I have the same thing happened a while ago.
I bought a GC with Chase CC.
The store did not charge the activation fee which I was not aware of. Of
course the card could not be used.
I immediately called the store (only 30 minutes away), manager told me they
ran out of the GC, otherwise could reload to another card. Manager told me
there was nothing else he can do, I have to call GC company.
Called GC company several times, spent hours on the phone, faxed all receipt
and copy of card. Initially they told me that they would send a check to me.
However, when I called back to check the status, I was told they could not
process the case as card was not consistent with the receipt. I explained to
them that I did not know why it did not charge the activation fee but they
just said sorry.
I have talked with different rep and got a couple of case numbers, which was
the worst thing, as you guys know.
Finally, I had to give up and called chase. The rep asked me to send them
all copies and described the whole precess which needed to be written down
on a form.
One or two weeks later, I got refund.
But the whole precess was very frustrating.