Feb 9, 2017, 8:17 pm
Last edit by: lowkeyflyer
This is the master thread for all VGC and MCGC sold at Staples.
The previous discussion can be found here.
The VGCs sold at Staples are issued by Metabank and serviced by Blackhawk Network.
The activation code for online purchase comes with the card. Cards purchased at store are activated at check-out.
To activate cards over the phone (without activation codes), call (877) 426-2551 to talk to a rep.
To activate cards over the web, www.giftcardkey.com.
The default PIN number is the last four digits of the card number but can be changed online.
As of 5/12/2014, all known portals are dead.
Earn 5x points with Chase Ink, or Simply Cash for 5% cash back
Buy Visa gift cards (Metabank) at Staples ($200 for $7.95) or the website ($300 for $8.95).
2k Limit per transaction / 10k per day for online. In-store is usually 2k but YMMV
Often times, there are promotions with no or reduced activation fees
The previous discussion can be found here.
The VGCs sold at Staples are issued by Metabank and serviced by Blackhawk Network.
The activation code for online purchase comes with the card. Cards purchased at store are activated at check-out.
To activate cards over the phone (without activation codes), call (877) 426-2551 to talk to a rep.
To activate cards over the web, www.giftcardkey.com.
The default PIN number is the last four digits of the card number but can be changed online.
As of 5/12/2014, all known portals are dead.
Earn 5x points with Chase Ink, or Simply Cash for 5% cash back
Buy Visa gift cards (Metabank) at Staples ($200 for $7.95) or the website ($300 for $8.95).
2k Limit per transaction / 10k per day for online. In-store is usually 2k but YMMV
Often times, there are promotions with no or reduced activation fees
Visa/MasterCard Gift Cards at Staples(2017 onwards)
Jul 21, 2020, 7:01 am
#1516
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 2,293
Your analysis is YMMV, there is nothing that you have stated that has any consistency for others. If you are lucky enough to have a store that previously sold you more than one it is nothing more than luck. I have been to over 50 staples locations over the years I would guess and there is no hard and fast "manager's approval." The only thing that is hard and fast is that the system is hard coded to deny any Visa/MC card purchase over $2,000. Anything else is store specific. I have been sold $2,000 in rural areas wihtout batting an eye and at another location I have also been told "one only" and had a manager called over to scrutinize my ID against my Ink for about 30 seconds. YMMV, not skill. Mathematically, I wouldn't bother with 2 or 3 when OD runs the same thing only better for that amount, but again that is YMMV for me and my area as my OD clerks are far more common sensical than Staples.
Totally agree with your analysis (and the one above); like all MS, it's YMMV.
Jul 21, 2020, 7:34 am
#1517
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 1999
Posts: 24,153
Calling corporate line for 5 minutes and communicating to a low level corporate employee, and then getting another call back from the main office the next day will do wonders. You want to keep getting 5 cards right(?), don't fight it out at the store with a neanderthal, call corporate and speak to someone who has common sense. Your insecure, power driven store manager couldn't are any less about disappointing you. Bet he/she will care substantially more about getting a ring from the corporate office of a mutli billion dollar company about why they are not honoring corporate PUBLISHED weekly circular even after being shown by a CUSTOMER. Bet they don't get an attitude with corporate.
Jul 22, 2020, 1:31 pm
#1520
Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 262
I feel the same way. Trying to find small items by the line to see what to get; mostly stuff I don't want or get better price elsewhere.
Jul 22, 2020, 1:57 pm
#1521
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 1999
Posts: 24,153
Thats my reg MO. 7-8-9, but for that I have a route where its not in my area and requires a nice amount of driving but as long as I can get 7 or 8 or 9 per stop its worth it. With this weeks 5 Id rather not go out of my area and going 3-4-5 doesnt make sense
I drew up a plan and hope it sneaks under the radar , time will tell, so far no probs
Jul 22, 2020, 2:57 pm
#1522
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 2,061
Jul 22, 2020, 10:21 pm
#1524
Join Date: Jun 2020
Posts: 170
A second part of me (being familiar with the area) says Northern New Jersey has a bad reputation with regards to actual money laundering...Which could be a reason they don't want to sell "high value" giftcards (if you can even call $200 that). Which rather unfortunately makes MS trickier....
Jul 22, 2020, 10:52 pm
#1525
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 1999
Posts: 24,153
Have to admit I never thought of that, I always did it with Simon and Supermkts, for some reason I didnt think it was doable. On the neg is Id hate to arouse the cashier attention that Im up to something not good and get the transaction CXed
However since I need to p/u a couple of gas cards (for when they charge more if using a CC for gas, I should slip thru this time, but will try spilting if they have another promo of '5'
However since I need to p/u a couple of gas cards (for when they charge more if using a CC for gas, I should slip thru this time, but will try spilting if they have another promo of '5'
Jul 23, 2020, 12:56 pm
#1526
Join Date: Feb 2015
Programs: Delta DM
Posts: 552
A part of me says maybe there we all sold out?
A second part of me (being familiar with the area) says Northern New Jersey has a bad reputation with regards to actual money laundering...Which could be a reason they don't want to sell "high value" giftcards (if you can even call $200 that). Which rather unfortunately makes MS trickier....
A second part of me (being familiar with the area) says Northern New Jersey has a bad reputation with regards to actual money laundering...Which could be a reason they don't want to sell "high value" giftcards (if you can even call $200 that). Which rather unfortunately makes MS trickier....
Jul 23, 2020, 5:21 pm
#1527
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 1999
Posts: 24,153
Out Smarted Myself
Get on the checkout line.After a few min wait its my turn. Its a young girl and the 1st thing she does is contact the mgr to see if she can sell them to me and what the limit is. The mgr gets there very quickly and tells her theres a max of 2, I mention to him that the online flyer says its 5 max per day. He says it was never max of 5 and has always been a max of $2K . Got my 6 but with him standing around I didnt want to open the rack up and see if I could find another 4. Did that the last promo and the mgr went Nuts , turns out the Vs were behind the counter and he had no problem selling me 8
Jul 25, 2020, 9:56 am
#1529
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 42
Liquidating MasterCard Gift Cards
Went to Walmart trying to buy money orders with these $200.00 gift cards. The Walmart software will not allow these as valid tender. Any suggestions on where I can use these to purchase money orders? Thanks in advance.
Jul 25, 2020, 10:41 pm
#1530
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 2,061
if finger is not quick enough to chg to debit @ WM, grocery store should work with a simple pin # input
