In XXXX, my friend purchased a {$300.00} MasterCard gift card ( plus {$5.00} in " fees '' ) at a local grocery store ( XXXX ). According to the packaging, it was issued by the US Bank National Association. She gave it to me later in the month or early XXXX. In XXXX, I decided to use it. The instructions said to to register it online prior to making an online purchase. I attempted to do so at XXXX - the site listed on the packaging. The site told me they could n't find the card so I called the customer service number - XXXX. According to customer service, the card was not activated at the point of purchase and I was directed back to the store. I went to the store ( WITH the receipt for the gift card ) where the baffled manager said he could n't help me and HE called the customer service number and they advised him I should call back with instructions. I returned home, called the number, and the rep told me I would have to fax the receipt, along with a copy of the gift card ( front and back ) to the attention of " Gift Card Activation '' at XXXX. She said it would take 7-10 BUSINESS DAYS to activate the card. I did this on XXXX XXXX. On the XXXX day, the card was STILL not activated. I called AGAIN and the rep told me they would " escalate '' the matter -- but refused to find out if even the fax was received as that was a " different department. '' When transferred to a supervisor - she told me the same thing. ( But how can you " escalate '' something that is ALREADY late on your part?! ) She took my phone number ( which was already on the fax I had sent ) and said someone would call me back in 24-48 hours. After 48 hours passed without a call, I called them. The supervisor then explained that it was n't 24-48 hours in day time -- it was 24-48 hours -- BUSINESS HOURS. ( Have you EVER heard THAT? ) Which, he told me, would be five more days before I would hear about ANYTHING. This is OUTRAGEOUS! I asked him for the name of the company he worked for and he said, " Card Services. '' I asked for the physical address so I could put it on the complaint form to the XXXX Attorney General. He refused to give it to me and could only tell me that the business was located in XXXX. So, after being told the card would be activated in 7-10 business days, it was n't. Now I am " lucky '' enough to have this matter " escalated '' so it MAY be five MORE days before a single person calls me and will probably tell me " they never received anything. '' 
