Simon mall gift card(2014-2015)
Nov 19, 2015, 8:22 am
#2266
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 827
Yes, definitely call the mall. Ask if everything is good to go...sometimes employees of the kiosk will just not show up or be late. Sometimes they will have issues with the POS. Also, if you ever want to do any kind of volume, some Simon malls will break corporate policy and disallow larger purchases if they don't know you. So, if you call and are told you can't buy as much as you want, you'll need to speak with the marketing manager during normal business hours to get "approved".
I've had one mall where the manager refused to go over 3k, which was super lame. The guy running the sales counter just told me she's a bit of a PITA and that next time I come back, she probably wouldn't be there and he can do the max.
Nov 19, 2015, 9:17 am
#2267
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 1,337
Also, you want to make sure they have enough Visas on hand. I've experienced SMs running out of Visas on the weekend because of MSers before me. That's why I call when I MS on Sundays.
Nov 19, 2015, 3:02 pm
#2268
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 164
Good advice all around, it's been a while since I went out of my way to go somewhere *just* for a SM. I've called ahead once to double check that they had cards in stock before I took a 10 minute detour, and so they could write out all the silly sleeves they insist on handing out for me ahead of time.
I've had one mall where the manager refused to go over 3k, which was super lame. The guy running the sales counter just told me she's a bit of a PITA and that next time I come back, she probably wouldn't be there and he can do the max.
I've had one mall where the manager refused to go over 3k, which was super lame. The guy running the sales counter just told me she's a bit of a PITA and that next time I come back, she probably wouldn't be there and he can do the max.
Nov 19, 2015, 3:28 pm
#2269
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 1,727
The lady at my primary SM said she would go get more from the mall manager if she didn't have enough. So it seems unlikely the SM would be completely dry.
Nov 19, 2015, 3:42 pm
#2270
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 827
Was this a guest services manager or the marketing manager? In either scenario, escalate. Unless they have some actual physical limitation as AlohaDave mentioned, they don't have a choice. They have to follow corporate policy and cannot make up their own rules. If it's a guest services manager, escalate to the marketing manager. If it's the marketing manager, you'll have to escalate to corporate.
Nov 20, 2015, 7:45 am
#2271
Join Date: Oct 2013
Programs: Hyatt Globalist No More..., Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Diamond, SPG Platinum, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 4,375
I, and the cashiers, find it funny (and annoying) that they always have to call for approval but they know the manager will say yes. This is especially crazy when you have a regular. They have a book of pre-filled sheets. I just sign my name in 2 places and date it. Those people shouldn't need a manager approval every time... Not to mention that when I go in is in the evening. Most times they have to call 2-3 people before someone answers.
Nov 20, 2015, 8:42 am
#2272
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 1,727
I, and the cashiers, find it funny (and annoying) that they always have to call for approval but they know the manager will say yes. This is especially crazy when you have a regular. They have a book of pre-filled sheets. I just sign my name in 2 places and date it. Those people shouldn't need a manager approval every time... Not to mention that when I go in is in the evening. Most times they have to call 2-3 people before someone answers.
Nov 20, 2015, 8:56 am
#2273
Join Date: Oct 2013
Programs: Hyatt Globalist No More..., Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Diamond, SPG Platinum, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 4,375
Mine will send a text message if no one answers but recently the main lady stopped calling. I sign in two places as well and they fill out the rest of the sheet. The suspense is like waiting for the let's make a deal person to respond with an offer. Mine is just a folder with my info on it. Luckily my SM doesn't force all the terms/envelopes on me.
Nov 20, 2015, 8:31 pm
#2274
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Bye Delta
Programs: AA EXP, HH Diamond, IHG Plat, Hyatt Plat, Marriott Plat, Nat'l Exec Elite, Avis Presidents Club
Posts: 16,278
Ugh... SM near me is now allowing only $300/card. Says this is a new corporate policy.
Nov 20, 2015, 9:12 pm
#2275
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 164
Nov 20, 2015, 9:55 pm
#2276
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: DCA/IAD
Programs: AA plat, SPG gold
Posts: 721
I just purchased 2,500$ about a half hour ago
Nov 23, 2015, 5:44 am
#2277
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Land of the parrots and parrotheads
Programs: Several dozen
Posts: 4,820
Simon sez there may be another POS "upgrade" rolling out so hang onto your hats as these "upgrades" have effected our Christmas shopping in the past. Have to question the wisdom of any retailer rolling out a POS "upgrade" between Thanksgiving and Christmas. 
Nov 23, 2015, 6:53 am
#2278
Join Date: Jul 2001
Programs: Marriott LT Tit; Hyatt Explorist; Hilton CC Gold; IHG CC Plt; Hertz (MR) 5 star
Posts: 5,536
Do you really consider them to be a retailer? I'd bet that >95% of their business is MSers.
Nov 23, 2015, 7:45 am
#2279
Join Date: Aug 2015
Programs: Marriott Gold, UA Gold
Posts: 71
Has your SM already been upgraded to the new POS systems? Over the past several weeks the SM in my area have all been going through these for the Chip and Signature functionality. I would speculate (and that is all this is) it to be some type of limit on the amount you can purchase during the holiday. I know they have been receiving memos constantly regarding checking ID and CC fraud around the holiday.
Nov 23, 2015, 7:54 am
#2280
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 827
Has your SM already been upgraded to the new POS systems? Over the past several weeks the SM in my area have all been going through these for the Chip and Signature functionality. I would speculate (and that is all this is) it to be some type of limit on the amount you can purchase during the holiday. I know they have been receiving memos constantly regarding checking ID and CC fraud around the holiday.