Microsoft Points Problem

[deltoidsteep]

Wasn't sure of the appropriate place for this buuut...

Ok, so I have an issue with a 2800 Microsoft Points card that I bought. It seems the card was not activated at the register. I took it back to the store, just a local game place, and they refused to do anything for me. They told me to call Microsoft support. I had a long conversation with them and they told me to fax them the receipt and front and back of the card. First off, I don't have a fax machine. Secondly, I realize that I handed the receipt to the guy at the store when I tried to take the card back, and he didn't give it back when I left. I went back to the store again and they no longer had my receipt. So now they won't help me and microsoft won't help me since I can't prove I purchased it. Is there any other way to activate this card so I can use it? Or am I just out 40 bucks now?

[Leo_A]

Your out of $40 dollars.

[Oobgarm]

If no one can get you a copy of that receipt, you're boned.

[megasdkirby]

If you remember the exact date and time (or a very close approximate), management is able to find the transaction in the system, given that their system is not crap.

If I can ask, where did you purchase the card?

[SamuraiSmurfette]

Here's my question... how was it "not activated at the register"?
If you bought a retail packaged card, there's no activation required.
Sounds like something flaky going on at the store

[Oobgarm]

Here's my question... how was it "not activated at the register"?
If you bought a retail packaged card, there's no activation required.
Sounds like something flaky going on at the store

I think he's talking about one of those "activate at register" cards, much like what Apple iTunes gift cards and prepaid phone cards come on. Once the UPC is scanned, the register should prompt for the card-specific barcode to activate it. MS started using those at retail somewhat recently, replacing all of the plastic-packed, active cards.

The card is useless unless it's activated, which cuts back on theft.

[deltoidsteep]

If you remember the exact date and time (or a very close approximate), management is able to find the transaction in the system, given that their system is not crap.

If I can ask, where did you purchase the card?

It's just a small local used game place.


I think he's talking about one of those "activate at register" cards, much like what Apple iTunes gift cards and prepaid phone cards come on. Once the UPC is scanned, the register should prompt for the card-specific barcode to activate it. MS started using those at retail somewhat recently, replacing all of the plastic-packed, active cards.

The card is useless unless it's activated, which cuts back on theft.

That's exactly the kind it was.

[SamuraiSmurfette]

Ah, ok. I haven't seen that kind yet.

[Oobgarm]

It's just a small local used game place.

Hmm. If it's just a small local store, I wonder if they have the capacity to actually sell those. I've only seen them at large chains. Typically the retailer has to set up a deal with FastCard, the company that provides that technology.

Check the back of the card and see if there's a way to call and see if the card's been activated. If you can verify that, I'd take the card back to the store and tell them to check it for themselves. Obviously they didn't scan it if it comes up as non-active. I'd really press the matter, too. Find out when the person who runs the joint is there and bring the issue up to them.



Ah, ok. I haven't seen that kind yet.

We've had them here in the States for at least a year now...strange.

[megasdkirby]

Here's my question... how was it "not activated at the register"?
If you bought a retail packaged card, there's no activation required.
Sounds like something flaky going on at the store

Sometimes, cards are sold but never activated at the store. There has been at least one person who purchased one of those Tracfone Prepaid minute cards and the associate who attended the customer did not look at the register carefully. It actually said "DECLINED" yet sold him the card anyway.

This was the sole exception of returns of this nature at the store. No other returns are accepted, even if the customer purchased the wrong card.

[The 1 2 P]

I was working at a Walmart not that long ago when someone was trying to return one of those. But like others have said, these can never be returned to the store you bought them at. You need Microsoft's support to help you.

You said they never gave you back your receipt(something you should have checked for before you left) but you still should insist they reprint a copy of it. Hopefully their system is capable of doing this.

[Matt-El]

Did you use a credit/debit card to purchase it? If you did (and again, depending on their system), they might be able to look up your CC digits in their system.

[deltoidsteep]

I was working at a Walmart not that long ago when someone was trying to return one of those. But like others have said, these can never be returned to the store you bought them at. You need Microsoft's support to help you.

You said they never gave you back your receipt(something you should have checked for before you left) but you still should insist they reprint a copy of it. Hopefully their system is capable of doing this.

I know, I've been kicking myself pretty hard about that. I'm usually a lot more careful about things like that.


Did you use a credit/debit card to purchase it? If you did (and again, depending on their system), they might be able to look up your CC digits in their system.

I used cash : \

[portnoyd]

Step 1: Buy a new card
Step 2: Send new receipt with old card
Step 3: Sell new card or use it

If it's a local mom and pop store, it hopefully will be unlikely that any identifying code will be printed on the receipt so no one will know the difference.

[Matt-El]

That's an idea, if you wanna do it on the sly.

[deltoidsteep]

Step 1: Buy a new card
Step 2: Send new receipt with old card
Step 3: Sell new card or use it

If it's a local mom and pop store, it hopefully will be unlikely that any identifying code will be printed on the receipt so no one will know the difference.

I've seriously been considering that. It looks like my only option really. I've seen a few mentions that around that unactivated cards can be hacked somehow, is that possible?

[Oobgarm]

I've seriously been considering that. It looks like my only option really. I've seen a few mentions that around that unactivated cards can be hacked somehow, is that possible?

That could be possible I guess, but the company that does that is so large and in control of a ton of different cards so I doubt it. I can practically guarantee that the company is/has been watching out for stuff like that and closing holes quickly.

[portnoyd]

I would do the card swap imo. It's either not do it and be out $40 or spend another $40 to get back the value of the card.

This is a point where both businesses failed you and you either bend over or take care of it yourself. It really is a no-lose situation. Worst that will happen is you lose the new receipt and old card to MS (where the card wasn't going to work anyway) and you have the new card that you were going to have to buy anyway to replace the borked one.

[jcalder8]

If the OP does try to do the card swap wouldn't MS just deactivate the new code?

With the receipt I'm guessing MS will be able to figure out what code was issued because they will have the date, time, location and payment type.