WARNING-Another Way Banks Screw You- VISA Debit Cards used for rebates

[jake75]

I had two rebates on Norton software products for purchases at Staples.They were provided in the form of a Visa Debit Cards issued by Metbank - sort of like a gift card. The face of the card said "Good thru 9/2010. One was for $40, the other $20. Today when I tried to use them for those amounts they were declined. When I called the 800 number I was informed that per the fine print on the back of these cards beginning 6 months after they were issued there was a $3 per month deduction. So these cars were actually now only worth $34 an $14 respectively. With little argument this call center person - obviously in India - reinstated the full value. I think this is a rip off. One would logically think the card could be used for its face value until the expiration date noted on the front.Before the next $3 deduction on 6-3-10 I will use these cards to buy a $60 Target Gift card that then will have no expiration date.I doubt that Staples realizes what Metabank and Norton are doing to their customers. I have informed Staples of my concerns.

[ponta2147]

Gift cards in general have been doing that for ages... pretty much every gift card or "money" card I got when I was younger (though many companies have stopped as people complained)

[hskater26]

if i didnt use a gift card for 6 months theres a good chance i lost it

[beemerphile1]

If they sent you a rebate check instead of the card, would you leave it lay around for 6+ months before you cashed it? If memory serves, rebate checks are often only good for 90 days or at most one year.It doesn't really seem unreasonable to me. They don't want to carry that thing on the books forever.

[jake75]

Quote, originally posted by beemerphile1 »If they sent you a rebate check instead of the card, would you leave it lay around for 6+ months before you cashed it? If memory serves, rebate checks are often only good for 90 days or at most one year.It doesn't really seem unreasonable to me. They don't want to carry that thing on the books forever.I think you miss the point - the card says "Good thru 9/2010" but when you go to use it you find that they have already started deducting fees, a condition that is disclosed in fine print on the back of the card.

[northvibe]

yeah imo a card, visa, ones like that should hold value until the date they expire. Usually they can be "Recharged" ie. more money added as well. I didnt know that about them, I will be careful now.