Need to buy $5400 worth of Disney gift cards...

[LMN]

I need to purchase $5400 worth of Disney gift cards this weekend to pay for an upcoming trip. I plan on using my 5% Target debit card (which I've had for almost 2 years) and my 5% pharmacy rewards card.

I see within the past few weeks that some people are reporting Target is no longer allowing the pharmacy rewards card. I'm going to try and use it. I didn't receive notice from Target that they changed the terms of their rewards program and all they can say is no, right? Do you think this varies by store or is it across the board at all stores?

My main question: I think I recall that people have had various degrees of success in purchasing these larger amounts of gift cards. It seems like it might be tied to the length of time you've had your Target debit card. Has anyone tried to purchase a large sum of gift cards with a Target debit card that they've had for 2 years and been unsuccessful?? Successful? I would appreciate hearing feedback about your specific circumstances. I'm a little leery about trying to buy $5400 worth of cards on the same day. The money is in my bank account, but I hate to be denied. How embarassing. Plus, if the pharmacy rewards works, its only good for 1 day.

Thanks for your help!

 

[lauti]

You won't be able to use the pharm rewards so if that's a deal breaker for you then consider the effort of ringing them up only to be denied. The cashier can't/won't do anything to override it.

As for purchasing that many at one time I'd first confirm your store has enough then perhaps call or speak to a manager to make sure it won't be a problem ringing you up. The limits for the debit card can depend on your bank but I'm not sure you'd know if they won't allow it until you try.

 

[bumbershoot]

Do you think this varies by store or is it across the board at all stores?

It's across the board. Unless your particular Target is full of employees that didn't read their corporate emails, and they find a way to override their systems, you're not getting the pharmacy rewards on this purchase. Just gotta be blunt, because it's better that you know this now rather than be embarrassed later.

Don't know about the limit; I think that's an algorithm that only Target knows, based on how you've used your debit red card over the last 2 years.



Remember that the GCs are going to be in, I believe, $50 increments.

 

[REWALKER04]

My sisters store let her use hers a week ago for 3000$. They had to override the system but she was able to get it and also her target red card wouldn't let her get it all in one transaction so they let her do the rest with her regular debit card but still gave her the 9.75% discount! So there is a SMALL chance it would work if you talk to a manager or something and tell them that you were never notified and says NO where on the card you cant. My sisters store let her because the target red card let it so they said that she should be able to use that too SO like I said there is a SMALL chance lol!

 

[Nicolette11785]

I just applied for the card and saw this....

For security and fraud protection, there are limits on the total dollar amount of purchases that can be made with the card, which could be as low as $100 initially. There are daily limit triggers on the number of times the card can be used.

I think it all depends how long you have had your card, etc. I would ask a manager. Maybe also do a few transactions if you can.

 

[LindseyLou2222]

It's across the board. Unless your particular Target is full of employees that didn't read their corporate emails, and they find a way to override their systems, you're not getting the pharmacy rewards on this purchase. Just gotta be blunt, because it's better that you know this now rather than be embarrassed later.

Don't know about the limit; I think that's an algorithm that only Target knows, based on how you've used your debit red card over the last 2 years.



Remember that the GCs are going to be in, I believe, $50 increments.

Do you know when this started? We were able to use our pharmacy rewards card for the purchase last November. We hoping to do so for our upcoming trip. Boo

 

[Marionnette]

Do you know when this started? We were able to use our pharmacy rewards card for the purchase last November. We hoping to do so for our upcoming trip. Boo

It happened about 2.5 - 3 weeks ago. Target did it with no warning and they made no official announcement to the general public. However, management was made aware of it and should have notified their staff.

Of course, I had just earned another reward right before it happened. Fortunately, I had made a huge purchase just prior to my trip in March, so I have plenty for my upcoming trips and DVC dues.

 

[LindseyLou2222]

Well shoot! Target sure isn't earning any brownie points with me lately.

 

[crisi]

My sisters store let her use hers a week ago for 3000$. They had to override the system but she was able to get it and also her target red card wouldn't let her get it all in one transaction so they let her do the rest with her regular debit card but still gave her the 9.75% discount! So there is a SMALL chance it would work if you talk to a manager or something and tell them that you were never notified and says NO where on the card you cant. My sisters store let her because the target red card let it so they said that she should be able to use that too SO like I said there is a SMALL chance lol!

According to a friend at corporate, they are firing associates and even managers who do the override (I'm in the Twin Cities, I know a lot of people at Target corporate....)

 

[T4K]

Also know the Red card has a daily limit, too. So you may have to do it over a few days. I'm not completely sure on that though.

 

[havaneselover]

According to a friend at corporate, they are firing associates and even managers who do the override (I'm in the Twin Cities, I know a lot of people at Target corporate....)

If the policy has been communicated clearly, they should. It's not a manager or an associate's decision to give away Target's money.

 

[karliebug]

Does your target even have that many cards available?

 

[Jewel3k]

The Target's I go to easily have that amount available every time I go in. We have decided that purchasing the cards at a grocery store that has fuel perks with an airline credit card is the best bang for our buck now that the additional 5% is gone.

I have the credit red card and have been buying them $2,000 at at time with no problems.

 

[LMN]

OP here: just wanted to chime in and give you all an update!

I went to my Target. They had plenty of cards, but only $50 denominations. So I took 109 up to the service center (didn't want to clog the registers) and one of the managers rang me up. The register wouldn't let them ring up more than 100 cards at a time; which was not a big deal. He even gave me the 5% pharmacy rewards on top of my 5% Target debit card. But the transaction wouldn't go thru on my Target debit card. He said there were limits and if I wanted to use another form of payment he would give me the 10% discount. I used my Visa credit/debit card and it still wouldn't go thru! Talked to Visa Fraud prevention who verified they did not have a block on my card, but they couldn't tell me why the transaction wasnt going thru. I bet my bank has some kindof block on it. I understand why they have to be like this, but it is frustrating and embarrassing to not have access to my own funds!
So, I'm going to call my bank the minute they open tomorrow morning and then go back to Target. The manager suspended my sale, so we'll finish up tomorrow morning (hopefully!) Will keep you all posted....

 

[MacDalt]

OP here: just wanted to chime in and give you all an update!

I went to my Target. They had plenty of cards, but only $50 denominations. So I took 109 up to the service center (didn't want to clog the registers) and one of the managers rang me up. The register wouldn't let them ring up more than 100 cards at a time; which was not a big deal. He even gave me the 5% pharmacy rewards on top of my 5% Target debit card. But the transaction wouldn't go thru on my Target debit card. He said there were limits and if I wanted to use another form of payment he would give me the 10% discount. I used my Visa credit/debit card and it still wouldn't go thru! Talked to Visa Fraud prevention who verified they did not have a block on my card, but they couldn't tell me why the transaction wasnt going thru. I bet my bank has some kindof block on it. I understand why they have to be like this, but it is frustrating and embarrassing to not have access to my own funds!
So, I'm going to call my bank the minute they open tomorrow morning and then go back to Target. The manager suspended my sale, so we'll finish up tomorrow morning (hopefully!) Will keep you all posted....

Good luck!! Hope it works out!!

 

[bumbershoot]

Good luck!! Hope it works out!!

But if it does, sounds like that manager is going to be fired once corporate finds out. For his sake, I hope it doesn't work.

 

[SUSIEQ]

But if it does, sounds like that manager is going to be fired once corporate finds out. For his sake, I hope it doesn't work.

That's just what I was thinking.

 

[gigi1313]

But if it does, sounds like that manager is going to be fired once corporate finds out. For his sake, I hope it doesn't work.

My thoughts exactly!

 

[MacDalt]

But if it does, sounds like that manager is going to be fired once corporate finds out. For his sake, I hope it doesn't work.

Yikes! Hope he's not fired!

 

[FairestOfThemAll37]

Yikes! Hope he's not fired!

I get so torn on this, reading these target threads. On the one hand, there's no way I could personally ask for something that could potentially lose somebody their job to save me $200. On the other hand I do understand people who say I'm looking out for me, the employees know the rules and it's up to them. As I'm one who had a strong belief in personal responsibility.


These coupons! I like to save money but I've never seen a coupon without limitations or deals that haven't changed over time. I don't know why people think target owes them this!