Thanks to everyone who shared the Subject A36 sale last week on their social media! I count myself fortunate to be a member of such a supportive blogging community, and I appreciate all of you.
So this is a combination rant and cautionary tale. A couple months ago I participated in a book festival where the book sales were handled by Barnes & Noble College, which is entirely separate from Barnes and Noble (I’ve never had a problem when they handled the sales). A few weeks later, I received payment with a virtual credit card issued by Wells Fargo. Maybe some of you are familiar with this, but I’ve never been paid this way. The email said instructions on how to process this card were attached (they weren’t). I called Wells Fargo, and they couldn’t seem to understand that I wasn’t a brick and mortar store (despite me stating several times I was an individual author) and kept asking which business I was with. They told me I should call my bank, which I did. I spoke to a person I won’t name at my local Truist branch who was also unfamiliar with a virtual credit card, but she asked for a screen shot of the info and promised to get back to me. To make a two month long story short, multiple emails and calls were mostly unanswered, passed on to someone else, or the same “instructions” were repeatedly sent. Customer service by Barnes and Noble College, Wells Fargo, and Truist Bank was absolutely abysmal. The story does have a happy ending. I finally figured out on my own how to process the card through Paypal – which anyone from those institution should have known.
Over the weekend I finished 1899 on Netflix. Here’s a brief description: Immigrants on a steamship travelling from London to New York get caught up in a mysterious riddle after finding a second vessel adrift on the open sea. This is one of the most bizarre, mind-bending mystery/horror/historical drama series I’ve ever seen. Don’t expect a fast pace – I considered quitting it after the first few episodes, but the reviews encouraged me to stick with it. And I’m so glad I did. There’s a vast difference between where it starts and ends. There’s also an interesting bonus episode of the making of the series (begun during Covid) that I watched part of. Trust me – this will keep you guessing about what’s going on.
Books and Such 
I never heard of a virtual credit card either. Something to NOT look forward to, I think.
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It was maddening, Joe, trying to get answers for it. I was ready to bang my head against the wall. If you ever come across one, I can help you, lol.
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A virtual credit card is a new one on me. I have received electronic gift cards which require me printing a page with a bar code. (Most recently on from Lowes.) At least they gave instructions on how to use it.
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One of the people at Wells Fargo told me I needed a point of sale device – which I don’t have – to process the card. Eventually I discovered Paypal could be used in that capacity. Instructions would have been mightly helpful, Joan, lol. I’ve printed those bar code cards, but it’s been a while.
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Oh, that’s really unacceptable on a variety of levels. There is no reason they (B&N College) should make things difficult for authors. I would go into a rant about this myself, but I’ll refrain. I’m just glad to know that you figured things out (I certainly wouldn’t know either). And as for 1899, YES, it is on our list!! 🙂
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It sure gave me headaches on multiple days, Sue. No reason at all it had to be that difficult. I watched the first episode of Cabinet of Curiosities and still plan to continue. Hope you enjoy 1899!
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Reblogged this on NEW BLOG HERE >> https:/BOOKS.ESLARN-NET.DE.
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Thanks, Michael!
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I’m glad you were able to figure it out, but you shouldn’t have to!
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Exactly, Darlene. I have no idea why they would have paid authors this way. They should take lessons from B&N – so easy to deal with.
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How bizarre about the virtual credit card, Teri. I’ve never heard of such a thing. I have used e-gift cards without any issues, but I wouldn’t want to have to do with what you had going on. Glad you finally got it resolved.
I’m currently not signed up for Netflix, but when I do again, 1899 sounds like something that would appeal to me — despite the slow pace. I’ll mark it for later!
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It was so frustrating that no one could/would try to help me, Mae – even though they were the company that issued it. Once I figured out it could be processed through PayPal, it took less than 10 minutes.
I definitely think 1899 is something that you’d enjoy. The first few episodes are a slower pace, but my mind was trying to work out the puzzle. And that’s always a plus.
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I’m glad you figured it out. Seems someone should have known, especially Barnes & Noble College.
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I agree. Whenever I called them either no one answered or I got a voice mail. And my calls and emails were never returned.
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That’s crap for sure.
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Isn’t it amazing how our world has morphed into being totally digital? I’ve gotten those payment cards, but so far have not had an issue with them. Glad you figured it out. I haven’t watched 1899 but sounds good!
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Were they the virtual kind? How did you process them, Jan?
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Yes. Two of them were the virtual kind. Thankfully, there were instructions that accompanied them. And I processed them through PayPal.
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Kudos to the issuing bank for sending instructions! After two months of struggling, I couldn’t believe it took me less than ten minutes to do it myself. But no one I spoke to seemed to understand how they worked.
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How frustrating!
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I found 1899 very creepy. Also this all happening on a boat was oppressive. And itwasn’t even I who watched religiously but my husband! 😉 I lived it vicariously through him LOL
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My hubby would pass through the room while I watched, and at one point he asked if it was the Titanic, lol. Another time he asked why they were always in the same hallway.
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I’ve been wondering about 1899, and I liked your explanation. I think we’ll try to check it out.
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Stick with it, Wendy – it’s worth it.
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That’s a weird way to be paid. I would be furious!
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I sure wasn’t happy about it, Deby. I’m convinced it was the cause of literal headaches, lol.
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1899 sounds good.
Argh how frustrating about the virtual credit card! On a positive note, a shout-out to my bank (TexasBank). I asked via their messaging system about an order of checks, and someone called me and answered my question thoroughly.
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Sounds like they have excellent customer service, Priscilla. It’s nice to know your questions will be answered – and in a timely manner. My bank sure could take lessons from them.
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HI Teri, I’ve never heard of a virtual credit card and I’m sorry you suffered such poor service from the various service providers. I’m glad you managed to resolve it. I will tell my mom about this series, she watches some TV.
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Thanks, Robbie. It felt like a small personal victory when I managed to solve it on my own, lol. Talk about relief!
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I haven’t heard of a virtual card before. It sounds like a headache to go through all that. I’m glad you could finally figure it out yourself.
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It makes me mad to think about how much time and effort I wasted on something that could have been solved in less than ten minutes, Yesha. At least I’ll know for future reference.
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I’m glad you figured out your virtual credit card. That run around must have been so frustrating. And, you’ve given me a new show to binge watch. Maybe I’ll start it while at work today 😂. The Admin Asst. always gets very curious when I play something on my iPad to watch while I’m working. I’m not sure if it’s disapproval or just curiosity but that never stops me. 😇
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My son has a job where he’s able to listen to podcasts and watch some things occasionally. I got excited when he started listening to a Stephen King audiobook (he’s not really a reader), but he didn’t care for it. Should have known better than to get my hopes up, lol.
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That credit card is unconscionable. It shouldn’t be that hard. Convenience for them should equal convenience for you. Hadn’t heard of 1899 and might check it out.
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Yep – there’s really no excuse for their incompetence. And to make it even worse, the credit card expired about a month from the date it was issued, and they were certainly in no hurry to help me before then.
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Sounds like an event to move to the bottom of the list.
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