Is the Re-loadable Debit Card from Wal-Mart a Rip-off?

Unfortunately sometimes due to certain circumstances, you might find yourself needing a pre-paid debit card. I have had one from Western Union in the past and was quite happy, they delivered exactly what their product would and wouldn't do. On the application form they stated what the cost to get the card started was and the fees were clearly posted including due dates. Once the card expired (they all expire in a year to force you to have to purchase a new one), since Western Union wasn't as convenient for me as Wal-Mart was, I decided to get a Wal-Mart pre-paid card.

I was in for a big surprise, first they advertise that the cost for the card is $8.94, they fail to inform you that on top of that fee you have to pay the fee for adding money to the card as well ($4.64). Once you fill out the paperwork to request the card I was told I would receive in 7 to 10 business days, what I wasn't told is that regardless of the fact that if I had received it or not, I would be charged the monthly fee in 10 calendar days (With Western Union it was the over 30 days past my activation).

On the 11^th business day after requesting the card, I still hadn't received the card, but had been charged the month fee. I called their customer service and all I was offered was to be transferred to the lost or stolen department for them to issue me new cards (and to have to wait another 7 to 10 business days). I asked about why the fee was charged so soon, a supervisor told me that when I signed up online I received an agreement that stated I would be charged the monthly fee on the 8^th of every month. Apparently she didn't even do her homework to see that I wasn't charged the monthly fee until the 12^thof that month.

It is more convenient to buy a non re-loadable card, You pay one fee, usually between $4.95 and $6.95 and can keep the money in the card and you won't be charged any extra fees for an entire year. Plus you don't have to wait for anything in the mail. It would be much easier if we could just deal in cash, but online purchases can't be made in cash, it all goes to fee the multi-billion dollar banking industry.