Next update. Okay I found the flaws and misleading info with Ikobo. After you go through receiving the initial purchase (I received $20) it took 4 days for Ikobo to clear it into my account. They basically put a temporary hold on the funds. After the four days, I clicked the withdraw button in the amount of $10 just to get my Ikobo card sent to me. It was sent DHL to my home with no problem.....
Now I have set up the account, had all the receiving, withdrawal, and sending limits raised to $1000. I received a $500 order through Ikobo this morning, I thought great I can begin to try out the card at stores and online to make sure everything is cool right? I mean after all it states in Ikobo's FAQ's:
"Q: How do I receive money?
A: To receive money, you do not have to have an i-Kard. When someone sends you money for the first time, an i-Kard will be mailed to you. Once you have an i-Kard and someone sends you money,
the funds will be available immediately on your i-Kard. You can then go to any Visa/PLUS ATM to withdraw the funds. Just withdraw the funds using your i-Kard and PIN. Remember to select "Checking" when withdrawing your funds. You can also use your i-Kard for purchases where ever Visa is accepted."
So I go into my account and it shows the $500+ balance. If figure I'll go to the ATM and try to withdraw $100 to see how it works. It didn't. I do a balance inquiry and it shows $10 on my statement. So I think fine, maybe it didn't register yet and I'll wait a couple of hours.
I go back into the Ikobo FAQs and do some more research....
Since I set up a merchant account, I figured maybe there was something else possibly and I find this:
"Q: I received a payment through iKobo, Now what?
A: As a Merchant, once youââ¬â¢ve received payment, you have to withdraw funds from your iKobo balance to your i-Kard. The payments must have a status of ââ¬ÅOKââ¬Â before you can withdraw the funds."
Alright fine....so I log back in and look at my Ikobo balance ($500+). I look at the status next to the latest transcation (OK). So I attempt to withdraw some money onto the i-Kard. Insufficient funds, insufficient funds, what gives? I have over $500 in my account!
So next I call Ikobo as their customer support has been great thus far, and I speak to the customer service representative and ask him waht is going on. He states that the latest payment of $500 is in pending status and has not yet hit my account. I ask, why, it states in your FAQs that the funds are available immediately. He replies that he is unaware that it states this, and he'll have to look this over. So I next inquire with when will these funds become available for withdrawal? He replies with: Anywhere from a few hours to a couple of days. A couple of days I reply! I said that I understood that for the first transaction, but for the following? I mean even DotComGod said
Yes, you get it sent to your debit card within 30 seconds, that's why I like them.
So I am now bewildered as to why I need to wait for up to 4 days to get my funds out....this is strange......