The Dreaded Simon Gift Card

[gottaluvdis]

DD10 received a $25.00 Simon Mall giftcard for Christmas. I hate these things and refuse to buy them with all the fees and rules. Can anyone recommend the best way to use the darn thing so we can get rid of it all at once? The fine print stated that you can't purchase something over the amount on the card, or it won't be accepted. It's a debit card of some sort. I want to take DD to the Mall soon so we can use it before fees incur etc. I'd love to hear the best suggestions for using it up without incurring fees, preferably in one shot. Thanks in advance!

 

[HayGan]

Is it a Visa Logo card? Those can be used at Toys R Us as partial payment. When you go to check out you click the Partial Payment button run it through and enter the amount. I learned this last year with an AMEX gift card. I had to figure it out as the TRU workers were clueless.

Most stores in the mall should be able to do a partial payment as well between the gift card and cash.

 

[ducklite]

DH used one that I had gotten from work last year at a mall, he applied the value on the card ($25 I think) towards a much larger purchase with no problem.

Anne

 

[JNorris]

DD10 received a $25.00 Simon Mall giftcard for Christmas. I hate these things and refuse to buy them with all the fees and rules. Can anyone recommend the best way to use the darn thing so we can get rid of it all at once? The fine print stated that you can't purchase something over the amount on the card, or it won't be accepted. It's a debit card of some sort. I want to take DD to the Mall soon so we can use it before fees incur etc. I'd love to hear the best suggestions for using it up without incurring fees, preferably in one shot. Thanks in advance!

If it's like a Visa gift card, I've seen it suggested here somewhere to take it into whatever store you want to spend it in, and use it to buy a store gift card for the exact amount of money on the debit card, and then you can use it in that store like a regular gift card.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong. I've got a Visa gift card that I have yet to use yet, but this is what I'm going to do.

 

[HayGan]

Is it a Visa Logo card? Those can be used at Toys R Us as partial payment. When you go to check out you click the Partial Payment button run it through and enter the amount. I learned this last year with an AMEX gift card. I had to figure it out as the TRU workers were clueless.

Most stores in the mall should be able to do a partial payment as well between the gift card and cash.

 

[caribear]

All you have to do is keep your receipts to remember how much you spend. If you spend $12 at Target....then at the next store you tell the cashier to charge $13 on the card and then pay the rest with another form of payment.

 

[summerrluvv]

I received two of these and had no problem using them on a $99.xx order at Babies R Us yesterday. The cashier just keyed in $50 payment using the first one, and $49.xx for the second card. The receipt even showed my balance remaining on the Simon gift card (which was around .12 or so). Went through without a problem

 

[Darcy03231]

I've used them as a partial payment without any problem at all. The only fees involved that I am aware of are the activation fee (buyer pays at time of purchase - here its $2) and if you don't use it in a year they charge a monthly maintenance fee.

 

[Gillian]

I think my kids got something like this as well. They're Visa logo gift cards. Do people get a discount on these or something?

Anyway, I think using them to buy store gift cards for the same amount is what we're going to try to do. We just have to decide what store.

 

[ohiominnie]

Grandma bought these for the kids for Christmas this year and I was less than impressed. We do have a Simon Mall by us, but it's old and run down and 1/2 the stores are empty (and the ones that are there are not ones my kids would shop at) Grandma should know this because it's right near where she used to live. I joked with ds that he could buy $50 worth of Auntie Anne's pretzels.

But then Grandma said on the phone that they can be used ANYWHERE that takes Visa. When I read the small print on the back it does say "use anywhere where Visa is accepted."

We haven't tried to use it yet, but hopefully soon so I can get rid of the darn things (like my kids need anymore right now!)

 

[Traveliz]

You can definitely use the Simon Gift cards like a Visa debit card - they can be used anywhere Visa is accepted...and not just at the Simon Malls.

I am not sure why anyone would take one and buy another gift card with it - just use it to buy what you want to begin with.

Alot of people around here got them and they all loved them.

Liz

 

[cats mom]

I do exactly what Judy suggested.

I decide what store I want to use it at and I use the entire amount to buy a gift card for that particular store.

I actually think using a partial amount etc. with the Simon/Visa cards can be done pretty easily, it's just that a lot of the sales folks just don't know the proper procedures. I've had to stand and wait for a manager to come and walk a sales clerk through a transaction using a visa card - took FOREVER!

They know the procedures and can can deal with gift cards for their store much more easily - so that's the route I usually go.

 

[Sammy]

Even with the fees, I love to give these, and my kids love to get them. Because they are Visa logo debit cards, they can be used ANYWHERE! One DD uses them at the movies, my other loves to take hers to Toys R Us or Target. DS usually uses his at American Eagle or EBGames. You can even use them online as well.

As far as keeping track of the balance, there's a customer service # on the card.....no charge to call and check your balance if you happen to lose track. I usually write the balance on the back of the card itself with fine-point permanent marker. In this case, "permanent" is relative, because it easily wipes off with alcohol when I have to change it!

And, they've changed the policy about incurring fees after so many months of carrying a balance. It used to be they charged you $2.50 if the card still had a balance at the 6-month mark. Now, that's been changed to the 13th month after purchase. I don't know about your kids, but mine usually have all their Christmas gift cards spent by the end of January!! So they never have to worry about the monthly charge!

Sammy

 

[gottaluvdis]

Wow, thanks for the replies! Yes, her card does have the Visa logo (debit card), so it's nice to hear she can use it anywhere. I must have read some of the fine print wrong, because it sounded like you couldn't buy something for less than the $25 amount and carry a balance. I thought that was weird. I love the suggestion to use it at the movies - she wants to see a bunch of films that are currently out. I'll just write whatever the left-over balance is on the card back as she uses it, but I'd still prefer she use most (if not all) of it sooner rather than later. It's nice to see that it's not as restrictive as I thought. I really didn't want to take her to the Mall!

 

[summerrluvv]

I think my kids got something like this as well. They're Visa logo gift cards. Do people get a discount on these or something?

Anyway, I think using them to buy store gift cards for the same amount is what we're going to try to do. We just have to decide what store.

People don't typically get discounts when purchasing the gift cards, they actually pay a fee to get them. It's a better option than a store specific card because they can be used anywhere that takes Visa.

 

[Hedy]

Even with the fees, I love to give these, and my kids love to get them. Because they are Visa logo debit cards, they can be used ANYWHERE! One DD uses them at the movies, my other loves to take hers to Toys R Us or Target. DS usually uses his at American Eagle or EBGames. You can even use them online as well.

As far as keeping track of the balance, there's a customer service # on the card.....no charge to call and check your balance if you happen to lose track. I usually write the balance on the back of the card itself with fine-point permanent marker. In this case, "permanent" is relative, because it easily wipes off with alcohol when I have to change it!

And, they've changed the policy about incurring fees after so many months of carrying a balance. It used to be they charged you $2.50 if the card still had a balance at the 6-month mark. Now, that's been changed to the 13th month after purchase. I don't know about your kids, but mine usually have all their Christmas gift cards spent by the end of January!! So they never have to worry about the monthly charge!

Sammy

Agreed. I've never given one, but I've gotten them, and used them at stores, Chef Mickeys, bookstores, etc. I'm a fan, personally.

 

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

i can't stand these cards! haah! we just had too many problems with them last year!

 

[cats mom]

Wow, thanks for the replies! Yes, her card does have the Visa logo (debit card), so it's nice to hear she can use it anywhere. I must have read some of the fine print wrong, because it sounded like you couldn't buy something for less than the $25 amount and carry a balance. I thought that was weird. I love the suggestion to use it at the movies - she wants to see a bunch of films that are currently out. I'll just write whatever the left-over balance is on the card back as she uses it, but I'd still prefer she use most (if not all) of it sooner rather than later. It's nice to see that it's not as restrictive as I thought. I really didn't want to take her to the Mall!

I'd still apply the full $25 toward say an AMC card (or whatever theatre your DD likes to go to) but that's just me.

Like I said I've had to stand and wait FOREVER for a manager to walk a store clerk through a sale using a visa gift card (I knew exactly how much was left on the card and was prepared to pay the remaining balance in cash btw) They still had a tough time figuring out how to do the transaction.

But it sounds like other folks have used them without problems.

 

[ICF]

Find a store that she would like to use it at, and buy a gift certificate of equal value of the Simon card there.

I agree, those cards are a pain in the @#$!!

 

[eeyore45]

i can't stand these cards! haah! we just had too many problems with them last year!

I agree - I just dont understand why people bother with fees, expirations, and cards that the balnce can be lost (due to magnets etc)... I love the good old fashion CASH!!! MIL gave the kids tiny little boxes (I think she got them at WalMart) and put CASH in them!! Perfect size, doesnt expire, can be washed (not recommended btw!!)

Those tricky marketers have the public fooled into purchasing gift cards!!