This talk about the dangers of minors purchasing stuff online reminded me of my experience in my previous job.
It was Christmas Day and a kid (around 13-16) bought an expensive game console in an auction site using his parent's account. Problem is, he doesn't have the money and he's afraid that his parents would find out about it. So he contacts the customer support in the site, in which I worked as an outsourced agent. He was pleading to me to have it removed from the account, but I rejected it since he needed to contact the seller of the item to have it canceled.
And then he pleads me to do it because he's just a kid and because it's Christmas. Unfortunately for him, I rejected it and reminded him that Christmas is supposed to be about goodness and fairness. Call me a Grinch, but I'm just following the rules. I mean, why should he be an exception? That's just putting my job on the line.
Right now, I wonder whatever happened to that kid and to his parents' account (which probably got a negative mark for this incident).
I've heard other cases in which kids accidentally buy items off the Internet, causing huge headaches for parents to handle, especially if these items came from sneaky sellers. And they can't expect the website to just help them out 'cause they can never tell if it was really the kid who bought it, or if it was just an adult changing his mind on the whole thing.
So yeah, buying online can be really tough if you're a kid.
Last edited by The Mask at 3:03:02 AM CST on January 18, 2012.
Yeah, the inter-web is a scary place to bring your money.
Imagine if you were to hold money too close to the your computer screen and lose it to Lulz-Sec, SarahPAC, or any other malevolent group that will use your money for Eeevil. With all the web security failures last year spotlighted in the media, it must be hard for any kid to get their parents to trust them with online purchases.
"Billy... Do you remember what happened to your PlayStation account?"
Last edited by KeenHavoc at 6:47:56 PM CST on January 17, 2012.
Sure it's easy. That's unless the site realizes that you're a minor and indefinitely suspends your account. (Very true with eBay, especially if mommy or daddy is the one calling to customer support about it.)
I'm still convinced that the guy is one of those individuals who:
(1) probably doesn't own a credit or debit card;
(2) believes it's inappropriate to ask for his parents for a luxury such as this, especially at his age;
(3) has parents who don't encourage him to shop online;
(3) doesn't know anything about online shopping at all; or
(4) is very wary about online shopping.
Based on my previous work experience, I know lots of people aren't that comfortable with buying things online. Sure, they use the Internet, but it's definitely a different story when actual money is involved. Besides, not everyone who uses the Internet knows exactly how to properly use it. That's why people still fall for Nigerian scams or Craigslist scams even in today's world.
I'm guessing that by the time he is in the legal age and gets a job, that's when he begins to shop online.
I just did some research and have to modify my statement. Paypal "used" to have the one-time credit card number ability. It was part of the Paypal plugin but that was discontinued 16 months ago. Now you can just ask for a Paypal debit card (no problem for minors) and use that. You can also fund your account without a credit card or a bank account, you just buy "MoneyPak" cards at any number of places (Walmart, 7-Eleven, CVS, etc) and redeem the code on the paypal site. So still pretty easy to do even if you're a minor.
You can actually view the comments made before Version Vibrant. The problem is that a lot of the works in which the comments were made (ex. Articles, Reviews, Cosplays, old News, deleted Fan Works) no longer exist in the site, so these comments won't be viewable as well. But if the fan art you gave a comment on back in 2003 is still existing, you would still be able to view the comments.
The guy who couldn't buy any anime after Borders closed down is apparently a minor. Guess that explains why he didn't have any "viable" options. When I was his age, I was also clueless on how it works. Besides, I've heard a lot of people who use the Internet, but are very wary of buying anything online. After all, the Internet makes it easy for scammers to scam people, especially the newbies.
As far as PayPal is concerned, I don't remember having those temporary credit card number things to buy online. Based on my experience, you really need to have a funding source in order to properly operate your PayPal account. This is especially true when buying on eBay.
The Mask
Detective Mask (Otaku Eternal) | Posted 01/18/12 | Reply
This talk about the dangers of minors purchasing stuff online reminded me of my experience in my previous job.
It was Christmas Day and a kid (around 13-16) bought an expensive game console in an auction site using his parent's account. Problem is, he doesn't have the money and he's afraid that his parents would find out about it. So he contacts the customer support in the site, in which I worked as an outsourced agent. He was pleading to me to have it removed from the account, but I rejected it since he needed to contact the seller of the item to have it canceled.
And then he pleads me to do it because he's just a kid and because it's Christmas. Unfortunately for him, I rejected it and reminded him that Christmas is supposed to be about goodness and fairness. Call me a Grinch, but I'm just following the rules. I mean, why should he be an exception? That's just putting my job on the line.
Right now, I wonder whatever happened to that kid and to his parents' account (which probably got a negative mark for this incident).
I've heard other cases in which kids accidentally buy items off the Internet, causing huge headaches for parents to handle, especially if these items came from sneaky sellers. And they can't expect the website to just help them out 'cause they can never tell if it was really the kid who bought it, or if it was just an adult changing his mind on the whole thing.
So yeah, buying online can be really tough if you're a kid.
Last edited by The Mask at 3:03:02 AM CST on January 18, 2012.
"Students, be ambitious!"
KeenHavoc
Grand Otaku | Posted 01/17/12 | Reply
Yeah, the inter-web is a scary place to bring your money.
Imagine if you were to hold money too close to the your computer screen and lose it to Lulz-Sec, SarahPAC, or any other malevolent group that will use your money for Eeevil. With all the web security failures last year spotlighted in the media, it must be hard for any kid to get their parents to trust them with online purchases.
"Billy... Do you remember what happened to your PlayStation account?"
Last edited by KeenHavoc at 6:47:56 PM CST on January 17, 2012.
AP Ichigo
Japan Bureau (Podcasters) | Posted 01/17/12 | Reply
@The Mask:
I was assuming they would use a student account. But you're right, if they're not talking to their parents then it's a moot point.
cougarsama
LDS Fangirl! (Otaku Eternal) | Posted 01/17/12 | Reply
I rarely buy things from bookstores anymore as there's a good chance that I can find it cheaper used on amazon.com, even with shipping costs.
True Grit. Never seen the new one, but the original's not bad.
The Mask
Detective Mask (Otaku Eternal) | Posted 01/16/12 | Reply
@AP Ichigo:
Sure it's easy. That's unless the site realizes that you're a minor and indefinitely suspends your account. (Very true with eBay, especially if mommy or daddy is the one calling to customer support about it.)
I'm still convinced that the guy is one of those individuals who:
(1) probably doesn't own a credit or debit card;
(2) believes it's inappropriate to ask for his parents for a luxury such as this, especially at his age;
(3) has parents who don't encourage him to shop online;
(3) doesn't know anything about online shopping at all; or
(4) is very wary about online shopping.
Based on my previous work experience, I know lots of people aren't that comfortable with buying things online. Sure, they use the Internet, but it's definitely a different story when actual money is involved. Besides, not everyone who uses the Internet knows exactly how to properly use it. That's why people still fall for Nigerian scams or Craigslist scams even in today's world.
I'm guessing that by the time he is in the legal age and gets a job, that's when he begins to shop online.
"Students, be ambitious!"
AP Ichigo
Japan Bureau (Podcasters) | Posted 01/16/12 | Reply
@IchigoKurusaki:
And what? He could use the internet but not go to Walmart? Or have someone go for him?
IchigoKurusaki
Otakuite+ | Posted 01/16/12 | Reply
I don't know. What if he is on Probation or something like that?
AP Ichigo
Japan Bureau (Podcasters) | Posted 01/16/12 | Reply
@The Mask:
I just did some research and have to modify my statement. Paypal "used" to have the one-time credit card number ability. It was part of the Paypal plugin but that was discontinued 16 months ago. Now you can just ask for a Paypal debit card (no problem for minors) and use that. You can also fund your account without a credit card or a bank account, you just buy "MoneyPak" cards at any number of places (Walmart, 7-Eleven, CVS, etc) and redeem the code on the paypal site. So still pretty easy to do even if you're a minor.
The Mask
Detective Mask (Otaku Eternal) | Posted 01/16/12 | Reply
You can actually view the comments made before Version Vibrant. The problem is that a lot of the works in which the comments were made (ex. Articles, Reviews, Cosplays, old News, deleted Fan Works) no longer exist in the site, so these comments won't be viewable as well. But if the fan art you gave a comment on back in 2003 is still existing, you would still be able to view the comments.
The guy who couldn't buy any anime after Borders closed down is apparently a minor. Guess that explains why he didn't have any "viable" options. When I was his age, I was also clueless on how it works. Besides, I've heard a lot of people who use the Internet, but are very wary of buying anything online. After all, the Internet makes it easy for scammers to scam people, especially the newbies.
As far as PayPal is concerned, I don't remember having those temporary credit card number things to buy online. Based on my experience, you really need to have a funding source in order to properly operate your PayPal account. This is especially true when buying on eBay.
"Students, be ambitious!"