Can I get a CC Gift Card to be accepted if it was declined at checkout?

[ChefBeckyD]

Is there a trick to getting a CC Gift Card be accepted? I have a lady who actually opened her envelope with a gift card from AMEX at checkout (so I knew she hadn't used it before) to pay for an order. The order was around $80, so she paid $50 on the card (the amount of the card) and the rest in a check. Now, I submitted the show, and the card was declined. Not sure how to go about it from here...

 

[minirottie]

I thought someone had said we couldn't use Amex/Visa type gift cards on shows?

 

[chefsteph07]

They have to be activated first...if the customer just opened it up, she clearly didn't call the 800 # to do that...I just accepted a gift card as payment a few weeks ago and I asked my customer if it was active. That may be the issue. I'd call the customer and find out.

 

[ChefBeckyD]

They have to be activated first...if the customer just opened it up, she clearly didn't call the 800 # to do that...I just accepted a gift card as payment a few weeks ago and I asked my customer if it was active. That may be the issue. I'd call the customer and find out.

Ahhhh...I think you're probably right! Thanks Steph!

 

[NooraK]

Or it could be the zip code issue. She may have to register the card on their website with her address for it to work.

Then again, I did hear a news story about a new scam with gift cards... perpetrators copy the card numbers and wait for you to purchase them, then use up the funds before you have a chance to.

 

[ChefBeckyD]

Or it could be the zip code issue. She may have to register the card on their website with her address for it to work.

Then again, I did hear a news story about a new scam with gift cards... perpetrators copy the card numbers and wait for you to purchase them, then use up the funds before you have a chance to.

This was a gift card sent as a rebate for an appliance purchase.

 

[esavvymom]

Most of those gift cards (Visa/Amex/MC) should have been activated when the card was purchased - that is why they pay the $5 fee, etc. So I don't know that she'd have to call the number.But she will have to register it I believe- to have an associated zip-code. Otherwise our CC system won't process it without a zip-code.