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After reading my earlier post “One card to rule them all” many people ran out to their local Office Depot stores to buy Vanilla Reload cards with their Ink Bold credit cards. This is a brief follow up…
Cash or credit?
So far, most people (with a couple of exceptions) have reported success in buying reload cards with their credit cards (I’ve done it 3 times now). However, many people have mentioned the fact that the reload website (vanillareload.com) is pretty specific about using cash. Here’s a screenshot for example (the same image is on the back of each reload card):
I haven’t found any place that specifically says “credit is not allowed”, but that is a reasonable assumption given the text on both this site and the American Express Prepaid site.
So, one question now is whether “cash only” is really a rule, or more of a recommendation. It’s possible that it is up to each merchant (like Office Depot) to determine the rules. I was able to find out that InComm (the company behind the reload cards) specifically supplies technology to merchants that supports credit card processing (see this page, for example). So, it’s safe to say that InComm specifically allows credit card purchasing of some of their products, but it doesn’t tell us anything about the rules for this one product.
When I first purchased one of these cards using my Ink Bold, I was sure it was a fluke. However, I then talked to an industry insider who promised me that these cards are different from others (Green Dot MoneyPaks, for example) and that the ability to use credit cards won’t go away. Was he right? We’ll see. A number of commenters on my previous posts are betting against him.
Say no to taxes!
A couple of people have reported being charged sales tax for purchases of these reload cards (and for Vanilla Visa cards). Don’t do it! Sales tax should not be charged. If you do pay sales tax, it will wipe out the benefit of using these cards. Argue or walk away… just don’t pay.
Chase fear away
I do want to remind people about my post “Why Chase cancels accounts (and how to protect yourself).” This will probably scare you. Good. Read the post and specifically read the “do” and “don’t” section for some help in how best to proceed.
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So far 2 different Office Depot stores said no to using the credit card to buy the Amex prepaid or Vanilla cards, and 1 said yes.
Andrei: Can you share what State / area you looked in?
Ryan: Great!
Lawrence: Glad to hear you got your money back!
I was able to get the credit this morning. The nice manage just manually gave me the credit and he’s still waiting on the word from the vendor. He knows it wasn’t correct to add the tax, just seems that nothing can be done about it yet.
[…] Tax: some Frequent Miler readers reported being charged sales tax on the $500 gift cards. Make sure that does NOT happen to you; otherwise, sales tax will more than […]
interesting tidbit…I bought the reloadable card and put the max amount on it. I then went to a different store a day later and bought the vanilla reload card and put the maximum amount on it. Nobody blinked an eye about using the credit card, and at the second place, they actually gave me a card to fill out a survey and told me that if I fill out the survey I will get $10 off my next purchase of $50 or more. Say what!? Haven’t filled out the survey yet and not sure how it would work, but thought it was an interesting twist.
on their site it says can’t send money to self and don’t know anyone that has amazon payments
Michael Belisle: Correct. Most people recruit a friend or family member to help.
Must have missed that – thanks!
I’m trying to use two temporary AmEx prepaid cards to do Amazon Payments but it keeps declining the cards. Any idea why?
KK: You have to call Amex and register the cards with your name and address before you can use them online
can’t figure it out all that well. don’t know where to find where it asks to add money with credit card
Michael Bellisle: MillionMileSecrets has a step by step guide: http://millionmilesecrets.com/2011/07/07/fast-track-your-credit-card-sign-up-bonus-with-amazon-payments/
I just got one of these to reload my prepaid card thinking that I could use the amex card with pin to get cash back at stores. Guess this card is not able to be used that way to get cash back at stores. I even called amex up and asked. Does anyone know of anyway to get cash without using atm?
Michael Bellisle: You could try Amazon Payments.
Lawrence: the Amex, once upgraded to the permanent card, is reloadable, offers purchase protection, is easier to use online. In terms of points earned, the Visa is a great option
Is there a reason to not get the Visa gift card as well? How is that different in terms of points accumulation vs. Amex (not comparing benefits)?
@tbob
Same here. Ive only visited my local OD twice, each time for 1 vanilla visa. The second tine I was asked by the store manager why I am purchasing these gift cards?? At the same time giving this “criminal” look, not a good feeling. I still got the card, but unconsciously, a little reluctant to go back
The store manager called me and said they know it wasn’t right and not to worry about being screwed. I had the feeling that they have to figure out what to do. They did get this word from up high. Sounds like a class action lawsuit to me!
I’ll report tomorrow on the refund.
I got one of the Amex cards and a vanilla reload card at office depot, but the cashier didn’t want to sell it to me. First He scanned the card and I swiped my credit card, and paid for the cards. But the employee started acting strange, he didn’t want to give me the cards. He called his manager 4 times on the radio but couldn’t get ahold of him. He then asked another employee to come over and help out. They spent a couple minutes talking about how I should have paid with cash, not a credit card. I pointed out that the relatable card didn’t say anything about “cash only” like some of the other cards.
He eventually gave me the card, but was looking at me the whole time like I was trying to scam the store. I was a creepy feeling. I knew I was right, but they clearly didn’t want to sell me the cards.