iTunes Gift Card Activation Code "not recognized", Apple Support not Responding. Anyone else?

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Level 1

8 points

iTunes Gift Card Activation Code "not recognized", Apple Support not Responding. Anyone else?

I tried redeeming my gift card (many, many times, each time maticulously entering the code to ensure I didn't miss anything or type it in incorrectly. It keeps telling me that "the code is not recognized", and a form pops up to fill out with your name, email, Gift Card Serial Number, and Gift Card Activation Code. It says that customers "normally" receive a response within 24 hours, and it's almost been 48 hours now. iTunes Support for this issue is apparently only available via email, and I've called nearly every single customer support line available ot make sure. Everyone says the same thing after putting me on hold for 15 minutes. "Apparently iTunes Support for this issue is only available through e-mail." And when I explain that I already have and that they are not responding. they say "I'm so sorry, I guess you'll just have to wait".

How is it that a GIFT CARD of all things has the worst support available at Apple? Seriously? So if I give someone an iTunes Gift Card, and it doesn't work...they have to spend days just trying to get in touch with someone?

And to top it off, I got mine through the Back to School promotion Apple's having, so...Apple gave me the card, and Apple won't help...well, I guess that's not as surprising as I thought now that I write it out.

Is ANYONE else having these issues? I found a post somewhere from 2 years ago where people were, but not recently.

Posted on Jul 14, 2011 1:03 PM

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Answer 1

Jul 14, 2011 1:08 PM in response to jpcguy89

You can provide feedback to Apple here.

iTunes Support for this issue is apparently only available via email, and I've called nearly every single customer support line available ot make sure. Everyone says the same thing after putting me on hold for 15 minutes. "Apparently iTunes Support for this issue is only available through e-mail." And when I explain that I already have and that they are not responding. they say "I'm so sorry, I guess you'll just have to wait".

Not sure by your statement if you actually used the email form so here's the link.

Apple - Support - iTunes Store - Contact Us

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Answer 2

jpcguy89 Author

Level 1

8 points

Jul 14, 2011 1:16 PM in response to Carolyn Samit

Thanks Carolyn, I've now sent feedback and I did use the both the email form and the form provided through iTunes specifically for this issue. I just don't understand how Apple can issue someone a Gift Card for their own promotion that doesn't work, and then take days to help to resolve the issue. It's even more frustrating because as far as I can tell, I'm the only one having this issue. And I am 100% POSITIVE that it's not the way I'm entering the code, or that I have mistaken any characters in the activation code for others.

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Answer 3

jpcguy89 Author

Level 1

8 points

Jul 14, 2011 1:25 PM in response to jpcguy89

What's even weirder is that the page saying that the card wasn't recognized and asking you to fill out and send in the form for help ONLY comes up with this code. I tried changing one 'B' to an '8' and instead of that screen I simply got a message saying "The code you entered is not recgonized as a valid code." in red above the box I used to enter it in.

So...it almost seems like it's aware it's a valid code...doesn't it? Why else would the form appear for THAT particular variation, and not when I change a letter or number?

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Answer 4

Jaky333

Level 1

4 points

Jul 18, 2011 3:24 PM in response to jpcguy89

My boss is having the same issue.

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Answer 5

njn007

Level 1

0 points

Jul 21, 2011 5:45 AM in response to Jaky333

I just tried to redeem different cards today so that I could download Lion with the same result. Giving the serial number just leads to an automatic report sent to the iTunes team. This is getting ridiculous.

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Answer 6

Aug 15, 2011 5:01 PM in response to jpcguy89

I am having the same issue. I purchased a 3 pack of $10 itune cards, total $30, and only one of the cards was recognized. Waiting on a reply from apple support. I entered the information requested on the support form, guess I will try a direct email and see what happens.....

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Answer 7

Sep 4, 2011 12:09 PM in response to jpcguy89

I had same issue. I tried retyping the code few times and got the same error. So I tried to enter O (Owe) instead of the character that looked exactly like a 0 (Zero) and it worked.

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Answer 8

a49

Level 1

0 points

Nov 1, 2011 5:38 PM in response to josephfrommurphysboro

Did your issue ever get resolved? I have yet to hear from anyone. Do you think it might be an error on the stores end, like they didn't activate it or something? Should I try to reutrn it?

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Answer 9

Nov 16, 2011 1:28 PM in response to jpcguy89

Did you ever resolve your issue? I got the back to school promotion and everytime I try to redeem the code it says its an invalid code. I looked on a few of apples help sites but none gelp my problem. I finally gave up looking and called apple they could solve my issue and refered me to a site i had previously visted. I told them this and they said it was my only chance and then hung up. I now have a code for $100 and it doesnt work. I dont know what else to do.

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Answer 10

Nov 16, 2011 1:43 PM in response to jpcguy89

Did your code come on a gift card or did they send it by email?😕

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Answer 11

Nov 16, 2011 3:36 PM in response to biebergirl

I didn't get a reply from any one but i figured out what the issue was.

In most cases a 0 = a ZERO on the gift card it ment CAPITAL OH!! like "O"

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Answer 12

duerden

Level 1

4 points

Nov 23, 2011 7:14 PM in response to jpcguy89

I read on another thread how to fix it and it worked for me.

Click redeem repeatedly even after the error code.

Then a new window will pop up letting you enter the code and the serial number on the bottom of the card. Mine started with GCA and was not in the spot they show in the little picture.

After entering all that, it worked.

Good luck!

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Answer 13

Dec 8, 2011 1:35 AM in response to jpcguy89

It makes me sick to spend $30 on a card to then find out the redemption code is "invalid"....

The seller won't give a refund OR exchange the card so, like thousands of other Apple users, I have sought help from Apple through their 'Express Lane' email service.

Time will tell if they respond (yawn)...

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Answer 14

Dec 30, 2011 9:46 PM in response to halfback haulage

Good luck, I got the same problem and and summited all the stuff Apple asked me to give them, they just delete the claims and never respone.

my topic:

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3611691

it seems like a poor support system too me and it clear from older post on this site that the $30 packs have the most problems. Apple must be able to see this and are just not helping anyone with this problem. So yes in my view Apple is ripping of it's customers.

duerden was that a $30 3 pack you did that on to get your cards to work ?

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Answer 15

Jul 26, 2012 6:16 PM in response to prostovanka

great tks for ur kindly reminding, it works now, I canot imagine that Apple misuse "0" and "O". such a weird mistake! is that about bureaucracy? Apart from that, itunes support *****, they didnot reply within 24hrs.

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