Author Topic: Problem with Gift Cards Purchased at Staples Today (Read 5111 times)

PBaruch · « **on:** August 20, 2013, 04:03:12 PM »

I had the craziest experience at Staples today. I bought a bunch of gift cards on my cc and the purchase went through. After I got back to my desk, I went to set pins and it said the cards were not activated. Had to go back to Staples and after waiting for an hour was told that there was something wrong on the end of the gift card issuer. Now I have to go back again tomorrow to hopefully fix.

If anyone bought gift cards at Staples today, check them immediately to see if they were activated.

Marco Polo · « **Reply #1 on:** August 20, 2013, 04:30:12 PM »

Quote from: PBaruch on August 20, 2013, 04:03:12 PM

I had the craziest experience at Staples today. I bought a bunch of gift cards on my cc and the purchase went through. After I got back to my desk, I went to set pins and it said the cards were not activated. Had to go back to Staples and after waiting for an hour was told that there was something wrong on the end of the gift card issuer. Now I have to go back again tomorrow to hopefully fix.

If anyone bought gift cards at Staples today, check them immediately to see if they were activated.

The system does not usually process a transaction if the cards are not activated.
I had an issue with a card that wasn't active, but that was due to them switching it for a "bad" one and not realizing it.

PBaruch · « **Reply #2 on:** August 20, 2013, 04:32:20 PM »

I bought 15 cards on 2 transactions. Tried out a Visa and MC from each transaction - both said not activated. The store manager said the cards activated on their end and after being on the phone with the issuer for an hour said they had a problem on their end and that its site wide today. That is why I am warning anyone who bought gift cards today to check them and go back to Staples if they are not activated.

The manager told me that this is the first time that this happened.

The transaction went through and I was charged on my cc - I called my cc to make sure and they confirmed the charge went through.

Marco Polo · « **Reply #3 on:** August 20, 2013, 04:36:40 PM »

Quote from: PBaruch on August 20, 2013, 04:32:20 PM

I bought 15 cards on 2 transactions. Tried out a Visa and MC from each transaction - both said not activated. The store manager said the cards activated on their end and after being on the phone with the issuer for an hour said they had a problem on their end and that its site wide today. That is why I am warning anyone who bought gift cards today to check them and go back to Staples if they are not activated.

The manager told me that this is the first time that this happened.

The transaction went through and I was charged on my cc - I called my cc to make sure and they confirmed the charge went through.

So was the issuer able to activate it for you?

PBaruch · « **Reply #4 on:** August 20, 2013, 04:39:01 PM »

I called the issuer and they said to go back to Staples. After waiting an hour in Staples, the manager said he will be able to fix it but I have to go back tomorrow. So far they are still not activated.

Marco Polo · « **Reply #5 on:** August 20, 2013, 04:44:00 PM »

Quote from: PBaruch on August 20, 2013, 04:39:01 PM

I called the issuer and they said to go back to Staples. After waiting an hour in Staples, the manager said he will be able to fix it but I have to go back tomorrow. So far they are still not activated.

Good Luck.

With my issue, i was lucky the manager found the activated card sitting in the damaged pile. If not, it would have been annoying to fight the charge etc.

PBaruch · « **Reply #6 on:** August 20, 2013, 04:46:29 PM »

Thanks. If they cannot fix it tomorrow, I will insist on getting my money back. Problem is they cannot simply void it out and put the credit back to my cc. If I can get cash back that would be a sweet deal. The manager was not willing to do cash back today as the register would show a deficit of over 3k. However, if its not fixed tomorrow, I will try to get them to them to refund the purchase in cash.

Super Speed · « **Reply #7 on:** August 20, 2013, 05:25:58 PM »

I bought $800 in GC today and loaded them to BB with no problems.

PBaruch · « **Reply #8 on:** August 20, 2013, 05:38:23 PM »

Quote from: Super Speed on August 20, 2013, 05:25:58 PM

I bought $800 in GC today and loaded them to BB with no problems.

from Staples?

Super Speed · « **Reply #9 on:** August 20, 2013, 08:12:47 PM »

Quote from: PBaruch on August 20, 2013, 05:38:23 PM

from Staples?

Uhm... Yeh!

Super Speed · « **Reply #10 on:** August 20, 2013, 08:13:38 PM »

Quote from: PBaruch on August 20, 2013, 04:03:12 PM

I had the craziest experience at Staples today. I bought a bunch of gift cards on my cc and the purchase went through. After I got back to my desk, I went to set pins and it said the cards were not activated. Had to go back to Staples and after waiting for an hour was told that there was something wrong on the end of the gift card issuer. Now I have to go back again tomorrow to hopefully fix.

If anyone bought gift cards at Staples today, check them immediately to see if they were activated.

Maybe not all staples are experiencing the problem.

normallyavoyeur · « **Reply #11 on:** August 20, 2013, 09:19:21 PM »

Maybe it was fraud? Check this out
http://www.fatwallet.com/forums/finance/1290841/

PBaruch · « **Reply #12 on:** August 20, 2013, 09:37:53 PM »

I do not believe this has anything to do with fraud. The store manager said the gift cards were activated on their end and when I called the 800 numbers on the back of the cards I was able to enter the numbers and was told they were not activated. Also, the store manager said to come back tomorrow and that he would be able to fix the problem.

Also, I just checked the 2 cards I opened - no one put a sticker on them as per that scam in the link.

PBaruch · « **Reply #13 on:** August 21, 2013, 10:58:20 AM »

I went back to Staples today. I am now being told that the problem is with the register. They recently updated their software and the gift cards are not scanning correctly. The card is scanned for purchase but is not being activated at the register. I was told that they will try to activate them within the next day or two. If anyone buys gift cards at Staples, check the receipt to ensure it is coming up correctly. There should not only be the item number of the card on the receipt but also the serial number of each gift card.

real-brisker · « **Reply #14 on:** August 21, 2013, 11:00:02 AM »

Why don't you just ask for $ back.

PBaruch · « **Reply #15 on:** August 21, 2013, 11:01:24 AM »

Quote from: real-brisker on August 21, 2013, 11:00:02 AM

Why don't you just ask for $ back.

The store manager didn't want to give me cash back because there would be a deficit at the register. If this is not resolved in the next day or two, I will ask for cash back because they cannot refund the money to my cc.

PBaruch · « **Reply #16 on:** August 23, 2013, 10:15:17 AM »

Still unresolved. They are giving me the run around. Now I'm fed up - going to demand my $ back today. I was trying to be nice about it but I see that isn't working.

Marco Polo · « **Reply #17 on:** August 23, 2013, 10:39:43 AM »

Quote from: PBaruch on August 23, 2013, 10:15:17 AM

Still unresolved. They are giving me the run around. Now I'm fed up - going to demand my $ back today. I was trying to be nice about it but I see that isn't working.

If they really put up a fight, fight the cc charge.

PBaruch · « **Reply #18 on:** August 23, 2013, 10:41:28 AM »

Quote from: Marco Polo on August 23, 2013, 10:39:43 AM

If they really put up a fight, fight the cc charge.

I will have to do that as a last resort. The thing is, I don't want to tip off Chase that I'm buying gift cards. I'd much rather resolve it with Staples.

Marco Polo · « **Reply #19 on:** August 23, 2013, 10:44:34 AM »

Quote from: PBaruch on August 23, 2013, 10:41:28 AM

I will have to do that as a last resort. The thing is, I don't want to tip off Chase that I'm buying gift cards. I'd much rather resolve it with Staples.

There is nothing wrong with buying GC's, but can definitely understand that you would want to resolve it without involving Chase.