View Full Version : FYI About Amazon Gift Cards
melanielive
01-15-2015, 05:43 PM
that happened to me with a guy who sent me $$ in GBP and I M in the us, i could never use it...LOL so upsetting!
SarahTime
01-15-2015, 09:57 PM
I know not everyone ventures out to other areas of the forum so I thought I would link this thread from Industry Insight:
https://www.stripperweb.com/forum/showthread.php?197920-Amazon-shutting-down-sex-worker-s-wish-lists
Basically Amazon is starting to shut down wishlists and accounts of sex workers! If your account is closed, they WILL take any gift card balance with it! So it's best to always redeem your gift cards to a personal account.
Just this week I was unable to log into my "work" Amazon account after a customer sent me a gift card and purchased an item off my wish list. Not only was his order cancelled (as he confirmed) they shut down BOTH his and my Amazon accounts. Completely closed them. Thankfully I redeemed the gift card to a personal account and used it immediately, but I'm still checking my personal Amazon account often hoping they won't make the connection and close that one as well.
CurvyWinona
01-15-2015, 10:25 PM
I knew one day this kind of thing will happen. That just sucks. I do have personal amazon account that I redeem my giftcards to. I guess I need to delete sex toys or adult things off my list so it won't be too obvious that the list belongs to a camgirl.
Maybe we should just make our own lists on our website or whatever that we can send the link to the custies and they tell us what they want to get for us and we can just get the giftcards. No camgirl list on amazon.
anoncamgirl
01-16-2015, 02:13 AM
Yeah, this a major reason I charge extra for Amazon. It's certainly risky. A lot of guys complain and that tends to really annoy me. I have other safe payment processors available, if you want to use Amazon because of how it shows up on your statement then it's going to cost you extra. The payment processors I use are always discreet, but they never seem to care or want to trust me. Some do, but other guys are super annoying about it.
It's also pretty frustrating because all my Amazon money is for luxury items. I'd really rather have straight cash because there's a lot more investment opportunities.
Classy_Katy
01-16-2015, 03:04 AM
No he won't get notified what u buy or of your address but I think it says the email you used on the account you applied the gift card to so remember not to apply it to a personal account... I have an account under my cam email do that.
I don't think it does give the email address linked to the Amazon account that you redeem it to. The first time I redeemed a gift it was from a trusted customer and I asked if it gave any personal information. All it does is confirm receipt to them. I use my personal Amazon account without any problems.
HaydenBlue
01-16-2015, 03:29 AM
Yeah I've heard of this happening to more and more people. It sucks so much, I get a lot in Amazon cards, plus as an alternative pay source...lots of guys IME it is like pulling teeth to use an indy pay processor, but they won't bat an eye when paying for a giftcard. When Amazon starts tightening up I will be mega butthurt with the extra $ loss.
The only thing I'd recommend is if you're going to have a wishlist up use bit.ly or some other URL shortener to mask where you're link is coming from then they wouldn't be able to figure out where it's coming from.
And always tell them to not put anything in the note section of the giftcard. I've had morons put pretty explicit things in the note and I'm like "Really dude???" Now if they say anything in the note I don't accept them to my account.
An alternative would be telling them to buy you Amazon cards using Gyft.com ?
It would be buying through a 3rd party so probably safe?
TransdimensionalPrincess
01-16-2015, 04:07 AM
And always tell them to not put anything in the note section of the giftcard. I've had morons put pretty explicit things in the note and I'm like "Really dude???" Now if they say anything in the note I don't accept them to my account.
This shit drives me MAD, you tell them not to and they still do. -_- "thanks for the custom" drives me wild. I have stopped taking amazon giftcards, new year, no more giftcards... at least to amazon.
Rosemary Rabbit
01-16-2015, 06:20 AM
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chickchick8182
01-16-2015, 06:31 AM
Maybe It's a dumb question, but how do they even know we're sex workers? My wishlist is just my wishlist. I didn't put any little tag on it or anything, just copy and pasted the link into my profile. I just checked mine to make sure it's still there , and it is so far. I've had several guys offer me amazon gift cards on MFC. I didn't accept bc I'm new to camming anywhere other than my PSO site, so I wasn't sure how to do it.
Glamourmilf
01-16-2015, 07:26 AM
After reading how Amazon is shutting down adult ent. related. wishlists, I really wish some smart techy person would read this, and start a similar site FOR adult workers to sell wishlists!
Snowy0Star
01-16-2015, 09:14 AM
that happened to me with a guy who sent me $$ in GBP and I M in the us, i could never use it...LOL so upsetting!
the UK and the US amazon are different you should have told him to contact amazon and have him cancel the card he sent u in pounds and send u one in USD
http://www.amazon.co.uk/
this is the UK site
http://www.amazon.com/
this is the american site
each region of the world has their own amazon that uses the currency for that region
Snowy0Star
01-16-2015, 09:24 AM
Maybe It's a dumb question, but how do they even know we're sex workers? My wishlist is just my wishlist. I didn't put any little tag on it or anything, just copy and pasted the link into my profile. I just checked mine to make sure it's still there , and it is so far. I've had several guys offer me amazon gift cards on MFC. I didn't accept bc I'm new to camming anywhere other than my PSO site, so I wasn't sure how to do it.
Ive been wondering about that too actually. I have a few amazon wishlists in my account but i dont really push them on cam viewers just because of the wishlist address thing . i mainly use it for personal use to plan what im going to buy in the future and take giftcards and use that to buy my wishlist items. im wondering if just the fact that my amazon account email and registered name are my cam name will eventually get me blocked. if all they're doing is name association im wondering if i should make a new email account and change my email and "legal name" on the account thats attached to my cam name to something else
loveshooks
01-16-2015, 09:40 AM
Yeah I've heard of this happening to more and more people. It sucks so much, I get a lot in Amazon cards, plus as an alternative pay source...lots of guys IME it is like pulling teeth to use an indy pay processor, but they won't bat an eye when paying for a giftcard. When Amazon starts tightening up I will be mega butthurt with the extra $ loss.
honestly I doubt your income would drop. I find the amazon gc guys are a bit like the paypal dudes: sure they'd prefer to pay through these methods but the legit guys always end up booking anyways regardless. I've never accepted a gc in my life and I do shows all the time with guys who initially requested that payment method. don't get me wrong, it sucks to see yet another option narrowing, I just don't think it will have a significant affect on a chica's overall income
Maybe It's a dumb question, but how do they even know we're sex workers? My wishlist is just my wishlist. I didn't put any little tag on it or anything, just copy and pasted the link into my profile
having a link to a wishlist, etc on a cam is prob the easiest way for someone to find out that you're a sex worker. at the very least cloak the link, but it may be safer to just remove it and send it out privately to the guys who want to buy you something
In regards to using amazon gc's as a payment method, another thing to keep in mind is that the value of gc's received is actually considered taxable income by the IRS; it's not 'free' money. that means anyone who does regular gc transactions with clients and doesn't declare the value of those cards as income when preparing their taxes risks heavy fines and penalties if they were to get audited.
since amazon is already co-operating with the IRS in regards to 1099-K forms, it's just a matter of time before accounts with noticeable volumes of gc transactions get lumped into that (assuming that hasn't occurred already).
for more info on gift cards as taxable income see:
tbh I forsee the popularity of gc's (esp Amazon) waning for both tax reasons and amazon's anti-sex worker stance. even if amazon doesn't find out and shut a chica down, the taxes owed out of pocket on gc's can be prohibitive at higher volumes when considering that in using a gift card one receives tangible goods instead of cash.
sucks though, I know gc's are really popular with a lot of chicas. not good news at all.
JustCallMeBree
09-10-2015, 05:03 AM
Good Morning Lovely Ladies, I was wondering if anyone has had an issue with a Amazon Gift cards not being delivered. I agreed to do my first custom video yesterday and the customer said he sent the gift card last night around 11pm. I still haven't received it though. I've never used Amazon so I'm unsure how long it takes to get the email from Amazon with the giftcard. The customer was completely respectful and sent several emails explaining what he wants and how ( its a obscure fetish vid.) and didn't strike me as a scammer. I'm really hoping it something simple, I didn't cam for three days due to an apartment flood and need the cash. Have any of you had this happen? How did you handle it both with the customer and Amazon? Thanks!
justsometwat
09-10-2015, 05:55 AM
You should get it right away. This is how people will scam you, they say they sent payment or bought you a gift, but really they didn't do anything. He will stay kind and nice and seem like he did it until you make the video for him (and probably deliver it), then he will never talk to you again and he got a free video.
Never.
Ever.
Ever.
Do work for someone until you 100% verified that you have been paid or you get the gifts in person.
Tell him you still haven't received payment and that you will not begin filming his video until you receive it. If you get a gift card, immediately try to apply it to your account to make sure it works, but know that even gift cards can be refunded and returned if he claims fraud.
MessyChick
09-10-2015, 06:36 AM
f he buys a code he gets it instantly. he then emails you the code. you redeem it in your account then do the show. The whole porcess takes 5 mins tops
JessRyan
09-10-2015, 06:46 AM
Ted Bundy never looked like a serial killer, scammers never look like scammers. Some of them even have receipts that LOOK like the real deal. But if you don't "get it" AND spend it, it's not real. If it's an e-gift certificate it should be immediate. That's the whole point of those Amazon e-gift certificates, right? Right.
Classy_Katy
09-10-2015, 08:17 AM
It can take up to 24 hours if they're doing a fraud check...I had this on one of my early ones.
ruinator
09-10-2015, 09:07 AM
you should get an amazon e-cert within 10 mins of him paying for it. I have known amazon to take 24 hours, but I've been doing this 8 years and that only happened ONCE. Also as other ladies have said, they can cancel/chargeback gift cards. I make sure I have applied it to my account, AND spent it, AND the items I bought have already shipped before I give them what they paid for.
pixiepower329
09-10-2015, 09:15 AM
I've had them show up instantly... and I've had them show up 30-45 minutes later.
kortneykay
09-10-2015, 10:39 AM
It really depends, especially on the amount. Bigger amounts ($1,500 for ex) can sometimes take 20-30 min. Smaller amounts usually are instant or take up to 5-10 min. What I do to double check is I ask the customer for the email and code they received/signed up with. I will then go on my amazon account and contact an amazon customer service representative to run the numbers and email for me. I've had instances where the customer knew he had nothing on his CC but still "bought" it and they provided him with a code and an email. Since I personally didn't receive one (and you absolutely WILL get one from amazon if it's real) I ran it with an amazon rep and they told me it was cancelled soon after because his card actually declined. If I would've took his word for it I would've gotten screwed out of a show.
I don't take anything but cash now (unless they want to send a giftcard as a gift) but please, don't ever, ever, ever as Twat mentioned do a single minute unless that gc is redeemed and or the money is in your hand. Too many of these losers do not respect our professions and will do any and everything (including photoshopping) to screw you over. They believe their worthless pubescent cocks are god's gift to women and are appalled that we actually want to be compensated for getting them off. Don't let that be you!
JustCallMeBree
09-10-2015, 11:23 AM
He said he bought it about 12 hours ago and emailed me the specifics of what he wanted to the same address he was suppose to send the gift card. Thanks for the advice Ladies! I hate situations like this but unfortunately scammers come with the territory. I'm just glad I didn't start shooting the video. It was a my first custom so I wasn't going to start until after I was paid because I was hesitant of scammers.
MissMoore
09-10-2015, 01:13 PM
The only time Amazon gift cards haven't shown up in my inbox within minutes with a code was if they were over a 1,000. If they were over a 1,000 sometimes they took up to 8 hours. Good to hear you knew not to even consider turning on the camera before you were paid. I have NO patience for that type of shit. I would just block the guy, he sounds like he is going to be a pain in the ass even if you do get the money.
Classy_Katy
09-10-2015, 01:47 PM
He said he bought it about 12 hours ago and emailed me the specifics of what he wanted to the same address he was suppose to send the gift card. Thanks for the advice Ladies! I hate situations like this but unfortunately scammers come with the territory. I'm just glad I didn't start shooting the video. It was a my first custom so I wasn't going to start until after I was paid because I was hesitant of scammers.
Tell him you haven't had it yet and that you can't start filming till you receive it. He can contact Amazon if there is a problem although you don't want him telling them what it is for. As soon as you get it, spend some of it on something. I always have items I want to buy ready to go.
JustCallMeBree
09-10-2015, 06:25 PM
I messaged him and he magically realized he got an error message and asked about GiftRocket cards. I just blocked him, I don't have time to deal with foolishness. Camming is about trial and error to find why works for you. I'm just happy this place exists so I don't have to make so many errors and can learn from the best . Thanks for your help everyone!
justsometwat
09-10-2015, 06:37 PM
Be careful with Gift Rocket as a payment they can request refunds for a while after they were sent.
Info:
Refunded payments (https://www.stripperweb.com/forum/showthread.php?172227-Giftrocket-com-alternative-to-amazon-gift-cards/page5&highlight=giftrocket)
More Payments Refunded (https://www.stripperweb.com/forum/showthread.php?199323-Giftrocket-Any-problems&highlight=giftrocket)
I know a lot of sites don't technically allow it, but I accept tributes for customs, at least there's some protection there, but not completely.
You can use IWantClips or Customs4U for customs. They have a form and you put in your amounts. I know IWC needs I think at least 2 videos uploaded to appear as a store though.
MissMoore
09-10-2015, 07:22 PM
[QUOTE=kortneykay;2799061 Too many of these losers do not respect our professions and will do any and everything (including photoshopping) to screw you over. They believe their worthless pubescent cocks are god's gift to women and are appalled that we actually want to be compensated for getting them off. Don't let that be you![/QUOTE]
The above seriously made my day. LOL
I swear to God, some guys have a fetish for sending gift cards and canceling them. The GC from gift rocket sounds like a ploy to get more attention from you. He will get the message loud and clear now that you have blocked him you aren't entertaining his ass for free. I've blocked guys before and they e-mailed me under different screen names with a GC that worked and with a bigger amount than originally offered. Let them show they are sorry by coming out of pocket. You and your time are valuable. Anybody who thinks its okay to waste your time and be a nuisance gets BLOCKED.
JessRyan
09-10-2015, 07:52 PM
yeah, it's trial and error. I would only take an amazon gift card as a gift, not for payment of anything. I offer videos and custom videos through manyvids. When a guy asks me about custom videos, I send him to manyvids, then they seem to disappear. I sent a guy there a long time ago who went on and on about a custom video, even took me exclusive to pick out an outfit and discuss it. So I told him to go to Manyvids and finish the payment there. He soon emailed me that it was "their payment system didn't work, he tried to pay through my profile there and it wouldn't work, will you take an Amazon Gift Cert for it instead?" I called him out on that shit. Every damn day I successfully sell videos on ManyVids, try again. If not, then I'm sorry I can't help you.
LOL Once I'm on MFC I'll take tokens for videos, but until then, it's Manyvids. I've had a few nice big tippers on Streamate that have tipped 150 or more gold for a custom video and that's fine. They were really good regulars and I knew they wouldn't be a problem. But after a few months of experience and reading the threads I'm with some other girls, who take gift cards ONLY as gifts. A gift card is a gift. Not payment. Just my thoughts
JustCallMeBree
09-11-2015, 09:24 AM
That is an amazing idea JessRyan. I made an account with manyvids already but haven't uploaded anything yet. Can the customer pre pay for videos through Manyvids? I'd love the possibility of having them pre pay for a custom make it, uploaded it for them and also to my account if it's not too customized for others to buy. I told the guy if he wanted a video and had so many issues with gift cards he could get a free SM account and tip me the $200 in gold. He hasn't replied back
JessRyan
09-11-2015, 10:36 AM
I've only had a couple really good regulars tip me enough gold for custom videos. I think that's rare. I offer custom videos on manyvids. Take a look at some profiles and see what the girls offer. I've sold a lot of videos through there and guys on streamate have easily found me. They know how to find you. I've never had any issue with payment, or getting my check. A lot of top models on MFC use manyvids too, so it's a well known site for camgirls. Now I haven't sold a custom video using Manyvids yet, but I'm sure it's easy. Support emails responses quick if you have any questions.
christylive
09-25-2015, 12:40 AM
it depends on the amount and time of day ... it took me 24 hours to receive a $500 g.c through them. for higher amounts they call and verify w/cust. also make sure to never do the work until you receive it. :)
Rispy_Girl
03-31-2016, 04:22 PM
I know not everyone ventures out to other areas of the forum so I thought I would link this thread from Industry Insight:
https://www.stripperweb.com/forum/showthread.php?197920-Amazon-shutting-down-sex-worker-s-wish-lists
Basically Amazon is starting to shut down wishlists and accounts of sex workers! If your account is closed, they WILL take any gift card balance with it! So it's best to always redeem your gift cards to a personal account.
Just this week I was unable to log into my "work" Amazon account after a customer sent me a gift card and purchased an item off my wish list. Not only was his order cancelled (as he confirmed) they shut down BOTH his and my Amazon accounts. Completely closed them. Thankfully I redeemed the gift card to a personal account and used it immediately, but I'm still checking my personal Amazon account often hoping they won't make the connection and close that one as well.
Has anyone experienced this as of late, is this still a thing?
justsometwat
03-31-2016, 06:25 PM
Has anyone experienced this as of late, is this still a thing?
I think you're fine as long as you aren't publicly offering shows or videos in exchange for gifts or gift cards then you should be fine.
Rispy_Girl
03-31-2016, 07:38 PM
I think you're fine as long as you aren't publicly offering shows or videos in exchange for gifts or gift cards then you should be fine.
Phew, okay. I was only going to accept wishlist stuff as gifts anyhow. Just in case I made my list a mishmash of stuff.
Daisies
02-12-2017, 05:44 AM
So I've been looking into accepting amazon gift cards as tributes since a lot of people offer them and I have a couple of things on my amazon wishlist I want to buy and wouldn't mind getting some extra gift cards to do so.
I've heard from a couple of people that they still aren't 100% safe but a lot of people who use them say they are? Quite confusing about this.
What's the worst that can happen? Does anyone here accept them? Any precautions?
kittykrane
02-12-2017, 06:12 AM
I have accept Amazon gift cards as payment when I do the occasional skype show. They send me the card, I redeem (add it) immediately to my AMZ account, and then let the customers know we can start the show. Never had any problems yet.
Classy_Katy
02-12-2017, 06:20 AM
I've never had any problems using them.
Daisies
02-12-2017, 06:21 AM
I have accept Amazon gift cards as payment when I do the occasional skype show. They send me the card, I redeem (add it) immediately to my AMZ account, and then let the customers know we can start the show. Never had any problems yet.
So you can add them to your amazon account instead of spend it right away on an item ?
Classy_Katy
02-12-2017, 06:26 AM
If you're concerned it might be cancelled, you can use a small amount to purchase something. Have things waiting to purchase.
Daisies
02-12-2017, 06:56 AM
If you're concerned it might be cancelled, you can use a small amount to purchase something. Have things waiting to purchase.
So they can't cancel or ask for a refund (if that's even possible) that way? What would be the difference between me spending it or redeeming it to my amazon account balance?
winnipeg
02-12-2017, 07:36 AM
Hmm surely if its "held" on someones amazon account but they decide to use the code themselves.........then the account its held on, the code will be invalid?
Daisies
02-12-2017, 07:41 AM
Hmm surely if its "held" on someones amazon account but they decide to use the code themselves.........then the account its held on, the code will be invalid?
how would they know the code tho? if it is send to you, you're the only one who should know it.
winnipeg
02-12-2017, 07:52 AM
how would they know the code tho? if it is send to you, you're the only one who should know it.
It depends i guess, sometimes they have the code themselves and send you the code. Other times I guess they buy the code and input your email? I'm not entirely sure as i've only ever used the former method and have bought things straight away.
Magical_Hoohah
02-12-2017, 07:58 AM
There is one SW member who has reported that she recently got an amazon GC, spent part of it, and then later the guy got a refund on it. Amazon did indeed take the money back from her and put her amazon balance in the negative.
Daisies
02-12-2017, 08:25 AM
There is one SW member who has reported that she recently got an amazon GC, spent part of it, and then later the guy got a refund on it. Amazon did indeed take the money back from her and put her amazon balance in the negative.
That's really weird because amazon states on their site they don't refund giftcards
justsometwat
02-12-2017, 08:31 AM
They'd have to refund it if the person went through their bank and claimed fraud. There's a limited number of times the back would honor this, because I am sure it would appear suspicious to them :P
Daisies
02-12-2017, 08:42 AM
They'd have to refund it if the person went through their bank and claimed fraud. There's a limited number of times the back would honor this, because I am sure it would appear suspicious to them :P
So it isn't that easy to get it refunded? from what you said it actually looks quite complicated, don't see someone going to their bank because of a 20$ giftcard or something
justsometwat
02-12-2017, 09:16 AM
I don't know how easy or hard it would be, but if I sent. Someone a $100 gift card and I was planning on scamming them the whole time I wouldn't say it would be overly complicated to fathom.
People do really crazy things to be assholes.
Daisies
02-12-2017, 09:30 AM
I keep getting different opinions here.
Some say they can refund after being used, some say they dont. MAKE UP YOUR MINDS! lol
PhatGirlDynomite!!!
02-12-2017, 09:46 AM
I keep getting different opinions here.
Some say they can refund after being used, some say they dont. MAKE UP YOUR MINDS! lol
The people who are saying that it cant be refunded are saying so because it hasn't happened to them yet.
A couple other threads regarding Amazon and sexworkers
https://www.stripperweb.com/forum/showthread.php?204933-Amazon-is-deleting-sex-workers-wishlists-without-warning! Deleting Wishlist
https://www.stripperweb.com/forum/showthread.php?166659-Amazon-WishList-Scam wishlist scam
I just added a few more post to this thread. Just read up top.