Simon Mall recently sent out an e-mail apologizing to customers for extended shipping delays on Visa Gift Cards. The letter blamed a combination of a COVID outbreak at a processing center as well as the extended period of terrible weather on the East Coast.
Since then we’ve received multiple reports of shipping delays actually getting worse, in some cases over two weeks. If you’re going to buy from Simon, it’s probably best to try and do it in person, if possible. If ordering online, make certain that you can float the expense for an extended time.
Here’s the text from the email:
As you may know, one of our gift card processing/shipping centers continues to be severely affected with a large COVID outbreak. They are doing the best they can right now with a limited staff to fulfill all Simon Giftcard orders, but unfortunately, we are experiencing delays in getting the cards printed and shipped. In addition, severe winter weather is impacting service provided by UPS.
We pride ourselves on best-in-class service and realize that we have fallen behind with shipping expectations. We appreciate the trust you have placed in us for your gift card needs and understand this is not the level of service you have come to expect from our team at Simon Giftcard. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
If you placed a recent order, please continue to monitor automated emails from Simon Giftcard Customer Care or check back with your Account Manager for updates. We appreciate your flexibility as we continue to navigate these delays together
Quick Thoughts
Simon has been having shipping delays for some time now, but it appears the problem is getting worse in the short-term, not better. We recently published a post with a discount code for fees and received additional feedback about the extended wait times from folks throughout the country.
It’s good practice to not spend beyond what you can float in case of unforeseeon delays with liquidation, shipment, etc. That said, Simon has historically been quite punctual with shipments, so it could be easy to overextend. With these delays, make sure you look before you leap.
Want to learn more about miles and points? Subscribe to email updates or check out our podcast on your favorite podcast platform.
my recent 2 orders only took 1 week from purchase to ship date.
Great news! Just in time for a new discount code today.
is only 40% off, so i plan to wait another 1-2 weeks for the 50% off to return
Does Briarwood Mall have them in person?
Story is a few weeks old FYI
Just received mine today via UPS. Ordered at end January. The envelope was open too. So I trust the UPS driver didn’t make a note of the numbers! Was billed 12 days ago, so make sure you can manage the float for perhaps longer and quite possibly will have to pay off the credit card before you receive the cards. I paid mine off last week.
I don’t use them to convert into cash anyway, so that’s not a big issue for me. I use them to pay vendors who don’t accept credit cards, or, more correctly, do accept credit cards but charge about 3% which would defeat the whole purpose.
I must say that Simon did keep me informed on the slowdown, even phoned twice to reassure me. And I am not a big player at all.
But if you are skating on thin ice I suggest you stay away from this for a while.
Yeah, I do think it’s bizarre that they’re billing all these, even when there’s a 2 weeks+ delay for shipping. That’s good to hear that Simon communicated well.
I’ve been waiting two weeks. As if that wasn’t bad enough, they charged my credit card immediately.
And no shipment yet?