How can I take back a game because it just isn't fun to play?

[mugs]

Originally posted by: VirtualLarry I wonder how long it will be until Hollywood starts outsourcing movie production to "Bollywood". Won't that be an interesting change.

They already do. Filming in Canada and other foreign countries is common (not because the plot of the movie dictates it, but because it's cheaper).

 

[knyghtbyte]

On the returns subject, there is very few things you can buy, decide you dont like and return and expect the retailer to give you a refund....anywhere in the world, because quite simply if you have used it then you have used it. You paid to use it and you have, you might not like it but thats tough. Live and Learn its called. If you dont research first on something that is researchable (a computer game, or component, a piece of furniture, etc) then thats up to you.
Admittedly there are some things you cant research (that nice cream cake in the baker shop) so you buy it on a whim and its either good or its not, oh well, again, Live and Learn.

An example of my own would be Terminator 3. Saw the reviews and write ups, some clips on TV in trailers and deduced the film would be total crap that i wouldnt bother seeing, not given how fantastic the first 2 films were. But one night with a friend, slightly drunk in the West End (of London, where i live) and at a loss for something to do we decided to go see it....my lord, i can honestly swear i have never seen a film that made me think 'that is atrocious, it has no redeeming feature whatsoever, not even accidental humour' untill i saw Terminator 3, now i could have gone to the ticket desk and demanded a refund because it was so bad, but i didnt, why? i knew it wouldnt be much good as i had checked it out before.
(i still honestly cannot believe how bad it was...lol)

On the other hand, i went in to my local Sainsburys (an english supermarket chain) and bought the film 'The League of Extraordinay Gentleman'......hadnt heard a lot about it but was told it was reasonably good......watched the dvd and thought what a pile of cack, (altho not quite as bad as T3...lol) so i took it back to the shop and asked if it would be ok for me to return it and swap it for another film instead, i suspect if i was a 'walking trade' customer (not regular) then probably would have said no to me, but i know most of the staff as i pop in on the way home to get fresh food most days, and the nice lady who works the customer service counter said ok, so in this instance i got lucky, if she had said no then i would have simply taken the film to a nearby trading shop and got a different film with a few quid going there way on top....

Its only when something is faulty do you have a right to return it, from a shop within 7 days i think is the legal restriction in the UK (but most shops offer a month) or if from an online UK based e-tailer then distance selling regulations say you can return it with full refund if faulty within 7 days or if unopened for any reason at all within 7 days. After that if its faulty then you have to go to the manufacturer unless you had a bought extended shop warranty, if you just dont like what you bought then its tough, Live and Learn.

On the subject of movie production, in the more middle part of last century, a large amount of films indoor or mocked up outdoor scenes were filmed in UK studios, either Ealing, or Pinewood or various others often owned by the BBC, some were UK films, some were USA films but the english studios were the best....towards the end of last century only some of the greatest films used the UK studios whereas a lot of the smaller films used studios in Italy......so Hollywood has never actually been that big for the shooting side, yes you have various studios that are huge there, but not as much filming went on there as you think.....mind u, i may be wrong so dont jump down my throat but i get the feeling part of that was something to do with the unions stopping the workers from doing stuff in the Hollywood studios every so often for pay reasons etc.....which would explain why the filmmakers went elsewhere sometimes...lol
(Star Wars and Alien to name 2 films had a lot of their scenes shot in UK studios if memory serves correct...)

 

[TimboAA]

Return it because it doesn't work. Then go get another game and ask for another reciept. Then come or goto a different walmart and return the game since it is unopened, you should be able to, right? This is why i always pay with cash. It might not work at some stores, but it should at some. It's just one extra step involved.

 

[Polishwonder74]

Aw man, this is just a huge argument for software piracy. Look, here's a *cough* friend o' mine's *cough* strategy. Download a game and give it a try before you drop $50 on it. With the way games have been sucking ass for the past 5 years or so, you can usually tell if a freshly pirated game sucks within the first half-hour. The ones you actually like are worth the $50, so you cna just run down to the mall and grab it.

Word to your mother.

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: TimboAA
Return it because it doesn't work. Then go get another game and ask for another reciept. Then come or goto a different walmart and return the game since it is unopened, you should be able to, right? This is why i always pay with cash. It might not work at some stores, but it should at some. It's just one extra step involved.

He doesn't have the receipt, and even if he did they wouldn't give him a new receipt. They would mark his old receipt to indicate that it was returned opened so that he couldn't return it as new. The only way he's going to get a refund is if he nags them long enough that they realize it will cost them less to give him the game than keep dealing with him. Or they could just not return his calls.

 

[Fritzo]

Originally posted by: Jumpem
I'm going to try taking it back to Walmart. If they say no, I am going to speak to the store manager and ask for a legitimate reason why not.

I payed $65 for it and played for two hours.

Uhhh...because their store policy says in big letters on the wall "No returns of opened software or movies. Exchanges only."? If you hated it, take it up with the publishing company. I did that with EA some years back over a terrible sports game and they gave me a coupone for a free $30 game.

Next time, read reviews before you buy.

 

[Fritzo]

Originally posted by: gtd2000
I'm quite amazed that anybody assumed they could take back software that their subjective opinion deems unworthy of purchase.
You appear to be very well versed in the store policies in general and continue to bleat about getting your money back.

I would think if you can demonstrate that you normally buy all your software at Wal*Mart and that you are generally a good customer the manager "might" give you a "one off" scenario of returning the software for something else perhaps? ......Pigs might also fly too

Do you think if you went to a book shop and bought a book and you decided that the book was boring/unenjoyable that they would shrug their shoulders and give you a refund?

I think you need to look at this problem from the point of view of the retailer at the end of the day.

After all, the retailer sold you a merchantable copy of the software and has done no wrong.

I'd suggest the beef you have is with the game developer at a stretch.

I'm also in the camp that suggest you should review products before you make a purchase and just suck it up as a bad decision.

Stores do not legally have to take returns. They do it as a service to the customer. If they accepted software returns from everyone, everyone would take the games home, copy them, and return them (like the good old C-64 days heheheh ).

 

[302efi]

Can you imagine what would happen if we all took back games we didnt like ??..

...but on a serious note, I somewhat understand his problem: He bought the game EXPECTING it to but what he likes, it wasnt, so now he thinks the store should take it back because he thinks it sucks.

I know in the past I got fvcked on a couple games not living to the way they were advertised (mostly consoles, everytime I went to rent them, they were out )...So I kinda hope it works out for you

All you people who says Walmarts software return policy is very clearly visable is WRONG !...Its all the wall behind the customer service desk...How is someone suppose to see that when they are checking out at register 1

 

[VirtualLarry]

Originally posted by: 302efi
All you people who says Walmarts software return policy is very clearly visable is WRONG !...Its all the wall behind the customer service desk...How is someone suppose to see that when they are checking out at register 1

Really? Most of the ones that I've been to around here, they do have that policy taped up near the games section. Not at the checkouts, those are at the front of the store.

 

[302efi]

Originally posted by: VirtualLarry

Originally posted by: 302efi
All you people who says Walmarts software return policy is very clearly visable is WRONG !...Its all the wall behind the customer service desk...How is someone suppose to see that when they are checking out at register 1

Really? Most of the ones that I've been to around here, they do have that policy taped up near the games section. Not at the checkouts, those are at the front of the store.

Yeah...In my local Walmart, you have to take the game to the front registers to check out, there is no electronics section...Why they dont have the section is beyond me, as I thought most Walmart were pretty much the same.

I've been to my local Walmart and browsed the PC game section at least a 75 times in the last couple years and I've never noticed a sign...I plan on going there tonite and see if I can find one, then I'll reprt back here

 

[tart666]

Originally posted by: VirtualLarry

Originally posted by: BooGiMaN
I dont think your going to get anywhere...there have been times i wish i could return a game..but unfortunatley most all if not all companies have a no software return policy posted up.
who can bame them especially with cd/dvd burners so cheap now

Ironically, in the EULA in some software, they instruct you to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund, if you don't agree to the terms. Yet, you have to open and sometimes attempt to install the software before even being allowed to read the terms. Of course, the retailer has a "no returns on opened software" policy too. Catch-22. Companies love this sort of stuff, screwing the consumer. That is, if you willingly fall for it. The answer is simple - don't buy these sorts of software, at those sorts of stores, period.

oh ye. If the game comes with one of those "Click on accept EULA to proceed" screens, can't you call the company and tell them you chose not to accept? They will mail you a refund check, no?

 

[IndyJaws]

It comes down to the fact that I think any seller or service provider should offer a full refund for absolutely any reason. That's what I expect, and I demand.

You need to be very careful when you use words like "absolutely any reason." For example, if you were to buy a new pair of jeans and run over them with your lawn mower, should they give you a refund for them? If you get mad during a ballgame and throw a remote at your new TV set, shattering the picture tube, are you entitled to a refund? Of course not, nor would it appear that you would ask for one, since you have illustrated that you know the difference between reasonable and unreasonable demands.

You may retort that they should offer a full refund for absolutely any reason that you feel is reasonable. Aha, therein lies the rub. "Reasonable" means very different things for many people. As you can see, many people on this forum feel you are unreasonable in this demand. Others have agreed with you. But at what point does a retailer have to draw the line?

People over and over repeat the mantra, "The customer is always right." Again, that pesky word - "always." While it will certainly offend the purists out there, the customer is not always right. A simple litmus test can be applied to debunk this myth. A customer buys a new refrigerator, takes it out to their farm and uses it for target practice with their shotgun, then wants to return it because all the cold air came out of the holes blasted in the side. On top of that, the side of beef they had stored in it went bad because it wasn't kept cold, so they not only want a refund on the refrigerator, but they also want to be compensated for the spoiled meat. If the customer is always right, any reputable retailer will have no choice but to refund their purchase price but also reimburse them for the lost food. Of course the customer is not right in this situation, and a retailer that would not meet their terms is certainly not disreputable. Yes, the customer is very important. The customer is king. Any retailer that wants to thrive and have a strong repeat business will do virtually everything to make their customer happy in most situations. But the customer is not always right.

I worked in retail for over 25 years and have dealt with every single type of customer imaginable. And in the vast majority of situations that escalated to my attention, I have bent over backwards to help make the customer happy. And you bring up a good point...yes, they should take in consideration your continued patronage. (And no, WalMart will not lose any money on the deal. EA will take the game back with no issues, because it will be claimed as defective by WalMart. Even if it weren't, manufacturers don't play chicken with the 800-lb gorilla. WalMart gets what it wants. Always.) However, when deciding whether to override corporate policy on a return, I always ask myself, "Is this a customer that is interested in having an ongoing relationship with our company, or are they simply shopping with us because we were the cheapest in town on this item? Is this a customer with whom we are interested in having a relationship?" Face it, there are customers that companies don't want to continue to have as customers. We have asked people to stop shopping with us because of continued abuse of return policies, even though they were within their right to return the products. Why? Because, as others have pointed out, the main reason a company is in business is to make money. Period. Anyone else tells you any differently is either completely out of touch with reality or a business school professor (and the two are not mutually exclusive ). A customer that costs you money by doing business with them over the long run, and there are those that exist, is not a customer you want. You're much better off with them doing business with the competition, screwing their profit numbers.

Finally, one word of advice. I don't know how you negotiate with the general/district/regional managers when you try to get your point across, but anyone who says that the aggressive, yelling, threating, screaming method is the best way to get your way is wrong. If someone deals with me in a professional manner, I will respond in kind. However, the nastier someone gets, the more I will go out of my way to ensure they will not get what they want. The adage, "you catch more flies with honey than vinegar" couldn't be more true. The nasty method might work with lower-level management and customer service personnel, but once you start getting to the big boys, it will backfire right in your face.

Enough of my little manifesto...everyone have a good holiday!

IndyJaws

P.S. And, believe it or not, the example I gave earlier with the shotgun-blasted refrigerator actually happened. When they were denied the refund, they actually sued our company. Of course they lost in court, but we still were out attorney's fees (couldn't counter-sue for them), which were much more than the cost of the refrigerator. Why, then, didn't we just exchange it and save ourselves the money and the time of litigation? Because at some point, you have to stand your ground to prevent the few truly evil customers from getting away with it, even if it costs you money in the short term.

 

[AntiNazi]

Originally posted by: Jumpem
Ok, manager at Walmart said it is "against the copyrght law" to accept opened software for return. WTF!?

i think you would have a better chance contacting the manufacturer.... and possibly telling them you didnt install but disagreed with the eula... little sketchy but it has a better chance of working... you will still be out shipping and tax...

tbh, with something like a game, i dont really think you should be able to return it after playing it unless its glitchy or completely different from advertised... you could easily buy it, complete it in a week, and return it... the system seems fairly easy to abuse and that is why its a bigger pita to return....

 

[VIAN]

Well, I probably would have gone to EA and complained about it because I don't think Walmart would care.

But the reasons I didn't buy the game.

Breakthrough was just horrible and cheap and it could only get worse.
Just the fact that two years after the game released they still have the balls to attempt to make an expansion.
60 bucks for an expansion?! Yeah right.
They treat their employees like crap, so only crap could be expected.

 

[Koing]

Any updates?

K

 

[PCBliss]

most stores, including walmart, do not allow opened software to be returned. Look in the electronics section on a hanging sign, it clearly says it, and should be of no surprise to you. The only thing you can do, if you really feel like doing whatever necessary, is return it and say its broken or doesnt work, and they will give you another copy of the same game. Try to do this without bringing your reciept first. Then you can come back the next day or go to another walmart and returned the unopened one for store credit. If you didnt bring in your reciept for the first exhange, and therefor it is not written on by walmart saying you exchanged the item, you could return it to another walmart and possibly get your money back. If not you can certainly get store credit. Im not saying this is the right or wrong thing to do, just a possibility.

 

[Acanthus]

Id love to get my money back from sierra for Lords of the Realm III.

That game is frigging terrible.

 

[abaez]

Originally posted by: IndyJaws

It comes down to the fact that I think any seller or service provider should offer a full refund for absolutely any reason. That's what I expect, and I demand.

Finally, one word of advice. I don't know how you negotiate with the general/district/regional managers when you try to get your point across, but anyone who says that the aggressive, yelling, threating, screaming method is the best way to get your way is wrong. If someone deals with me in a professional manner, I will respond in kind. However, the nastier someone gets, the more I will go out of my way to ensure they will not get what they want. The adage, "you catch more flies with honey than vinegar" couldn't be more true. The nasty method might work with lower-level management and customer service personnel, but once you start getting to the big boys, it will backfire right in your face.

Enough of my little manifesto...everyone have a good holiday!

IndyJaws

When I was the manager of a movie theatre, this played a huge part in how we gave refunds on tickets. We had many times where a person would watch a 2 hour movie for 1 hour 45 minutes and would come out and ask for a refund saying they didn't like it, acting like if he deserved his money back. Sorry, no. We don't make the movies, call the studio.

Our policy was 30-40 minutes should clue you in enough if you'd like the movie or not. 1 hour (or halfway through) was the absolute MAX if the person was human about it and had a good reason (her baby was crying in her arms or something like that). I would bend over backwords and give their money back plus a couple of readmit tickets for the people who acted like humans. Even so, I've had people throw everything at me, from hot dogs to popcorn, and had to call the police numerous times.

 

[huxley0]

Sell it on ebay...if it is a new game you will have a minimal loss...especially around xmas time

 

[perillo34]

Do people have common sense anymore these days... seriously what an ignorant thing to try and do or ask, but hey there are always a few of the non bright bulbs.

 

[L1FE]

So let me get this straight:

1. You know Walmart's return policy.
2. You buy from them knowing the return policy.
3. After the purchase you suddenly disagree with the policy.
4. You feel like you're entitled to something back.

If you know the policy and disagree with it then don't buy from the place. Otherwise it's an AGREEMENT between you and the store. Did someone force you to buy it at Walmart? Was that the only vendor available anywhere in the whole wide world for you to purchase the game? Frankly, you knew beforehand EXACTLY what was required of you as a consumer. You entered the transaction knowing EXACTLY that you couldn't return the game if you had opened it. And now you are trying to backtrack and say you do not agree with it.

You, the person calling others bad consumers, are obviously either very confused or frankly just a spoiled ass who will not take responsibility for his own actions. It seems like you're blaming everyone else for their horrible mistake and trying to downplay your whole blame by poo pooing around that you're the victim. Not only that, but when others try to correct you you insult them and just will NOT listen trying to rationalize and justify your own warped sense of logic.

If anything, you are dissatisfied with the product because you are a misinformed consumer. You are trying to break a contract you had full knowledge of with a "producer" which makes you a untrustworthy consumer. And you go around calling everyone else that disagrees with you a bad consumer? You're just lucky your profile doesn't allow a member rating. It's people like you who make others around the world think Americans are egocentric, stuck up pigs.

 

[Koing]

I was given free tickets for another movie when the movie I was watching had some FUNKY shifting of the screen and sound for a few minutes.

I like that cinema.

I haven't bought many crappy games but when they are crappy you live and learn or rent before or try them.

Koing