This situation is truly a time thief. In the mean time Apple is using your funds. I understand that stuff happens, but this seems to be a common problem which apple must fix at all cost to prevent themselves from being looked at as a cheat.
When you purchase a with a gift card there should be no delays in being able to use it especially for technical reasons inside apple and out of your control. What happens in case you have not noticed is, your most valuable asset is stolen. Your time, then your money at least for a period of time. Then it takes more time to write these types of comments. What a shameful waste of time for $50 dollars.