Why Xbox Live Doesn't Take Exact Change

With ever-more tempting content on Xbox Live (like the awesome Exit), it's really frustrating to have to 'overpay' and buy Points in bulk. 1up got an official response from Xbox 360 group product manager Aaron Greenberg on that issue, explaining why the service always leaves you with a little bit left over: "The reason why we do that, the core reason, is around credit card transaction fees ... If we do this in bulk, we don't have to burden the consumer with the transaction fees, or ourselves or publishers. It's about keeping infrastructure costs down and I know sometimes it's frustrating because you end up with odd points, but we don't have any plans to change that." Greenberg also addressed why the service limits you to 100 friends on your friends list.

Comments

Live and credit cards

[king-manic]

Live has the worst online transaction set up of all three. The PSN and Wii networks are 3 clicks to remove your CC. The live network is a 30 minute call followed by a 30 day delay to unhook your Credit Card from your xbox /360. They require passwords, emails used, gamer tag, you CC#, and it's expiry date. It's asinine. You may replace your card more easily but to actually remove one requires too many hoops to jump. Where as the PSN and Wii allow you to simply remove it form the account without needing to call, and it's removed instantly. They actually required me to speak with a call center manager to remove my card. After that I will not consider buying anything from the live network again. No membership, no games, nothing.

Re:Live and credit cards

[king-manic]

And you assume the quick procedures are doing anything more than hiding it from you? Need i be subject to 2 verifications of information, being forwarded through 3 people. 2 of which ask for exactly the same information and a 30 day delay to remove a credit card? I don't think it's merely hiding the details. They made an intentional choice to make removing hard. A while ago I worked for a regional telecom in the call center, we took CC for pre-authorized payment. to remove it you need 1 piece of strong ID like driver licence if on account, account number if they had it, sin if on account, of the actual card number, or billing details. Only one person required to do this, it was removed right away. MS asked for gamertag, CC, expiry, email, phone number, and address. They would no proceed without all of it. They required it twice because the first person fully documented it then passed to a manager who documented it again. Both informed me of a 30 day delay.

When removing your card it is not available for further purchase but you may add it again anytime on both the Wii and PSN. On live it's still active for 30 days, making a purchase within will negate the removal. Changing your gamer tag, email, phone number, or address will negate the request to remove the CC. They made those choices. It isn't simply more verbose because their are being dutiful in informing me. They are being verbose to discourage me from leaving. I object to the whole ordeal and the suspected motive.

Re:Translation

[acvh]

I can think of a few possible alternatives:

let users run a tab, and bill their card when the tab hits a certain amount.

set up a bank. don't charge yourself for credit card processing.

Re:It Should Be An Option...

[plague3106]

I hate it when stores use transaction fees as an excuse for not accepting credit cards (or creating artificial minimums). I can't tell you how many times I'd eat the fee and buy something, but walked away instead because that wasn't an option.

Visa (and I imagine MC) prohit a store from displaying the VISA logo and then refusing based on minium (or maximum) purchase prices. If the store refuses, you can contact your bank, who will contact Visa. Visa typically fines the stores that violate the policy.

I did this once, and shortly after the signs saying "$10 min. card purchases" was removed.

rebates

[Psychofreak]

At least you don't work in the recreational marine industry. ITT/Jabsco reports over 60% compliance with their rebates (sadly I have no reference other than several reps word) Garmin, Raymarine, and Dometic report similar values. Across all retail the value is around 10% or less.

Phil

Re:Translation

[Mr2001]

In that case, you can turn in the third party. This obvious trick isn't a legitimate way of getting around Visa's rules. Call 1-800-VISA-911 next time someone refuses to accept your Visa card because of the purchase amount, or adds an extra fee, or won't complete a transaction unless you show your ID.