Circuit City Gift Card policies?

[Namuna]

Here's the scenario...

I would like to buy a Canon SD700IS. I have a CitiBank MasterCard and enough rewards points to buy a Circuit City (buying from Circuit City because it's basically the ONLY store that has these cameras in stock, and that I can get a gift card for) gift card in the amount of the full price of the camera (basically the camera would cost nothing).

Here's the question/issue...

Once I order the Gift Card, it could take up to 4 weeks to receive the card(s). Could I buy the camera NOW, then go back to the store whenever I receive the giftcards and have them refund the charge back to my Credit Card and then charge me via the giftcard(s)??

Or...If that doesn't work, does CC accept giftcards as a form of payment for their CC Charge Card?

I called their 800 number and got a guy on the line that basically said NO to both scenarios...But I get the feeling there might be some leeway, so I'm hoping folks have had some luck or some backdoor way so I can get my hands on this sweet camera.

Thank you.

 

[dmw16]

Well I think you are better off waiting. There is a restocking fee on cameras, so you couldnt return and rebuy. I dont think you can pay for a credit card balance w/ a gift card. Never heard of a store doing that.

In conclusion, dont try it. Why would the guy on the phone lie to ya?

But if you really want to know, go to a circuit city and speak w/ the sales manager.

 

[Namuna]

Yeah, I think I'm going to buy the camera online tonight and when I go to the store to pick it up I'll ask to speak to the Manager.

Hopefully I can pursuade him to allow me to buy now (with my credit card) and then come back and use my gift card instead...Informing him that I've made multiple purchases at that store in the past and that in allowing me to do this (especially since it is of no detriment to them because they'll be making money off me no matter what) would make me VERY happy and I would thereby continue to patronize their store.

If he doesn't go for it, I'll just cancel my order right there and then.

 

[Vinfinite]

no, the return policy is 14 days

 

[imported_Mike]

Originally posted by: Namuna
Yeah, I think I'm going to buy the camera online tonight and when I go to the store to pick it up I'll ask to speak to the Manager.

Hopefully I can pursuade him to allow me to buy now (with my credit card) and then come back and use my gift card instead...Informing him that I've made multiple purchases at that store in the past and that in allowing me to do this (especially since it is of no detriment to them because they'll be making money off me no matter what) would make me VERY happy and I would thereby continue to patronize their store.

If he doesn't go for it, I'll just cancel my order right there and then.

haha, I love people that think that managers care if you've shopped with them before. The answer to both your questions is no, cross your fingers on getting a push over store manager.

 

[mpitts]

Just keep it in your pants until the gift card shows up.

I predict your next post is "STUPID CC CUSTOMER SERVICE IS SCREWING ME!!!"

 

[Namuna]

Ahhhh, I was wondering when the nay-sayers would show up. Whatever.

I went ahead and ordered it, for in-store pickup. If the Manger says yes, great they just made $500 off me. If he says no, then I cancel my order and they get squat from me.

 

[imported_Mike]

Originally posted by: Namuna
Ahhhh, I was wondering when the nay-sayers would show up. Whatever.

I went ahead and ordered it, for in-store pickup. If the Manger says yes, great they just made $500 off me. If he says no, then I cancel my order with no hard no foul.

You can think whatever but my answer is fact. FYI retail markup on cameras is very minor. Purchasing a SD card? Bag? batteries? Warranty?

NO?

They made sh!t off you and really don't care if you return it or not. Either way, I wish you good luck.

 

[mpitts]

Originally posted by: Namuna
Ahhhh, I was wondering when the nay-sayers would show up. Whatever.

I went ahead and ordered it, for in-store pickup. If the Manger says yes, great they just made $500 off me. If he says no, then I cancel my order and they get squat from me.

The nay-sayers? You mean like the Circuit City rep that told you that what you are trying to do will not fly?

 

[Namuna]

Mike, you're right. I know they're making next to nil on the camera. I'm hoping that the Manager at this particular store actually CARES to keep a customer coming back (even if that customer buys minor markup items) by doing a very minor favor. A small profit is still more than nothing.

The reason I've got some hope here is because while the guy on the phone (who BARELY spoke any english) said I can't do either of the scenarios I asked...The last time I bought something at CC, I spoke with a girl at the Customer Service that said I COULD do it (buy now with credit card, then come back with giftcard after). So I've got conflicting info.

I'm specifically going to ask for a Manger and get a definitive answer one way or another. A situation like this one is one of those discretionary things, The "official" answer is going to be one thing, but a Manager could very easily allow it (with NO detriment to them).

 

[imported_Mike]

Originally posted by: Namuna
Mike, you're right. I know they're making next to nil on the camera. I'm hoping that the Manager at this particular store actually CARES to keep a customer coming back (even if that customer buys minor markup items) by doing a very minor favor. A small profit is still more than nothing.

The reason I've got some hope here is because while the guy on the phone (who BARELY spoke any english) said I can't do either of the scenarios I asked...The last time I bought something at CC, I spoke with a girl at the Customer Service that said I COULD do it (buy now with credit card, then come back with giftcard after). So I've got conflicting info.

I'm specifically going to ask for a Manger and get a definitive answer one way or another. A situation like this one is one of those discretionary things, The "official" answer is going to be one thing, but a Manager could very easily allow it (with NO detriment to them).

The problem isn't buying now and returning it to use a GC later. Its your time frame, 4 weeks is too long as already pointed out by Vinfinite, the return policy is 14 days.

 

[Namuna]

I'd like to take this time to gloat a little.

Firstly, the same day I went in to pick-up my purchase, I spoke with an Assistant Manager and got a "No problem" response when asking if I could come back with Giftcards. EVEN after specifically telling him that the phone reps said NO AND that it might take 4 weeks. He thought about it for a second and still said No Problem.

My giftcards actually came yesterday, much faster than I anticipated and still within the 14 days so I didn't have to pull the Manager in to verify...But the point being that he DID indeed give me the okay.

The icing on the cake is that I originally paid a Mother's Day special price and then was able to stack a 10% off coupon on top of that.

 

[God On Alcohol]

you still waste money in going and not buying anything. GAS MAN GAS!!

 

[Namuna]

Indeed, gas is INSANE. But luckily my local CC is only about 4miles away, so it's not so traumatic.

 

[Schfifty Five]

Originally posted by: Namuna
Ahhhh, I was wondering when the nay-sayers would show up. Whatever.

I went ahead and ordered it, for in-store pickup. If the Manger says yes, great they just made $500 off me. If he says no, then I cancel my order and they get squat from me.

What's funny is that you asked the public a question regarding your situation and when you don't hear the answer you want, you try to persuade everyone you are right. If you are just going to always think one way, then why bother even asking us the question?

So you got lucky this once, you're still a jackass in everyone's opinion.

 

[Schfifty Five]

Originally posted by: Namuna
I'd like to take this time to gloat a little.

Firstly, the same day I went in to pick-up my purchase, I spoke with an Assistant Manager and got a "No problem" response when asking if I could come back with Giftcards. EVEN after specifically telling him that the phone reps said NO AND that it might take 4 weeks. He thought about it for a second and still said No Problem.

My giftcards actually came yesterday, much faster than I anticipated and still within the 14 days so I didn't have to pull the Manager in to verify...But the point being that he DID indeed give me the okay.

The icing on the cake is that I originally paid a Mother's Day special price and then was able to stack a 10% off coupon on top of that.

So did you get it refunded and what not? Until it actually happens, you might still be sh!t out of luck.

 

[Namuna]

Originally posted by: Schfifty Five
What's funny is that you asked the public a question regarding your situation and when you don't hear the answer you want, you try to persuade everyone you are right. If you are just going to always think one way, then why bother even asking us the question?

So you got lucky this once, you're still a jackass in everyone's opinion.

No, actually the "jackass" are people like YOU who have nothing better to do than to jump into a thread and call people Jackass.

I posted a question, looking for some input from someone who's been through the situation I was in or that had some experience in the matter... Instead I got several snide responses...Including yours. If you reread what my situation was, and actually THINK about it, it's NOT such a big deal for their Customer Service to accomodate.

Number 1, Since when have phone salespeople ALWAYS been right?
Number 2, An employee at CC gave me conflicting information. Which led me to believe that I just might be able to achieve what I was looking to do.
Number 3, Even though people kept saying it was a lost cause and even putting me down for going ahead anyway...I went and spoke to an Asst. Manager and guess what? He accomodated me. There's NO luck involved there buddy, just follow-through and some sense. I have no doubt that ANYONE in (or going to be in) my situation could achieve the same outcome.

If it wasn't clear in my previous post, yes. I went in and Customer Service gave me zero hassle in crediting my credit card back the full amount, then re-ringing up the cost and then having me pay via the giftcards.