labgeek Posted November 28, 2005 Posted November 28, 2005 We're from New Orleans, and still have family down there. Both her and my families suffered material loses (no lives lost though thankfully) and are in the process of rebuilding their lives. The mail to/from the area is dreadfully slow still. So after talking it over, we'd decided to do gift cards, and we'd rather do Visa/MC/Amex so they can decide what store(s) to buy from. What is the best way to get these?
RossMAN Posted November 28, 2005 Posted November 28, 2005 Staples B&M stores sell American Express gift cards but there's still the issue of mailing it.
labgeek Posted November 28, 2005 Author Posted November 28, 2005 We'll wind up using an overnight or 2 day letter via UPS or FedEx.
labgeek Posted November 28, 2005 Author Posted November 28, 2005 I was looking around, and found out my bank (Wachovia) offers Visa Gift cards, but only to existing customers. It's $1.95 per card. Then if they use it as a debit card, it's $1 per transaction plus any terminal fees (other banks' ATMs fees). Credit card transactions are not charged any extra. That seems pretty reasonable. Is that about the best I'm going to see??
goldie Posted November 28, 2005 Posted November 28, 2005 I saw in my Walgreens Sunday sales circular -- they have 'prepaid' MC. Usually you have to pay for these (I think $5/$10), but this week it's has a FAR (free after rebate).
RossMAN Posted November 28, 2005 Posted November 28, 2005 $1.95 is a great deal, the cheapest I have seen is $3.95 for a $25 card. Try and get VISA or MC, make sure it's a credit card GC not a debit card.
labgeek Posted November 28, 2005 Author Posted November 28, 2005 Ad doesn't say much about other fees like the bank told me about... But it does say reloadable. Do you have to have the card "in hand" to reload it? It would be nice to be able to add more to it from time to time. But we're 1100 miles away, having it with us when doing so isn't really feasible.
labgeek Posted November 28, 2005 Author Posted November 28, 2005 $1.95 is a great deal, the cheapest I have seen is $3.95 for a $25 card. Try and get VISA or MC, make sure it's a credit card GC not a debit card.Could you explain... From what the bank said it sounded more like a debit card in that it could be used either way. But they surcharge $1 if they use it as a debit card. It was $1.95 for any amount from $25 to $600, we decide the amount when we buy it. I didn't ask about reloading it. I didn't even think about that until the Walgreens FAR "Green Dot" Visa card ad was pointed out. I just noticed the ad in the Walgreens circular has a picture of the card. It has the person's name on it. I was assuming it would come blank or some generic "Gift Recipient" not personalized. How long does it take to get them?
RossMAN Posted November 28, 2005 Posted November 28, 2005 Another option is WebCertificate.com but they only issue online virtual MC's. I would call your local Walgreen's and ask them about their VISA/MC gift cards.
Guest Unregistered Posted November 28, 2005 Posted November 28, 2005 http://www.mymccard.com is the website for the greendot cards. (sorry it won't let me post url's.) The cost to reload them is $4.95 and can be reloaded without the card in hand. You only have to know the card number and the zip code of the mailing address on the card. There is also a $4.95 monthy maintanence fee. Oh yeah, and it takes 5 to 7 days to get it.
labgeek Posted November 28, 2005 Author Posted November 28, 2005 There is also a $4.95 monthy maintanence fee.Thanks for the info. That alone rules out that one... With more searching I found this about the one from Wachovia:https://www.visadpsgiftcard.com/southtrust/Pages/ConsumerGiftHomePage.aspx There is a monthly maintenance fee (unspecified in the FAQs) but it is waived for the 1st 6 months.
RossMAN Posted November 28, 2005 Posted November 28, 2005 Do they have access to their bank accounts, are any branches in their area open? Do they have a debit card?
fairydustcrissy Posted November 28, 2005 Posted November 28, 2005 just a thought....I got a Simon giftcard one year. It was a visa debit though. I could use it anywhere, and I did. No per tranaction charges or anything. Its 5.95 for the card.https://www.simon.com/giftcard/terms_and_conditions.aspx?fees=1#fees
holly2hottie Posted November 28, 2005 Posted November 28, 2005 There are also discover card gift card and I heard that they don't charge a fee for them(one of the few that don't) Good Luck and God Bless!!
goldie Posted December 1, 2005 Posted December 1, 2005 Thanks for the discover gift card. I got MIL one -- she wants a GC to a restaurant the *we* don't have in town...
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