Bitcoin Forum

Economy => Trading Discussion => Topic started by: tclo on May 05, 2013, 03:36:02 PM



Title: Pros and cons of buying Amazon gift cards?
Post by: tclo on May 05, 2013, 03:36:02 PM
Can someone tell me about buying Amazon GC on here with BTC?   I love the idea and would even pay 100% face value for them with BTC, but I've heard some people say that some of them are stolen and also there is no way for the seller to verify that the code works beforehand.

If anyone has had good and bad experiences with buying them, please let me know and maybe some sellers can commetn as well.  I want to like the idea and I want to try it but just a little nervous. Thanks.


Title: Re: Pros and cons of buying Amazon gift cards?
Post by: Projects on May 05, 2013, 03:42:33 PM
I regularly purchase Amazon GC and have purchased well into the thousands of dollars in GCs and touch wood have never had a problem.
That is because I stick to two rules.

1) Always established members and/or proof of purchase
and
2) Always receive the GC first, apply it to my account; and once I have verified the funds have been added to my account then send the BTC.

I trade regularly with a circle of people and so far have never had a bad experience.


Title: Re: Pros and cons of buying Amazon gift cards?
Post by: richiela on May 06, 2013, 12:06:35 AM
Or you can go give our service a shot http://www.giftcardbtc.com ... :)

We usually have a 6% or so difference between mtgox bid/ask, to cover our risk and market costs, but its fast reliable and easy.



Title: Re: Pros and cons of buying Amazon gift cards?
Post by: austin on May 06, 2013, 12:31:40 AM
I've sold amazon gift codes to Projects without problems. I sent first because he seemed trustworthy. Escrow doesn't really work in this case because, as far as I know, you can't verify how much a code is worth without applying it to your account. If you're selling and have to send first, make sure it's a trusted person.


Title: Re: Pros and cons of buying Amazon gift cards?
Post by: tclo on May 06, 2013, 08:14:40 AM
I regularly purchase Amazon GC and have purchased well into the thousands of dollars in GCs and touch wood have never had a problem.
That is because I stick to two rules.

1) Always established members and/or proof of purchase
and
2) Always receive the GC first, apply it to my account; and once I have verified the funds have been added to my account then send the BTC.

I trade regularly with a circle of people and so far have never had a bad experience.

Ok I guess you are right and there's not any risk if you have them send you the card first.  However what if it is stolen goods ?  Does Amazon ever remove the GC credit if it was purchased with stolen CC or is that not a possible factor? 


Title: Re: Pros and cons of buying Amazon gift cards?
Post by: Projects on May 06, 2013, 11:47:40 AM
I regularly purchase Amazon GC and have purchased well into the thousands of dollars in GCs and touch wood have never had a problem.
That is because I stick to two rules.

1) Always established members and/or proof of purchase
and
2) Always receive the GC first, apply it to my account; and once I have verified the funds have been added to my account then send the BTC.

I trade regularly with a circle of people and so far have never had a bad experience.

Ok I guess you are right and there's not any risk if you have them send you the card first.  However what if it is stolen goods ?  Does Amazon ever remove the GC credit if it was purchased with stolen CC or is that not a possible factor? 

Hasnt happened to me either because Amazon take the loss (but not likely) or just the fact I have been very careful who I do business with.


Title: Re: Pros and cons of buying Amazon gift cards?
Post by: TheButterZone on May 09, 2013, 10:19:04 PM
You can ask Amazon to reverse a gift code, which is why I don't accept them.

I'll buy you a $5 one if you want to pay spot BTC for it.


Title: Re: Pros and cons of buying Amazon gift cards?
Post by: Welsh on May 09, 2013, 10:22:05 PM
I have sent many amazon.com gift codes and still am today, I always allow escrow, so when buying always use escrow, release the funds when you have applied the gift code to your account.


Title: Re: Pros and cons of buying Amazon gift cards?
Post by: bdub on May 10, 2013, 04:00:11 PM
I've sold BTCs and BTC-e coupon codes for Amazon GCs but only with people I trusted.  I tend to trust the physical cards more than the digital codes, but I don't think those are a sure thing either.  Here is the text directly from the Amazon gift card email that worries me (only if trading with untrusted):

Quote
4. Fraud.
Amazon.com will have the right to close customer accounts and
bill alternative forms of payment if a fraudulently obtained
Amazon.com Gift Card is redeemed and/or used to make purchases
on amazon.com or any of its affiliated websites set forth above.

So, basically the recipient is liable if the sender does a charge-back.