Oh Barnes & Noble, this is why no one shops with you.

My dad gave me a B&N virtual gift card to download things to my Nook. My dad gave us a Nook some years back, which we promptly returned for actual books. I do have an iPad from work now; occasionally I download books from the library, but I feel no need to pay money for things I plan to read once (even electronically). I have a conference I am attending in Florida in February, and I thought hey - there are a couple e-books I wanted to read, so what the heck. I'll use the gift card to buy those, and because it's a gift I won't care if I delete them afterwards.* This will allow me to carry less stuff.

However.
Trying to redeem the gift card took me to their website where I logged on. It then told me I was using the wrong e-mail. I tried logging on with that one and... it's not a valid account.
I finally braced myself to deal with their customer service - and after some runaround with the rep going by script rather than communicating with what I said, was told that they have to refund the gift card. And have my dad then re-purchase it with the e-mail logon I use with them once it clears.

Making prospective customers jump through multiple hoops just to spend money is a guaranteed way to lose said prospective customers.

---

* I first typed "afterwords", which is vaguely amusing and not totally wrong.

(no subject)

This week's Resolution Recipe, with bonus: Filetto di maiale porchettato in crosta di pane.
Or, "Pork tenderloin with porchetta seasoning baked in bread."
( Read more... )

Bonus side dish: Cicorie d'inverno in salsa d'acciughe. Or, winter chicory salad with anchovy sauce.
( Read more... )