Walmart GE Debit Visa Cards Eastlake Ohio

Oh where to begin with the nightmare I've had for the last 6 days. I purchased two walmart GE prepaid debit VISA cards for $100.00 each. I have purchased these cards before with no problem what so ever. I also did not have to register the cards before I made payments over the phone with any of my utilities companies.

So when I got home I ordered my family dinner on the card, I paid my cell phone, and then went to pay my electric company. Now I had put all my money on these cards figuring I would pay bills that way. When I called my electric company and they tried to process the amount it came back invalid zip code. So I questioned the representitive why it would be declined when it would be my zip code since it's a prepaid and you give your zip when asked and if they want to know how your name is spelled you just tell them as seeing as your name is not actually on the card. Which I would later find out that those cards come with addresses attached to them and that is why you have to register them. And that I got lucky with all the other companies, because even though some may ask for your zip code they don't actually confirm it. However, the electric company does.

So the rep at the electric company told me that they would not be able to take the payment and that I would need to pay it another way, and that the money would be put back on my card in a day or two. And that he would call the company with me to ensure the money was put back on. The rep from the electric company sat on the phone with me for an hour trying to get a live person through the number on the back of the walmart card. After sitting forever and going through all the options, we could not get to a live person.

So again he assured me they would not take the money off the card since it was declined. So with him on the line I listened to my balance and was told I had $5 left, and the amount I went to pay my bill with was actually taken off. So the rep at the electric comp. again assured me it would be put back on in a day or two. That even though they didn't take the money, that it would show up as having been taken off. And that I should be able to call and get it put back on the card.

I tried on Saturday to see if I could get a live person, since the money hadn't showed back on my card. FINALLY, I got to a live person who told me that they could give me an access code and as long as the electric company used that code then they could put that amount back through and my bill would be paid. And they also told me that because this is a declined payment if that don't work I would have to wait 10 days for it to clear. Which is funny since I walked in and gave walmart $200 and now they think they can sit on my money and hold it for two weeks. And she had told me to register my card first to ensure the payment goes through.

So I registered my card online and I called my electric company on Monday, they told me they cannot use that access code and that they will fax over information to the company and my money would be put back on in an hour. I called my card four hours later and still no money. So I called the card back, which is a .50 call each time you need to speak to a rep, and they told me they don't have any fax and that they cannot put the money on the card. So I requested a manager, and he told me that since I registered my card after the initial use they cannot know for sure I am the person the card belongs to. So after a few choice words on how someone who picked up this card would know to give my name of the billions of people in the U.S. and how would this person know I paid the electric bill since they don't tell you who the charges are made to on the automated system.

So I then turned around and explained why is there a hold if the electric company declined that payment, and I was told that the electric company would continue to try and charge that amount. And I said no they won't, the electric company assured me that would not happen. So again after a few choice words I hung up. I then called the electric company back to see if they could get anywhere, so I went through the automated system again, with the rep from the electric company on the phone.

We got to another rep. The electric company explained to the rep at Walmart about the situation that the payment was declined and could they put the money on the card since I needed that money and could not wait the two weeks. The rep at Walmart said it would take until 2/13 before I could access my funds again. Now mind you I paid the bill on 2/1. So the rep from the electric company asked if he sent over a fax could they put it on and she said well no one is in that department, that they left for the day, but that someone would get it tomorrow , so now I'm extemely aggravated and couldn't stay quiet any longer.

So I asked the girl from Walmart at what point do they leave because my electric company had already faxed over that information at 1:30 that same day, and that no more time needs to be wasted if no one was going to see that fax. And I explained that I needed to know for sure that someone would get to that fax. So she puts us on hold and asks someone a question and in the mean time the electric company is faxing over another paper to get that money back on the card. Then she comes back and tells us oh no, no one will get that fax and you still have to wait till the 13th to get your money back. So I went off yelling at this girl, why she would tell us that department had left for the day, and yes to fax that over when in reality no one actually does anything with those faxes.

So I then asked where I was calling since I couldn't understand anyone, and of course I wasn't calling in the U.S, here I'm calling ASIA. So after yelling and screaming for 10minutes I finally dissconnected the call, I then apologized to the electric man for having to listen to that. So after all that nothing was resolved. So I finally call my card again the next day to see if by some chance my money got put back on after this whole fiasco. And yes it was.

So in all I would tell anyone looking to use one of Walmart's prepaid cards, to NOT to. Since it's more aggravation then it's worth. Or just remember to register it first before you attempt to do anything with that card. And I also find it disgusting that a company as big as Walmart who promises so many jobs, why in the world are you having your calls answered in ASIA. If you have stores on every block and the American people are making you rich then I believe the call center should be here in the U.S. Especially with the way the economy is going and so many people are losing homes due to forecloser. I think that would be a welcome job opportunity to many who are out of work and can't find jobs here. But at this point I'm disgusted with this store and not sure if I will ever do business there again. I do know I will never buy a prepaid card though that is for sure.

Cherie
Willoughby, Ohio
U.S.A.

Click here to read other Rip Off Reports on Wal-mart