Can't download DLC because of possible tax

I have a real problem with the way microsoft markets, sells and redeems these DLC (downloadable content) packs in retail stores. I bought the Havoc map pack for Call of Duty on xbox 360 for $15 from best buy. After activating the code, I was credited with
$15 in my microsoft store. But when I went to download the content, it told me I didn't have enough money to cover possible taxes.

I have an initial problem that you buy this content from a store, which is clearly marketed as "the expansion map pack" and an uneducated consumer is likely assuming they are paying for the "whole" thing. It's not until you commit to the purchase/transfer
of funds that you realize that you need more money to actually get the content, in order to cover taxes. Too bad for the person buying a gift for someone who finds out later that the person getting the gift can't actually get what they thought they were buying
without spending more of their own money.

The REAL issue I have is what happens next. They system is supposed to allow me to split my purchase between the microsoft account balance and my credit card on file, to cover the missing tax amount. At least that's what online support told me (after spending
nearly 1 hour trying to resolve this). But that option doesn't present itself. I ended up having to buy a 2nd $15 card from best buy to cover the $1.04 that I needed for taxes.

Now I'm left with $13.96 in my microsoft account, which I have no intended use for. Even if I decide to buy the next map pack when it comes out, I'll have the same problem. I'll be $2.08 short of what I need, and likely forced to plop another $15 into
my account!

Microsoft needs to allow the consumer to either split the purchase between the microsoft account and credit card, as I described above, or allow you to credit your account with an exact amount using your credit card.

This whole process smells like a scam to me, where they force you to put more money into your account than you actually need to. I would recommend to anyone intending to purchase DLC content, to avoid buying these cards from stores/retailers, and use credit
cards directly from the xbox.

:)

 

Can't download assassins creed II

It is free, but requires a credit card? How is there tax on a free item?

I can't download it because of this.

Why is there a credit card requirement on it?

 

Can't download because of underage.

is it a DEMO or a trailer

if its either you are not buying a demo

M rated and NR demos and trailers do not fall under the parental settings you must wait till your gamertag turns 18 and promote the account

 

FYI about the split payment, in order to do so you have to start the payment with your credit card and it should then ask if you want to pay with the remaining funds in your account first.

 

Thanks for the reply Smwutches. After seeing this response, I did a little extra searching and it sounds like that's likely correct. Although I saw some confusion about not always being prompted to pay a portion with the Microsoft account, but no details
on when the option would or wouldn't apply.

I think this requires quite a leap of faith on the consumer. When I started to follow the credit card payment path, there was NO indication that I would be able to use my account money. This leads the user to believe that the full payment will go against
his card and the microsoft account will remain untouched.

There really should be some text before requiring the user to hit "confirm" that the "full" purchase will not all go against the card, or an option to split the purchase will be made available.

I am further frustrated because I spent 45 minutes online with a support agent, and not once did he provide the details of how that process worked. He instead indicating that there was a known issue with the map pack (which turned out to be totally unrelated),
and that it was likely interfering with my ability to split purchase (which it wasn't).