1. #1
    stevek173
    stevek173's Avatar Become A Pro!
    Join Date: 03-29-08
    Posts: 27,589
    Betpoints: 5964

    Very interesting fact about VC/** Gift Credit/Debit Cards

    Found this out today. I received a $100 Card from a business contact. I spent $28.17.

    I went to a Sunoco last night on the way to my girl's house to buy $10 of gas with the card. Today I go to use it and it has a zero balance. I clearly thought I forgot to say no receipt or whatever and that some douche behind me bought $71.83 in gas, so I was ready to dispute the charge. Here is the interesting part.

    If you use a gift card to buy fuel and pay at the pump they put a $75 additional authorization on the card.

    Massive amount for that. Good to know that no one ripped me off and that it will be credited back to me when the merchant settles the actual $10 amount.

    Just thought I would make a note of that for all of you who received gift cards this holiday season. That is weird. I am very glad that when me and my girl had dinner last night and I ripped out the card to pay that she insisted on paying. I mean sure I could have with my bank debit card or cash, but that would just have been embarrassing.

  2. #2
    Footballtime
    Footballtime's Avatar Become A Pro!
    Join Date: 01-20-10
    Posts: 3,229
    Betpoints: 159

    I own a business and they do that everytime a van gets gas, that why we fill up completely, which takes around 75.00-80.00.

  3. #3
    stevek173
    stevek173's Avatar Become A Pro!
    Join Date: 03-29-08
    Posts: 27,589
    Betpoints: 5964

    Quote Originally Posted by Footballtime View Post
    I own a business and they do that everytime a van gets gas, that why we fill up completely, which takes around 75.00-80.00.
    Yeah. Weird. They say if you pay in the store you avoid it. Glad to know nobody's van filled up on my dime.

  4. #4
    Jrod124
    Update your status
    Jrod124's Avatar Become A Pro!
    Join Date: 10-31-09
    Posts: 5,622
    Betpoints: 535

    just go in the store and have them turn the pump on. I do that at my local station

  5. #5
    chilidog
    chilidog's Avatar Become A Pro!
    Join Date: 04-05-09
    Posts: 10,304
    Betpoints: 956

    Sure, they have to do it this way now. When you first swipe your card, it does a pre-auth to make sure that you have the funds available to pay for the gas. The pre-auth amount used to be $1, but I guess too many people were ripping them off by not having the full funds available on the card to pay for the full amount of gas that they used, so now the pre-auth charge is a lot more.

  6. #6
    ronjon619
    California Uber Alles
    ronjon619's Avatar Become A Pro!
    Join Date: 09-06-09
    Posts: 3,675
    Betpoints: 144

    Quote Originally Posted by Jrod124 View Post
    just go in the store and have them turn the pump on. I do that at my local station

  7. #7
    stevek173
    stevek173's Avatar Become A Pro!
    Join Date: 03-29-08
    Posts: 27,589
    Betpoints: 5964

    Yeah it's funny how they have to adjust everything to account for the douchebags. Just didn't want others thinking they got ripped off and calling the merchant and the CC company like I did.

  8. #8
    stevek173
    stevek173's Avatar Become A Pro!
    Join Date: 03-29-08
    Posts: 27,589
    Betpoints: 5964

    Quote Originally Posted by ronjon619 View Post
    I know that now. I was in a rush to go get laid lol.

  9. #9
    KKoz9
    KKoz9's Avatar Become A Pro!
    Join Date: 09-07-06
    Posts: 1,982
    Betpoints: 114

    Go in and ask for $20 and there won't be any pre-auth

  10. #10
    mighty maron
    USA Bra over 2.5
    mighty maron's Avatar Become A Pro!
    Join Date: 04-20-09
    Posts: 4,215
    Betpoints: 85

    The money will be back on in like 10 business days

  11. #11
    maxvalue1
    maxvalue1's Avatar Become A Pro!
    Join Date: 11-08-10
    Posts: 350
    Betpoints: 79

    interesting...thanks for the info

  12. #12
    nosniboR11
    fu
    nosniboR11's Avatar Become A Pro!
    Join Date: 09-02-08
    Posts: 10,042

    Quote Originally Posted by stevek173 View Post
    Found this out today. I received a $100 Card from a business contact. I spent $28.17. I went to a Sunoco last night on the way to my girl's house to buy $10 of gas with the card. Today I go to use it and it has a zero balance. I clearly thought I forgot to say no receipt or whatever and that some douche behind me bought $71.83 in gas, so I was ready to dispute the charge. Here is the interesting part. If you use a gift card to buy fuel and pay at the pump they put a $75 additional authorization on the card. Massive amount for that. Good to know that no one ripped me off and that it will be credited back to me when the merchant settles the actual $10 amount. Just thought I would make a note of that for all of you who received gift cards this holiday season. That is weird. I am very glad that when me and my girl had dinner last night and I ripped out the card to pay that she insisted on paying. I mean sure I could have with my bank debit card or cash, but that would just have been embarrassing.

    I love it when people learn lessons

  13. #13
    pavyracer
    MOLON LABE
    pavyracer's Avatar SBR PRO
    Join Date: 04-12-07
    Posts: 82,189
    Betpoints: 410

    Enjoy the 3 gallons of gas Stevie. Don't forget to fill up again tomorrow.

  14. #14
    saints7011
    saints7011's Avatar Become A Pro!
    Join Date: 09-21-09
    Posts: 5,544
    Betpoints: 1898

    Quote Originally Posted by stevek173 View Post
    I know that now. I was in a rush to go get laid lol.
    I assume "getting laid" does not happen that often for you...

  15. #15
    3PtShooter
    3PtShooter's Avatar SBR PRO
    Join Date: 04-13-08
    Posts: 3,929
    Betpoints: 16197

    use credit,,,not debit

  16. #16
    Naz18
    Naz18's Avatar Become A Pro!
    Join Date: 09-10-09
    Posts: 4,277
    Betpoints: 1940

    Gift card is just like a debit card.....

  17. #17
    ccy8888
    ccy8888's Avatar Become A Pro!
    Join Date: 12-04-08
    Posts: 17

    no guys, gift cards can only be processed as credit. There are no pin and no recourse if someone else use it just like cash. Its best if you go inside of station and ask for specific amount to be charged to avoid the pre-authorized amount which can be at least 50 up to 100. Also dont over estimate since any refund to your card can have more fees or if the gift card allows refund at all. Only exception is the reloadable version.

  18. #18
    adlai
    adlai's Avatar Become A Pro!
    Join Date: 03-11-10
    Posts: 778

    ************ have been this way for years. you just never notice it because the bank never holds it against your balance.

Top