RaF Trial Upgrade doesn't work, but...

#0 - Sept. 2, 2008, 1:41 a.m.

I have been using my debit card to pay for my current subscription on my account. I got my friend who I live with to sign up with a new account using recruit-a-friend.

He is determined to play a blood elf, so I wanted to go ahead and upgrade the account to full, purchase game time, and upgrade to burning crusade or at least get the Trial (which it won't allow me to get on a normal Trial).

A couple days ago I tried to use my debit card to pay for it, but I got:

Error 202: We were unable to process your request with the information provided. Please contact our Billing and Account Services team for assistance - (800-592-5499).

I looked over the information to make sure everything was correct, re-entered everything. Nothing worked, so after a while of trying on another computer I came to the forums. I noticed a lot of people have the same problem with upgrading, so I tried all of the solutions listed.

I have already tried:
-clearing cache/cookies/all temp files
-using other browsers (Firefox, Netscape) my current one is IE
-using another computer
-using another credit card (Both of them work for everything else, including re-new subscription)
-calling Billing & Account Services (monday, no help on the situation, was just told to do the same thing)
-cancelling the card on my account before trying to use it on his

I cannot:
-purchase a retail copy from the store, they do not sell it anywhere close to where I live.

after all this, I went back to try and use the card on my own account and it still works, I enter all the information and it says "Success!" and takes my card. It ONLY doesn't work for the Recruit-a-Friend Trial upgrade that I'm trying to do.

So what are my solutions? I was thinking it might be possible to order the actual box online but I really would much prefer for this Error to be fixed than to have to go through all the hassle and wait days for it to come in while the 90-days and their benefits tick away. I was ready to start the Recruit-a-friend now, not have to wait days or weeks because of some new Error on the Blizzard website.

All I can say that might be part of the problem is that I am currently living in Australia and I am using my American bank card, BUT again this card has always worked for me for other online Blizzard payments from Australia, what can I do to make the online payment for this Upgrade work? Or what can you do, maybe?

P.S. Vrakthris, I know you don't like when people blame Blizzard but surely there is SOMETHING that can be done to make the payments work like they do for everything else, because it's pretty much the exact same page as the re-new subscription and many other people have this problem.

Thank you for your time, and the patience to deal with all of our problems here on the Customer Service Forum :)

Vrakthris

#1 - Sept. 2, 2008, 1:59 a.m.

Q u o t e:
after all this, I went back to try and use the card on my own account and it still works, I enter all the information and it says "Success!" and takes my card. It ONLY doesn't work for the Recruit-a-Friend Trial upgrade that I'm trying to do.

You used it on your own account to purchase an upgrade or add subscription time? Please remember, Reine, that the security for an online purchase is much higher than on a subscription.

Q u o t e:

All I can say that might be part of the problem is that I am currently living in Australia and I am using my American bank card, BUT again this card has always worked for me for other online Blizzard payments from Australia, what can I do to make the online payment for this Upgrade work? Or what can you do, maybe?

You are in a supported region so that should not be the issue. Is the information on the account correct and up to date? That could be an issue, also you stated it was an American bank card, which bank? There is at least one out there that is currently having an issue with our transactions.

Q u o t e:
P.S. Vrakthris, I know you don't like when people blame Blizzard but surely there is SOMETHING that can be done to make the payments work like they do for everything else, because it's pretty much the exact same page as the re-new subscription and many other people have this problem.

If the issue was with us, Reine, I would be the first to tell you. My problem is when people falsely blame us, which is usually done with these 202 errors. :)

Outside of the steps you have tried, Reine, you may have to contact our Billing Department directly if you are unable to purchase a retail copy in a store, I'm sorry.

Vrakthris

#3 - Sept. 2, 2008, 2:59 a.m.

Q u o t e:
Speaking of which... I read on forums and some websites about people having this problem and having their bank accounts charged for each attempt.

The cards aren't actually charged, what happens is the request for a charge is made so the bank puts aside the requested amount. Once the transaction is processed it will be withdrawn, in your case the transaction is rejected somewhere along the way so the held amount is not claimed.

The bank will still keep the original amount "earmarked" for 3-5 business days before releasing it. So although it looks like the card was charged the funds are merely held for a few days.

Good luck, Reine. :)