Chasepoints

Yes-New problems related to BHN and more specifically the $1K Simon VGCs.
The Walgreens VGCs that I purchase are the Vanilla ones which are serviced/distributed by InComm.
They work for MOs at WMT.

iahphx

Interesting. I guess I recall that some stores sell gift cards that are serviced by different outfits. Am I correct tht some Vanillas are serviced by InComm and some aren't? "Who sells what" is now a very big deal.

Chasepoints

Vanilla VGC and Secure Spend VGC are only serviced by InComm.

radonc1

If my DP helps, I was unable to liquidate a Sunrise VGC at WM for a MO.
It was bought at Meijers which I believe it means that it was serviced by BHN, which may explain the result.

Chasepoints

The VGCs at my local grocery store sell the ones that are issued by Sunrise and they are serviced by BHN.

bdwyfan

Just curious.
Why is there a Vanilla and a Secure Spend. What's the difference?

GetawaysRus

Apologies to the OP if I'm veering a little off the intended topic of this thread.

I have given up on MOs. Liquidation into MOs in my area has become too much of a PITA. So I sometimes liquidate online (for example, by paying quarterly estimated taxes or by paying Medicare fees).

I only have one local Albertson's store where the cashiers will allow me to buy a VGC with a credit card. That store has switched from Metabank cards to InComm cards (Vanilla VISAs and Secure Spend cards). The old Metas were easy to register online with my address. But I'm finding Vanilla registration confusing. Here's what I've just started doing for Vanillas. (Secure Spend cards have me baffled.) I hope someone will tell me if I'm on the right track. The goal is to use these Vanillas online.

Step 1: Create an account at https://www.vanillagift.com/customer/account/create/. I then clicked the Address Book and entered my address and zip code. OK, so now my address should be attached to my Vanilla account.

Step 2: When I buy a Vanilla VISA, go to https://www.vanillagift.com/, sign in to my account, then click on Check Balance. Now enter the card #, expiration, and CVV. Click Sign In to see the card balance. Then click Manage PIN to set a card PIN. If I understand, the card should now be activated and (I hope) registered so that I can use it online.

My question: am I on the right track? Does this register the card with my address so I can use a Vanilla VISA online?

I should be able to make first quarter 2023 estimated tax payments online starting this coming week and I'm hoping it goes smoothly.

Chasepoints

For liquidation purposes, no difference. They have different issuers but the same servicer. I wanted to make you aware that Secure Spends also work.

Chasepoints

You should be good to go.

danhouston

are these product from Staples? Did u give it another try at another time, the 2nd swipe, hoping for better outcome? 🤔 if not, would be a PITA to only liquidate or load $99 at a time

andyandy

FWIW, I created this thread because the problem goes beyond the Simon 1Ks and seems to affect all BHN cards. Certainly it has nerfed the BHN 500 VLCs that I am able to get at my local WD.

Andyandy

iahphx

I would suggest that the Simons are just a tiny part of this new problem. I think of those 1ks as a niche product, largely appealing to the heavy hitters. Now, buying any MO with gift cards is a confusing PITA. This impacts almost everyone who's ever done this. Heck, in the past, I've advised a few newbies to turn a Gebit at a supermarket to easily satisfy a credit card sign up bonus. I don't think I'd do that these days.

danhouston

still possible for now, as long as one would avoid most BHN-serviced cards

ra7

Can you try at Meijer though?

knopfler

You probably hit the the store limit of $485 or so every 7-10 minutes. If you wait a few more minutes it would probably work. The second or third swipe of your second transaction should have failed unless it was more than 7-10 minutes after the first swipe of the first transaction.