Giftcertificates.com now charges $2 per for digital delivery
Nov 23, 07, 11:33 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: On the road
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Posts: 1,051
Giftcertificates.com now charges $2 per for digital delivery
Been shopping through AAshopping>to Giftcertificates.com to get their holiday shopping bonus. Made a purchase on Tuesday for $150 in Vitamin Shoppe GCs, checkout was $150 total, no fees, email delivery, etc.
Tried to get $150 today and the website is different, has a slightly more modern look and the checkout process adds a new wrinkle:
$2 PER CERTIFICATE "digital" delivery fee.
Since Vitamin Shoppe only offers GCs in $25 or $50 increments, that puts the $6 cost on $150 at 4% which with the double miles promo only gets you to break even (before and threshold bonuses). Been using GC.com for years to get a few bonus miles here and there, but looks like barring any "free delivery" offers that we won't be shopping them anymore. Looks like one more mileage earning "dip" has now closed.
Tried to get $150 today and the website is different, has a slightly more modern look and the checkout process adds a new wrinkle:
$2 PER CERTIFICATE "digital" delivery fee.
Since Vitamin Shoppe only offers GCs in $25 or $50 increments, that puts the $6 cost on $150 at 4% which with the double miles promo only gets you to break even (before and threshold bonuses). Been using GC.com for years to get a few bonus miles here and there, but looks like barring any "free delivery" offers that we won't be shopping them anymore. Looks like one more mileage earning "dip" has now closed.
Nov 23, 07, 12:23 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: All over
Programs: Most
Posts: 10,839
There are lots of new fees. There is a product fee per physical GC in addition to the shipping and handling fee. Also a "mailing" fee for a digital GC is rather stupid. 
It seem that they must have learned something from the airlines.
It seem that they must have learned something from the airlines.
Nov 24, 07, 4:38 am
#3
formerly known as Frugal Travel Guy
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Greenville, SC
Programs: UA Gold, HH Gold, SPG Gold, Marriott Silver, Hyatt Platinum
Posts: 1,925
And it doesn't work
My orders would not go through last nite. Tried twice, called, and the agent confirmed the new system was not accepting most orders and they were doing them manually.
So much for there new fees and enhancements.
"If it ain't broke, don't fix it"
So much for there new fees and enhancements.
"If it ain't broke, don't fix it"
Nov 24, 07, 10:54 am
#4
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,716
I'd suggest that if you don't like the fee then don't pay it, encourage others to not pay it and let them know how much business they are not getting. In the case where you feel that you still need to pay it and the coupons are worth it, then you can see why they are charging the $2.
Nov 24, 07, 2:20 pm
#5
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: HYX
Programs: ~IHG(p)/BW~Nat'l.Exec~ ~NW(SE)~ ~Cessna~ NASM.do-07 ~AAAF.do-05/06/07/08/09
Posts: 1,528
Maybe the message is already sinking in: I'm seeing $1 fees for email.
But: a few instances of ..umm.. sloppy syntax
and, "please install Flashplayer" ~ I don't think so.
/.
But: a few instances of ..umm.. sloppy syntax
and, "please install Flashplayer" ~ I don't think so.
/.
Nov 24, 07, 3:10 pm
#6
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: MEL/LAX
Programs: AAdv GLD(MM), QF LTS, UA MP_nada, HH Gld, SPG, GoldenCircle Jade
Posts: 4,472
the redemption of SuperCertificate into merchant GCs is still fee and shipping free if using standard USPS - did one this morning for a BB&B GC.
Sounds like if they persist with the higher fees, in order to minimize the fees buy one $500 SuperCertificate ($1 fee plus $1 email fee
) and then slowly redeem for merhcant GCs in whatever denomination you need at a time.
Sounds like if they persist with the higher fees, in order to minimize the fees buy one $500 SuperCertificate ($1 fee plus $1 email fee
) and then slowly redeem for merhcant GCs in whatever denomination you need at a time.
Nov 24, 07, 5:17 pm
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Atlanta, GA, USA
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I think in this case they're betting the domain name is so "strong" that consumers won't Google around for other options.
Nov 25, 07, 7:56 am
#8
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Washington, D.C.
Programs: AA PLT (MM), UA 1K
Posts: 894
the redemption of SuperCertificate into merchant GCs is still fee and shipping free if using standard USPS - did one this morning for a BB&B GC.
Sounds like if they persist with the higher fees, in order to minimize the fees buy one $500 SuperCertificate ($1 fee plus $1 email fee) and then slowly redeem for merhcant GCs in whatever denomination you need at a time.
Sounds like if they persist with the higher fees, in order to minimize the fees buy one $500 SuperCertificate ($1 fee plus $1 email fee
) and then slowly redeem for merhcant GCs in whatever denomination you need at a time.
Nov 25, 07, 6:35 pm
#9
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: MEL/LAX
Programs: AAdv GLD(MM), QF LTS, UA MP_nada, HH Gld, SPG, GoldenCircle Jade
Posts: 4,472
Nov 25, 07, 6:37 pm
#10
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Nov 25, 07, 6:40 pm
#11
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: MEL/LAX
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Posts: 4,472
Nov 26, 07, 9:28 am
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: On the road
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Alect you were using an old Super Certificate, right?
I wonder if GC.com is not charging the fees on old Supers, but maybe the new T&C's/website will charge for future Supers and their redemptions.
Anyone on a GC.com "mileage run" buying a new supercertificate/redeeming a new supercertificate please post any info.
I wonder if GC.com is not charging the fees on old Supers, but maybe the new T&C's/website will charge for future Supers and their redemptions.
Anyone on a GC.com "mileage run" buying a new supercertificate/redeeming a new supercertificate please post any info.
Nov 26, 07, 7:52 pm
#14
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: MEL/LAX
Programs: AAdv GLD(MM), QF LTS, UA MP_nada, HH Gld, SPG, GoldenCircle Jade
Posts: 4,472
Alect you were using an old Super Certificate, right?
I wonder if GC.com is not charging the fees on old Supers, but maybe the new T&C's/website will charge for future Supers and their redemptions.
Anyone on a GC.com "mileage run" buying a new supercertificate/redeeming a new supercertificate please post any info.
I wonder if GC.com is not charging the fees on old Supers, but maybe the new T&C's/website will charge for future Supers and their redemptions.
Anyone on a GC.com "mileage run" buying a new supercertificate/redeeming a new supercertificate please post any info.
I don't know the same language as was there a couple of weeks back when I bought mine is still there:
What Service Fees are Charged?
The purchase a merchant gift card or a SuperCertificate includes a service fee, which covers the cost of U.S. Mail shipping, packaging, customer service, etc.
* Service fees are not assigned to merchant gift cards when a SuperCertificate is being redeemed
* Emailable merchant gift certificates are not charged a service fee.
* Emailable SuperCertificates are charged a $0.95 service fee.
* Physical SuperCertificates are charged a $1.95 service fees.
* Physical merchant gift cards are not charged a service fee.
* American Express® Gift Cheques are charged a total service fee of $12.95 and $2.75 per cheque plus applicable shipping charges for orders up to $100.
* American Express® Gift Cheques are charged a service fee of 12% and $2.75 per cheque plus applicable shipping charges for orders exceeding $100.
Shipping fees are calculated based on a maximum of 400 gift certificates and a value of $10,000 per package. Orders exceeding either amount will ship in multiple packages and will be charged accordingly. Your credit card will not be charged until your order ships from our facility
The GiftCertificates.com MasterCard® Gift Card
The GiftCertificates.com MasterCard Gift Card must be shipped via standard US Mail. A shipping fee of $1.00 will be applied to orders.
No service fees are charged until the thirteenth month from the day of purchase, whereupon a Monthly Maintenance Fee of $2.00 per month will be applied to any remaining balance, except where prohibited by law.
The purchase a merchant gift card or a SuperCertificate includes a service fee, which covers the cost of U.S. Mail shipping, packaging, customer service, etc.
* Service fees are not assigned to merchant gift cards when a SuperCertificate is being redeemed
* Emailable merchant gift certificates are not charged a service fee.
* Emailable SuperCertificates are charged a $0.95 service fee.
* Physical SuperCertificates are charged a $1.95 service fees.
* Physical merchant gift cards are not charged a service fee.
* American Express® Gift Cheques are charged a total service fee of $12.95 and $2.75 per cheque plus applicable shipping charges for orders up to $100.
* American Express® Gift Cheques are charged a service fee of 12% and $2.75 per cheque plus applicable shipping charges for orders exceeding $100.
Shipping fees are calculated based on a maximum of 400 gift certificates and a value of $10,000 per package. Orders exceeding either amount will ship in multiple packages and will be charged accordingly. Your credit card will not be charged until your order ships from our facility
The GiftCertificates.com MasterCard® Gift Card
The GiftCertificates.com MasterCard Gift Card must be shipped via standard US Mail. A shipping fee of $1.00 will be applied to orders.
No service fees are charged until the thirteenth month from the day of purchase, whereupon a Monthly Maintenance Fee of $2.00 per month will be applied to any remaining balance, except where prohibited by law.
Some of this seems inconsistent with their shipping fees - if the servcie fees cover shipping then why charge shipping fees also?
it seems pretty clear that redeeming SuperCerts into merchant gift cards does not incur a fee.
Maybe their site is just not functioning as per their own T&Cs?
Dec 1, 07, 10:02 am
#15
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: On the road
Programs: Too many to list
Posts: 1,051
Giftcertificates.com 10% off holiday coupon
Copied from a thread I just started in S.P.A.M.:
For a limited time get 10% off online orders.
Offer code: HOLIDAY2
*Offer ends December 9, 2007. Limited to one per customer on an order of $100 or more. Offer not valid on previous
purchases, American Express® Gift Cheques, MasterCard® Products or corporate pricing. Offer is not combinable
with any other promotion or offer.
Looks like one chance to still cash in and get that GC.com dip even with the new service/delivery fees.
Be careful with AA shopping and make sure that you check the T&Cs of which ever site you use so that you get both the promotion code to work and the mall miles...
For a limited time get 10% off online orders.
Offer code: HOLIDAY2
*Offer ends December 9, 2007. Limited to one per customer on an order of $100 or more. Offer not valid on previous
purchases, American Express® Gift Cheques, MasterCard® Products or corporate pricing. Offer is not combinable
with any other promotion or offer.
Looks like one chance to still cash in and get that GC.com dip even with the new service/delivery fees.
Be careful with AA shopping and make sure that you check the T&Cs of which ever site you use so that you get both the promotion code to work and the mall miles...
