Gift card can not be used for eBooks. [ Edited ]

[PC_FL]

Last week I was at a B&N and spoke to a Customer Service rep, standing behind the service counter in the center of the store.  They did not know that B&N doesn't accept giftcards for ebook purchases.  Tonight I spoke to an ass't store manager at another B&N store - they did not know that B&N doesn't accept giftcards for ebook purchases.  In both cases when I told them that B&N doesn't accept giftcards for such, they both were in disbelief and said it made no sense. 

B&N has a SERIOUS problem with this.  They are about to roll out a MAJOR piece of technology and way of selling their product, and their employees have NO IDEA what is going on.  And I'm positive that when people start seeing the nook in the store, the store associates will still try to upsell the customers a giftcard - that's what they are trained to do.  As a matter of fact, they can get into trouble for NOT attempting to upsel giftcards or something.  Unfortunately, the store associates are NOT trained to tell people that giftcards cannot be used for ebook purchases.  As you can see in other posts, people have been (inadvertently) misled and upsold giftcards when making nook pre-orders, even when the customers are expressing they would use the giftcard for ebook purchases.  This is just bad.

Kevin, Phil_K, any of the other admin moderators - what say you??  Let me guess - not a thing...

[QuincyMI]

I just purchased an ebook on my computer (for reading now because it's cheaper than my discount for the paperback).  I suppose if I REMOVED my on-line credit card number from my account, the website would HAVE to ask me for payment, with a gift card being an option.  Pay with the gift card, download and add the books to my elibrary.  Guess I could just NOT put a credit card on file and handle the transactions each time.  Not sure if this will work but I'm sure to give it a try.

[PC_FL]

From B&N's website, under "Gift Cards," then "Terms & Conditions" - sixth item under "Other Important Information":

A Gift Card or Online Gift Certificate currently cannot be used towards an eBook purchase. Please check back for updates.

You can try what you want, but B&N's own website says it won't work.  You can try your idea if you want, and if you're successful, please let us all know!

[Prin]

There is no way around purchasing ebooks without using an 'actual' credit card. I have tried everything I can think of. I've changed my default to 'debit', 'pre-paid am/ex', etc... Have also called customer service for answers but did not get any. I just don't understand why the on-line account cannot be set up like itunes & others... Buy the card, redeem it & purchase until it's used up, then buy another. Seems simple. Was truly looking forward to the Nook, as my bookshelves are running out of space, but will not be purchasing until this issue is resolved.

[dantevolta]

I walked into a B&N in NYC today. A nook sales kiosk was right by the door, and the minute I walked in, the salesperson called me over. I wasn't going to say anything, but she kept extolling the virtues of the nook, and I was so annoyed about the "no gift card rule" that I told her why I wouldn't be buying one. I did admit that the big advantage over the Kindle was the ability to move books to the SD card. However, I said that Amazon permits the use of gift cards to purchase the Kindle and ebooks. She seemed surprised at that, as well as at the fact that B&N didn't permit this.

B&N, train your salespeople better. Instruct them in not only the virtues of your product, but the downside as well. Make sure your salespeople know what the competition is doing. And start accepting gift cards for eBooks and nooks. Unless you do, you've lost my business.

[vgr]

Not to be able to use gift cards, which I seem to have in abundance, is definitely a deal breaker for me. I hope you change this policy.

[Necole3]

This is very upsetting.  I don't have a lot of money tons of time and my family knows how much I love to read, so they give me gift cards and I have been putting money aside to purchase the Nook.  Now I don't think it would be worth it if I can't use the gift cards to download the books.  Very upsetting.

[Shadowlane]

This will not be corrected until the Nook actually ships. Once the poor people who've ordered the Nook and have been sold gift cards by the unknowing salespeople (because let's be honest, if I were a manager and someone asked me, I wouldn't think twice about telling them "Sure you can use gift cards!") actually get the device in their hands and find out that they can't use them, there will be an outcry. Check back around December 5th, and I bet you see B&N working to correct the issue. Until then, I'm not ordering anything.

[QuincyMI]

Certainly can't believe it CAN'T be done and can't fathom a reason why they would intentially have such a policy (since you can use them on-line.)  Have to guess then that it's a security/technical hiccup the way the device talks to the wireless network.  Just mind-boggling in any case but at least it appears to be something they COULD easily fix if they desired. Not like they need the Nook to perform brainsurgery on it's owner, although I may wish for a lobotomy having pre-ordered one without actually picking it up and checking it out.  This was on B&N's reputation and hope they don't screw it up for any of us and drive me back to Border's.

[4boysmom]

Yea, I thought prepaid visa cards were my answer but now I know that is also a no go. I really do not like the ideal that my 15 yr old will have access to a credit or debit card. 

[athenagwis]

Just posted on the unbound blig, gift cards accepted for eBooks starting mid-December!!  Woohoo!!!!  They do listen!!

[PJ-Reader]

Can a B&N gift card be used for "purchasing" the ebooks for the nook?  Will the purchases be put on a credit card on file?  Thank you

[pipersline]

No, BN is incredibly dumb, and wont allow giftcards to be used in the purchasing of ANY ebooks online.

Maybe a visa giftcard would work? Way to go BN!!!

[ps56k]

Any ebooks purchased for the Nook are being DRM locked to the Credit Card number used for the purchase. 

[athenagwis]

Due to the way DRM locking is done, B&N giftcards, Visa Gift cards, or paypal can't be used to purchase ebooks at this time.

[purple2381]

Does anyone know if we'll be able to use gift cards for the nook accessories (covers, cords, light, etc.)??  I'd like to be able to ask for some part of this for Christmas!  Thx.

[athenagwis]

Yes you can.  eBooks are the ONLY thing on the BN site that does not accept gift cards as payments (except for the regular stuff, more GC, memberships etc...), this is due to the way an eBook is unlocked after downlaod (using the buyers cc #).  So ask away!  From the site:

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/gc/gc_tandc.asp?PID=17843&bnit=H&cds2Pid=17599&linkid=1035342

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A Gift Card or Online Gift Certificate currently cannot be used towards an eBook purchase. Please check back for updates.

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[Kevin]

We're locking this thread because news has overtaken the conversation, as noted in the thread below:

Coming Soon: Gift Card Purchases for eBooks

[Woofhoundz]

Gift Cards and Gift Certificates currently cannot be used towards an eBook purchase. Please check back for updates.

Will this policy change in the future?

[Bookworm20]

I was wondering the same thing. It makes no sense to sell a ereader and not allow people to use gift cards to buy books. I will not be buying a nook if I can not use gift cards!