by Peter Joseph Swanson
Member since:
April 13, 2007

I am annoyed with Amazon, Borders, and my 50$ Gather gift card !!!

March 20, 2008 04:28 PM EDT
views: 378 | comments: 56

Borders closed up their HUGE downtown store so I thought I'd just use my 50$ gift card I got from Gather and go to Borders online and buy buy buy that way.  And I was happy to see that they were "teamed" with Amazon so I thought that once I bought, I'd be able to post reviews there, finally.  My order was $34.99 with free shipping, yay.  BUT then I find out it isn't enough to have the gift card, you also have to fill out the credit card info (why why why).  I don't have a credit card.  I wouldn't give it to them anyway.  THAT'S NOT HOW I'M PAYING - and my $50 card had more than enough on it.  So now I gotta find a Borders around here somewhere (long bus ride) and walk in the door.   

 

(grumble grumble grump)

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Comments: 56

Sherry W. Mar 20, 2008, 4:29pm EDT
Really? That's weird. I'm pretty sure I don't have a CC on file with Amazon yet I bought an entire order with just GCs codes a few weeks ago. Can you contact them?
Vivian P. Mar 20, 2008, 4:30pm EDT
Poor Peter
HUGS !!
☆ ƒåitĥ ☆ Mar 20, 2008, 4:30pm EDT
Oh boy... what a hassle. Sorry.
Marci M. Mar 20, 2008, 4:31pm EDT
I don't have a borders card around me either. I wish we could use the cards on amazon.com. I'm trying to get the cash option this month so I can use the money how and where I want.
Shannon S. Mar 20, 2008, 4:32pm EDT
I heard on the news today that Border's is looking for someone to buy them...
Ashley B. Mar 20, 2008, 4:33pm EDT
Or possibly a Walden Books? or a Borders Express? They are accepted there too.
Sheryl O. Mar 20, 2008, 4:34pm EDT
Interesting....I wonder why Amazon would make you apply for a credit card in order to use a Borders gift card. I wouldn't take that deal, either. At least you know that you can use the card at the Borders store, though.
Michelle P. Mar 20, 2008, 4:36pm EDT
That is odd... I have ordered so much w/ Amazon I am sure they already have my cc info, but if you have a gc worth more than enough... hmm? very strange indeed.
Peter Joseph Swanson Mar 20, 2008, 4:40pm EDT
I will try again online with them another day. It JUST doesn't make sense to me that they would MAKE you put in credit card info that you don't need for the purchase. It is BEEEEYOND me !!!
I'm glad I just do the Macy's thing.
Valerie Roars Mar 20, 2008, 4:45pm EDT
very strange....hope you get it worked out :)
Sandra T. Mar 20, 2008, 4:47pm EDT
That doesn't seem right to have to provide a credit card when using a gift card? That is weird.
Ana S. Mar 20, 2008, 4:47pm EDT
what a pain!!
Heidianna "Coriander" T. Mar 20, 2008, 4:49pm EDT
Ugh, what a pain!
Sarah (can't believe the year's over) G. Mar 20, 2008, 4:52pm EDT
Boooo! That is not fun!
Monica Kennedy Mar 20, 2008, 4:53pm EDT
Maybe there is a customer service number you can try or try calling one and tell them you cannot get to the store but need help using the gift card.
Hollie ~TNR Works~ Mar 20, 2008, 4:54pm EDT
Yeah you do need a debit card/or credit card on file to use the borders card. I've tried to do it with out it and it won't work. Call the customer service people on your borders card, they are VERY helpful. I have a debit card so it didn't bother me to add it, but I wouldn't call Amazon, they do NOT know anything about anything that has to do with the Borders card, trust me on this, I've gone that route already.
Chick J. Mar 20, 2008, 4:54pm EDT
Keep us inform. There isn't a Border store around here either.
Peter Joseph Swanson Mar 20, 2008, 5:04pm EDT
Boooooooooo Amazon !!!!

(It's really their HORRIBLE policy problem - Borders should make them change it)
I hope you get it all worked out! The last time I redeemed, I got a Home Depot card!!! I Just LOVE Home Depot! :-)
Jo C. Mar 20, 2008, 5:36pm EDT
Oh, what a pain! I'm sorry you went through that but glad to learn the truth about how to redeem these.
Jennifer N. Mar 20, 2008, 5:39pm EDT
My mom found out the same thing and couldn't order on the site either.

Good luck finding a store to use it at!
Sheila Deeth Mar 20, 2008, 5:42pm EDT
If only you were a round peg you and your imaginary credit card would fit in the nice round hole they want to put you in.
Dorothy H. Mar 20, 2008, 5:44pm EDT
I'm working toward a HomeDepot card, but really would like Gather to offer those debit cards. With the price of food and gas going up, I'd use it for those, like my debit card from Netwinner.
Marianne R. Mar 20, 2008, 5:53pm EDT
Yeah, they have that as a backup for some reason. Do you have an old visa debit card or something you can enter?
Janet "Jax" B. Mar 20, 2008, 5:56pm EDT
YOu could try calling them and paying by phone. I've done that with barnes and noble.
Melanie S. Mar 20, 2008, 6:14pm EDT
Yeah it sucks. It's in there policy if you look online. Their reasoning for it is incase your order (or order after shipping) goes over the amount of the gift card, then they'll change your credit card for the remaining balance.
Peter Joseph Swanson Mar 20, 2008, 6:26pm EDT
I would hate to make an order and then have them decided AFTER that I owe more money !!!!
Borgie B . Mar 20, 2008, 6:28pm EDT
Why dont you have a credit card?

Do you still use checks as well?
Ian M. Mar 20, 2008, 7:30pm EDT
Y'all come back now, ya hear?
Kay M. Mar 20, 2008, 8:26pm EDT
That's a pain
John Philipp Mar 20, 2008, 8:33pm EDT
Well that's a bummer, Peter. Hope it works out.
Danielle P. Mar 20, 2008, 8:34pm EDT
Calling would probably be less of a bother than trying to find a bus and actually go to a Borders near you..Sorry this happened to you.
~*~Danyale~*~ N. Mar 20, 2008, 10:04pm EDT
sry to hear all ur trouble hope u can get it fixed somehow
Phyllis R. Mar 20, 2008, 10:11pm EDT
Sorry Peter, -this is a big hassle for you. Would be nice to get the VISA cards like on BT, can use them anywhere!! Good Luck~~~
Erin P. Mar 20, 2008, 10:59pm EDT
Sorry, Peter. Might be a good idea to have one just for added documentation, indentification, and back-up (as for emergencies). Perhaps it would take a debit card instead?
Jean, just the teensiest bit odd, F. Mar 21, 2008, 12:44am EDT
I could never figure out why you have to have a credit card to SELL on EBAY, either!
Kay & Snowy Cat Mar 21, 2008, 6:57am EDT
Peter, are you sure Amazon was just trying to get you to sign up for their credit card? They did that to me, offering me free shipping if I signed up. I refused, paid for the shipping.
Denise E. Mar 21, 2008, 12:56pm EDT
oh my - people just don't understand how big of deal it is to get where you going using the bus and how important it is that the time that you are there is as productive as possible. get 'em Peter!
Cindy D. Mar 21, 2008, 1:12pm EDT
I've loved Amazon for a long, long time but you certainly have to do things their way. I've also loved Borders since I lived in Ann Arbor lo these many moons ago. Nothing better than spending a few hours browsing books. Hope you get things straightened out, Peter.
Tina Coruth Mar 21, 2008, 1:58pm EDT
I don't know why they do that. It doesn't seem fair. And I'm not buying the excuse that they need the credit card in case the customer goes over the limit of the gift card. They know darn well at checkout if the customer has gone over!!!
Abby N. Mar 21, 2008, 2:42pm EDT
That stinks! Wondering, did you purchase more than the value of the cards and that is why they want a credit card? Or perhaps they think people are making fake gift cards or numbers these days? Idiots I say! :)
Lacey K. Mar 21, 2008, 2:44pm EDT
Well, that sucks.
J F. Mar 21, 2008, 3:57pm EDT
Bummer. I read somewhere that Borders was being bought by someone. I only get Home Depot cards from Gather. And now that I hear all this stuff about Boomertowne I am even wondering if I will be able to get anything from them at the end of the month.
dark faery Mar 21, 2008, 4:16pm EDT

Got a walden books anywhere close? They're part of the Borders company and takes Borders cards.
CyberGwen ! Mar 23, 2008, 12:57pm EDT
I have had that problem with most gift cards that I try to use online, not just Amazon!
Sarah (I want points) Mar 25, 2008, 2:31pm EDT
I'm sorry that you couldn't use it that way! Seems silly to me.
Judith Beckman Apr 30, 2008, 6:51pm EDT
Hope you get this worked out so that you can soon enjoy your reading!
Michelle C. Jul 18, 2008, 11:28pm EDT
Maybe you can call customer service and get your order placed that way. Hope things have gotten or get straightened out!
Cecilia Lyne Oct 21, 2008, 3:25pm EDT
Thats a hassel
Lina :-p Nov 25, 2008, 12:46pm EST
So, they want you to just spend more than the gift card is worth before you can use it?
Lina :-p Nov 25, 2008, 12:47pm EST
I was thinking about cashing out for an amazon card...
Current Resident Nov 28, 2008, 1:20pm EST
I've ordered stuff from Amazon just with gift cards. Never used a credit card...
Mooch -. Dec 1, 2008, 1:05pm EST
I have no idea, I would contact them for help and information.
Mooch
charity kimball ツ Sep 7, 2009, 3:50pm EDT
I dont blame ya I wouldnt put in cc numbers either

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