some people with certain financial histories only have cash, and while you can buy 1 time visas from store, if any site tries to verify it through zip code, it could lock you out of your money(unless you call the card company first and wait.) other meat stuff: people like to walk into stores to buy things, not have a package sitting on your door step that 2 times out of 10 is going to get stolen. but I see your points. we were just going to buy it at any store yesterday at any price and it wasnt there -1 sale as he bought dues ex instead (but i guess they own that too)