Gift Card issues at the RBCC

[caniac_26]

Hey - just wondering if anyone has ever had an issue (and had it resolved) with an RBCC gift card. I was given one as a Christmas gift - the small envelope it was in said it had a balance of $60 - but when I attempted to use it for food/drinks at the Devils game, it read a $0 balance after being swiped. I'm guessing it wasn't activated properly at the time of purchase? Since it was a gift, I didn't have the receipt to prove how much was supposed to be on the card. :(

Anyone have any insight? I've sent an email to Guest Services explaining my situation, but I haven't gotten a response yet.

[ontheboards]

I supect you may have to speak with the gift giver as well...

[caniac_26]

^ Yes, I've mentioned it to the gift-giver, who is unsure of the where-abouts of the receipt. They did, however, use a VISA/debit card to make the purchase, so there IS some sort of paper trail.

[caniac_26]

Update (if anyone's interested):

I never got a response to my email, but after calling the RBC Center box office and speaking to the manager there, he was able to back track the payment and the correct amount was applied to the card within a day. :)

[kermelbar]

^ Yes, I've mentioned it to the gift-giver, who is unsure of the where-abouts of the receipt. They did, however, use a VISA/debit card to make the purchase, so there IS some sort of paper trail.

For this reason, I think it is a very wise idea to hang onto gift card receipts. If you're mailing it (esp in a card and not a package), either keep the receipt or make note of the gift card information -- thieves (whether within the USPS or someone watching a mailbox) can and do easily tell that a gift card is in an envelope and will slit it open, steal the card and send the envelope along. (Or, more honestly, your envelope is not well sealed and the gift card comes out with no way to know where it belongs. I take the extra step of securely taping the gift card to the greeting card.)

A couple of years ago, a co-worker sent gift cards to friends who had just suffered serious fire damage to their home. The home wasn't completely destroyed, but the friends did have to move into a hotel for a bit, but mail was still being delivered at their home. The envelope and thinking-of-you card was in the mailbox, but had been slit open and the gift cards had been stolen. It might have happened while it was in transit or, considering the house fire, could have been done by someone just checking the mailbox in case s/he got lucky. Luckily, my co-worker had written a note about the gift cards, so they knew they were missing and immediately notified her. And thankfully, she had kept a note of the gift card numbers and promptly called the stores (at least one was Target) and they were canceled and possibly flagged for theft.

No, I'm not making it up or being extra paranoid. (http://blog.giftcardrescue.com/gift-card-fraud-scam-series-part-ii/)

[caniac369]

KB, I had never thought of that but it certainly makes sense. And thank goodness in your scenario the receipt was available.

[Jay]

Update (if anyone's interested):

I never got a response to my email, but after calling the RBC Center box office and speaking to the manager there, he was able to back track the payment and the correct amount was applied to the card within a day. :)

RBC Center, except for the securinazis, have great customer service. Back when Francis' #10 was retired, I lost my ticket to it (bought at box office)... they just asked for the last 4 of my credit card, the time and amount of charge, and they reprinted the ticket.

I don't know if that level of service is normal, but I certainly was thrilled by it.