Today i learnt to not try to buy stuff from Amazon.

Signed up with them, and tried to buy a refurbished mobile phone from their pages.

Got a message, saying they needed proof that i was the legit owner of the debit card i was trying to use. Wanted a ‘billing statement’ showing the card number (which i was to partially redact).

Only things i had are bank statements and documents, showing that the card is associated with one of my accounts, and that it has been used for EFTPOS transactions and online purchases. The bank (Suncorp) does NOT issue any statements under the card number, or which mention the card number.

Not good enough for Amazon. Want a ‘billing statement’, with card number. Explained to them. OK, show us a copy of your (partially-redacted) driver’s licence. So, i did.

Not good enough for Amazon. Still want a ‘billing statement’, with card number. I explained again.

Not good enough for Amazon. ‘Account suspended’, transaction/purchase cancelled.

Not a problem. While all this was going on, i found a better refurbished phone, at a lower price, with sooner delivery date, with another supplier.

I’ve never purchased anything from Amazon before this, and it looks like i never will.