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As it is once more nearing Christmas time and others out there may be considering “gifting” these VISA prepaid cards, please be forewarned. They would be more aptly named as VISA RIPOFF cards. The one overriding common denominator that users are experiencing with these cards is that they are NOT user friendly. “Vanilla Visa” is one of the worst.
I have received several of these in the past, and it was like stumbling through an obstacle course trying to expend them. It took several unsuccessful attempts to use the cards, several phone calls to the card company’s customer service number (when I could ever get through), diligence, and lots of patience before my prepaid VISA “gift” cards were finally expended and even then, I as the customer had to dole out instructions to the store clerks regarding how to process them. If the purchaser is attempting to purchase something that costs more than the value on the gift card, the store clerk must calculate the cost difference in ADVANCE and collect the difference in cost from the customer BEFORE scanning the Visa gift card. If the store tries to scan the card FIRST (applying it against the total purchase price) and collect the cost difference from the customer second, the card will be declined. Despite the fact that store merchants who sell (and are supposed to accept) these cards have a written contract in place with VISA, supposedly instructing them on how to process these stupid things, most store clerks are clueless on how to go through this ridiculous exercise. Climbing Mount Everest is easier than trying to use one of these cards in a restaurant.
The companies who market these cards are counting on the fact that once purchased, most of the people who were “gifted” (more like stuck) with these cards will give up using them out of sheer frustration and that only adds to the profit the company has already made on the sale of the card itself. Additionally, the card issuers get to deduct ridiculous monthly fees from the value of the card when not redeemed over a certain length of time. It is better to gift either cash or a specific store gift card that can be applied toward purchases in a NORMAL fashion without having to go through the confusion and absurd nonsense that most of these VISA prepaid cards (as a whole) inflict on unsuspecting customers.
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.
Yes, Vanilla Visa is a rip-off. They begin charging the $2.50 a month fee in the seventh month after it is purchased, but the gift recipient cannot know that date. You check your balance online and it lists the first date you use the card as the date you "activated" it. Surprise -- the account begins to deplete $2.50 a month -- and you have no recourse. The "customer service" representative I spoke with was insulting and said "Oh, they meant the date it was bought." This is a fraudulent business. DON'T BUY THE VANILLA VISA!
I have nothing but good od luck with them. Had problems all the time with others tajen out too much. They cleared it up immedeatly. The last time 52.00 was taken. The card was only for 25.00 not obly did i get rembursed, but got 30. Extra. 3 weeks later received thank you in mail with 50.00 card. Oh i still received items i ordered
i need help with my vanilla
visa that they are putting the run around on me on.
can someone please give me # of someone with status at vanilla visa so i can try and resolve the problem that no one there seems to want to get fixed.I am still getting a
3-5 day answer everytime i call.Its bin over 3 weeks of dick around now and my 250$ vanilla visa still does not work that i paid for.
A fraudulent Company taking advantage of it's customers. I purchased a $50 dollar Visa Gift Card directly from the company site at vanillagift.com Upon trying to use the card over multiple vendors I continued to get declined stating that the card was invalid.
After calling the company and having to use the Lost or Stolen option (you will not reach a human otherwise). I was told not all vendors accept their cards. Problem is, this is not the first Vanilla gift card I have purchased. Just the first one I Purchased DIRECTLY from THEM.
I am then told I have to take it up with the retailer! THEY ARE THE RETAILER, after asking for a supervisor I had to repeatedly tell her I bought it from them. To which then her answer was, we do not issue refunds on VIRTUAL cards!
I asked repeatedly for a number or physical mailing address to their LEGAL department to which I was told they do not have that information.
THIS IS CONSUMER FRAUD! I have filed a Complaint with the BBB & The TX Attorney General's Office
2nd time i been ttotally ripped off by these cards first time i never received what i ordered or go my money back as i called and made a complaint said they send me a form, never did this time i still have charges pending and see today it was used on a site i have never used so another hundred gone and cant seem to get a real person on phone to talk to, will never buy one of them again
I'm not yet have an opinion about the card in the car usage but I have a Car rental wants to put the total amount of the rental plus $250 more to rent the car and the 250 would be reimbursed so I'm wondering if this card is Away to rip people off of the whole amount
Like many others - I will NEVER EVER buy any one another Vanilla visa gift card. I received this card as a gift and many times tried to use, more than the card value, less than the card value, on line, in store - never successful. Logged on to check the balance and $2.50/month hitting the card where a $100 card is now only $35 - when I called and talked to a customer service representative and then a supervisor - because my main complaint - I did not know of the charge because the front of the card plainly states " FUNDS DO NOT EXPIRE/CALL FOR NEW CARD" expiration date 11/22. This is a false statement as the funds do expire - the funds are "eaten up" by monthly charges. Yes, it does supply that information on the back of the card in small print and on the website - but when the statement FUNDS DO NOT EXPIRE/CALL FOR NEW CARD is in capital letters on the front of the card - why would I look further until after many attempts to use this card - was unsuccessful. I would NEVER recommend this as a gift or company reward EVER...very sad that a fraudulent statement can be imprinted on the front of this card - leave and learn - NEVER WILL VANILLA VISA RECEIVE ANY MONEY FROM ME, and I will be advertisement to this to all my friends and anyone that I come in contact - read the small print and BEWARE!