VGC's and AGC's from Office Depot
May 6, 2015, 1:37 pm
#197
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 2,832
Thanks everybody for this great thread.
I'm new to the game and went to OD today (May 6, 2015) to purchase VGCs. The $20 off $300 VGC promo was advertised through May 16.
There were several varieties of variable-load VGCs but the cashier scanned each one and confirmed they could only be purchased with cash.
Instead, I picked up a few $200 fixed value VGCs with the $20/$300 offer.
I was hoping somebody could point me in the direction of the best way to liquidate these. I've searched the threads and googled some blogs, but I think either the terms are changing over time or writers are not being clear on the difference between OneVanilla VGC (variable load) and Vanilla VGC (fixed value).
It doesn't appear that the fixed value VGC can be used to pay bills online, only to make a transaction where a credit or debit card would be used anyways.
If that's the case, are people just buying these OD/OM fixed value VGCs to take advantage of the Chase Ink 5x bonus? I'm not sure what else they're good for...
Also, do I understand correctly that the variable-load VGCs can be purchased at some grocery/pharmacy/gas locations with a CC? (OD/OM specifically said no to that).
Thanks for all the help. This is my first post.
I'm new to the game and went to OD today (May 6, 2015) to purchase VGCs. The $20 off $300 VGC promo was advertised through May 16.
There were several varieties of variable-load VGCs but the cashier scanned each one and confirmed they could only be purchased with cash.
Instead, I picked up a few $200 fixed value VGCs with the $20/$300 offer.
I was hoping somebody could point me in the direction of the best way to liquidate these. I've searched the threads and googled some blogs, but I think either the terms are changing over time or writers are not being clear on the difference between OneVanilla VGC (variable load) and Vanilla VGC (fixed value).
It doesn't appear that the fixed value VGC can be used to pay bills online, only to make a transaction where a credit or debit card would be used anyways.
If that's the case, are people just buying these OD/OM fixed value VGCs to take advantage of the Chase Ink 5x bonus? I'm not sure what else they're good for...
Also, do I understand correctly that the variable-load VGCs can be purchased at some grocery/pharmacy/gas locations with a CC? (OD/OM specifically said no to that).
Thanks for all the help. This is my first post.
And welcome to FlyerTalk!!!!
May 6, 2015, 1:50 pm
#198
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 3,688
Also, do I understand correctly that the variable-load VGCs can be purchased at some grocery/pharmacy/gas locations with a CC? (OD/OM specifically said no to that).
If you encounter a manager that tells you hardcoded for cash only, let them check their manual because the only ones hardcoded for cash are Balance Financial, VR, MVD, Prepaid Paypal debit card. To prove your point, ask them to swipe any of those 4 cards and the register will display a message saying cash only whereas for other GCs, no such message comes up which means you can buy them with CC. This vanilla GC offer runs till Saturday, May 9.
May 6, 2015, 2:04 pm
#199
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Madison, WI, USA
Posts: 14,162
Check WAG this week for their promo of buy any 2 vanilla GCs, get $5 WAGGC free. The variable GC is in the ad so you'll unlikely have problems buying them. AND, they can be bought with CC! If you encounter a manager that tells you hardcoded for cash only, let them check their manual because the only ones hardcoded for cash are Balance Financial, VR, MVD, Prepaid Paypal debit card. To prove your point, ask them to swipe any of those 4 cards and the register will display a message saying cash only whereas for other GCs, no such message comes up which means you can buy them with CC.
This vanilla GC offer runs till Saturday, May 9.
If you encounter a manager that tells you hardcoded for cash only, let them check their manual because the only ones hardcoded for cash are Balance Financial, VR, MVD, Prepaid Paypal debit card. To prove your point, ask them to swipe any of those 4 cards and the register will display a message saying cash only whereas for other GCs, no such message comes up which means you can buy them with CC. This vanilla GC offer runs till Saturday, May 9.
May 6, 2015, 2:13 pm
#200
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 63
WGs around me is cash only. :-( YMMV.
May 6, 2015, 2:30 pm
#201
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 20
Liquidation cont.
Thank you for the warm welcome Steve! If I'm catching on, liquidation is via MO, BB, RC or Serve?
From the volatility of experience detailed here, it seems like I'll have to go to different places and try purchase and liquidation options to see what's acceptable in my local area.
Feb 20, 2016, 5:46 pm
#203
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: CHS
Programs: Delta, AA, BA, United, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Honors Diamond, SPG Marriott Gold, Sixt Platinum
Posts: 1,142
I often have trouble using my 2 ink cards at OM. Both before and after the chip. I usually only buy during promotions. I have not tried in the last 6 weeks.
Feb 20, 2016, 6:46 pm
#204
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 278
The problem seems to be intermittent, almost a function of the cashier. Sometimes it works, and sometimes it just sits there doing nothing. I won't use a different card, so I don't have a data point to say if it's all cc or just the ink. The first time, they had to key in the card number manually The second time, they wouldn't key it in, so we just left.
Feb 25, 2016, 5:08 am
#205
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 278
The problem seems to be intermittent, almost a function of the cashier. Sometimes it works, and sometimes it just sits there doing nothing. I won't use a different card, so I don't have a data point to say if it's all cc or just the ink. The first time, they had to key in the card number manually The second time, they wouldn't key it in, so we just left.
Feb 25, 2016, 8:14 am
#206
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 359
Clearly only a guess, but since the ink is a business card, there may be something in the system to prompt for a job code or something similar. It is unique to my ink and not an issue with my non-business cards.
An annoyance, but I'm always able to get it to go thru with the clerk saying "try it again" and then it takes it on the second try.
An annoyance, but I'm always able to get it to go thru with the clerk saying "try it again" and then it takes it on the second try.
Feb 25, 2016, 8:48 am
#207
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Los Angles
Posts: 2,101
I think OD / OM system is always slow. I bought 5k yesterday, it took even longer and asked to enter the CC info manually on the pad, then approval was quick. (using non chip card)
Feb 25, 2016, 9:11 pm
#208
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Indianapolis
Programs: Hilton-Diamond Lifetime Platinum AA UA, WN-CP, SPG Gold.
Posts: 7,377
Today a form came up on the register at OD wanting ID, cashier said I have been buying too many GC,
Purchased some Amazon, and Loewe's, no GC, just pushing the 5x Ink .
Later purchased more at Staples, no problem, have a remodeling project going on, not MS, just a Point Grab....
Purchased some Amazon, and Loewe's, no GC, just pushing the 5x Ink .
Later purchased more at Staples, no problem, have a remodeling project going on, not MS, just a Point Grab....
Feb 25, 2016, 9:18 pm
#209
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: ATL
Programs: AA, AGR, DL, MR, WoH, UA
Posts: 951
The OD/OM POS software supporting the chip reader seems to be super buggy. In general, the employees have no idea why problems crop up. I've seen every register in a store get locked-up due the problems
Entering the card info manually seems to always work, as it avoids whatever new software they've implemented.
Entering the card info manually seems to always work, as it avoids whatever new software they've implemented.
Dec 25, 2018, 8:19 am
#210
Join Date: May 2011
Location: CMH
Programs: w/+1: AS MVPG; IHG/Marriott Plat; Hilton/BW Diamond; Hertz Prez; SG Silver
Posts: 1,188
Chase Denied
My local OD called "Chase" when I tried to buy 2 $200 vgcs during a promo. The cashier said the card was denied. I called the number on my card and they said they had no idea why as the card was never put in the POS terminal. I later called OD corp and they explained that the store may call Chase retail services for an approval for cc purchases over $200. Anyone else have this issue?