Target/Disney Gift card issue

[cvjw]

OP, what a terrible situation you find yourself in. I have about stopped using Disney gift cards after reading horror story after horror story of what can go wrong. I hope you get resolution from target and don’t have to fight the post office. I had to once when they delivered an eBay package to the wrong city. I finally gave up because it was such an awful experience.

 

[Pooh2]

I had a different situation with the Post office and stolen $100 gift card recently.
I mailed a gift card in a birthday card to a family member out of state.
He never received the card so I called visa to get it replaced.

It had been used at a Walmart up the street the day after I dropped it in a USPS box in front of the post office.
The Post Master said they do not take reports on such matters as there is no proof it was one of their employees!
Walmart said they would not release any info to an individual.
Visa said since there was only .72 left on the card, they could not issue a new one.

Good luck to you OP. Hope you get more help than I did.

 

[allashore]

I recently ordered cards from BJ's my receipt shows the beginning and ending number for my batch of gift cards.

There should be some way for them to keep track of the activation numbers

I know you ordered from Target, were they shipped by Target? Sometimes certain products are shipped directly from the vendor.
Keep fighting. This is nerve racking.

How about contacting the credit card company, or is that Target? If it is Target, is there a bank that issues it?

 

[PrincessArlena'sDad]

I had a similar incident with Disney gift cards.

I ordered mine through bjs.com $800 worth of gift cards. They sent it USPS with a tracking number.

The USPS tracking said it had been delivered but I didn’t get it. As soon as I saw that the tracking said it was delivered, I contacted bjs. They said that they keep track of the gift card numbers when they sell them, in fact they have to. When they activated the gift cards, there is a record of the transaction; who paid for it and the associated card numbers. They said they would contact Disney, have those gift cards cancelled, and then issue me a refund.

Within an hour later I got a knock on my door from my mailman. He handed me the package, unopened, and said that it was delivered to the wrong house, but the person gave it back to him and he brought it to me.

I opened the envelope, checked to see that the security strip was still attached to all 8 cards, and contacted bjs.com again. They were able to contact Disney and stop the cancelation of the gift cards.

Point is Target does have a record of the gift cards they sent. When I order from bjs, I always get a print out of the receipt, which shows the transaction number and associated gift card number. Target has to have this also.

 

[Chernabog#1fan]

I had a similar incident with Disney gift cards.

I ordered mine through bjs.com $800 worth of gift cards. They sent it USPS with a tracking number.

The USPS tracking said it had been delivered but I didn’t get it. As soon as I saw that the tracking said it was delivered, I contacted bjs. They said that they keep track of the gift card numbers when they sell them, in fact they have to. When they activated the gift cards, there is a record of the transaction; who paid for it and the associated card numbers. They said they would contact Disney, have those gift cards cancelled, and then issue me a refund.

Within an hour later I got a knock on my door from my mailman. He handed me the package, unopened, and said that it was delivered to the wrong house, but the person gave it back to him and he brought it to me.

I opened the envelope, checked to see that the security strip was still attached to all 8 cards, and contacted bjs.com again. They were able to contact Disney and stop the cancelation of the gift cards.

Point is Target does have a record of the gift cards they sent. When I order from bjs, I always get a print out of the receipt, which shows the transaction number and associated gift card number. Target has to have this also.

I agree with the above. Target has to have record of the numbers as they activate them. I would still dispute it with your bank.

 

[doublesided]

It's between fedex and target, not Disney. You should file an official claim with fedex/usps. Hopefully they put insurance on the package before they sent it. That's ridiculous that Target is passing the buck, they should know how to handle a damaged/missing package.

I mention fedex since it's smartpost and they are involved.

 

[dad of 3 addicted to DCL]

Jen, I feel your pain, this is rotten. I had a situation with Target where I checked out and the card failed to activate for...reasons? Either way, I returned to Target (with my receipt) and they issued a full refund right there.

Did the ripped open envelope still have the receipt? If you bought it online, do you have the email receipt of purchase?

 

[DynamicDisneyDuo]

Jen, I feel your pain, this is rotten. I had a situation with Target where I checked out and the card failed to activate for...reasons? Either way, I returned to Target (with my receipt) and they issued a full refund right there.

I had the same issue except my store refused to do anything because it said the card activated even though Disney said it was deactivated almost immediately after activation even when I got the corporate gift card team involved. The corporate team did a refund for me.

 

[lanejudy]

I used my Target card.......ugh. But it does go through my bank account. Hmmmmmm

If it's a debit card, that is tied directly to your bank account. File a complaint with your bank. If it's a Target credit card, I believe those are through TD Bank -- call the number on the back of your card to file a complaint. Either way, it's not "Target" as in the same customer service people you have already been in contact.

And I agree with others... Target must have some record of which gift card numbers they activated for you. It might be on your receipt. Was it 1 card for $500 or 5 cards each $100 or whatever denomination. They have keep that record for inventory and accounting.

But the issue is likely either FedEx/SmartPost or the USPS. Good luck sorting it out!

 

[PrincessArlena'sDad]

You should also file a police report for the theft. Depending on your state, that could be a felony.

 

[robinb]

I had a package of Target gift cards go awry a couple years ago. They were never delivered. It took me a few weeks but Target finally replaced them, but they were Target cards and they knew the numbers. I would file a charge back on your credit card or bank. Make it their problem.

FWIW, I just found out that you can order Disney cards from Target with the 5% off and have them sent to you by email. Since I always combine my cards anyway it's even easier with cut and paste instead of typing in all those numbers.

 

[MsOnceUponATime]

Unfortunately, and sadly, gift card theft and pilfering is rampant.
OP - I'm so sorry that this has happened to you. I have been in your shoes and would rather go barefoot than deal with that chaos again.

I've had about 5 instances of gift cards being stolen through the USPS. I've also had two instances of gift cards being pilfered while on their way to me. I received the cards, but either they had already been used entirely or there was an amount missing from them and the entire original amount ($25, $50, $100) was no longer available.

I will never again purchase Visa Vanilla cards because they will not refund you a new card or take any measures to reimburse you if you're a victim of gift card fraud/theft. Imagine your child getting a $50 gift card from a relative for Christmas and the money already being gone from the gift card because hackers are plugging in random numbers and !viola! they get lucky and steal your child's gift card money before it even arrives in the mailbox! Yes, yes, one very sad child at Toys R Us when the gift card doesn't work. And very confusing and frustrating for the adults who have to deal with it.

It's my experience that some USPS workers open Christmas cards, birthday cards, or generally any cards that they think may contain gift cards. Out goes your gift card into their pocket and nobody is any the wiser, unfortunately. I can't tell you how many times I've gotten mail that was opened...

There's been a sting recently where companies mail out gift cards and track those numbers and are working in conjunction with shipping companies (and I believe the USPS) to track them and catch the insider theft.

For what it's worth, I only use my credit card to make online purchases now (and I never purchase gift cards online anymore, I do e-gift cards). My credit card company will fight the good fight for me -- as they should!

 

[lilsonicfan]

I frankly think this is Target's fault and they should be the ones resolving it (and I agree with filing a complaint through your bank / the bank that holds the Target card you used to pay). There's no bloody way that they can't pull up the gift card numbers, that is insane. How could they prove to you that they had activated each card otherwise. I would do everything you can to escalate this situation. I agree the postal service bears responsibility, but it's the SHIPPER'S responsibility to insure packages, not the customer's responsibility to file a claim with USPS.

 

[JenPinks]

If it's a debit card, that is tied directly to your bank account. File a complaint with your bank. If it's a Target credit card, I believe those are through TD Bank -- call the number on the back of your card to file a complaint. Either way, it's not "Target" as in the same customer service people you have already been in contact.

And I agree with others... Target must have some record of which gift card numbers they activated for you. It might be on your receipt. Was it 1 card for $500 or 5 cards each $100 or whatever denomination. They have keep that record for inventory and accounting.

But the issue is likely either FedEx/SmartPost or the USPS. Good luck sorting it out!

My packaging slip only states Quantity 5 - $100 Disney Cards
It is a Redcard that goes through my bank, so I will call them as well. The fact that Target is telling me that its just my loss has me fuming.

 

[JenPinks]

Unfortunately, and sadly, gift card theft and pilfering is rampant.
OP - I'm so sorry that this has happened to you. I have been in your shoes and would rather go barefoot than deal with that chaos again.

I've had about 5 instances of gift cards being stolen through the USPS. I've also had two instances of gift cards being pilfered while on their way to me. I received the cards, but either they had already been used entirely or there was an amount missing from them and the entire original amount ($25, $50, $100) was no longer available.

I will never again purchase Visa Vanilla cards because they will not refund you a new card or take any measures to reimburse you if you're a victim of gift card fraud/theft. Imagine your child getting a $50 gift card from a relative for Christmas and the money already being gone from the gift card because hackers are plugging in random numbers and !viola! they get lucky and steal your child's gift card money before it even arrives in the mailbox! Yes, yes, one very sad child at Toys R Us when the gift card doesn't work. And very confusing and frustrating for the adults who have to deal with it.

It's my experience that some USPS workers open Christmas cards, birthday cards, or generally any cards that they think may contain gift cards. Out goes your gift card into their pocket and nobody is any the wiser, unfortunately. I can't tell you how many times I've gotten mail that was opened...

There's been a sting recently where companies mail out gift cards and track those numbers and are working in conjunction with shipping companies (and I believe the USPS) to track them and catch the insider theft.

For what it's worth, I only use my credit card to make online purchases now (and I never purchase gift cards online anymore, I do e-gift cards). My credit card company will fight the good fight for me -- as they should!

Ahhhhhh good to know, I will contact Wells Fargo and go from there as well as filing a police report.

 

[JenPinks]

I frankly think this is Target's fault and they should be the ones resolving it (and I agree with filing a complaint through your bank / the bank that holds the Target card you used to pay). There's no bloody way that they can't pull up the gift card numbers, that is insane. How could they prove to you that they had activated each card otherwise. I would do everything you can to escalate this situation. I agree the postal service bears responsibility, but it's the SHIPPER'S responsibility to insure packages, not the customer's responsibility to file a claim with USPS.

I agree 100%. How do I know the cards were even mailed in the packaging, if FedEx stole them why did USPS even accept a damaged package.....a bunch of questions that need to be answered. But Target has really disappointed me with their attitude.

 

[iivye]

I had a similar situation with Sam's Club and $300 in Disney gift cards. They sent them Fed Ex and Fed Ex showed delivered but I never got them. I contacted Fed Ex who said only Sam's Club could initiate the investigation so I contacted Sam's Club and they started the investigation. Fed Ex investigated and said they were left at my door so not their fault and Sam's Club tried to say it shipped and was delivered so not their fault either. I just kept calling Sam's Club customer service until a representative refunded the money. After that I got a camera for my window so I could see for sure when items are delivered.

 

[71 Truck]

A few weeks ago a big box store we buy from was selling gift cards on line at a good discount price. The gift cards were to be mailed. Before we would buy them I called the customer service number for the big box store with a few questions.
First question, are the cards activated before shipping or when I received them. Answer, before we ship them.
Second Question, How do they ship. Answer, Fedex.
Third question, Do you insure your package. Answer, I never got a straight answer.
Fourth question, Is a signature required at delivery. Answer, yes witch is why they did not give me a straight answer on question 3.
The reason I was concerned about insurance, in the past we have had packages delivered by different delivery company's that required a signature that were just left at the door. I was not going to take a chance with gift cards.
In the end we decided not to order the cards.
I am sorry the op has to go through this.
I hope everything works out for you.

 

[IrishEye]

That seems to be the biggest question for Target, why did they not require a signature for a $ 500 purchase. The bad news is the USPS is legally not responsible, they are a currier and are responsible only for "damaged" product delivery. The seller has a responsibility to have the product delivered to the purchasing party, through whatever means are listed on the seller delivery agreement, available to review at time of purchase. The gift card numbers are retrievable, unless someone on the seller's end messed something up, of stole the cards themselves and used record manipulation to cover it up. Your purchase agreement with Target provides arbitration for settlement of disputes in the Minneapolis area, inform them you will be initiating the arbitration process. You do not need an attorney for arbitration and it is unlikely an arbitrator is going to give a lot of credence to Target's argument they do not keep records of who they sent which gift cards to.

The dispute over whether the currier performed appropriately is a dispute between Target and USPS, you have no legal standing in that claim.

Good luck and speak only to the department manager regarding your issue, they have experience with this issue before.

 

[lds0191]

My experience: I lost a Disney gift card between Target and home. Target basically said not their problem. They did watch security video to make sure I did take it from the register and get out of the store with no incident. It took a little work to figure out who to talk to but Disney does have a designated line for this problem. I had my receipt from Target with the card numbers, etc., and Disney was able to disable the lost card and transfer the $$ to another gift card that I had saved. I can not remember how long it took but I don't think if was more than a day or so.