Rant #3,609: The Way It Is

Well, for the first time in my life, I was scammed.

My son bought me an Ebay gift card for Chanukah, and I finally wanted to use it late yesterday afternoon.

I opened up the packaging the card was secured in, and i noticed that the code was not covered, as it normally is, with a dark strip that has to be rubbed off.

In fact, the code was fully exposed, but part of the code was rubbed off, looking like it was rubbed off with a fingernail or a coin.

Evidently, this is part of a scam where the card is stolen, the crook records the bar code and the number scheme, and then puts back the card where he originally got it.

Then, he periodically checks to see if the card has been purchased and how much money it has on it, and uses it for his own needs.

Anyway, when I discovered that the code had been partially rubbed out, and thus, I could not use the card, I brought it back to the place of purchase.

I was immediately rebuffed, with store management stating that I had to contact eBay, and not them, about this problem.

There was an email address on the back of the card, so when I got home, I immediately went to the site, explained what happened, and I received a phone call back, alerting me to what I had to do to prove my case.

I was given a link, and I had to send several documents to them as photos, including an ID, a receipt for the card, and a picture of the damaged card.

Happily, I had the receipt, which I would expect most people in this situation don't have--even the attached gift receipt--because I would assume that usually, these cards are given as gifts, and the receipt is thrown away by the purchaser.

I received word back that it would take several business days for action to be taken--

But incredibly, within about two hours, I received word that the card could now be used at the original price it was purchased at, and I was given the part of the code that had been scratched out.

I assume that the problem was such an obvious one--yes, the card had been appropriated by somebody well before it was purchased by my son--that it was a no-brainer to restore it for my use--and the material I sent them was exactly what they needed to fix the problem.

For now on, when I purchase a gift card, I will have to open the casing, and make sure the protective strip is in place, as it should have been on this card. 

And that goes for when my wife and son purchase such cards, too.

Also, save all receipts, just in case.

Finally, I will never buy a gift card in this store again, because I know the store has been targeted.

I know thst I am not the only person who has ever run into trouble like this, but it still hits me hard.

My son bought this card for me as a gift, using his hard-earned money to pay for it, and some thief thinks he has the right to steal it from under our noses.

Not a good feeling, but a least it all worked out so my son wouldn't be out the money he spent on the card.

To the thief, I hope you get caught, but I know that in all likelihood, this isn't going to happen.

This is the world that we live in today, and there is very little one can do about it.