Update: Returns to a lost Visa gift card or lessons learned

elpgal

I returned some items to BR which were originally paid for with a Visa gift card. Instead of getting cash back, the money went back to the gift card which I had promptly tossed when The balance was depleted. BR is trying to help but I am not optimistic.

You all probably follow these rules but here goes:
1. Ideally use gift cards for purchases that don't have to be returned i.e. gas, meals

2. If you buy something that needs to be returned, save the gift card.

3. It is best to register the gift card if it has a large balance.

Update: Situation happily resolved by BR customer service. Visa was a pain to deal with but BR was able to reverse the transaction (or eat the loss, not sure which) and issue me a BR gift card which is what is supposed to be their normal procedure.

8 years ago

Off Topic

8 replies

Latest reply was from Glory

catseye

Veteran

I am sorry that this happened. I hope after an appropriate time BR can give you the refund.

Good reminder of the rules for using gift cards.

8 years ago

Anonymous

That is strange. When I returned something at GAP they put the return amount on their own gift card instead of the Visa gift card I used. That was a few months ago.

You would think they would give you a store gift card or at least the choice of getting a store gift card.

8 years ago

anne

Veteran

Wow - I had never thought of that. I rely on gift cards for quite a high proportion of my clothes shopping (I get them through my credit card).
I'll remember to keep the cards.

8 years ago

Gigi

Veteran

Thanks for posting this. I have been using a Visa gift card to make purchases, and I hadn't thought about keeping it around once the balance is depleted. Good idea to use it for nonreturnables only. I'm sorry this happened to you!

Can BR not return your money to a plain vanillla credit card? I know that when I go to Nordstrom, if I am returning items that were paid for on two different cards, I am allowed to pick a single card for the return amount. Sometimes the retailer doesn't care where the money goes as long as they're not giving out cash for what was a credit purchase.

8 years ago

elpgal

Veteran

Yeah, this is the first time this has happened so I was quite surprised. I paid for part of the purchase with a regular credit card and the rest with this gift card. When I returned the items,the SA told me that the money would go back to my card and I didn't think to check till I got home.
Both Visa and BR have been giving me the run around. The crux of the matter is that Visa cannot declare the card 'lost' unless they have the card number and BR customer service does not store it at cash register point. There is a special department that handles returns to gift cards at BR. You cannot hlget in touch with them but you can send them a message through customer service and wait for them to call you back.

8 years ago

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

I wonder if this is an anti-fraud/theft thing.
In my neighborhood there is a huge rash of package thefts & car break ins. I could see the thieves trying to return the items, even if the credit is returned to a store gift card they can still sell the gift card

8 years ago

elpgal

Veteran

You are right, it likely is. But in this case it was an actual Visa card. Entirely my mistake for not registering it.

8 years ago

Glory

Veteran

Gosh I am sorry to hear about this. Hopefully it will be resolved. Thanks for these reminders and tips.

8 years ago

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