Community Chat

[SXMGirl]

I am thinking of giving Visa gift cards as presents to my trainers a the gym.  Do they have to pay a fee or is there an expiration date?  I usually give a WaWa gift card, which is our local convenience store.  I always keep them in my car so that I have extra money for gas and food, if necessary.  I am thinking that young women might want something a little different.  Any suggestions would be appreciated.  Thanks!

[NicksmomESQ]

  @SXMGirl I buy several Visa gift cards every year.You pay a fee when you purchase them of between 6 & 7 dollars.The receiver doesn’t pay a fee for using the card. It also doesn’t expire for about 5 years.

[SXMGirl]

@NicksmomESQ, thank you for the info!

[coffee drinker]

@SXMGirl I agree with @NicksmomESQ.  We were so lucky last year when my nephew's school had a gift cart fundraiser.  There were no service charges for Visa cards -- just had to pay for the GC value. 

[VenturaHighway]

@SXMGirlI buy my gift cards at my bank. Check to see if there is any places they can't use them.

[sidsmom]

[SXMGirl]

Thanks, everyone!  I am not sure that I can really do a gift card and might just go with the WaWa card.  No fee and they are on every block.

[drizzellla]

Every year our company gave out VISA  gift cards. And every year the "rules" seemed to be different.

The first year, I saved the card for my trip to Disney World. But then when I went to use it, the card did not work. The castmembers were so helpful and spent at least 1/2 of an hour trying to help me. Finally we called the bank that issued the card. The bank was deducting $.75 each month for inactivity. I got the card at Christmas and tried to use it in March. A whopping 2.5 months and they deducted $1.50.

Then the next year, I got another VISA card from the company. Tried to buy gas but it would not work. Because the $ amount was not set before using the card. No problem - next tried to use it in a restaurant. Again did not work. Finally used it in the grocery store. And it worked.

The next year I got a VISA card from the company, I bought shoes and no problems. I don't think they bought the cards at the bank.

I think a WaWa card is a great idea. She will always need gas. And maybe a quick snack, sandwich or drink. 

[bowlicious]

I couple of yrs ago I bought a gift card so I could buy something from an online company I wasn't so sure about.  I bought a card from a company callled Green Dot (didn't know that when I bought it). To use the card you had to register the card. They wanted your whole life history including your social security #. I eventually requested a refund because I didn't want to give that info. They did issue me a check. If you are buying gift cards check the fine print before you buy one. 

[morganjen]

@bowlicious  Exact same thing happened to me with the Green Dot Visa gift card. I ended up cancelling because they would continue to charge monthly fees. Received a refund check from them for $2.