What happened to SOE game cards ?

[Kair]

I have been to three Best buys and 4 EB Game Stores and they all have the game cards as delisted and will no longer carry them. Has SOE stopped producing them or changing the way the cards are used ? If so are we going to be forced to used credit cards, if so what about those of us who do not have that option?

[Tagurok]

There is a Pay by Cash option on the bottom left hand side of the screen at the SOE store.

[Luier]

<cite>Awen@Mistmoore wrote:</cite><blockquote>I have been to three Best buys and 4 EB Game Stores and they all have the game cards as delisted and will no longer carry them. Has SOE stopped producing them or changing the way the cards are used ? If so are we going to be forced to used credit cards, if so what about those of us who do not have that option?</blockquote>Cant be right!  The fry's down the street has 100's of them (i live in dallas/ft worth).  If the game cards are going away, then so am I.

[Tinkercra]

I have personally used <a href="http://www.paybycash.com" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.paybycash.com</a> for over a year.It works very well - I am able to pay for my game cards using online banking and my game card code is emailed to me within an hour or two.

[Luier]

<cite>Tinkercraft wrote:</cite><blockquote>I have personally used <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.paybycash.com" target="_blank">www.paybycash.com</a> for over a year.It works very well - I am able to pay for my game cards using online banking and my game card code is emailed to me within an hour or two.</blockquote><p>Well, some day you WILL have to deal with some type of identity theft or at least a mix up with your account.  Most people dont trust on-line transactions and FEEL much better paying cash to a store and then returning home to enter a code.</p><p>To each his own, i guess.</p>

[Sevlar]

<p>If you don't have a credit card then you can buy prepaid credit cards from most grocery stores.</p><p>You buy a cardboard version of the credit card for the amount you want on that card. You are then given a credit card number which you can use for online purchases. After a few days a real plastic version of your credit card shows up. You can then add money to that card anytime you wish for purchases online and such. </p><p>Also you can withdraw the money you put into the card from an ATM if you needed the cash back.</p><p>With so many option to get prepaid credit cards I really don't see much of a reason to have game cards. If you think about it $oe makes less money off of players useing game cards since they have to pay to have the card made, boxed, shipped and then allow the vendor who sells the card to make a little profit. </p><p>Compare that to customers who pay directly with their own credit cards and you can clearly see that there is a lot less overhead cost. </p><p>We all know how $OE is all about making that extra buck (like most business' although $oe tends to stand out as the company that enjoys nickle & dimeing their customers to death) I expect that they have been looking for a way to get people off those game cards as soon as they can. </p><p>Most game companies don't offer cards anymore and as time goes on I think the crads will become completely obsolete since there are so many other pre-paid options available that does not cost the gaming companies any extra money to make.</p>

[Effie]

<cite>Luier wrote:</cite><blockquote><cite>Tinkercraft wrote:</cite><blockquote>I have personally used <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.paybycash.com" target="_blank">www.paybycash.com</a> for over a year.It works very well - I am able to pay for my game cards using online banking and my game card code is emailed to me within an hour or two.</blockquote><p>Well, some day you WILL have to deal with some type of identity theft or at least a mix up with your account.  Most people dont trust on-line transactions and FEEL much better paying cash to a store and then returning home to enter a code.</p><p>To each his own, i guess.</p></blockquote><p>Paybycash.com offers multiple methods of payment.</p><p>It's a secure website where no personal sensitive information is requested or required.</p><p>You can make payment via Interac Email Money Transfer which can be done via online, telephone or personal banking.</p><p>Perhaps you should do a bit of research into their service before making such an ignorant statement.</p>

[Luier]

<cite>Sevlar wrote:</cite><blockquote><p>If you don't have a credit card then you can buy prepaid credit cards from most grocery stores.</p><p>You buy a cardboard version of the credit card for the amount you want on that card. You are then given a credit card number which you can use for online purchases. After a few days a real plastic version of your credit card shows up. You can then add money to that card anytime you wish for purchases online and such. </p><p>Also you can withdraw the money you put into the card from an ATM if you needed the cash back.</p><p>With so many option to get prepaid credit cards I really don't see much of a reason to have game cards. If you think about it $oe makes less money off of players useing game cards since they have to pay to have the card made, boxed, shipped and then allow the vendor who sells the card to make a little profit. </p><p>Compare that to customers who pay directly with their own credit cards and you can clearly see that there is a lot less overhead cost. </p><p>We all know how $OE is all about making that extra buck (like most business' although $oe tends to stand out as the company that enjoys nickle & dimeing their customers to death) I expect that they have been looking for a way to get people off those game cards as soon as they can. </p><p>Most game companies don't offer cards anymore and as time goes on I think the crads will become completely obsolete since there are so many other pre-paid options available that does not cost the gaming companies any extra money to make.</p></blockquote>As long as WoW does offer time cards it would be a foolish money losing venture to discontinue their own cards!

[Luier]

I did an internet search and can find zero evidence that time cards are going away, perhaps best buy and eb games (as listed in the OP) just don't sell them anymore.

[Tinkercra]

Just to clarify - pay by cash NEVER has access to my bank account, at any time.The system used to transfer payment is used by banks throughout North America.Its no different than a parent transferring money to their kid at college.I have used online banking for over 5 years with multiple banks without any problems.I am in Canada, so maybe that makes a difference? lolAnd as you say, to each their own.

[Sevlar]

<cite>Luier wrote:</cite><blockquote><cite>Tinkercraft wrote:</cite><blockquote>I have personally used <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.paybycash.com" target="_blank">www.paybycash.com</a> for over a year.It works very well - I am able to pay for my game cards using online banking and my game card code is emailed to me within an hour or two.</blockquote><p>Well, some day you WILL have to deal with some type of identity theft or at least a mix up with your account.  Most people dont trust on-line transactions and FEEL much better paying cash to a store and then returning home to enter a code.</p><p>To each his own, i guess.</p></blockquote><p>I have been in the computer sales and repair business for almost 7 years now and never over all that time has one of my customers been a victim of any online theft. I am not saying that it does not happen but it is alot rare than the people who are technologicaly paranoid think.</p><p>Also consider that in most cases if your card information is stolen its often easy to prove that you did not order 400 pizza's from some 3rd world country. </p><p>For people who do have credit cards but are afraid to use them online and just prefer to use the cards at stores then consider this.......</p><p>When you make a purchase with your credit card in person at a store you are at higher risk of being ripped off then you are with online purchases. At a store the clerk behind the counter not only has your card number but will also have a copy of your signature to go along with it. </p><p>Also when you make the transaction at the store the card still is connected to a server that is online to approve of the pruchase. This server can still be hacked into by anyone determined enough to steal your card numbers.</p><p>In the end though the pre-paid cards are the safest becuase you do not have to present any ID when actiavting the credit card and you can recharge it with cash. Also since its pre-paid you can always choose keep just enough money in it to cover the expense of your game subscriptions so if someone was to steel your card info they will not get much more than 30-50 bucks.</p><p>Over all if this was a common thing you would hear about people posting on boards like these about how their card info was stolen. Think about the millions of people who play MMO's world wide and yet you never hear of any complaints about card numbers being stolen from the gaming companies.</p><p>To be afraid of making online purchases with a credit card is to shut yourself out from the bulk of the modern form of making transactions. Sure there is some risk involved but it is the standard and should be embraced. To try and avoid such progress is like staying inside the house all the time becuase there is a chance those new flying machines (airplanes) might come falling out of the sky on top of you. Sure there is a chance but it is very unlikely.</p>

[Luier]

<cite>Sevlar wrote:</cite><blockquote><cite>Luier wrote:</cite><blockquote><cite>Tinkercraft wrote:</cite><blockquote>I have personally used <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.paybycash.com" target="_blank">www.paybycash.com</a> for over a year.It works very well - I am able to pay for my game cards using online banking and my game card code is emailed to me within an hour or two.</blockquote><p>Well, some day you WILL have to deal with some type of identity theft or at least a mix up with your account.  Most people dont trust on-line transactions and FEEL much better paying cash to a store and then returning home to enter a code.</p><p>To each his own, i guess.</p></blockquote><p>I have been in the computer sales and repair business for almost 7 years now and never over all that time has one of my customers been a victim of any online theft. I am not saying that it does not happen but it is alot rare than the people who are technologicaly paranoid think.</p><p>Also consider that in most cases if your card information is stolen its often easy to prove that you did not order 400 pizza's from some 3rd world country. </p><p>For people who do have credit cards but are afraid to use them online and just prefer to use the cards at stores then consider this.......</p><p>When you make a purchase with your credit card in person at a store you are at higher risk of being ripped off then you are with online purchases. At a store the clerk behind the counter not only has your card number but will also have a copy of your signature to go along with it. </p><p>Also when you make the transaction at the store the card still is connected to a server that is online to approve of the pruchase. This server can still be hacked into by anyone determined enough to steal your card numbers.</p><p>In the end though the pre-paid cards are the safest becuase you do not have to present any ID when actiavting the credit card and you can recharge it with cash. Also since its pre-paid you can always choose keep just enough money in it to cover the expense of your game subscriptions so if someone was to steel your card info they will not get much more than 30-50 bucks.</p><p>Over all if this was a common thing you would hear about people posting on boards like these about how their card info was stolen. Think about the millions of people who play MMO's world wide and yet you never hear of any complaints about card numbers being stolen from the gaming companies.</p><p>To be afraid of making online purchases with a credit card is to shut yourself out from the bulk of the modern form of making transactions. Sure there is some risk involved but it is the standard and should be embraced. To try and avoid such progress is like staying inside the house all the time becuase there is a chance those new flying machines (airplanes) might come falling out of the sky on top of you. Sure there is a chance but it is very unlikely.</p></blockquote>Some of us, although we have good credit, simply don't use credit cards for anything.  Why pay the interest when I can just use cash? I know that in regards to an soe time card the interest is very low, but I ask the question in a general sence, why pay extra for anything?  Maybe you think its easier to use a credit card and thats fine, but i would rather save a buck and use cash, but thats just me.

[Tinkercra]

Exactly why I use paybycash.com - I don't use credit cards, and am able to essentially pay cash for a game card, except it's all electronically done.Plus I feel better not buying a giant cardboard box for a small card inside, save some trees!<img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />

[Sevlar]

<cite>Luier wrote:</cite><blockquote><cite>Sevlar wrote:</cite><blockquote><cite>Luier wrote:</cite><blockquote><cite>Tinkercraft wrote:</cite><blockquote>I have personally used <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.paybycash.com" target="_blank">www.paybycash.com</a> for over a year.It works very well - I am able to pay for my game cards using online banking and my game card code is emailed to me within an hour or two.</blockquote><p>Well, some day you WILL have to deal with some type of identity theft or at least a mix up with your account.  Most people dont trust on-line transactions and FEEL much better paying cash to a store and then returning home to enter a code.</p><p>To each his own, i guess.</p></blockquote><p>I have been in the computer sales and repair business for almost 7 years now and never over all that time has one of my customers been a victim of any online theft. I am not saying that it does not happen but it is alot rare than the people who are technologicaly paranoid think.</p><p>Also consider that in most cases if your card information is stolen its often easy to prove that you did not order 400 pizza's from some 3rd world country. </p><p>For people who do have credit cards but are afraid to use them online and just prefer to use the cards at stores then consider this.......</p><p>When you make a purchase with your credit card in person at a store you are at higher risk of being ripped off then you are with online purchases. At a store the clerk behind the counter not only has your card number but will also have a copy of your signature to go along with it. </p><p>Also when you make the transaction at the store the card still is connected to a server that is online to approve of the pruchase. This server can still be hacked into by anyone determined enough to steal your card numbers.</p><p>In the end though the pre-paid cards are the safest becuase you do not have to present any ID when actiavting the credit card and you can recharge it with cash. Also since its pre-paid you can always choose keep just enough money in it to cover the expense of your game subscriptions so if someone was to steel your card info they will not get much more than 30-50 bucks.</p><p>Over all if this was a common thing you would hear about people posting on boards like these about how their card info was stolen. Think about the millions of people who play MMO's world wide and yet you never hear of any complaints about card numbers being stolen from the gaming companies.</p><p>To be afraid of making online purchases with a credit card is to shut yourself out from the bulk of the modern form of making transactions. Sure there is some risk involved but it is the standard and should be embraced. To try and avoid such progress is like staying inside the house all the time becuase there is a chance those new flying machines (airplanes) might come falling out of the sky on top of you. Sure there is a chance but it is very unlikely.</p></blockquote>Some of us, although we have good credit, simply don't use credit cards for anything.  Why pay the interest when I can just use cash? I know that in regards to an soe time card the interest is very low, but I ask the question in a general sence, why pay extra for anything?  Maybe you think its easier to use a credit card and thats fine, but i would rather save a buck and use cash, but thats just me.</blockquote><p>Prepaid cards don't have interest and also most credit cards do not charge interest if you pay early on the payment. This is why credit card companies hate people who pay off their debt before the due date. I personally don't use any credit cards. I have a Visa check card that takes money from a checking account and there isn't any fees associated with using that card. </p><p>Some people will open a checking account just for online purchases such as ebay and MMO's. In those checking accounts they only put in just enough money to keep the account open and get a Visa check card for that account. Now they can buy stuff online and just put in just enough money to cover that purchase. With this method there isn't any interest fees or card usage fees and if the card number was stolen there isn't really any money in the account to be lost.</p><p>Lets also say that you pay for one month at $15.00 on a credit card that charges 10% interest. Your total cost of that purchase would then be $16.67. Now chances are you will spend more money in gas driving to a store to buy a game card plus the sales tax of the game card than you will paying an extra $1.67 by choosing to use your credit card. As I said though if you had a Check Card there wouldn't even be the $1.67 fee or if you just paid the charge on a normal credit card right away you would pay any interest either.</p><p>/edit: Just to clarify I was dependant on game cards for a long time because I had zero credit when I moved to this country. It would suck when my subscription was about to expire and I couldn't find a card in stock at local game stores.</p><p>  I eventually managed to discover one of the methods I mentioned above and it broke away my dependance on game cards and I felt a lot more secure in know that I completely controlled how and when my subscription was going to be paid for. </p><p>  Also I found I was limited to playing only MMO's that offered game cards which left me with only a limited selection. Now since I found an easier way to pay for my subscriptions I can play what ever MMO I choose. For me personally the game card was a crutch that limited me to what I could play. After I found a way to avoid those cards I felt much more liberated in my gaming experience.</p>

[Kair]

Well the managers of these stores said the cards are on their delisted merchandise so I guess I will look at the money options.