Basically, there's a code that allows one to pre-order Battlefield 3 at a discount, which is why I want to get it from their store, rather than a boxed copy. When I go to try and buy the game, I get this message: "Sorry, but you do not meet the requirements to purchase one or more of the items in your shopping cart." I am rather sure that this means my account is not over the age of 18, which it probably isn't, and it is preventing me from purchasing the game.
  
I really, really want to just accept Origin, but every minute I spend talking to their customer support sucks energy directly from my soul.  
 
Why are all of these weird rules in place, anyway? How are any of these silly Origin-exclusive annoyances beneficial? 
   
EDIT: 

info:  Please wait. An EA Expert will be with you soon.
info:  You are now ready to chat with Edwin.
Edwin:  Thank you for contacting Origin Help. My name is Edwin. How may I assist you today?
you:  Hey there.
you:  Well, yesterday, I went to purchase Battlefield 3 through your store.
you:  I was greeted with a message stating that my account was not allowed to purchase the content. 
you:  Is this because the age on the account is not over 17, or 18? If so, how can I go about buying the game on the account, if I have permission from a parent?
Edwin:   may I have the EA account email address?
you:  XXXXXX
Edwin:   can you verify the date of birth?
you:  Well, my actual birthday is XX/XX/XX (16).
you:  "Sorry, but you do not meet the requirements to purchase one or more of the items in your shopping cart."
Edwin:   thank you. but the date of birth is underage on the account and that date of birth cannot be edited or changed. It is set in stone when you create the account 
you:  Does that mean that the only way I will be able to pre-order Battlefield 3 through origin will be to create an entirely new account?
Edwin:   unfortunately yes sorry
you:  All of my downloadable content, and my Bad Company 2 information across two platforms (Xbox 360 and PC) are tied to that account, though.
you:  If I buy a retail (boxed) copy of Battlefield 3, will I be able to activate on my underage account?
Edwin:   you should but don't quote me on that try it out 1st to be on the safe side 
you:  If I call EA or Origin support, and talk to them on the phone, do you think there's a posibility that they could change the date of birth for me?
Edwin:   no but it's worth a shot, right?
you:  I suppose so. Thanks for the information.
Edwin:  Thank you for contacting Origin and chatting with me.  I do appreciate your time and have a great day! 
 
After putting in a call to Origin support, the guy said that I can have the date of birth changed, with specific permission, however the name on my account cannot be altered. Why is this a problem, then? According to this German news report talking about this Tweet, your Origin ID will be your Battlefield 3 soldier name. 
  
Noooow, if I go ahead and find another account, with a name that's not stupid (like one I have now), I can have my downloadable content and Veteran Status transferred over. If I do this, though, my Battlefield: Bad Company 2 stats will very likely be wiped, so says the support person I talked with.

Origin may have its fair share of problems, but I won't blame it for not allowing underage accounts the ability to purchase games not tailored to their age group.

Make a new account that is over 18?

Basically, there's a code that allows one to pre-order Battlefield 3 at a discount, which is why I want to get it from their store, rather than a boxed copy. When I go to try and buy the game, I get this message: "Sorry, but you do not meet the requirements to purchase one or more of the items in your shopping cart." I am rather sure that this means my account is not over the age of 18, which it probably isn't, and it is preventing me from purchasing the game.  I really, really want to just accept Origin, but every minute I spend talking to their customer support sucks energy directly from my soul.   Why are all of these weird rules in place, anyway? How are any of these silly Origin-exclusive annoyances beneficial?

why'd you make an underage account?   I thought they taught kids better these days!

They're not allowed to sell an 18 rated game to someone underage.

@Marz said:

why'd you make an underage account? I thought they taught kids better these days!

I know, its apparently amateur hour over on Origin. You never make an account for yourself thats below the age of 18. EVER! Do you put your real age into age portals before trailers too?

I'm pretty sure you have to be 17. 
 
I tried buying an M-rated game on Origin a few months ago before my 17th birthday, and it came up with that message. It was a bummer because I didn't want to create another account because all my games are associated with that account, but there was no way to edit my birthdate. I created that account long ago before I figured out I should always create accounts over 18.
 
I just now tried buying BF3 on Origin now that I'm 17 and it seems to work.

@Marz: @ShiftyMagician: Well, I made the account to play something Spore related in 2008. I have been making Steam purchases without any trouble, and I'm just wondering why Origin has to go crazy with their rules. Do you know of any over game download services that require one to be of a certain age? 
 
@SamFo: I explained that since my downloadable content is linked to that account, I'd rather not. I'll get this sorted out anyway, by either calling up customer support, and if that fails, creating a new account even if it is not what I want to do. 
  
@The_Laughing_Man: 16

That sucks, but you should totally post the discount code here.

Also you should be able to just use the EA support chat. No reason to use voice with another human.

@The_Laughing_Man: If you bothered to read what I wrote, you would know that other services, notably Steam, do not require any real age verification at checkout. Since I have permission to purchase M rated games, putting a fake age at an age gate is not breaking any terms of use.   Having to call up Origin and have them manually change the birthdate on my account is unreasonable.

For all the shit that Origin's been doing, I take no issue with this.

Just buy it somewhere else maybe D2D

Of course you can't buy it! It hasn't even come out yet!

Buy a boxed copy maybe?