Hi there,
So i wanted to play some FIFA, since it's only available on EA's Origin I decided to install their Origin thing of theirs, create an account and buy the game.
It seemed like a good day to buy the game as there was a sale going on... The problem arrived when i tried to buy the game, when entering my billing informations it said they couldn't verify my card (which is strange since i used it before Steam Sales and recently on Humble Bundle), anyway, i tried a couple of time and seeing the issue still persists i resign to contact their support (an other plesant surprise they have online support, with humans... Unlike Steam with their bots sending the same response every 2 weeks).

Here's the long version:

"Deepak
Thanks for contacting EA Customer Experience, my name is Deepak. How may I assist you today?
Deepak
Hello.
you
hi
you
i'm trying to buy a game but it says EA can't verify my bank card
you
i'm living in China, but i'm french, i'm trying to buy the game using my french card
you
that may be related?
Deepak
I can understand your issue. Please don't worry, I will do my best to help you out.
you
thanks
Deepak
May I have your first and last name to ease the conversation?
you
XXXX
Deepak
Thanks for the name Xavier.
Deepak
Xavier, from which Country you're trying to buy the game?
you
China
Deepak
Thanks for all the requested details.
Deepak
As you know that Origin is region Specific so if you're trying to buy the game from China so you must need to use the Payment details as per your Country.
Deepak
You need to use the Credit card which has the Chinese billind details.
you
I couldn't select China on the country list on the payment method
you
I looked for China or Republic of China, they weren't there
Deepak
You need to use the Credit card which has the Chinese Billing information.
you
But i don't have one, i'm using my french card for online purchases mostly
Deepak
I am sorry but French card will not work.
you
Nothing you can do about it?
you
What about buying from the chinese store with my french card?
Deepak
I am sorry but we are system constraint and no option to place the Order .
Deepak
You may buy from Chinese store. But from the Origin store you cannot use your French card.
you
i meant origin chinese store, like on Steam
you
well thanks anyway.
Deepak
I am sorry but it won't work.
Deepak
On Chinese Origin store you need to use Chinese card.
Deepak
However You're valued EA gamer so I am also providing you 15% discount code for Origin store game purchase. For your convenience I will send the code on your E-mail id.
you
what's the point if i can't purchase games from your store?
Deepak
Thank you for contacting EA help and chatting with me. Is there anything else I may assist you with today?
you
No thanks. Have a nice day."

The short one:

Basically I can't pay with my french card since i'm in China... Pretty weird since in many other store, platforms i can. In these days many people often travel abroad for work, holidays etc so blocking this kind of transaction is really weird. Anyone having this kind of problem with Origin?

I guess i'll just get a pirated version of it, it's not like there's a lack of these on baidu...

I checked my mail, i do have the 15% so for the first one interested let me know, i'll add you to communicate it to you on Steam. (only for EA games released one month or longer not already on sale, code valid 30 days)

Have a nice day.

9 years ago*

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How did it go?

9 years ago
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it's already uninstalled from my computer.

9 years ago
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Once I tried to play Battlefield 3 when it came out. I brought the game, installed Origin, tried to create an account, failed 12398126378512 TIMES, started to cry, days later I sold the game without playing it. Thx Origin

9 years ago
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Now that's sad :(

9 years ago
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9 years ago
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"Free BF3? Okay. So... that's Origin? EA games only? That's just a DRM".

9 years ago
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9 years ago
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Which websites? I'll try and have a look at them then.

9 years ago
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9 years ago
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9 years ago
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You could have tried VPN. But, good news! You saved your money!

9 years ago
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I don't know why you guys hate EA Support so much, i scored 2 free games off them. Well by free i mean i got another copy becouse the retail didn't work, But still. Valve shuld hire more support staff.

9 years ago
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I don't hate the support, it's more helpfull than Valves or many i've had to contact before.
The only problem I have with Origin is they don't want my money... This tech/sales guy probably has nothing he could do about it I guess. But he was helpfull.

9 years ago
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Try using VPN, I used VPN to buy from Origin Mexico for cheaper price. There was no problem.

9 years ago
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I'm using a proxy on google i can turn on and off (mostly to access websites that are blocked in China), I don't think it's really safe to use these things and put your bank creditentials and whatsnot.

9 years ago
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Just do it. I did and it was ok. No problem at all.

9 years ago
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funny thing is, if this had happened with steam, valve would have just locked your account for 'attempting fraud' and told you 'we can not discuss details of your account being shut down with you' and then just stonewalled any future inquiries/contact.

9 years ago
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people say pirates ruin the market, well this is proof the market is the reason pirates are there. What do these people expect us to do when they wont sell us the bloody games?

9 years ago
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No, shitty market practices is the reason they miss out on some sales. Entitlement is the reason for piracy.
I'm not sure where this notion of 'not buy' = 'pirate' comes from...is it a Gen Y thing? What's the link I'm missing?
It sucks that they won't let him use his French credit card in the Chinese store, this is clearly a legit situation and an inconvenience...but for every one of these situations, there are tens of thousands trying to abuse the system to take advantage of regional price differences (which only exist to help gamers).

9 years ago
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Being called Xavier is so uncool, unless you are Patrick Stewart in X-men.

9 years ago
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Same problem. American card, purchasing from China.

Placed order on the US version of the site using VPN.

Didn't work (AND I have bought from Origin.com a few times before)
Went in to live chat, didn't confuse some telephone monkey from India about where I live or what version of the store I'm buying from. Just told him it doesn't work.

Wait a minute - try now I authorized your card was the reply.

Bought my game. The end.

9 years ago
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The reason could be that since they actually charge tax on the origin store that they need to use the same card from the same country area to be able to charge you the proper tax.

9 years ago
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Well, with if this was the problem, it's solved now. They won't tax a cent from me since i'm getting a "free" copy online.

9 years ago
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-1

9 years ago
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As someone who deals with international orders DON'T get mad at businesses that cant take cards from other countries because there's a lot of rules when you go international and I cant see much reason for Origin in China making French cards work in China site like I wouldn't expect them to support American Express in Europe.

9 years ago
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They respond fast but usually they can't help and give you a coupon.

9 years ago
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can't you just pay with paypal? i think paypal works no matter where you are.

9 years ago
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This.

9 years ago
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If it was checkout with payal i'd go for it. But i had to link my bank account with paypal, have to wait for them to send me money, tell them how much they transfered, have to wait for them to validate, then have to put a certain ammount of money in paypal to finally use it.
Instead of just putting my card number and giving the exact ammount for what i wanted.

9 years ago
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9 years ago
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