Defective Apple Gift Card

Question

Defective Apple Gift Card

I bought a $500 Apple Gift Card with cash at the Best Buy Store 2 hrs ago. I got home and pulled of the tab to reveal the code and the tab pulled off some of the numbers on the code. I contacted Apple support and was told there was nothing they could do without the sleeve to the card. I had shredded the sleeve. Jacob the supervisor told me I could try to put the shredding together because there was no way to deal with getting the code without the sleeve. The shred is a fine cross cut. No way it could be put together.

I sent a photo of the card, 2 sides and the store receipts to no avail

He locked the card. I have a $500 locked gift card, apple has the $, but I cannot use the card. I need some help please

Posted on Sep 24, 2024 12:43 PM

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Answer 1

Jeff Donald

Level 8

44,700 points

Sep 24, 2024 1:27 PM in response to paulfromwilton manors

If parts of the code are missing on the card, Apple >may< be able to recover the full number. But it requires the numbers/codes on the sleeve, the card and the receipt. If any piece is missing, recovery of the necessary code is not possible.

There really is no higher source to appeal to. You destroyed part of the information necessary to recover codes needed to track the purchase and redeem the card for the value.

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Answer 2

Limnos

Level 10

427,067 points

Sep 24, 2024 12:54 PM in response to paulfromwilton manors

Apple suggests you contact Apple. The people on this forum are just users like yourself. You could maybe see if Best Buy has any information that would help.

This version of the link will take you to the section of the support article about what to do if your code is unreadable If you can't redeem your Apple Gift Card or App Store & iTunes Gift Card - Apple Support

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Answer 3

Mac Jim ID

Level 9

60,146 points

Sep 24, 2024 12:58 PM in response to paulfromwilton manors

Sorry, but there is no additional help we can provide. The information that should be required is here:

An image of the full front and back of your card.
A sales receipt showing when your card was purchased.
The serial number from your card.

The serial number has always been on the card in the past, so not aware of the case where the serial number is only on the sleeve. I can only suggest to contact Apple again for a better explanation or resolution. The relevent support page along with the link is here:

If you can't redeem your Apple Gift Card or App Store & iTunes Gift Card - Apple Support

Hopefully you are able to get it resolved and understand how frustrating that is. Please update if you were able to get a better outcome.

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Answer 4

Jeff Donald

Level 8

44,700 points

Sep 24, 2024 1:03 PM in response to paulfromwilton manors

Most retailers purchase gift cards from distributors. The distributor Best Buy uses and Best Buy have the bulk of your funds. I suspect none of the parties involved will refund you and take the full loss.

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Answer 5

Sep 24, 2024 1:09 PM in response to Mac Jim ID

Thank you. Apple was insistent there was nothing they could do without the sleeve. That didnt make sense to me, but thats what they kept saying. I am trying to find a way to go up the ladder. I spoke to the initial contact who answered the call, then asked for a supervisor and he told me there was nothing that could be done without the sleeve. He said there was no one above him. I asked him who he reported to. No answer. Very frustrating.

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Answer 6

Sep 24, 2024 1:41 PM in response to Jeff Donald

How would anyone know the sleeve was needed. There is no disclaimer saying keep the sleeve. I shredded it as a safety measure.

in the future I will unveil the code in the store before paying for the card so I can get a new one right there

looking at all the issues with these cards and these codes one would think Apple would take some responsibility

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Answer 7

Limnos

Level 10

427,067 points

Sep 24, 2024 1:46 PM in response to paulfromwilton manors

looking at all the issues with these cards and these codes one would think Apple would take some responsibility

I don't know about "all the issues". Sure you see a few here, but what you don't see are the millions who do not have issues and don't bother to say so.

I don't know about Apple taking responsibility but according to posts here it is getting harder and harder to find anybody who still sells gift cards. They are all going virtual.

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Defective Apple Gift Card

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