iTunes Gift Cards Fraud

BatOutOfhell

I got an iTunes card free with an ipod from HMV - new giftcard, straight off the shelf, scratchcard intact and everything.
Gave the giftcard to my son so he could put some apps onto his new ipad and it came up "Code Already Redeemed" he contacted Apple via email and was told the code had already been redeemed and they gave us a partial Account Name which wasn't ours. They then said that I would have to contact Apple myself as I "bought" the card so I did and I sent them a scan of the front and back of the card plus a credit card statement showing my purchase from HMV.

Got a reply today basically saying tough luck but thanks for being a loyal itunes customer!

I'm furious. One Google search turns up hundreds of people claiming the same thing has happened to them - so obviously they know there's a problem but won't do anything about it! You can also find loads of dodgy sites offering itunes giftcard codes at knock-down prices - wonder where they come from then?

I've removed my credit card details from my itunes account and am refusing to spend another penny with them until I get my money back. Please pass on the message to all your friends - don't trust the giftcards you can buy in the shops - email a gift certificate instead or send the credit direct to someone's Apple ID if you know what it is.

RadoJo

What did HMV say?

BatOutOfhell

HMV say its not their problem as the ipod was bought more than 12 months ago. "I should have used the giftcard straight away!"

Azari

Did the gift card have an expiry date and if so did you try and use it within the allotted time?

If that's all good tell them, (HMV, with whom you have the contract), that the card was not 'fit for purpose' and if they do not replace it you will take them to the small claims court. (Assuming the amount on the card is worth the effort.)

Take_it_like_a_man,_sonny

iTunes cards do not have an expiry date. They are normally come in snappable two part items, 1 retained by the retailer. The card is flashed in the till, authorising them (That is why they are widely on display in supermarkets). The scratch part on the back is pretty substantial and wavy.

I gather you probably got one that I often am offered at a local group. Want a £15 iTunes or other card for £5. They do not work!

Oh, and I have not had a problem downloading fantastic tunes, such as songs by the Tiger Lilies etc.

Fosterdog

BatOutOfhell wrote: »

HMV say its not their problem as the ipod was bought more than 12 months ago. "I should have used the giftcard straight away!"

I don't know where you'd stand on proving it's even the same card that they sold you over a year ago, if you can (if you have the receipt and any numbers on there are a match to the card) it may be worth asking Apple to send you a confirmation email backing up what you say and at least you have some evidence to go to HMV with.

Personally I can see both sides of this, you bought something and you should get what you paid for but also why did it take more than 12 months to use the card? If you had checked it straight away or even with a few weeks or months this may have been easier to sort out.

BatOutOfhell

I saved the itunes card for my son who wanted an ipad. I have waited so long because he wanted an ipad 3.
I feel really really conned by this as HMV will not do anything and neither will Apple.
I know I am not alone in this as similar postings are all over the internet.
I just wanted to get the message across to people, not to trust the iTunes giftcards. Even people who sent a jpeg of their receipts for the cards to Apple have not got their money back but people need to be aware that there is a risk here, even if Apple won't openly acknowledge it.

real1314

BatOutOfhell wrote: »

I saved the itunes card for my son who wanted an ipad. I have waited so long because he wanted an ipad 3.
I feel really really conned by this as HMV will not do anything and neither will Apple.
I know I am not alone in this as similar postings are all over the internet.
I just wanted to get the message across to people, not to trust the iTunes giftcards. Even people who sent a jpeg of their receipts for the cards to Apple have not got their money back but people need to be aware that there is a risk here, even if Apple won't openly acknowledge it.

You saved the card for over 12 months because he wanted an iPad3 even though they didn't exist at that time, and no-one knew what the spec would be?
In fact 12 months ago the iPad2 had only just been launched, so how on earth would he decide that he wanted an Ipad3?

And, what's more, you could have just credited the value to your/his iTunes account anyway?

It all sounds a bit too incoherent to be readily accepted. :cool:

Fosterdog

Why should Apple refund you? they are not the ones who sold you the fake card they are an innocent party.

I have to agree with the above about waiting for the new iPad, nobody knew if or when it would be released back then. And if you/your son already have an apple id the gift card could have been credited to the account a year ago and left to sit there until now.

Your argument should be with HMV if anyone, they sold it to you.

BatOutOfhell

Regardless of the details of my particular situation, there are plenty of other people posting on the Apple Community Forums and elsewhere that they had the receipt for their giftcard and they still couldn't get their money back.

So can I just say this one more time.....
This forum is Praise Vent & Warnings and no matter whose fault any of you think it is, or what you think I should have done with the card, I am WARNING people to be aware that there is a problem with iTunes giftcards and that if you buy one and have the same problem as me, neither Apple nor the Retailer will give you your money back.

Please stop being so horrible to me for posting a valid warning to other members.

real1314

BatOutOfhell wrote: »

Regardless of the details of my particular situation, there are plenty of other people posting on the Apple Community Forums and elsewhere that they had the receipt for their giftcard and they still couldn't get their money back.

So can I just say this one more time.....
This forum is Praise Vent & Warnings and no matter whose fault any of you think it is, or what you think I should have done with the card, I am WARNING people to be aware that there is a problem with iTunes giftcards and that if you buy one and have the same problem as me, neither Apple nor the Retailer will give you your money back.

Please stop being so horrible to me for posting a valid warning to other members.

Have you been to trading standards? Have you written to HMV?
Have you done anything not mentioned here to assert your case?

As I have said, I don't think the details of your case would be readily accepted by any retailer on any similar purchase activity.
So your warning against "retailer X" and "supplier Y" is moot.

Sorry, but the ball is in your court. :cool: