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)
#961
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2009
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Posts: 4,174
#962
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: Continental Onepass, Hilton, Marriott, USAir and now UA
Posts: 6,374
The moronic part of the one per person is that if someone genuinely wanted to buy the $200's at full retail of $206.95 they would not be allowed to during the promo week. I was told by manager it's one per customer and said "no problem, I'll pay the fee on the rest of them" and they said "that's not possible." I said "so you're denying me a sale at full retail price, are your shareholders aware of this practice?" Long pause and reiteration of "one per customer." It was amusing.
So you could want to buy the card for the full price, but there was no way for him to sell it to you for that amount. And since the rules are 1 card per customer per day, he has to follow the rules.or risk being fired.
The company rules may be moronic, but this manager did not appear to be.
#964
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 13
The moronic part of the one per person is that if someone genuinely wanted to buy the $200's at full retail of $206.95 they would not be allowed to during the promo week. I was told by manager it's one per customer and said "no problem, I'll pay the fee on the rest of them" and they said "that's not possible." I said "so you're denying me a sale at full retail price, are your shareholders aware of this practice?" Long pause and reiteration of "one per customer." It was amusing.
#965
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 213
#966
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,322
You must not know a lot about private equity. Staples does indeed have shareholders: All of its stock is directly owned by Sycamore Partners, acquired in a LBO in 2017. In turn, Sycamore is owned by its investors, which are primarily pension funds, sovereign wealth funds, endowments/foundations, etc. Just because a company is privately owned (not publicly traded) doesn't mean that it doesn't have shareholders.
#967
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 13
Actually I do know how private equity works. Just as I understand that any company that isn’t a sole proprietorship or partnership has shareholders. I just meant that the company doesn’t have shareholders in the sense that Target or Walmart or any other publicly traded company does. But thanks for giving us the Wikipedia version.
#968
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: The place where it gets so hot in the summer some planes can't take off.
Programs: Marriott LT Titanium, WoH Globalist, National EE, United Platinum
Posts: 1,442
I paid to two states and federal last year. However it worked out I have a stack of cards sitting in a drawer that were used amongst all the different filings. I may have used multiple processors as well.
#970
Join Date: May 2017
Location: USA
Posts: 207
I thinks something def came down from corporate this round. One of my regular stores started enforcing 1 per customer. Had a friendly cashier that was apologetic, and suggested I could come in once a day all week if I wanted. I learned about the limit basically as soon as I walked in and walked towards GCs. Manager told me their new rule.
Thankfully, another Staples further out still allowed $2k without batting an eye.
Thankfully, another Staples further out still allowed $2k without batting an eye.
#971
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,322
Actually I do know how private equity works. Just as I understand that any company that isn’t a sole proprietorship or partnership has shareholders. I just meant that the company doesn’t have shareholders in the sense that Target or Walmart or any other publicly traded company does. But thanks for giving us the Wikipedia version.
#973
Join Date: Sep 2015
Programs: SPG Plat, SWA Companion Pass, United Silver
Posts: 186
Bought $1k today at SoCal Staples; no signs about max 1 per customer, no discussion about corporate structure (haha). The checker just said “it must be someone’s birthday” and left it at that. Good day.
#974
Join Date: May 2015
Location: LAX, BUR
Programs: AS,AA,JB, HH Gold, Starriott Titanium Elite, Hyatt Explorist, Global Entry
Posts: 1,929
#975
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 420
Staples website has $100 MC GC with no fee
Remember to wait for activation letter that comes separately after the cards (takes a few days to a week) -- do not try to use the card or check balance until you've activated them to avoid cards being blocked
Remember to wait for activation letter that comes separately after the cards (takes a few days to a week) -- do not try to use the card or check balance until you've activated them to avoid cards being blocked