It is fixed now (2 days later). Payable and Payout amounts are back to normal.:)

What an ordeal.

https://saverocity.com/thedealmommy/...mall-nightmare

I also got my 5Bs in unsealed envelopes during that time period BUT main difference is I checked the balance and when I found out they were intact, I lost no time draining them at CVS. I was also paranoid that's why I chose to drain them immediately and have peace of mind that I've drained them before anyone can hack them. It looks like the OP jumped the gun too soon and demanded for a replacement instead of just draining the cards immediately. If she did that, she wouldn't have gone through the nightmare, but hindsight is 20/20.

Main reason that online ordering does not appeal to me is because of the way GCM does their business. As long as I have b&m merchants to buy my GCs, I'd go with that for my MS activities. I know there are others where it has become their only access to GCs because they have been banned at their stores/drugstores so I understand why they take the risks.

I am aware that MS methods can die any moment so I'd rather not be caught with several thousands worth of GCs that can't be drained by ways I've been used to. With my current set-up, I buy n drain immediately so that if there are changes in the MS world, I will know immediate and adjust accordingly without the added stress of waiting till my order of several thousands worth of cards to arrive. Bottomline is we choose the risks we take hoping the pros outweigh the cons.

Yeah I did recall a few envelopes came to me without being sealed too. But I guess I am more lackadaisical and didnt even thought about wanting to have those cards re-issued. I dont think I even bother checking the balance.

I do think this is a case of jumping the gun, like MB says. But different people have different comfort level I guess

I did just try to drain them as soon as I can, just like any other GCs I have. I have tons of spare time anyway since it's Xmas period and work is not busy.

It does look like they had the full balance on each card when they arrived. I know I'd be hauling butt to liquidate those suckers ASAP. What sucks is that she paid for Priority and they all arrived 1st class. They should've gone into a Priority Envelope.

The blogger kept saying the cards were compromised but refused to clarify whether the balances were on the card, only indirectly claimed that even if she jumped into the car to CVS, the money would have been drained before she got to CVS...

A serious overreaction to say the least. A lot of the anguish is self-inflicted.

To be in this hobby you have to understand the inherent risks as well as to have a cool head, and be able to handle crisis without getting into panic mode.

My guess is, when she reported the cards were "compromised" and yet she still had the cards in her hand, the other side looked at the cards history and realized the balances were all intact and no attempt of transaction. Hence the other side determined the cards weren't compromised at all. Unfortunately once you reported a card is lost / stolen / whatever, the card would promptly be deactivated - in this case with money still on it, but someone on the other end decided no reason to reissue...

My own experiences with BlackHawk reps at Colombia have been all positive when a card needs to be replaced - I have left cards at WMT, I have cards not activated properly, and other issues. Each and everyone of them was resolved within 7 business days - i.e. new replacement cards sent to me with my name on it no less.

Couldn't she have avoided all the drama by saying that she lost them so they'd deactivate and send replacements?

I think she could.

Because the one time I realized I was missing a card on my way home from Wally I decided to call for the lost card before heading back to Wally. The BlackHawk CSR warned me once you declared the card was lost, the card would be deactivated immediately and it would take 7 biz days (shorter in reality) for the replacement card being sent to you, would you still want to report a lost card? After I affirmed, he went ahead to start the process, including getting my name/address/phone number.

Later I returned to Wally and they actually had the card waiting for me - a customer found it on the counter which was black surface and of course the card was also black... so I did not notice it when it accidentally fell out.

In exactly a week I got the replacement card.

An FTer friend had a dud card that would not work no matter which mode at the POS with the balance intact. I suggested he called to report the card was lost. He went thru the same process and got his replacement card that worked, in a week's time.

Also I had occasions receiving activation codes but not the cards on the Staples orders. I called and asked the reps on what could I do to prevent someone stealing the funds. The reps said they could put a note on the order that ONLY a phone call from the specific telephone number could request activation the cards over the phone. They assured me this would prevent anyone calling in to activate the cards (all the info they wanted were on the paper the card was attached on if you have had Staple order before you know what I mean). Physical cards arrived several days afterwards.

So that is another situation that the blogger might freak out and make a mess for herself when she turned into a panic mode.

if I'm not mistaken, she's complaining about the length of time it took to get her replacement cards and the way CS handled her case.

IMO, she could've avoided the nightmare if she just checked the balance first and if everything was intact, she could've run to CVS that same day, drained all and problem dodged.

Agree.

Yet she retorted to someone who suggested exactly what you said, by claiming the cards would have been drained during the time she went to CVS...:rolleyes:

Just to show she refused to admit the mistake she made in handling the "crisis". Who knows how she called / dealt with the various entities in the aftermath.

As I mentioned, the BlackHawk CSRs based in Colombia were all quite professional and helpful. Of course the blogger freaked out about having a customer service dept based overseas.... and it was BlackHawk instead of GCM...

She would have fainted had she known that Chase security dept is either in Philippines or in India! It is Philippines you primarily would be dealing with if there is a security issue involved your Chase cards! When you have a dispute on Chase cards, chances are you are dealing with India-based dept. I submitted an online dispute on a Dubai restaurant DCCed me despite I instructed the staff to charge in AED, and they refused to redo the transaction. Got a call from Chase on this. The rep went over the dispute and informed me the process etc. I asked if he was from Philippines and he said no, India. Of course you could ask to be transferred to US-based reps if you dont like it but the reality is, all the major banks, Citi, Chase, AMEX, have many customer service functions outsourced to overseas call centers. Amazing to read the blogger was making a big deal on the overseas call center fact.

Did anyone get paid by TCB for purchases at GCM on/after January 15, 2017? My orders were tracked but not confirmed/payable yet. Their site says it takes 7 weeks but it's been almost 9 weeks now.

My purchases on 1/14 just went to confirmed status today.

January 17 still pending status (changed from payable in 7 weeks today).

Same here

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