iTunes HELP? I have $24.95 in iTunes card credit, but it charged my credit card?!

[unicornicole]

Happy Monday everyone!

So today I decided to send one of my friends a very special christmas present - episodes of SNL. I decided to first send her the Just Commercials episode, because I know its one of her favorite parts of the sketch show.

The show is $1.99, and I filled out the "Gift" form.

However, when I clicked "Done", the iTunes page said that it had billed my CREDIT CARD.

I have $24.95 in store credit, from various gift cards for iTunes.

Why did this happen, and how can I fix this?
I really really really can NOT have this bill be on my credit card.
Thank you in advance.

 

[TraceyS/FL]

You can't use iTunes credit for gifts, only your CC.

I have no clue why - but i learned that a little over a year ago when i wanted to send a friend a song.

 

[unicornicole]

That is the worst thing I have ever heard.
-.-"

 

[HBOC]

this is standard on ALL giftcards, not just apple. You can't use a Best Buy giftcard to buy an iTunes Giftcard. Too much fraud, no way to track if something happens.

 

[crazzyeddie]

this is standard on ALL giftcards, not just apple. You can't use a Best Buy giftcard to buy an iTunes Giftcard. Too much fraud, no way to track if something happens.

This is exactly right.

 

[MadeTheSwitch]

I've never understood this policy. Perhaps someone can explain this fraud thing to me more. What's the difference if I take my Best Buy giftcard and get an iTunes card vs. getting oh...a CD or a videogame instead??? I'm confused. From where I am sitting there is no difference, so I must be missing something.

 

[jaw04005]

I've never understood this policy. Perhaps someone can explain this fraud thing to me more. What's the difference if I take my Best Buy giftcard and get an iTunes card vs. getting oh...a CD or a videogame instead??? I'm confused. From where I am sitting there is no difference, so I must be missing something.

You're not missing anything. The fraud risk is overplayed. And it's not a set policy for all stores. For example, I just bought a Wii Points Card with a Wal-Mart gift card last week.

It's mostly a ploy for retailers to get you to purchase a item with more markup (and they therefore make something off of you in aggregate).

Third-party gift cards (like iTunes, PSN, XBOX, Wii, etc) are a loss leader for retail stores. There's very little retail markup on them since it's essentially a cash for credit exchange. The only reason they carry them is to drive sales of more expensive physical products (iPod touch, game consoles, etc).

Knowing Apple's strict retail pricing history, I wouldn't be surprised if retail stores make less than 5 percent markup off an iTunes Gift Card purchase — barely enough to cover their transaction fees.

Since iTunes gift cards don't expire, there's no chance of the retailer receiving non-use revenue either.

And as far as Apple is concerned, they don't want you using "your" credit on other people. It's a smart way to get two transactions off you.

 

[instaxgirl]

this is standard on ALL giftcards, not just apple. You can't use a Best Buy giftcard to buy an iTunes Giftcard. Too much fraud, no way to track if something happens.

I work for a music store in the UK. Customers can use our giftcards to buy iTunes cards.

 

[Primejimbo]

this is standard on ALL giftcards, not just apple. You can't use a Best Buy giftcard to buy an iTunes Giftcard. Too much fraud, no way to track if something happens.

I just got an iTunes gift card with a Best Buy gift card yesterday, it can be done. Not only I did that, I got another Best Buy gift card and paid for it with a Jewel gift card because I don't like shopping at Jewel for food and since they sell gift cards for other stores I bought a Best Buy one.

 

[TraceyS/FL]

I just got an iTunes gift card with a Best Buy gift card yesterday, it can be done. Not only I did that, I got another Best Buy gift card and paid for it with a Jewel gift card because I don't like shopping at Jewel for food and since they sell gift cards for other stores I bought a Best Buy one.

I"ve done this at BB too.

I did run into an issue last week funding my pre-paid debit card with a WM GC. I had done this before without issue - which is why i went to do it again. The lady cashed it out for me and did it. She didn't believe me when i told her i had done it about 2 months ago (or i wouldn't have told people that WM GC's were fine to send me).