iTunes gift card = EPIC Fail

Im not a huge apple fan, and not through choice over the last 8 years I have worked on and supported macs on occasion, to me they still really have no appeal. The iPhone/iPod touch is growing on me andI thought it was about time I bought a few of the apps I have trialed for free on my ipod touch. Off I went to the local DSE to grab a gift card. Schweet..... full versions of useful apps or so I thought. On the back of the card there is a scratchy label similar to that of a instant kiwi, upon gently scratching this panel I was met with a bit of a shock, the code underneath has also scratched off!! FAIL. I sat in complete disbelief for at least 30 seconds and then I tried to decipher the code that had been scratched off by its shadow on the card, no luck.

First stop was trusty Google, Google's autocomplete assured me I wasn't alone by completing the exact phrase I was going to search for and showing some stupid number of results. The basic instruction was to bungle the code a few times in the itunes store to get prompted with a get help option, where I thought it would give me the redemption code after I put the serial numbers and other numbers that were on the card into a web form. It still didn't give me the code. I called DSE and spoke to a girl there who didn't really offer much help, So I tried calling the apple 0800 number which refered me to the web, awesome. In the end I ended up having to fill in a support request on the apple website which is normally my last option as the rabbit at the other end normally comes back with a whole stack of stupid questions that don't relate to the actual problem. A little boy waits. To me this is a complete and Epic failure by the manufacturer of these cards, I mean what sort of idiot design's a gift card with a scratch panel and doesn't make sure the numbers underneath stay put, Beta Testing 101. Now hurry up and reply to my support request you douchebags.

To be continued....