- Report: #977858
Complaint Review: BLUEBIRD AMERICAN EXPRESS
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| BLUEBIRD AMERICAN EXPRESS
Internet United States of America |
|
BLUEBIRD AMERICAN EXPRESS BLUEBIRD WALMART CARD WHAT IS AMERICAN EXPRESS DOING? TRYING TO HOLD ON TO OUR $$$ Internet
*Consumer Comment: This has nothing to do with Bluebird
*Consumer Comment: Customer service
*Consumer Comment: Multiple Gas Pumps
*Consumer Comment: American Express hate American workers.
*Consumer Comment: You are not alone
*Consumer Comment: Yes, they do.
*Consumer Comment: Not All Debit Cards Work That Way
*REBUTTAL Owner of company: this card is a joke
*Consumer Comment: Not necessarily an AMEX issue.
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THEY HOLD ON TO YOUR FUNDS!!!! WATCH OUT!!!
I purchased the Bluebird Card from Walmart to try it out. After creating an account and receiving the new card in the mail, I put $450 on the card. I was planning a road trip, so thought it would be a good idea to use it to buy gas and food while travelling. It worked fine for the first four transactions. After that the card declined at the next gas station. How ridiculous! I have more than $200 balance and it would not go through. Luckily I had cash and credit cards to use.
After getting back home, I tried to call them for 2 days at the 877-486-5990 number, and due to the high volume of calls, no one was available, and the phone hang up. Went online it shows a total balance of $211.00, but $0.00 available. Tried calling them again, same thing. Went online the next day, then all the funds are available. Not sure what their tactics are, but for American Express to be such a large company, this service is horrible! This is the year 2012, you do not need 3 days to process debit transactions. My bank knows my balance and what's available immediately! PLEASE GET A CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR BLUEBIRD CUSTOMERS.
I would not recommend Bluebird to anyone and will close out this account.
I purchased the Bluebird Card from Walmart to try it out. After creating an account and receiving the new card in the mail, I put $450 on the card. I was planning a road trip, so thought it would be a good idea to use it to buy gas and food while travelling. It worked fine for the first four transactions. After that the card declined at the next gas station. How ridiculous! I have more than $200 balance and it would not go through. Luckily I had cash and credit cards to use.
After getting back home, I tried to call them for 2 days at the 877-486-5990 number, and due to the high volume of calls, no one was available, and the phone hang up. Went online it shows a total balance of $211.00, but $0.00 available. Tried calling them again, same thing. Went online the next day, then all the funds are available. Not sure what their tactics are, but for American Express to be such a large company, this service is horrible! This is the year 2012, you do not need 3 days to process debit transactions. My bank knows my balance and what's available immediately! PLEASE GET A CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR BLUEBIRD CUSTOMERS.
I would not recommend Bluebird to anyone and will close out this account.
This report was posted on Ripoff Report on 12/04/2012 11:59 AM and is a permanent record located here: http://www.ripoffreport.com/r/BLUEBIRD-AMERICAN-EXPRESS/internet/BLUEBIRD-AMERICAN-EXPRESS-BLUEBIRD-WALMART-CARD-WHAT-IS-AMERICAN-EXPRESS-DOING-TRYING-TO-977858. The posting time indicated is Arizona local time. Arizona does not observe daylight savings so the post time may be Mountain or Pacific depending on the time of year.
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Search Tips#1 Consumer Comment
This has nothing to do with Bluebird
AUTHOR: wildcat1100 - ()
SUBMITTED: Friday, March 22, 2013
First of all, what fee did you pay to load that $450 to your account? (The answer is $0.00, as opposed to every other pre-paid debit card in the world today.)
You obviously used the card out at the pump, and were too lazy to go inside and pay. Had you gone inside, this would not have been an issue. The hold on your funds has nothing to do with Bluebird. Why would Bluebird want to hold your funds? It's the gas station. Some gas stations do this to make sure you don't have $5 on the card, and then go on to buy $70 worth of gas. Think about it. Between the gas station and Bluebird, who stands to lose money when someone pays with a pre-paid card at the pump? It's the gas station. Some gas stations still don't hold your funds, which is why - for some people - this has not been an issue with paying at the pump. Had you used any other card, the same thing would have happened. Bluebird has no control over this.
You obviously used the card out at the pump, and were too lazy to go inside and pay. Had you gone inside, this would not have been an issue. The hold on your funds has nothing to do with Bluebird. Why would Bluebird want to hold your funds? It's the gas station. Some gas stations do this to make sure you don't have $5 on the card, and then go on to buy $70 worth of gas. Think about it. Between the gas station and Bluebird, who stands to lose money when someone pays with a pre-paid card at the pump? It's the gas station. Some gas stations still don't hold your funds, which is why - for some people - this has not been an issue with paying at the pump. Had you used any other card, the same thing would have happened. Bluebird has no control over this.
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What's this? #2 Consumer Comment
Customer service
AUTHOR: misplacedtexan - (United States of America)
SUBMITTED: Saturday, March 09, 2013
I spent over 1 1/2 hrs. on the phone with a bunch of idiots in India trying to find out why they could not confirm my information. Ended up telling them to refund my money,and was told it would be 7-10 days,and they would not refund the $5 it cost me at Walmart to purchase and add funds to this piece of crap debit card! Nothing but a ripoff,they should change the name from American Express to India hurry up and wait! Really now,American Express outsourced to India??? Never again,AE has gone the way of most corporations in this country! At one time this country was self sufficient, didn't need or want other countries goods,we did it ourselves! Selling the United States...it's a shame!We as Americans need to get back to our roots,to hell with everybody else!Take care of our own first and foremost!
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What's this? #3 Consumer Comment
Multiple Gas Pumps
AUTHOR: Miss_Huntress - (United States of America)
SUBMITTED: Sunday, February 17, 2013
I have used my Mastercard debit card as well as a previous Visa debit card at multiple different gas stations in different states and never had this problem. I travel quite often and use my debit card for the reason I don't have to have cash on me. I used my card on vacation and never had this problem either. It may be the company that issued your card but as I said not all cards are like this.
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What's this? #4 Consumer Comment
American Express hate American workers.
AUTHOR: Timothy - (United States of America)
SUBMITTED: Saturday, February 16, 2013
If the American Express blue bird people didn't hate American workers, they'd hire Americans to man their service centers. Blue Bird service centers are in PI and India. So, American Express can kiss my big brown behind, and I'll do business with company's that hire Americans, in America, too service Americans.
The big money corporations don't want to hire Americans, they don't want to pay a living wage, they are greedy, and Americans are not taking it any more. Beware of the American consumer might. If we get in it our minds to boycott greedy corporations, they can sell their junk where they have it made.
Sincerely,
The big money corporations don't want to hire Americans, they don't want to pay a living wage, they are greedy, and Americans are not taking it any more. Beware of the American consumer might. If we get in it our minds to boycott greedy corporations, they can sell their junk where they have it made.
Sincerely,
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What's this? #5 Consumer Comment
You are not alone
AUTHOR: hylifavrd - (United States of America)
SUBMITTED: Friday, February 15, 2013
This same thing happened to me! But it is not BlueBird as much as i cant stand this card!! It is the gas station! Everytime you use the credit option at any gas station the gas station will retain funds up the 3times the amount of the cost of your gas just to insure they get their money!! This is also true when using a regular bank visa/mastercard debit card as credit. It is ALWAYS best to use the card as debit inside the gas station.
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What's this?
" I use it all the time for gas and pay at the pump. I have never had a problem with it posting an amount and taking 3-5 days for it to clear. "
If the particular gas station you are using does not process a hold (it's up the the merchant), then it's possible that you would not have this issue. I posted because a large percentage of 'pay at the pump' transactions will involve a hold. There have been many similar complaints posted to this site over the years from people who did not understand why this happens.
" I purchase gas while out shopping and most days by the time I get home it has already cleared my account. "
If your debit card is of the common Visa/Mastercard type, they all use the same system. There are merchant processors and clearinghouses involved in posting the final transaction and it does take 3-5 days. If you see something on your account the same day, you are looking at a hold (sometimes called 'pending') transaction. It is not possible for a debit transaction to post and clear your account the same day that you make it. They system does not work that way.
If the particular gas station you are using does not process a hold (it's up the the merchant), then it's possible that you would not have this issue. I posted because a large percentage of 'pay at the pump' transactions will involve a hold. There have been many similar complaints posted to this site over the years from people who did not understand why this happens.
" I purchase gas while out shopping and most days by the time I get home it has already cleared my account. "
If your debit card is of the common Visa/Mastercard type, they all use the same system. There are merchant processors and clearinghouses involved in posting the final transaction and it does take 3-5 days. If you see something on your account the same day, you are looking at a hold (sometimes called 'pending') transaction. It is not possible for a debit transaction to post and clear your account the same day that you make it. They system does not work that way.
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What's this? #7 Consumer Comment
Not All Debit Cards Work That Way
AUTHOR: Miss_Huntress - (United States of America)
SUBMITTED: Sunday, January 20, 2013
I've had a debit card on my checking account for 12 years now. I use it all the time for gas and pay at the pump. I have never had a problem with it posting an amount and taking 3-5 days for it to clear. I purchase gas while out shopping and most days by the time I get home it has already cleared my account. I'm not sure what card you have, but not all are that bad.
To the Original Poster:
The next trip you need to take you might consider using your regular debit card. If you need to keep track of expenses, in the past I have opened a separate account at my regular bank and been issued a debit card. I just deposit the money I need for my trip and use my card. I've never had the problem you describe. I really hope you can get it resolved soon. Best of luck to you!
To the Original Poster:
The next trip you need to take you might consider using your regular debit card. If you need to keep track of expenses, in the past I have opened a separate account at my regular bank and been issued a debit card. I just deposit the money I need for my trip and use my card. I've never had the problem you describe. I really hope you can get it resolved soon. Best of luck to you!
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What's this? #8 REBUTTAL Owner of company
this card is a joke
AUTHOR: stef - (United States of America)
SUBMITTED: Friday, January 11, 2013
I have had the american express bluebird card for a couple months and use it on a regular basis, I set up a portion of my paycheck to be directly deposited onto my card and the first direct deposit went fine was able to makes purchases use the atm my second direct deposit was sent back to my employer they said I had never activated my card so the direct deposit wouldn't go thru even thought he could see my transactions that i had just used my card the day before, I know have to wait for my money to go back to my employers bank, it was a huge inconvenience and have since cancelled my card. Don't even waste your money on this card, the person on the phone at customer service didn't speak much english so besides the fact I had no money from my direct deposit I couldnt understand most of what he said, so frustrating!
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What's this? #9 Consumer Comment
Not necessarily an AMEX issue.
AUTHOR: Flynrider - (USA)
SUBMITTED: Tuesday, December 04, 2012
While there is no excuse for the lousy customer service support, what you experienced is common to all debit type cards.
When debit cards are used at a self service pump, the gas station sends a "hold" transaction which can be anywhere from $1 to $100 (it's up to the station). The hold is generated on the initial swipe, before the gas is pumped. They do this because they do not know how much gas you are going to pump and they want to be sure you have enough funds to cover the purchase. The hold remains on your account and ties up that amount of your available balance until the actual transaction amount posts to your account. It usually takes between 3 and 5 days for a transaction to post.
To avoid this issue, its best not to use a debit type card at a self serve pump. If you pay with the card inside, after you've pumped your gas, then the hold is only applied for the actual amount of the transaction.
" This is the year 2012, you do not need 3 days to process debit transactions. My bank knows my balance and what's available immediately! "
Actually, it does take 3 days or so for a credit or debit transaction to post to an account (which is different from the authorization that happens when a card is initially swiped). A merchant sends all of its transactions in a daily batch to its card servicing company. That company then sends the transactions to a clearing house where the transactions are then sent to the cardholders bank for final posting.
When debit cards are used at a self service pump, the gas station sends a "hold" transaction which can be anywhere from $1 to $100 (it's up to the station). The hold is generated on the initial swipe, before the gas is pumped. They do this because they do not know how much gas you are going to pump and they want to be sure you have enough funds to cover the purchase. The hold remains on your account and ties up that amount of your available balance until the actual transaction amount posts to your account. It usually takes between 3 and 5 days for a transaction to post.
To avoid this issue, its best not to use a debit type card at a self serve pump. If you pay with the card inside, after you've pumped your gas, then the hold is only applied for the actual amount of the transaction.
" This is the year 2012, you do not need 3 days to process debit transactions. My bank knows my balance and what's available immediately! "
Actually, it does take 3 days or so for a credit or debit transaction to post to an account (which is different from the authorization that happens when a card is initially swiped). A merchant sends all of its transactions in a daily batch to its card servicing company. That company then sends the transactions to a clearing house where the transactions are then sent to the cardholders bank for final posting.
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What's this? 
