Sims 3 70s 80s 90s registration code doesn't work

I received a receipt from Origin with serial number, yet I am unable to use it when "redeeming code" on Sims and here on Origin.  This is absolutely disappointing, to purchase an invalid serial number!  It does not work I have tried and tried and explored all of the help. I must say the help is poor, you have made it so complicated that it has takien days to get to this stage.  I certainly will not recommend you or indeed use your services again, it is absolute criminal what has happened, you take my money and I cannot use the game it is unbelievable.  Please do the decent thing and that is to refund my money so I can purchase the game elsewhere, but this time I will go into a store and buy it on CD.  Please can someone respond.