Waiting for refund

[pdiddy]

I've got a $25 dollar refund coming to me from D-tv,waited a month.Then I got a debit card issued from citi-bank.Called Direct Tv and told them,that wouldn't work.It seem the debit card couldn't be used for cash.Also now citi bank has info on me,and will probally be sending me credit card info in the future.After a 1 hour call to d-tv,and citi bank,I am now told I will receive a refund check from citi-bank,that will take 4-6 weeks.All told it is going to take 2 months to receive my refund.What a rip off.Try not paying d-tv for two months and see what will happen.Citi-bank should not even be in the equation.All I expected was a refund from d-tv,nothing more.I am so glad I disconnected from these loosers.

 

[jcrandall]

What was the refund from, a refund of money you over-paid for service following cancellation or such, or a rebate of some sort like a promotion?

A straight refund for services not provided they would have to give you cash and should mail a check promptly upon request. These situations should NEVER be a debit card.

A promotion can and is often done with a debit card, and is their prerogative if that is how they termed the promotion.

 

[Claude Greiner]

I think Directv started with the citi bank cards a few months back.

I don't see the issue. Activate the card, and just burn the balance off next time your at the grocery store or make s purchase over $25

 

[pdiddy]

What was the refund from, a refund of money you over-paid for service following cancellation or such, or a rebate of some sort like a promotion?

A straight refund for services not provided they would have to give you cash and should mail a check promptly upon request. These situations should NEVER be a debit card.

A promotion can and is often done with a debit card, and is their prerogative if that is how they termed the promotion.

I disconnected service,and had a balance due me,after about 6 weeks I get a debit card,from a third party(citi bank).The debit card CANNOT be used everywhere cash can be used.It has stipulations where and how it could be used.THAT'S THE PROBLEM.All I excpected was a refund check.PERIOD!It's just a way to tie you money up.By the time I get the refund check,10 weeks have gone by.I think this is a poor way to do business.I paid my bill ON TIME,every month,and excpect a refund in a timely manor.I don't think that's asking to much.

 

[dishcomm]

I've got a $25 dollar refund coming to me from D-tv,waited a month.Then I got a debit card issued from citi-bank.Called Direct Tv and told them,that wouldn't work.It seem the debit card couldn't be used for cash.Also now citi bank has info on me,and will probally be sending me credit card info in the future.After a 1 hour call to d-tv,and citi bank,I am now told I will receive a refund check from citi-bank,that will take 4-6 weeks.All told it is going to take 2 months to receive my refund.What a rip off.Try not paying d-tv for two months and see what will happen.Citi-bank should not even be in the equation.All I expected was a refund from d-tv,nothing more.I am so glad I disconnected from these loosers.

Companies do not send checks anymore.
Question:....What is the difference whether the refund is in the form of a check or a debit card that is used to make purchases?
BTW, if you receive unsolicited CC apps in the mail, open the thing then look for the "opt out" box. Check the box and send the thing back to the bank using the pre paid postage envelope...Done.

 

[jcrandall]

That is really surprising, I would be upset too if I were in that situation.

If a company is paying me a rebate for a promotion then I'll take it however I can get it - a prepaid card is fine.

But money I paid that is owed to me, such as a credit balance on an account, I expect CASH EQUIVALENT. You an mail a check or refund however I paid you (credit card) - but to send a debit card that may have fees if I don't manage it timely - that should not be acceptable.

I completely understand why the op is annoyed and upset.

 

[dishcomm]

I disconnected service,and had a balance due me,after about 6 weeks I get a debit card,from a third party(citi bank).The debit card CANNOT be used everywhere cash can be used.It has stipulations where and how it could be used.THAT'S THE PROBLEM.All I excpected was a refund check.PERIOD!It's just a way to tie you money up.By the time I get the refund check,10 weeks have gone by.I think this is a poor way to do business.I paid my bill ON TIME,every month,and excpect a refund in a timely manor.I don't think that's asking to much.

One issue. You are no longer a customer and your business with them is concluded.
Offer an example of where the card cannot be used. Thanks

 

[Jimbo]

I disconnected service,and had a balance due me,after about 6 weeks I get a debit card,from a third party(citi bank).The debit card CANNOT be used everywhere cash can be used.It has stipulations where and how it could be used.THAT'S THE PROBLEM.All I excpected was a refund check.PERIOD!It's just a way to tie you money up.By the time I get the refund check,10 weeks have gone by.I think this is a poor way to do business.I paid my bill ON TIME,every month,and excpect a refund in a timely manor.I don't think that's asking to much.

The thing about it being a Citi Bank card and can only be used under certain situations is ridiculous.
However, thats sounds to me like it's on Citibank, not D*, however, it looks like Citibank is the company they decided to use.

I have had cards that were set up like that before, theres no such thing as it can only be used for such and such an item, but sometimes it won't work because you have to knwo how much money exactly is on the card and it has to be rung up thru the cashier first before any other portion of the bill your getting.

 

[Jimbo]

One issue. You are no longer a customer and your business with them is concluded.
Offer an example of where the card cannot be used. Thanks

You no longer are our customer is a cheap way of doing things.

That said, I'd also like to see what cannot be purchased with it.
I would think most everyone would take a Citibank card.

pdiddy, is it a Visa by Citiback card or what exactly does it say on it ?

 

[Claude Greiner]

Again what's the issue if they sent you a $100 prepaid card and you bought $100 worth of groceries and had the cashier burn the balance on the card?

I think the issue with the checks is getting the money off the books

 

[Janalee]

I've got a $25 dollar refund coming to me from D-tv,waited a month.Then I got a debit card issued from citi-bank.Called Direct Tv and told them,that wouldn't work.It seem the debit card couldn't be used for cash.Also now citi bank has info on me,and will probally be sending me credit card info in the future.After a 1 hour call to d-tv,and citi bank,I am now told I will receive a refund check from citi-bank,that will take 4-6 weeks.All told it is going to take 2 months to receive my refund.What a rip off.Try not paying d-tv for two months and see what will happen.Citi-bank should not even be in the equation.All I expected was a refund from d-tv,nothing more.I am so glad I disconnected from these loosers.

They did the same thing to me. We cancelled our service, waited 2 months for our 62.00 refund in the way of a citi bank card. Didn't think much of it other than you cant withdrawal your cash, and if you don't use it in time fees are activated. So I activated it got my pin # and went to buy gas... Card declined twice said call bank. Went home called bank to only get recordings. Finally got to talk to a representative and the computer hung up on me 3 times. I think it's a total scam from direct tv and citi bank! Gonna file a complaint with the BBB and the utilities commission today. Here's a novel idea, if you debit my account for two years put my refund in the same way! Wow what a great idea!

 

[Janalee]

You no longer are our customer is a cheap way of doing things.

That said, I'd also like to see what cannot be purchased with it.
I would think most everyone would take a Citibank card.

pdiddy, is it a Visa by Citiback card or what exactly does it say on it ?

Problem is the cards don't work even after activating it. And you can't get anyone to pick up on the 800 # on the back of the card.

 

[ChadT41]

They did the same thing to me. We cancelled our service, waited 2 months for our 62.00 refund in the way of a citi bank card. Didn't think much of it other than you cant withdrawal your cash, and if you don't use it in time fees are activated. So I activated it got my pin # and went to buy gas... Card declined twice said call bank. Went home called bank to only get recordings. Finally got to talk to a representative and the computer hung up on me 3 times. I think it's a total scam from direct tv and citi bank! Gonna file a complaint with the BBB and the utilities commission today. Here's a novel idea, if you debit my account for two years put my refund in the same way! Wow what a great idea!

You can try and go to the utilities commision, but DTV and Dish are not utilities. They are considered luxury entertainment. The PUC has nothing to do with them, and will tell you the same. That all said, someone had mentioned they paid cash for their service. Did they not pay with a debit card online, or to an agent? So DTV is delivering back a Debit Card which is considered as a Cash Equivalent. The BBB complaint is just going to get you a DTV representative in their OOP. So, again, I wish you the best of luck, but this does not sound like you may get to terribly far.

 

[peds48]

Problem is the cards don't work even after activating it. And you can't get anyone to pick up on the 800 # on the back of the card.

Have you tried to buy anything with it?

 

[Tampa8]

I agree there are some restrictions to using the card, some places won't take it. But there are plenty of opportunities to use it. Amazon is actually a very easy place to use it for just one example. This way of paying an amount due especially for someone no longer a customer are not unusual.
Btw they don't insist on checks for paying their bill.

 

[pdiddy]

I agree there are some restrictions to using the card, some places won't take it. But there are plenty of opportunities to use it. Amazon is actually a very easy place to use it for just one example. This way of paying an amount due especially for someone no longer a customer are not unusual.
Btw they don't insist on checks for paying their bill.

The'll take a direct deposit when paying your bill,but when it comes time to get your money back,you get a stupid debit card.Either send me a check,or just deposit it in my account.How hard is that,I don't,and won't deal with those ya-hoos again.

 

[ChadT41]

http://www.consumerfinance.gov/askc...-without-paying-atm-cash-withdrawal-fees.html

Here, to help make you tingle inside. You can turn that DC into Cash.

 

[bmetelsky]

I've never had a problem with any prepaid debit card mailed to me as a rebate or refund. For use at a gas station, you can usually still use them, just not at the pump. Tell the attendant that you wish to pump the gas first and then pay inside with the debit card. Honestly, I think it's better than getting a check in the mail.

 

[iceturkee]

Problem is the cards don't work even after activating it. And you can't get anyone to pick up on the 800 # on the back of the card.

my card worked fine.

 

[Scott Greczkowski]

A lot of jobs now are not paying by Paycheck anymore, many are now doing paycards. You get a Visa Card and your pay goes on it. If you need cash you are given some checks but must call in and get numbers to write on the check for it to be valid.

We are quickly moving to a cashless society.