Oh boy guys and gals. Apparently EA Account Balance cannot be used with any other payment methods. You cannot combine payment methods.
Here's the final chat log (I appologize for my sloppy typing and apparent irritation as it's late and I have been talking to EA representatives for two hours...)
You are now ready to chat with Simple.
Simple: Thanks for contacting EA Help! My name is Simple how may I help you?
you: Hi, I'm trying to purchase two physical xbox 360 games on the origin website. I'm trying to use my EA Account Balance and a credit card but it will not let me add the credit card. I have already talked to a representative an hour ago who tried to help me but couldn't and told me to try again after an hour.
Simple: Robert, I understand your concern. Let me see what I can do in this case.
Simple: Please tell me if you receive any error message?
you: loop sends me back to same page to add a credit card
you: You do not have enough funds in your account to cover the full purchase. Please enter a credit card to complete the transaction.
Simple: Please tell me if you are using both EA Account Balance and a credit card together?
you: yes
Simple: Robert, please be informed that you cannot use two payment methods together.
you: I cannot use the credit card to pay for the rest of the purchase?
Simple: No, you need to use either credit card or the account balance.
you: That doesn't make sense...so you're saying I would always be stuck with left over EA cash balance?
Simple: You can purchase any other thing with the EA account balance which doesn't require amount from credit card.
you: well how about this then. The other people encountering this same problem have a work around where they made the total come out to much more than the origin account balance
you: would it be possible to only use PART of my origin account balance to at least cover one game and still qualify for free shipping?
you: Because clearly you can use account balance and credit card combined in same order but you're saying apparently it just can't be used on same items.
Simple: According to the information we have, credit card cannot be used along with any other payment method.
you: Then how are these other people clearly doing it...
you: the error seems to come from the amount of tax pushes the total amount just above how much account balance you have
Simple: I can under stand that Robert but this is how it works.
Simple: We cannot do much in this case.
Simple: You can only use any discount coupon with credit card.
you: ok well if that's how the system works why can i not choose credit card as payment option?
you: It doesn't even give me the option it FORCES me to use my balance first
you: because it thinks im under $40 until tax is applied in which case it asks me to add a credit card and i get the loop
Simple: Okay, have you tried with another browser?
you: yes, firefox, internet explorer, google chrome
you: the origin account balance and credit card are both permanently filled in bubbles that I cannot uncheck
you: it's forcing me to use balance first
Simple: Okay, I need to escalate the issue to senior support for further assistance. They should contact you within 5-6 days via email. In mean time, if you want you can add balance to your EA account and then try to purchase the game.
you: So you're saying my only option to make the spring sale that ends tomorrow...is to put more useless EA cash in my balance that I'll never be able to use because I will not be able to complete any purchases that cost more than the remaining cash I'll have left in balance?....
you: I mean if the EA cash cannot be used with any other payment method why would I want more change leftover in there...i'll never be able to find something to purchase that fits an even number...
Simple: Just add only that much amount which is necessary to buy the game.
you: How would I go about doing that...could I buy the exact amount of EA cash with a credit card?
you: The current EA cash I have is from cards I bought at store
Simple: Yes, please get another card of the amount equivalent to the amount needed from your credit card to buy the game.
you: No but the cards come in pre-set amounts no? Like these were two $20 cards...I only need a little bit over a dollar more in EA cash to complete my purchase purely with EA cash. Is there a way I could buy only like a $1.80 in EA cash?
Simple: I am afraid, that's not possible.
you: That
you: 's ridiculous, why would I want an extra $19 in EA cash left over in my balance if I can't use it with any other payment methods? In order to use I'd have to find stuff to buy that would be under $19 each time or else if it's like $21 I'd have to buy another $20 cash card and be in the same dilema again?
Simple: Robert, I completely understand your issue. But I cannot do much in this case. I will escalate the issue to senior support.
you: Wait, but how will I make the spring sale? It ends tomorrow and I am not buying more EA cash since the system is clearly flawed and a senior support is not going to fix it for me because it turns out it's not even a glitch...
Simple: The most I can do is provide the discount amount to you later when the issue gets fixed.
Simple: Please try after 1-2 days and if you are able to buy the items then we will provide discount to you on later date.
Simple: Please tell me what game or item you are trying to purchase and its price.
you: Alright...but you can see this isn't a glitch right? I cannot even split the total $40 of the EA Cash to pay for one game and pay for the other game by Credit Card to still get free shipping. This isn't a glitch - just a flaw in the system...
you: Battlefield 3 - Xbox 360 $29.99 and Dante's Inferno - Xbox360 $9.99
Simple: Okay, what is the sale offer?
you: it's 50% off those games in the Origin spring sale
you: and I was qualifying for the free shipping
Simple: Okay, I will add all this information to your account emailaddress.
you: thank you
Simple: Please keep this case ID ########.
Simple: When you will contact us again, please provide this case ID and we will assist you further.
Simple: I humbly request for your patience and understanding in this matter.
you: Ok, so email again in 1-2 days or use this live-chat?
Simple: Try to purchase game and contact us when you have placed the order successfully.
you: But I cannot purchase the game...
you: as long as there is EA cash in my balance it won't let me fill out the orders
Simple: If you are planning to buy any other item too which can be purchased with the EA account balance then, purchase it. I mean just try to use EA balance first.
you: No but I can't complete the order because I do not have enough EA cash...how would I be able to complete order and then contact?
Simple: Okay, in that case, please wait for senior support email.
Simple: You can also contact our phone support if you want.
you: So I should be expecting that senior support email in 5-6 days and they will help me complete the order with the case ID you gave me?
Simple: Yes, they will assist you further with your issue.
you: Ok thank you
Simple: Robert, I humbly request for your patience and understanding in this matter.
Simple: You're welcome.
Simple: Is there anything else I may assist you with today?
you: Nope
Simple: If you need help with anything else, please feel free to contact us anytime!
Simple: Thank you for contacting EA help and chatting with me. I appreciate your time and have a great day!
you: thanks, you too
Simple: Bye and take care!
The chat session has ended. Please contact us again if you need further help.