Getting a refund for game purchased through Steam?

[lord_emperor]

Steam is a vendor. That game can only be supported by it's creators. Valve owes no one support on non-valve games. If it's a Steam problem, then yes but if Steam itself is working ok for you then it's the game and that dev is where you find support.

If you're overclocking, then set everything back to default, format your PC and see if that fixes it. If you can login from another PC, install the game and run it.. then it's your local PC.

I'm guessing this is a problem with your computer (even though it happens to many people, it could be something related to all those people's PCs, a lot of people overclock), or it could be the game itself. Valve has nothing to do with it though.

I do disagree that OCing couldn't have anything to do with it. Certain games react differently. Doom3 did NOT like OC'd systems and it also wouldn't load if you overclocked your video card (ran into it myself).

This why I don't support Steam or Valve.

If I go buy something from retail store and it just does not work, I can take it back and at least get a store credit (software).

The store sends the defective product back to the manufacturer or more likely just destroys it and requests a credit.

Steam not only denies this fundamental consumer right but if you attempt to fight them they cutoff your account. That would be like the retail store sending thugs to my house to smash all the other products I've ever purchased from them.

So screw Steam and Screw Valve; grats on making a decent game (Half Life), having some independent developers make a popular mod for it (Counter-Strike), buying the rights and snowballing success on someone else's work.

 

[Jschmuck2]

This why I don't support Steam or Valve.

If I go buy something from retail store and it just does not work, I can take it back and at least get a store credit (software).

The store sends the defective product back to the manufacturer or more likely just destroys it and requests a credit.

Steam not only denies this fundamental consumer right but if you attempt to fight them they cutoff your account. That would be like the retail store sending thugs to my house to smash all the other products I've ever purchased from them.

So screw Steam and Screw Valve; grats on making a decent game (Half Life), having some independent developers make a popular mod for it (Counter-Strike), buying the rights and snowballing success on someone else's work.

Would you let us know which store takes back opened games for store credit? I'd uh, like to make some...purchases.....there.

 

[lord_emperor]

Would you let us know which store takes back opened games for store credit? I'd uh, like to make some...purchases.....there.

Pick any store you like.

Buy a bunch of games there.

Buy one that doesn't work.

Return it, pointing out your excellent purchase history with them.

Talk to a manager if necessary.

Dispute it with your CC issuer if necessary.

If you got this far, notice the rest of your games still work.

The rest of your games still work.

Can't emphasize this part enough.

Also I'm going to assume you're the guy who tore the CD key out of my UT2003 manual then returned it to the store, well shame on you.

 

[Born2bwire]

Pick any store you like.

Buy a bunch of games there.

Buy one that doesn't work.

Return it, pointing out your excellent purchase history with them.

Talk to a manager if necessary.

Dispute it with your CC issuer if necessary.

If you got this far, notice the rest of your games still work.

Can't emphasize this part enough.

Also I'm going to assume you're the guy who tore the CD key out of my UT2003 manual then returned it to the store, well shame on you.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....87&id=cat12098

"Opened computer software, movies, music and video games can be exchanged for the identical item but cannot be returned for a refund."

Well, guess you can't do business with Best Buy.

http://www.gamestop.com/gs/help/Returns.aspx

We do not accept returns of:
•Any product(s) returned more than 30 days from the date on the packing slip.
•Any product(s) that has been opened (taken out of its plastic wrap).
•Any product(s) not in its original condition.
•Any product(s) that is damaged, played, or is missing parts.
•Any product(s) that were sold as part of a bundle, unless the bundle is returned complete.

No Gamestop either. That's ok, we don't need to deal with these antiquated backwater brick and mortar shops. I'm sure that a modern e-tailer will conform to your twisted logic of how software returns work. Let's see...

http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/custom...non-returnable

Non-Returnable Items
Amazon.com does not accept returns of the following items:

Items that are classified as hazardous materials or use flammable liquids or gases
Computer laptops, desktops, and Kindles more than 30 days after delivery
Any product missing the serial number or UPC
Downloadable software products
Gift cards
Pay As You Go (or prepaid) phone cards
Prepaid game cards (World of Warcraft, Xbox 360 Live, Wii Points, etc.)
Items purchased from sellers other than Amazon.com
Some Jewelry orders (Learn more)
Some Health & Personal Care items (Learn more)
Grocery products and Gourmet gift baskets cannot be returned; however, Amazon.com will issue a full refund for damaged products sold by Amazon.com

Ummmmm....

http://www.gogamer.com/helppopup.htm?tab=policies&file=help_policy_return

Software must be in its original box and unopened. Please note, due to advances in CD/DVD copy technology we do not accept any opened or used software for copyright infringement purposes.





... Well golly Andy! Looks like nobody takes returns of opened software or downloaded software.

 

[CoinOperatedBoy]

I have personally returned open software at Wal-Mart, Gamestop, and Best Buy. No scam involved, didn't have to twist anybody's arm too much.

 

[lord_emperor]

I have personally returned open software at Wal-Mart, Gamestop, and Best Buy. No scam involved, didn't have to twist anybody's arm too much.

As have I. Amazing what a manager will do when you're standing in his store eying the stack of feedback forms.

 

[Rebel44]

As have I. Amazing what a manager will do when you're standing in his store eying the stack of feedback forms.

You were just lucky that they didnt care about those rules. I saw something similar few times - only difference was that after being told NO few times those complainers were escorted out of store by cops (and their feedback forms were dumped).

 

[lothar]

Would you let us know which store takes back opened games for store credit? I'd uh, like to make some...purchases.....there.

Wal-Mart will accept any return, opened or not.

 

[Obsoleet]

Last I knew, even at walmart if the game is opened you get an exchange only for the same game if opened. If unopened you can get a refund though.

 

[rchiu]

Wal-Mart will accept any return, opened or not.

Wrong. Directly from http://walmartstores.com/7737.aspx "Return Policy"

Exceptions to 90 Day Return Policy:
45 days with receipt: Computer components and computer accessories.
30 days with receipt: Camcorders and digital cameras.
15 days with receipt: Computers and postpaid cell phones.
These items must be unopened: Prerecorded music, movies, and software products.Guns & Ammunition: Sales are final.
Tobacco & Alcohol: May only be returned to the store of purchase with original receipt (except where prohibited by law).
WIC Purchases: No refund for WIC-acquired items. WIC-acquired items that are defective or out-of-date may only be exchanged for identical product. WIC-qualified items must be returned with the original receipt.

 

[Kyanzes]

I received a refund on this very game. I dropped some hate bomb on them after they had announced in the *last hour* that the whole game would be released days later.

They didn't say much, I got a refund.

 

[CoinOperatedBoy]

Last I knew, even at walmart if the game is opened you get an exchange only for the same game if opened. If unopened you can get a refund though.

I was given a full refund to my credit card, not an exchange or store credit.

 

[RyanPaulShaffer]

Hahahaha...thinking you can get a refund from Steam...hahahaha...

Good one.

 

[NesuD]

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....87&id=cat12098

"Opened computer software, movies, music and video games can be exchanged for the identical item but cannot be returned for a refund."

Well, guess you can't do business with Best Buy.

http://www.gamestop.com/gs/help/Returns.aspx

We do not accept returns of:
•Any product(s) returned more than 30 days from the date on the packing slip.
•Any product(s) that has been opened (taken out of its plastic wrap).
•Any product(s) not in its original condition.
•Any product(s) that is damaged, played, or is missing parts.
•Any product(s) that were sold as part of a bundle, unless the bundle is returned complete.

No Gamestop either. That's ok, we don't need to deal with these antiquated backwater brick and mortar shops. I'm sure that a modern e-tailer will conform to your twisted logic of how software returns work. Let's see...

http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/custom...non-returnable

Non-Returnable Items
Amazon.com does not accept returns of the following items:

Items that are classified as hazardous materials or use flammable liquids or gases
Computer laptops, desktops, and Kindles more than 30 days after delivery
Any product missing the serial number or UPC
Downloadable software products
Gift cards
Pay As You Go (or prepaid) phone cards
Prepaid game cards (World of Warcraft, Xbox 360 Live, Wii Points, etc.)
Items purchased from sellers other than Amazon.com
Some Jewelry orders (Learn more)
Some Health & Personal Care items (Learn more)
Grocery products and Gourmet gift baskets cannot be returned; however, Amazon.com will issue a full refund for damaged products sold by Amazon.com

Ummmmm....

http://www.gogamer.com/helppopup.htm?tab=policies&file=help_policy_return

Software must be in its original box and unopened. Please note, due to advances in CD/DVD copy technology we do not accept any opened or used software for copyright infringement purposes.





... Well golly Andy! Looks like nobody takes returns of opened software or downloaded software.

This is why retail stores do not do refunds of opened software. The issue of piracy is the only and I mean only reason for those policies. However in Steam's case this reasoning should not apply. Steam has complete control of your game through the steam client. If they refund the game they have the ability to make it instantly disappear from your account. In my view there is no reasonable reason to refuse refunds on games that have technical flaws and are unplayable for the customer.

 

[lothar]

Wrong. Directly from http://walmartstores.com/7737.aspx "Return Policy"

Exceptions to 90 Day Return Policy:
45 days with receipt: Computer components and computer accessories.
30 days with receipt: Camcorders and digital cameras.
15 days with receipt: Computers and postpaid cell phones.
These items must be unopened: Prerecorded music, movies, and software products.Guns & Ammunition: Sales are final.
Tobacco & Alcohol: May only be returned to the store of purchase with original receipt (except where prohibited by law).
WIC Purchases: No refund for WIC-acquired items. WIC-acquired items that are defective or out-of-date may only be exchanged for identical product. WIC-qualified items must be returned with the original receipt.

1.) I've returned a game before for a full refund.
2.) My brother bought an "unrated" music CD last year from Wal-Mart only to find out after opening it that it had been gimped for kids specially for Wal-Mart while other retailers sold the true "unrated" version. He was issued a full refund.
3.) It depends on the manager I guess. If one was to try the above refund scenarios at Gamestop or Walgreens/CVS, forget about getting a refund. Wal-Mart has good return policies that's why their customer service lines are always long.

Anecdotal evidence I suppose.

 

[Golgatha]

... Well golly Andy! Looks like nobody takes returns of opened software or downloaded software.

I think his main point is that if all else fails, you can dispute the charge with your credit card issuer without fear of losing anything you've previously purchased.

 

[MStele]

This is why retail stores do not do refunds of opened software. The issue of piracy is the only and I mean only reason for those policies. However in Steam's case this reasoning should not apply. Steam has complete control of your game through the steam client. If they refund the game they have the ability to make it instantly disappear from your account. In my view there is no reasonable reason to refuse refunds on games that have technical flaws and are unplayable for the customer.

There is a second reason, and I guess it actually does apply to piracy indirectly so your statement is still true. Many games require some sort of key registration, whether it be just to install, activate, or play online. In most cases, this uses up the key. Many stores that accepted game returns didn't see this as a problem at the time, because they just considered one game the same as the others, but then they would sell the game again, but this time with a spent key.

Many of the shady characters abused this to no end. I remember one time I bought an MMO at gamestop (back when they still took returns), and the key was already used. I returned it and got the same thing. After three tries I threw my hands up in discust and bought it at walmart where I had no problem. Not long after that Gamestop starting removing the contents of the game boxes in order to "prevent shop lifting". They also stopped taking returns at around that time. Well, later on the same thing happened where I bought an MMO from gamestop (one of the "opened" boxes), where they gave me the contents and went home. The key was already used!! So, I went back and fortunately they understand and gave my money back. Well, I worked at Gamestop before (this was before all this happened) and they had a check out program for the employees, where you could try out games at home with the hopes of being able to sell them better. I have no doubts that the keys were being stolen by the employees (even if through ignorance). At that point I refused to buy opened or resealed games at that point. I think Gamestop corp found out because they later stopped opening the games.

The moral of the story is that people can be crooked, or for some just stupid. Since there is no way for stores to verify key validity, there is no way if the buyer is ripping them off. Since the majority of games ship with online components, you can see where its necessary to deny returns. So in a way we can blame DRM for ultimately removing our ability to return games, but then again we have to admit that it was crooked gamers who forced developers hands, so its just one of those things we have to live with, at least in the forseeable future. For the most part I understand why they don't take back games. I don't like it, but I understand it.

My rule to NEVER buy opened games. Console or pc. If I go to gamestop and all they have is the opened display copy left, I would rather go without. I have no way to know if the employee removed something from the box, no matter what they may claim. They don't have to open a game to keep it from being shoplifted. Its pretty easy to run a copy of the box, or do like Toy R' Us did in the old days, and put tickets on the wall.