I placed orders via Paypal with 3 different methods (checking account, debit card, linked credit card), and all were canceled by Macy's within minutes of the confirmation. After going in circles with the customer service rep to verify all the data already on my Macy's account and order (home address, shipping address, full name, phone number, each payment method), I was told the order had to be placed via phone for verification purposes. I was sent a text message with a verification code, recited it back to the customer service rep, and was put on hold for 5 minutes.
After that hold, the customer service rep said the order had to be placed online again. I asked to speak to a manager, was put on hold for 2 minutes, and put back on with the same rep saying to continue holding for the next 20 minutes until she said there was no manager I could speak to. She offered to have me called back, but did not mention a timeframe or who I would speak to.
Without a shadow of a doubt, I have no incentive to ever order from Macy's online again with this absurd verification and background check they apparently now do for every single order (according to this rep). How in God's name does it take less time and effort to clear TSA or immigration at an airport than it does to order a down comforter on Macy's?
I just had the same experience, except I found your comment so I was prepared when the agent told me he couldn't pull my credit card number up and I should re-order online. I'm just going to order elsewhere - the whole thing smells fishy.