♥♥♥ key from a stranger. I didn't save the key!

[Liquid]

Long story short -> Got a game key from someone (I can't talk to anymore) for some of my game keys that he wanted. Redeemed the key I got but did not save the key in a notepad/excel file etc. I'm sacred Steam might ask for this specific games key (worst case scenario) in the future to authenticate my ownership of the account but I don't know/have the key! What should I do now? contact steam support to ask if I can have the key I redeemed before that day comes? it's already redeemed so it's not like anyone can use the key again so do you guys think they will give me the key? Has anyone done this before? Should I be worried or am I just overthinking?


Note: All this below has not happened yet but I am worried that it may happen (I'm more of a pessimist... I can't help it)

I'm also worried that if that guy tells ♥♥♥ that he bought the key and found that it was already redeemed when he got it. (when in reality he sold it to me) and decides to refund/exchange the key for another one (cause I think there is a 14 days thing ♥♥♥ shield policy thing? not sure) and SOMEHOW after whatever is happening behind the scenes Steam asks me to tell them the key for the game (cause I redeemed it so I should have it) otherwise they'll take MY game away... but I don't have it. :S fk.

Thank you all for your time

[Liquid]

Hmm I can't say G2A? Test: G2A

[Liquid]

By the hearts I mean: [Edited out]

also why is that censored?

[Tev]

It's censored because it's a gray market seller you shouldn't buy keys from.

Also, digital keys aren't proof, so knowing the CD-key at this point is irrelevant.
https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=2268-EAFZ-9762

If a game was registered to the account using a physical retail CD key, please provide the following with your Support Ticket:

[Ironclad]

G.2. has no power on Steam. Once the key is redeemed, it is bound to an account. G.2 will give that guy another key, or not even that. If you redeemed that game key, the gane is yours. He or G.2 cannot do anything about it. Also steam doesnt like G.2 because they sell steam codes that are cheaper than Steams codes. That and the fact they do not share the profits with Steam. That is why it is censored.

[Liquid]

Originally posted by Teutep:

It's censored because it's a gray market seller you shouldn't buy keys from.

Also, digital keys aren't proof, so knowing the CD-key at this point is irrelevant.

I read this a year back and it's haunting me now :(

[Tev]

Yeah, and the picture in the OP's post alone shows the physical copy.

Games you buy from that unauthorized reseller are digital, unless the seller owns the physical copy.

Nothing you can do by knowing the CD-key anyway. Just buy something that you can prove your ownership with on your own Steam -account.

[Liquid]

Originally posted by Ironclad:

G 2 A has no power on Steam. Once the key is redeemed, it is bound to an account. G 2 A will give that guy another key, or not even that. If you redeemed that game key, the gane is yours. He or G 2 A cannot do anything about it. Also stean doesnt like G 2 A because they sell steam codes that are cheaper than Steams codes. Tha and the fact they do not share the profits with Steam.

Ahh makes sense! I also want to support Steam only cause they are amazing so imma remove that god forsaken 3rd party companies name from this discussion. All hail GabeN!

[Tev]

Originally posted by Ironclad:

Once the key is redeemed, it is bound to an account.

While the key cannot be transferred to someone else, it simultaneously doesn't mean the key can't get revoked by the publisher.

And I think the point of this thread (going by the Reddit link) was that whether or not the seller can use the CD-key to "prove ownership" of OP's account - to which my response really is that unless it originates from a physical copy of the game, no.

[Liquid]

Originally posted by Teutep:

Just buy something that you can prove your ownership with on your own Steam -account.

So all this checking is only for physical copy games? I never bought a 'hard copy' game that had a steam key.. I always bought from steam on my main account (not this account) so does that mean I will never be asked for a key (from steam) for a specific game to authenticate my ownership on that account?

[Tev]

Yes, it's only for physical games you can take photocopies / pictures of.

And correct. I can prove my ownership with my VISA for example. I don't need to provide the physical CD-keys from the 4 games I own in addition.

The ways to prove your ownership are listed in the article above.

Naturally, having more proof over your account is never a bad thing.

[Liquid]

Originally posted by Teutep:

Yes, it's only for physical games you can take photocopies / pictures of. [something something] The ways to prove your ownership are listed in the article above.

Wait.. It also says 'Retail CD Keys' aren't all keys retail keys? :O plus I didn't buy the game with a credit card (the other guy did) so I have no bank transaction email no 'Retail CD key' I have nothing.

[Tev]

If you tried clicking that, you'd get more text below.

Text I myself quoted, and even underlined.

Originally posted by Teutep:

-snip-

If a game was registered to the account using a physical retail CD key, please provide the following with your Support Ticket:

Originally posted by (Not) Gabe Newell:

Originally posted by Teutep:

Yes, it's only for physical games you can take photocopies / pictures of [something something] The ways to prove your ownership are listed in the article above.

Wait.. It also says 'Retail CD Keys' aren't all keys retail keys? :O plus I didn't buy the game with a credit card (the other guy did) so I have no bank transaction email no 'Retail CD key' I have nothing.

You don't buy CD-keys from Steam, so his "bank transactions" are useless.

If he owns the game physically that he gave the key to you from (and the CD-key was on a physical, paper pamphlet), then I'd probably get some form of proof (and I'd get it even without that requirement if the account means jack to you.)

Do refrain from buying from that website again.

[Liquid]

Originally posted by Teutep:

If you tried clicking that, you'd get more text below.

Text I myself quoted, and even underlined.

Originally posted by Teutep:

-snip-

If a game was registered to the account using a physical retail CD key, please provide the following with your Support Ticket:

I did but it says "If a game was registered to the account using a physical retail CD key, please provide the following with your Support Ticket:"

"If.." that if means it's addition information no? just in case the person had a hard copy this is what he/she should/must do? I'm sorry if I'm over thinking..

[Tev]

Literally says "physical retail CD key"

Digital CD-keys aren't proof.

Think of it this way: the amount of people who ninja'd keys from mass giveaways would be in grave danger if digital CD-keys counted. They don't.

[Snapjak]

Physical CD key, as in the key printed onto a booklet/case/insert. That you can hold in your hand.