Bought game, can't play.

Bought SW:TOR and am now regretting it. Try to log in, and it says:
"There is currently no active subscription on this account."

The box says:
"The first 30 days of subscription fees are included in the purchase price of the product."

What the heck?

Their official post on the matter:
http://www.swtor.com/blog/no-active-subscription-error
http://www.swtor.com/community/showthread.php?t=71497

[update]
They require that one either give them credit card info, paypal account info, or buy a game time card, in order to use the first 30 days that come with purchase of the game. If a person does not have a credit card, or paypal account, then they must pay extra for a game time card, and if they can't get that either, then they are SOL.

Quotes from the forums:
"I purchased copies of this game for myself, my children, and my grandchildren. At the time of purchase, I was only able to buy 1 time card ( I got the last one the store had). Since then I have been all over this city and nobody has any more. So on Christmas day, after loading this game, my grandchildren can't play. I don't want to disapoint them, so I only have one option. Return the 5 games to the store, get a refund, and get them something they can actually use on Christmas day. I am sure I won't be the only person doing this. Not a very good marketing ploy!"
- Summerwine
http://www.swtor.com/community/showthread.php?t=68515&page=8

Another person's take on it:
http://stabbedup.blogspot.com/2011/12/swtor-great-subscription-scam.html

[update 2]
It appears that even though I can't play, my available game time is still counting down.
"You have 28 days of play time remaining. You must sign up for a recurring subscription plan or redeem a Game Time Code before you can play."
How can they justify counting down my game time when I'm not allowed to play?

[update 3] Another angry customer
"Customer Service confirmed I have in fact registered a Game Card for additional 60 days but if I want to Play SWTOR I must buy another one. You heard that right, buy another one. Read for yourself." - IP_writer
http://www.swtor.com/community/showthread.php?t=72192

And a bit of humor, just because:
http://www.swtor.com/community/showthread.php?t=89036

[update 1/23/12]
They don't dispute that I have purchased the game. Yet they refuse to let me play and refuse to give me a refund. There is something wrong with this. What they are selling is not a 30 day subscription to the game, despite the box saying otherwise ("THE FIRST 30 DAYS OF SUBSCRIPTION ARE INCLUDED IN THE PURCHASE PRICE OF THE PRODUCT"). What they are selling is the right to subscribe to the game, with 30 extra days gained upon completion of the subscription. The ability to subscribe is not guaranteed with purchase of the right to subscribe however, as one must also be able to provide either a credit card they can charge (and they will charge it to test it) or a pre-paid game time card.

The box clearly states that they are selling 30 days of subscription time, but they aren't. They are only selling the right to subscribe. Subscription is not included.

[update 1/27/2012]
I have no game time remaining, and was never able to play the game. Gee, thanks EA/Bioware for nothing. You take my money, apologize for confusing me, yet offer me nothing. No refund, no play time.

[update 1/28/2012]
Contacted Amazon, got a full refund. I did not expect that. Thank you Amazon! I guess I won't be playing Star Wars: The Old Republic.

[Extra commentary]
Thinking back on what happened, I find it somewhat strange. EA/Bioware apparently cared more about obtaining my credit card info than keeping me as a customer. Amazon, on the other hand, cared so much about keeping me as a loyal customer, that they did more than they were required to, not just giving a full refund, but even sent someone to pick up the package. That's better service than I am accustomed to receiving from physical retail stores.