Simon mall gift card(2014-2015)
Nov 13, 2014, 4:42 pm
#571
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: TX
Posts: 756
Here's my story. I called (yes, I know the rule) the Simon mall that is 20 miles away to ask them the policy for purchasing gift cards. I asked specifically whether I could use an Amex gift card that did NOT have my name printed on it to purchase the GCs. The lady confirmed that I could do so, so of course I got her name and made sure I knew when she would be working. Called again the day that I planned on going and reminded her of our conversation. Drove down there with my kids in tow on their holiday so I could "quickly" pick up the cards. Of course everything took a long time, but I was able to purchase $10k in gc's w/my Amex gift cards with 3 employees helping me. The one who checked me out even went online to help me check my Amex GC balances because I didn't have the exact figure. I drove straight to Wal Mart (15 miles away) and fought the crowds to unload. The cards I tried were all declined. After spending a bit of time calling the 800 # to see why they weren't activated yet and then calling the mall, it turns out that the manager "caught" that the 3 employees let me purchase the GCs and so she voided the whole transaction. Didn't even notify me. What a huge hassle and I surely felt that if their employees made the mistake and allowed me to make the purchase, they should not have cancelled the transaction after the fact. Am I out of line for thinking that? Huge inconvenience and a waste of 3.5 hours of driving back and forth and of course having to bring my kids around doing that. I did not feel that the manager and her boss were overly apologetic about the whole situation.
Nov 13, 2014, 5:56 pm
#572
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Land of the parrots and parrotheads
Programs: Several dozen
Posts: 4,820
We get water, but no truffles over here. Where is the truffle mall? Seems it would be MSworthy to regift truffles to all my helpful tellers and clerks. 
You're shopping at the wrong mall then!
It seems like some of these locations still aren't seeing a huge volume of these for MS. A couple weeks ago I went to a location in a rather populous area, and the customer service person was like giving me the whole rundown on the features of the card, the up front fee, etc. etc. It was like she was excited to sell one of these, as opposed to my usual place where they're like "How many ya want today?"
It seems like some of these locations still aren't seeing a huge volume of these for MS. A couple weeks ago I went to a location in a rather populous area, and the customer service person was like giving me the whole rundown on the features of the card, the up front fee, etc. etc. It was like she was excited to sell one of these, as opposed to my usual place where they're like "How many ya want today?"
Nov 14, 2014, 3:17 am
#573
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Texas
Programs: UA, AA, Hhonors, Club Carlson
Posts: 15
2 are fine on any register (except self checkout) 1 of them the 20 items or less lanes will NOT take these cards. So I just make sure to use the full lanes at that 1 walmart. Usually isn't an issue as I said I live in the middle of nowhere and the people with BIG orders usually let me go first since I just want to load one little card......
Nov 14, 2014, 6:52 am
#574
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 1,207
Here's my story. I called (yes, I know the rule) the Simon mall that is 20 miles away to ask them the policy for purchasing gift cards. I asked specifically whether I could use an Amex gift card that did NOT have my name printed on it to purchase the GCs. The lady confirmed that I could do so, so of course I got her name and made sure I knew when she would be working. Called again the day that I planned on going and reminded her of our conversation. Drove down there with my kids in tow on their holiday so I could "quickly" pick up the cards. Of course everything took a long time, but I was able to purchase $10k in gc's w/my Amex gift cards with 3 employees helping me. The one who checked me out even went online to help me check my Amex GC balances because I didn't have the exact figure. I drove straight to Wal Mart (15 miles away) and fought the crowds to unload. The cards I tried were all declined. After spending a bit of time calling the 800 # to see why they weren't activated yet and then calling the mall, it turns out that the manager "caught" that the 3 employees let me purchase the GCs and so she voided the whole transaction. Didn't even notify me. What a huge hassle and I surely felt that if their employees made the mistake and allowed me to make the purchase, they should not have cancelled the transaction after the fact. Am I out of line for thinking that? Huge inconvenience and a waste of 3.5 hours of driving back and forth and of course having to bring my kids around doing that. I did not feel that the manager and her boss were overly apologetic about the whole situation.
No offense, but it kinda serves you right for asking if you could use an amex without your name on it. And tying up 3 employees to help you. And buying 10K at a time your first time there. Everything you did screams notice me. So they noticed you. And the manager asked. And they remembered the whole thing....
Nov 14, 2014, 9:39 am
#576
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Minnesota
Programs: Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 1,101
No offense, but it kinda serves you right for asking if you could use an amex without your name on it. And tying up 3 employees to help you. And buying 10K at a time your first time there. Everything you did screams notice me. So they noticed you. And the manager asked. And they remembered the whole thing....
Nov 14, 2014, 10:58 am
#577
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: SoCal
Programs: AA EXP, SPG Lifetime Platinum, MR Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 249
Here's my story. I called (yes, I know the rule) the Simon mall that is 20 miles away to ask them the policy for purchasing gift cards. I asked specifically whether I could use an Amex gift card that did NOT have my name printed on it to purchase the GCs. The lady confirmed that I could do so, so of course I got her name and made sure I knew when she would be working. Called again the day that I planned on going and reminded her of our conversation. Drove down there with my kids in tow on their holiday so I could "quickly" pick up the cards. Of course everything took a long time, but I was able to purchase $10k in gc's w/my Amex gift cards with 3 employees helping me. The one who checked me out even went online to help me check my Amex GC balances because I didn't have the exact figure. I drove straight to Wal Mart (15 miles away) and fought the crowds to unload. The cards I tried were all declined. After spending a bit of time calling the 800 # to see why they weren't activated yet and then calling the mall, it turns out that the manager "caught" that the 3 employees let me purchase the GCs and so she voided the whole transaction. Didn't even notify me. What a huge hassle and I surely felt that if their employees made the mistake and allowed me to make the purchase, they should not have cancelled the transaction after the fact. Am I out of line for thinking that? Huge inconvenience and a waste of 3.5 hours of driving back and forth and of course having to bring my kids around doing that. I did not feel that the manager and her boss were overly apologetic about the whole situation.
Reminds me of that old saying, pigs get fat and hogs get slaughtered..........
Nov 14, 2014, 12:33 pm
#578
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 215
Any datapoints on getting 5% with Citi Dividend MC at Simon?
Nov 14, 2014, 1:00 pm
#579
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 352
haven't tried it personally, but others have reported no such luck.
Nov 14, 2014, 1:10 pm
#580
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 647
I agree, there is nothing discreet about this. I can see where this is all headed....ending up just like CVS banning the OV card purchases. Too many folks are abusing this so I would not be surprised at all if Simon makes further changes to restrict purchases, its just a matter of time.
Nov 14, 2014, 2:56 pm
#581
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Bay Area, CA
Programs: AA Plat, UA Gold, AS MVP Gold, HH Diamond, SPG Gold, Club Carlson Gold, US
Posts: 956
I will say it again.. MS is not everyone.. If you cannot be discreet nor have the time.. open some ccs and be glad with a trip or two 
Nov 14, 2014, 5:04 pm
#582
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: TX
Posts: 756
Simon mall gift card
With the old blue shutdowns, I unfortunately have to pursue other avenues. I used to be able to buy and liquidate 12k+ (And $0 in fees) in less than an hour at my go to place on a semi-weekly basis. So yes, I'm used to quick and easy money...and haven't gotten slaughtered yet. Just gotta adjust and go with the flow.
Nov 15, 2014, 9:04 am
#583
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 60
If I buy the vgc from the simons website with the discover it card, would I get 5% back?
Nov 15, 2014, 10:21 am
#584
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 2
Anyone having trouble loading Bluebird account with simon giftcard? I was able to do it three times then they started getting denied.
Nov 15, 2014, 10:25 am
#585
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Chicago Burbs
Programs: SPG Gold, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 223
I drained several SM VGC at a WM cashier to my Serve card yesterday evening. Only one time the register spit out a timeout message, but a retry on the same card worked.