter containing one activation code/card that comes in the mail separately (the letter sometimes arrives AFTER the VGCs arrive; this can be mitigated, see Pluses to Online #3, above)
As of 5/12/2014, all known portals are dead.
- Get Chase Ink and BB/Serve
1% discount: Sign up Ink (must be Visa) at https://www.visasavingsedge.com/ to get 1% cash back at StaplesEnded 12/31/14- 5x points: Buy Visa gift cards at Staples or the website. $200 ones charge a hefty $6.95 activation fee (with 1% back it was effectively $4.88).
- Liquidate gift cards like any other
*Note- max purchase at one time seems to be 9x $200 (stays under their $2000 limit)
Pluses to Online purchase:
1. Less time/effort/gasoline vs traveling to store to purchase
2. No mgr override or cashier call to Chase needed for large purchases
3. Can bulk activate by phone after receipt of VGCs
4. Email is a nice way to keep record of your purchases
5. Avoids stupid sticky gum (4x per card) that has to be peeled off of each VGC
6. Rare opportunity to liquidate rewards and/or rebate card (YMMV)
Pluses to in-store purchase:
1. No wait/immediate gratification- mail order can take weeks
2. No risk of someone getting to your mailbox to steal your VGCs before you get them out of there
3. Activated at time of purchase- no need to call in or wait for stupid letter containing one activation code/card that comes in the mail separately (the letter sometimes arrives AFTER the VGCs arrive; this can be mitigated, see Pluses to Online #3, above)
Visa Gift cards at Staples(2014-2015)
Aug 11, 2014, 2:30 pm
#1576
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 369
No problem with my VSE rebate. Never longer than a week. Already had August transactions credited.
Aug 11, 2014, 3:06 pm
#1577
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 141
Staples need manager override for transaction above $500. To avoid drawing unnecessary attention, I normally buy $400 value gc per transaction, two transactions total. I have two INK cards and can justify why needs two transactions easily.
I just got my Ink card and thought I would start with $1K worth to get my feet wet. We were traveling this weekend and I went into an out of state staples to buy, the cashier had to call over the manager for approval, the manager came asked me for an ID and said he won't sell me GC's because my ID is from out of state and walked away - he has the right to refuse! I called him back asked him to explain why he is refusing (something related to fraud etc) - I had to tell him it is my card and I want to buy it he can call whoever he wants to get authorization if he didn't have the authority! Since I stood my ground, he finally gave in, apologized for being hasty and did the transaction.
Has anyone had a similar experience? Trying to buy in a state different than where you live a no-no? Didn't think it would be this much of a hassle to buy $1K worth - maybe I'll just order them online!
Has anyone had a similar experience? Trying to buy in a state different than where you live a no-no? Didn't think it would be this much of a hassle to buy $1K worth - maybe I'll just order them online!
Aug 11, 2014, 8:25 pm
#1578
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 16
Slow Down ... (Easy Tiger...)
I went to a staples today and the clerk told me that someone went by and bought the entire stock of 30 or 50 $200 visa gift cards in one visit.
He said the manager let him do it, though they were both amazed and amused.
I certainly would love to be able to buy a couple of $200 VGCs myself, but don't you think this clean house action itself is a bit too much?
He said the manager let him do it, though they were both amazed and amused.
I certainly would love to be able to buy a couple of $200 VGCs myself, but don't you think this clean house action itself is a bit too much?
Aug 11, 2014, 8:45 pm
#1579
Join Date: May 2014
Location: PHL
Programs: SW CP, SPG Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 571
He'll be the next one complaining on here about why his accounts were closed.
Aug 11, 2014, 9:03 pm
#1580
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: RDU
Programs: Delta silver, HH silver, IHG platinum, SPG gold, AMEX platinum
Posts: 400
Aug 11, 2014, 9:28 pm
#1581
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 19
Has anyone had issues with Visa Savings Edge rebates posting? I had Staples charges post on 7/9 for $3,100, but no corresponding $31 rebate.
Tried calling the fine folks over at Visa Savings Edge on Friday afternoon, but had nobody pick up. I'll be trying again this week.
Tried calling the fine folks over at Visa Savings Edge on Friday afternoon, but had nobody pick up. I'll be trying again this week.
Aug 12, 2014, 5:39 am
#1582
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: DCA
Posts: 4
VSE Rebate Not Posting
Yeah, I've had every other rebate post. This purchase wasn't any different from others I've done. I'll see if I can get VSE on the phone and report back.
Aug 12, 2014, 8:03 am
#1583
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 244
Thank you, that's helpful to know! I didn't care much about needing the manager override but was just surprised/annoyed that he tried to make it sound like I was committing some crime just because my drivers license was from a different state than where the store was located. I wasn't sure if it was some kind of staples policy so wanted to check in on here...
Aug 12, 2014, 9:58 am
#1584
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,303
From what I've read the last few pages, the VisaEdge 1% is not something you have to go through every time, once you sign up, the statement credit will show up in a few days and for subsequent purchases. You do not need to go through VisaEdge every single time like the portals (TCB, CBH, BF)?
Aug 12, 2014, 10:22 am
#1585
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Down South, The Desert
Programs: Marriot Rewards, Southwest Rapid rewards, Emerald Club, Avis Preferred
Posts: 1,871
Aug 12, 2014, 10:31 am
#1586
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: ORD
Programs: American Airlines EXP, Marriott Titanium, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 408
Aug 12, 2014, 11:21 am
#1587
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Around The World
Programs: ALL :)
Posts: 384
Has anyone had issues with Visa Savings Edge rebates posting? I had Staples charges post on 7/9 for $3,100, but no corresponding $31 rebate.
Tried calling the fine folks over at Visa Savings Edge on Friday afternoon, but had nobody pick up. I'll be trying again this week.
Tried calling the fine folks over at Visa Savings Edge on Friday afternoon, but had nobody pick up. I'll be trying again this week.
Aug 15, 2014, 9:11 pm
#1589
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: So Cal
Programs: UA Gold/0.744MM, WN AL, Hyatt Diamond, MR Scum, Hertz PC, National Exec, Avis PC
Posts: 5,561
Looks like I've got 2 that are late now. My usual pattern is:
Purchase Posting Date = Purchase Transaction Date + (2 to 3 days)
VSE Transaction Date = Purchase Posting Date
VSE Posting Date = VSE Transaction Date + (2 to 3 days)
I've got one purchase with a posting date of 8/11 and another with 8/12. Both should have posted VSE by today.
The last I had post was for a transaction that posted on 8/7 (VSE posted on 8/10)
Purchase Posting Date = Purchase Transaction Date + (2 to 3 days)
VSE Transaction Date = Purchase Posting Date
VSE Posting Date = VSE Transaction Date + (2 to 3 days)
I've got one purchase with a posting date of 8/11 and another with 8/12. Both should have posted VSE by today.
The last I had post was for a transaction that posted on 8/7 (VSE posted on 8/10)
Aug 18, 2014, 2:15 pm
#1590
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,303
Looks like I've got 2 that are late now. My usual pattern is:
Purchase Posting Date = Purchase Transaction Date + (2 to 3 days)
VSE Transaction Date = Purchase Posting Date
VSE Posting Date = VSE Transaction Date + (2 to 3 days)
I've got one purchase with a posting date of 8/11 and another with 8/12. Both should have posted VSE by today.
The last I had post was for a transaction that posted on 8/7 (VSE posted on 8/10)
Purchase Posting Date = Purchase Transaction Date + (2 to 3 days)
VSE Transaction Date = Purchase Posting Date
VSE Posting Date = VSE Transaction Date + (2 to 3 days)
I've got one purchase with a posting date of 8/11 and another with 8/12. Both should have posted VSE by today.
The last I had post was for a transaction that posted on 8/7 (VSE posted on 8/10)