New Simon Gift Card - Can't Reg

[golden_monkey]

Just picked up at $20 Simon gift card. Went online to register it but it looks like you can only register the visa and mastercards. The one issued says AMEX

their site says this

Most merchants do not require you to register your American Express Gift Card before making an on-line purchase. Should you have any difficulty using your American Express Gift Card on-line, please call 1-800-331-5479.

Paypal says it can't verify and to please try another.

How do I get this card working? Call the 800?

[Sooner]

Great ~ I purchased a Simon AMEX GC last weekend and was planning to use it within the next few days to verify a new eB and P account. I can still spend the $20 on the card but cannot use it for verification purposes AND I wasted $2.95 to purchase the card. Ugh!

I checked online at the Simon site and they show numerous AMEX card designs and only two Visa card designs. The shipping cost is $5.95 for regular shipping (7-10 business days) and $16.95 for express shipping (3-5 business days).

KingRay has said he uses Simon cards. KR ~ do you use the AMEX or Visa Simon card? Also, do you order your cards online or go to your local mall and pick them up?

[Sooner]

I just called my local Simon mall location and found out they do sell the Visa giftcards for $3.95 ($1.00 more than an AMEX giftcard). Both can be purchased in values of $20.00 to $500.00. He said the differences between the Visa card and AMEX card are:

VISA
Monthly Fees: $2.95 after twelve consecutive months of inactivity
Lost/Stolen Card Replacement: $15.00
Card expires 7 years after issuance

AMEX
Monthly Fees: No fees after purchase
Lost/Stolen Card Replacement: Free
Card expires 7 years after issuance

He was really pushing the AMEX because of the no fees after purchase and free replacement cost. I'm obviously not worried about this things because I'm only going to be using the card to verify my eB and P accounts.

I guess I'll make another trip to the mall for a couple of Visa cards.

Hope this info helps!

[KingRay]

Originally Posted by Sooner

Great ~ I purchased a Simon AMEX GC last weekend and was planning to use it within the next few days to verify a new eB and P account. I can still spend the $20 on the card but cannot use it for verification purposes AND I wasted $2.95 to purchase the card. Ugh!

I checked online at the Simon site and they show numerous AMEX card designs and only two Visa card designs. The shipping cost is $5.95 for regular shipping (7-10 business days) and $16.95 for express shipping (3-5 business days).

KingRay has said he uses Simon cards. KR ~ do you use the AMEX or Visa Simon card? Also, do you order your cards online or go to your local mall and pick them up?

Never even heard of Simon having AMex cards. I have used them for years and have only been offered the Visa cards every time. Just got one yesterday too. I get them at the local mall reception desk.

[rsot]

Good stuff - I think that AmEx gift cards in general are bugged for pp purposes. BUT (and I have not confirmed this), few well-experience peeps have told me it should work ok for eb.

[Sooner]

When I went to the Mall this past weekend I was offered six different AMEX cards, all with a different design. Three of the cards had a $2.95 service fee and three of the cards had a $3.95 service fee. I remember the "fight breast cancer" card had a $3.95 service fee. I purchased a card with a $2.95 service fee. I was not offered either of the two Visa designs. I guess the mall in my area (Dallas) prefers to push the AMEX cards. The guy I spoke with on the phone was very enthusiastic about the AMEX cards and not so much regarding the Visa cards.

I wonder if I can use the AMEX card I bought last weekend to purchase a new Visa card?

[golden_monkey]

Seems they push the AMEX cards so hard around here you don't even have a clue they have them. I wasn't even offered a choice and just given the AMEX. Called them up and they have the VISA, guess you have to go up there and demand one on contact.

Well I did call the number on teh back of this AMEX and get the card verified to a name but no use even trying anymore, i'll just spend the card and get a VISA!

[unkown5454]

Good post here peeps. Solid information all around. Glad to know to stick with Visa.

[rsot]

Some places will allow you to buy one gift card with another - most of the time look for the cashiers who are new or who look clueless. Technically, you can't but it will get through.

[spookycloud]

so these simon giftcards you can register as long as there visa, does it matter if you buy them instore or online? In the past I remember just buying a $20 visa online but can you register these?

[rsot]

Sadly my discussion of Simon cards kind of ends here - I have not used them at all yet - currently experimenting with Vanilla Visa and what not.

[Sooner]

I bought two $20.00 Simon Visa giftcards today at our local mall. I used the AMEX card I bought last weekend to purchase one of the two Visa cards ~ yeah! I was able to register both Visa cards online using the stealth info for two separate eB/P accounts.

I registered my new bank account and the Simon card with P. Do I use this same card for eB? Does either eB or P take any monies from the card? When can I use the card for personal purchases? These are my first two stealth accounts and want to make sure I do everything correctly. Thanks!

[KingRay]

Those cards are not reloadable so you would have to get another card for ebay. In that case go to walmart and get a re-loadable greendot gift card. They are $3 to load and min $20. THey have a $3 monthly user fee as well that pulls out on or around the 17th of each month.

That way when you get the email from ebay about fees coming out soon you can just fill it up with that amount and not mess with paypal for paying fees. YOu can do it either way but if you dont want to use pp for fees just use the greendot.

[Sooner]

Thanks KingRay! When can I use the $20.00 on the card? We are going out of state this weekend for a college football game and I would like to be able to use the money on the card. Is it safe to use the money on the card after the card has been verified P?

[KingRay]

Yeah, I think it says something like 10 minutes and you can use it. To be sure 100% just call that number on the card and check the balance. Most cards I have ever had when trying to get a balance on a card that isnt fully registered says "account blocked until activation complete" or similar message.

If it shows balance you should be good to go. Especially regular purchases. Most of the time the only issue might be if you were to want to use it online as soon as you register.