Lindymagoo
Earning My Ears
- Joined
- Nov 3, 2012
I am a newbie, and have benefited from all the great tips and tricks on this board. I chose to avail myself of the Target Red Card to purchase the Disney gift cards to pay off our upcoming trip. A couple of weeks ago, I went to Target to sign up for the Card, making sure I had my checkbook with me, so they could scan a check to link the account. I received my temporary card (a register slip with bar code), and purchased $500 worth of gift cards that night. Whoo-Hoo! So far, so good, right?
My red card (debit) came in the mail a week or so later; and I quickly activated it; I went to Target on Monday night, because my final payment for our trip is due by the 23rd. and I wanted to ensure I had extra time, just in case something went wrong. I checked my account balance with the bank before I left the house, to ensure that there was plenty in the account to cover everything. I went to the store, and picked up $2150 in Disney Gift cards (43 cards, $50 each) and went to check-out while my husband and grandson wandered the store. I got up to the register, feeling all giddy about the money I was about to save, and was informed by the cashier that it had rejected!!! What???????
The cashier suspended the transaction, and gave me a number to call Target Financial to see what the problem was. I got out of line (sheepishly) and called Target. I was told that because I had a brand new account, and not much history with Target that the transaction would be capped at $300. I politely asked if there was any possibility of raising the limit, and was told that I could do the $300 today, and try again tomorrow, but no guarantee that I could purchase anything the next day, let alone another $300 worth. The gentleman told me, that I could ask to see a manager, to see if a manager would be willing to let me use my regular debit card, but give me a 5% discount since the red card was not working properly. I said I would try that.
I got off the phone, and spoke with the young lady at the customer service counter, who initially tried to tell me that the Red Card could not be used on gift cards. She asked another employee, who did not know either. I politely explained that I purchased $500 worth of Disney cards on my previous visit with my brand-new red card (paper slip), and I was indeed given the 5% discount on the gift cards. She then grabbed a calculator, and figured out the discount, and called someone else. She was instructed to go ahead and give me the discount. She was able to bring up the suspended transaction (so we did not have to scan 43 cards all over again!), I swiped my regular bank-issued debit card, she entered a coupon code, and I was on my way!
It was really hard to stay calm, and not go off on the various people I spoke with, but I kept telling myself, this is for Disney, the happiest place on earth, and no need in starting off a wonderful vacation with a negative experience. So I stayed calm, talked nicely and professionally with the people I encountered, and walked out with my gift cards, albeit using a slightly unconventional method to get there!
Moral of the story. If you are thinking of doing the Target Debit Red Card, apply early, use it often. My problem is that I haven't shopped at Target in years, and had no recent check-cashing history with them, so that is why my account was limited on my attempted purchase. Doing $300 a day would have taken me over a week, and I did not have that kind of time so I went all-in and luckily was able to get my discount and the cards, using my debit account. We are now PAID IN FULL! Whoo-HOo!
My red card (debit) came in the mail a week or so later; and I quickly activated it; I went to Target on Monday night, because my final payment for our trip is due by the 23rd. and I wanted to ensure I had extra time, just in case something went wrong. I checked my account balance with the bank before I left the house, to ensure that there was plenty in the account to cover everything. I went to the store, and picked up $2150 in Disney Gift cards (43 cards, $50 each) and went to check-out while my husband and grandson wandered the store. I got up to the register, feeling all giddy about the money I was about to save, and was informed by the cashier that it had rejected!!! What???????
The cashier suspended the transaction, and gave me a number to call Target Financial to see what the problem was. I got out of line (sheepishly) and called Target. I was told that because I had a brand new account, and not much history with Target that the transaction would be capped at $300. I politely asked if there was any possibility of raising the limit, and was told that I could do the $300 today, and try again tomorrow, but no guarantee that I could purchase anything the next day, let alone another $300 worth. The gentleman told me, that I could ask to see a manager, to see if a manager would be willing to let me use my regular debit card, but give me a 5% discount since the red card was not working properly. I said I would try that.
I got off the phone, and spoke with the young lady at the customer service counter, who initially tried to tell me that the Red Card could not be used on gift cards. She asked another employee, who did not know either. I politely explained that I purchased $500 worth of Disney cards on my previous visit with my brand-new red card (paper slip), and I was indeed given the 5% discount on the gift cards. She then grabbed a calculator, and figured out the discount, and called someone else. She was instructed to go ahead and give me the discount. She was able to bring up the suspended transaction (so we did not have to scan 43 cards all over again!), I swiped my regular bank-issued debit card, she entered a coupon code, and I was on my way!
It was really hard to stay calm, and not go off on the various people I spoke with, but I kept telling myself, this is for Disney, the happiest place on earth, and no need in starting off a wonderful vacation with a negative experience. So I stayed calm, talked nicely and professionally with the people I encountered, and walked out with my gift cards, albeit using a slightly unconventional method to get there!
Moral of the story. If you are thinking of doing the Target Debit Red Card, apply early, use it often. My problem is that I haven't shopped at Target in years, and had no recent check-cashing history with them, so that is why my account was limited on my attempted purchase. Doing $300 a day would have taken me over a week, and I did not have that kind of time so I went all-in and luckily was able to get my discount and the cards, using my debit account. We are now PAID IN FULL! Whoo-HOo!